Charleston & WV - can't shake my cold feet when considering Relo (Huntington: transplants, violent crime)
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Exactly right. It used to be that when you drove into South Charleston there was this incredible smell of rotton eggs. It isn't there now. I think the chemical plant that produced it has closed, and like most good middle class jobs those have been moved to China or India by our elitist upper class.
I believe you are referring to the FMC Plant, which has been closed down for along time now.
They are building something there now, but I couldn't tell you what it is.
Thanks, making me feel much better! I read some comments on Sperling's best places website that complained about the smell from the chemical plants. I had not heard that before either.
I really want to get back East and this might be as close as we can manage in this current economic climate.
I am a native of Kanawha Valley, but now in NC. My sister lives in South Hills, other side of river and over the hill from downtown Charleston - very nice, best schools in the state, many millionaires live in this area. My bro in law lives in Teays Valley/Hurricane - about 15 miles west of Charleston not far off interstate 64 - again very nice, many new housing developments, very good schools. Both these areas are away from chemical plants and are extremely low crime - I know there are nice areas in PA (i.e. Oakmont where my aunt lives, etc) but in my opinon, these two areas are as nice as anything I ever saw in PA
I am a native of Kanawha Valley, but now in NC. My sister lives in South Hills, other side of river and over the hill from downtown Charleston - very nice, best schools in the state, many millionaires live in this area. My bro in law lives in Teays Valley/Hurricane - about 15 miles west of Charleston not far off interstate 64 - again very nice, many new housing developments, very good schools. Both these areas are away from chemical plants and are extremely low crime - I know there are nice areas in PA (i.e. Oakmont where my aunt lives, etc) but in my opinon, these two areas are as nice as anything I ever saw in PA
You probably don't want to use the immediate suburbs around Pittsburgh as indicators as to the best in PA, but I agree with you that South Hills and Hurricane are nice areas.
You probably don't want to use the immediate suburbs around Pittsburgh as indicators as to the best in PA, but I agree with you that South Hills and Hurricane are nice areas.
Reason I did was the OP is from Pittsburgh, and Oakmont is one of the nicer suburbs of Pittsburgh (except for my aunt's houses lol) I have never been impressed with much around Pittsburgh - most of SW PA is a downgrade from South Hills and other upscale areas around Charleston - imho.
Reason I did was the OP is from Pittsburgh, and Oakmont is one of the nicer suburbs of Pittsburgh (except for my aunt's houses lol) I have never been impressed with much around Pittsburgh - most of SW PA is a downgrade from South Hills and other upscale areas around Charleston - imho.
Couldn't agree more.
Even Eastern Pittsburgh, like Greensburg and Uniontown.
Charleston & WV - can't shake my cold feet when considering Relo
I lived there for over 20 years and if you have a decent income and friends, it's a nice place to live. South Hills schools (George Washington HS, John Adams Jr. High, or whatever they have there now) were considered the beat schools. The Catholic school downtown is also highly regarded academically. I don't think that South Charleston schools were too shabby when I lived there.
As for kids staying in the region after they go to college, I wouldn't worry about that. It's their business where they choose to move. Probably most of the sons and daughters of the Union Carbide and DuPont employees went away to college and never came back. They moved on to get a PhD, MD, DO, or to law school and then moved on to Baltimore-Washington, or to some other city much larger than either Charleston or Pittsburgh. At least the cost of higher ed in WV is less than PA, and I mean less by quite a lot for undergrad degrees. I would consider that a great benefit, and I'd stop worrying about whether the kids would stay "home" after graduation. Unless they are in "ed or med," they might have difficult time finding any careers in western PA.
If you live in Elkview, South Hills, the hill area of South Charleston, or parts of Cross Lanes, or out in Teays Valley, the schools should be decent and you should not run into "stereotypes" all that often. If you live in Sissonville, well, that experience might be different.
The largest drawback to Charleston that I saw is that it's a relatively isolated location. Charleston and Huntington both seemed to look more "urban" in historic photos, to me, than they did in the '80s - 2000s, after coal, railroads, and manufacturing had declined. The nearest large city, driving, is Columbus, and that is historically where people of Charleston / So. Charleston went when they wanted to go see major sports or to Christmas shop, or whatever. Pittsburgh is about 4 hours away, and Charlotte is 4-4.5. Going east to VA/MD/DC is probably the most time consuming.
If your work connections prove to be good social connections, then you shouldn't feel too deprived there. But if you or he work for a very small company, it might be hard to meet people.
As for odors, DuPont in Belle and the ag products made at Institute were the only places I recall having much of an odor in the 2000s. Way back, yes, So Chas did have smells, particularly on hot summer days / nights. But much (most?) of those manufacturing operations are gone now. I think the humid air there in the summers is more of a problem than any "odors." Summers there are hotter and much more humid than NW PA. I believe they are worse than Pittsburgh's. Some people have a lot of allergy problems living there, but lots don't, too.
Charleston is a wonderful place to live. There is plenty to do and the climate is nice. People are very friendly. The schools in the South Hills area are terrific. George Washington High School is top notch. It is amazing to me how much the "stereotypical" reputation lives on regarding WV. Absolutely absurd. Do yourself a favor. Make a visit to Charleston and have a look for yourself instead of worrying about what your friends think (who I assume have most likely never been here either). It is a beautiful place. If you truly are concerned about "what will everybody think of us for living in WV," then perhaps it is not the place for you. I hope you will come and see for yourself what a nice place it is. I really think you would like it and be happy living here. Good luck with your decision.
I'm trying to be rude, but it is funny when Pennsylvanians make comments about West Virginia (not directed to the OP). They tend to forget that they are in the Appalachian region as well and the comments about West Virginia could be made about Pennsylvania too. (Ever heard of Pennsyltucky?)Also some areas outside of Pittsburgh, particularly the New Castle area and the Mon River towns, make the even the most downtrodden towns in West Virginia look good.
I grew up about 20 minutes west of Charleston in Teays Valley (Putnam County) and am currently living in Pittsburgh. I love the 'Burgh as a young professional, but I miss WV so much. People think I'm crazy and WV gets A LOT of bad press but the truth is, I wish I could bring Teays Valley to the 'Burgh so it would get the respect it deserves.
First of all, Putnam County schools are among the best of the best. I may be biased, but I'm able to really look into what a town can offer someone looking to invest in a home and all of its surroundings. The homes are newer and the subdivisions are among the friendliest. They aren't cut-through main roads like Pittsburgh has. Only your neighbors will drive through your neighborhood. You get a yard and a lot of living space for your price. Back through roads like Rocky Step Road, Bills Creek, and Fraziers Bottom (close to Winfield) you can really get into some large-acre lots with a lot of space! Athletics offered around the area from elementary to high school are competitive, but friendly and there is a league for just about anything. The place may lack family owned "Ma & Pa" restaurants but drive to St. Albans, Nitro, Milton, or a smaller, older town outside of Teays Valley and it's right there.
In my opinion, the short commute on a great road system is no problem. My dad makes a 40 minute commute through Charleston to Belle and was always home for dinner--no rush hour problems (most of the time).
WV will always be looked at negatively from the outside looking in and it's not the richest state. But a lot of families prosper in their line of work and smart decisions, of course. It's not easy for everyone to find a job, but if you have one--stay there! I wouldn't change my childhood for the world and love the place more than anything! I hope one day my work allows me to come back home and raise my kids there! Good, working-class families! Good luck!
I too am relocating to Charleston area. Any luck find accommodation? What was your final decision?
Thanks.
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