Fairmont vs. Bridgeport (Morgantown, Clarksburg, Grafton: 2014, crime, how much)

[hatnic]

Can anyone tell me about the Fairmont area vs. the Bridgeport area? I have visited the Bridgeport area and found it to be very nice. I did not get a chance to visit the Fairmont area and was hoping that someone could compare the two areas. Information on the schools would be very helpful. I am looking for a great elementary school for my children that would be both safe and academically outstanding. I read a little about the schools on greatschools.net and some seem to be good and others seem to get not so great reviews. I read one review that stated that there were a lot of trouble makers in one of the schools which is what I am trying to avoid. I am not sure how far Fairmont is from the Bridgeport area but it does not sound to far for a commute. Any info on the area would be helpful. We are relocating from Louisiana and are trying to find the right place for our family. A great family oriented area would be nice.

Thanks,
hatnic

[David Kennedy]

I would not consider the Fairmont area until a safe water supply is provided.

That may take years...its (Fairmont's) future is in casino gambling. That will bring more crime and drugs to their area...
Why the morons of power would do that to a nice small college town is beyond me...but they live in the moment without regard to the future or any future generations...

Other states give the gambling to the indian reservations...we have areas of the state that have no development and are handicapped because of access...those casino's could be built there...our prisons were built under such a sceme...but the secret is interstate access and being able to bus the 'shills in and out quickly...contain them... and contain the crime that comes too...

The other areas have recognized the inherited problems and have privately voiced opposition...Bridgeport and Morgantown will be kept clean...

my solution: I'll move out of here in a few years...

[cldwv]

I've lived in Fairmont for 20 years and although I gripe from time to time, I'm glad we settled here. I don't know too much about the water problems cited above - I use a filtration system anyway. There are problems but I've noticed a growth in the last few years and it's encouraging. Another bonus is that you are between Morgantown and Bridgeport.

[Buzz123]

Originally Posted by hatnic

Can anyone tell me about the Fairmont area vs. the Bridgeport area? I have visited the Bridgeport area and found it to be very nice. I did not get a chance to visit the Fairmont area and was hoping that someone could compare the two areas. Information on the schools would be very helpful. I am looking for a great elementary school for my children that would be both safe and academically outstanding. I read a little about the schools on greatschools.net and some seem to be good and others seem to get not so great reviews. I read one review that stated that there were a lot of trouble makers in one of the schools which is what I am trying to avoid. I am not sure how far Fairmont is from the Bridgeport area but it does not sound to far for a commute. Any info on the area would be helpful. We are relocating from Louisiana and are trying to find the right place for our family. A great family oriented area would be nice.

Thanks,
hatnic

The commute is nothing, but Bridgeport, in my opinion, is a nicer, cleaner community, close to most of the shopping in the whole central WV area. Best restaurants too. I think Fairmont went to seed decades ago. But there's not a lot of difference in any of the towns in WV, and the people are generally pretty nice everywhere in the state. So flip a coin. Best to just go by how much you like the home you'll be living in.

[hatnic]

Thanks for all the information on Fairmont. I had not read anything on the casino's coming to that area. That is something that I want to avoid being around. I have researched Bridgeport a lot more than Fairmont and was just wondering which most people preferred.

Thanks,
hatnic

[drskinneymoon]

David,
When are the casinos expected? Have they purchased property yet?

[David Kennedy]

The property was purchased about 8 years ago...public funding for these private ventures is in place...

One casino was dated at 2014.

Don't know if that is the Riverboat lol...or the convention center.

One thing is for sure...

with Joe Hardy just up the road in a 2 billion dollar resort..a penny-anny project in Dogtown (Fairmont)will not see much business, (except from the locals).

[tallydude02]

Originally Posted by Buzz123

The commute is nothing, but Bridgeport, in my opinion, is a nicer, cleaner community, close to most of the shopping in the whole central WV area. Best restaurants too. I think Fairmont went to seed decades ago. But there's not a lot of difference in any of the towns in WV, and the people are generally pretty nice everywhere in the state. So flip a coin. Best to just go by how much you like the home you'll be living in.

I agree.

But if I lived in the Fairmont area, it would not be in the city of Fairmont, but rather Whitehall or Pleasant Valley, which are the areas just off I-79.

Although not mentioned, I believe western Taylor County, which is close to Bridgeport and Fairmont, is a place to consider.

[David Kennedy]

Tally dude is right on with his surmise...the growth is Bridgeport towards Grafton...White Hall toward Grafton and Morgantown toward Grafton.

And the reason is simple...large land parcels to build on...lack of looney restrictions to build...cheap county taxation and a city and county government in Taylor County that is not hung up on themselves (and the money that can be stolen).

They have seen the corruption in Fairmont, Clarksburg and the uncontrolled growth in Morgantown and are keeping a sane governmental distance.

[LL02]

Fairmont is gross...end of story. And Casinos are its only hope..which is saying a whole lot