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I am moving with my family to West Virginia, we've been there a few times and we like the atmosphere. The people are very nice and the cities/counties don't seem too far away from each other.
Here in Philly driving from one place to another is hectic, 309 is always under construction, it took four days for a plow to come anywhere near our street after the blizzard, and my brother and I are having a hard time finding jobs since we graduated. I applied to 30 jobs last year, I refuse to believe that my resume was just that terrible.
Are they're jobs in WV are people hiring?
My mother is a nurse, an LPN, who wants to get her RN degree once we move. My dad is a real estate agent, I have a degree in Communications and my brother has a diploma in Baking and Pastry.
For me I'll take anything in my field as long as it's not a dead end job. I'm 24 right now, so I know I'm new. If I had my way I'd choose Public Relations, but as I said, after a year of job searching with a degree I'll take what I can. My second question is which city is the best place to live? We like Charleston, but if we can't get a place in Charleston then where's the next best place?
I looked at the other posts on here earlier tonight and a lot of people seem to point towards Huntington, is that a better shot for us?
How big are the houses, at the moment we live in a row home with three bedrooms and a basement, we don't want to move into anything smaller.
We're looking to rent, we're packing now and plan to leave by the end of spring. I've tried doing searches online, but I'm having a tough time finding pictures (places for rent) and then I found the site which is even better than pictures (personal opinions from people who live there).
Lastly, in a question that's pretty random, what's it like in WV for filming? Less companies are coming to film in Philly because the taxes are high. M. Night is one of the few who always comes back. I just wanted to know if anything at all (doesn't have to be a movie) gets filmed there?
I agree with trying to line jobs up before you move, but I would definately look at the Huntington area. Huntington is the second largest city in the state and offers plenty to do including the largest shopping mall in the state. Being home to Marshall University, there's also plenty of collegiate offerings as well, both for entertainment and education. There are 2 large teaching hospitals in Huntington along with a VA hospital, the state Mental Health Hospital, and smaller facilities/nursing homes as well. Marshall and 2-3 other organizations would provide opportunities for your mom to further her education locally. Real Estate has been fairly steady here so your dad would likely be fine as well. For communications, I'm not sure what your focus area is but the 2 largest stations in the state are based in Huntington and the Huntington-Charleston market is the 2nd largest east of the Mississippi. There are also several radio stations based here as well. There would likely be several opportunities for your brother but if he has a lot of energy, he might consider opening a bakery downtown. We have a bakery close to downtown but the focus is almost solely pastries and cakes. A nice bakery would do well downtown.
For housing here, you would likely be able to find just about whatever your needs require. They have larger and smaller houses here and the prices overall are very low. Huntington actually has one of the lowest costs of living in the nation. Lots of older home with a lot of character in town, many having been recently updated.
In terms of the film industry, things do get filmed here from time to time with the biggest of these being We are Marshall, which was filmed here in Huntington. New tax incentives were passed to try to bring more filming to the state but most of the productions are on a smaller level.
Here are some links that you may find helpful and let me know if you have any other questions.
If your set on moving to the Charleston area, here are a couple of things to help you out.
CAMC- Charleston Area Medical Center is the primary hospital system in the area. There are several divisions/branches around the valley.
Spring Hill Bakery in South Charleston is a great place! They make a pastry called the "Hot Dog" that have become legendary.
If your looking to rent, you will find lot's of options. Southmoore Hills in South Charleston have some town homes and 3 bedroom apts that were remodled 5 years ago. I lived in one for 2 years when i was finishing college. There are also lot's of older homes in the valley for rent.
There aren't too many movies being filmed in WV right now. But "We Are Marshall" Was primarily filmed in Huntington. And the "Mothman Prophecies" was about Point Pleasant, WV but it was filmed in PA.
If you don't want to go as far south or west as Charleston or Huntington, you may find the eastern panhandle has the best location for employment and school. Research these then decide where you want to move.
This has been a tough area for some of the new realtors that got in during the boom. Now things have settled down some and many of the newbies dropped out. So I would think there are opportunities for someone that is professional and motivated. There is still a relatively large volume of turnover if you get licensed in the easily covered georgraphical area which includes a few counties in VA and MD as well as WV.
I forgot to add a few other links for the Huntington area. Here are links for Marshall University and the "We are Marshall" movie along with some of the shopping and things to do. Also of note, being from Philly, there is a restaurant here that makes great Philly Cheesesteaks and they actually get their bread from a place in Philly. That way you won't have to miss good food (if you like cheesesteaks).
The sustaining growth area of Wv is the Morgantown region.
One hour from our big brother city, Pittsburgh and their International Airport.
Movies???
I have a friend in films and he is on a project here in Wv as we speak...a peroid piece set in the 1770's.
They are shooting the winter scenes at Ft. New Salem and Pricketts Fort now.
If you don't want to go as far south or west as Charleston or Huntington, you may find the eastern panhandle has the best location for employment and school. Research these then decide where you want to move.
I agree. I feel there are many more opportunities, especially in health care, in that area. The real estate market has taken a beating, but that means if you are moving in you're going to find some really, really good opportunities for housing. Wages in healthcare are generally higher in the Hagerstown/Martinsburg/Winchester/NoVA region, the potential in upscale food service is better when you relocate to a growing market..
I'm not knocking other areas of the state, but for future job growth potential (as long as your not associated with building trades/real estate) is still bright in the EP region. Especially healthcare.
I agree. I feel there are many more opportunities, especially in health care, in that area. The real estate market has taken a beating, but that means if you are moving in you're going to find some really, really good opportunities for housing. Wages in healthcare are generally higher in the Hagerstown/Martinsburg/Winchester/NoVA region, the potential in upscale food service is better when you relocate to a growing market..
I'm not knocking other areas of the state, but for future job growth potential (as long as your not associated with building trades/real estate) is still bright in the EP region. Especially healthcare.
Also I forgot to mention the two new hospitals being built, Berkeley Springs & Romney. Both are replacing small antiquated facilities and should offer more employment. Both are Valley Health.
David is also right on with the central corridor up to Morgantown being a good opportunity with long term growth.
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