Moving from VA to WV questions (Charleston, Huntington: to live in, prices, shop)
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I want to help you and will Ranger, but I also have to be brutally honest in order to do so.
If you are not happy in Jefferson, you won't like anywhere else in WV.
Jefferson is, by far, one of the most prosperous areas of the state with the best roads. You're actually the first person I've ever heard complain about the roads in Jefferson and I've lived here my whole life. The Eastern Panhandle has the best roads in WV, hands down. I have friends from other parts of the state and their jaws drop when they come here and see the growth, good roads, new housing, etc.
I'm not in any way saying your points are invalid. I appreciate you sharing your views. They are just simultaneously intriguing and shocking to me. This looks like a description of the southern coalfields or the Ohio Valley, not the Eastern Panhandle.
As far as jobs go, we are a bedroom community. One of the main characteristics of a bedroom community is tons of available housing and primarily service-related jobs (restaurants, bars, retail, etc). I've seen this in bedroom communities across the US. People live here and work elsewhere.
The drug issue is a national epidemic, including in Northern Virginia. However, I will agree it is more obvious here. It seems to be more hidden elsewhere. I've also noticed a recent uptick in homeless people walking around in Berkeley.
Just curious, what brought you here? What was it about Jefferson County that made you happy at first? Just trying to get a feel for your interests so I can help you. I appreciate the conversation.
I have lived in Martinsburg/Berkley Co & Charles Town/Ranson/Jefferson Co for 45 years Never Run into what the OP is describing. Lack of jobs yes But not homeless & drugs. Bet OP lives in what used to be called wrong side of the track. Sure there are drugs & homeless That EVERYWHERE. In 45 years I only read about it the news papers Not live any where near it.
OP needs to Move to an area he knows....
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You must be very sheltered. Berkeley County on one list I saw (on the front page of either USA Today, or the Washington Post?), last year was one of the top 5 counties in the entire United States in its rate of Opioid (use or deaths?). I can't find that link now, but here is a link with similar statistics for Berkeley County.
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You must be very sheltered. Berkeley County on one list I saw (on the front page of either USA Today, or the Washington Post?), last year was one of the top 5 counties in the entire United States in its rate of Opioid (use or deaths?). I can't find that link now, but here is a link with similar statistics for Berkeley County.
That doesn't mean the average resident sees any of it at all. I live near Charleston. I have to go into certain parts of the downtown area and [almost] make an effort to run into any of the homeless people or the opioid users. I've got friends and relatives in Huntington (where these problems are even worse) and they talk about what a great city it is and what a nice place it is to live and raise a family. Yet the drug problem in Huntington is so bad that they have identified an HIV cluster there. Still, it is a lovely city that recently rated 100% on a diversity index and is a very welcoming place for new residents.
If you buy a home in a residential area where the other homes look nice and well maintained, you would be unlikely to encounter these problems. The people I know who live in the Eastern Panhandle all speak highly of the area as a great place to live.
Glad to see it all worked out in the end (for now). It's a shame they can't at least have one train run on Saturday and Sunday well. MARC finally did that between DC and Baltimore. Promoting the Eastern Panhandle towns as a weekend destination could be nice but unless one is planning on not leaving Shepherdstown or Harpers Ferry you're going to be spending quite a bit on Ubers to get around. I am not saying it isn't doable but I think I'd rather have my car.
1. The line that the freight train derailed from was separate from the rail line MARC uses.
2. Yes, this is their bedroom. But, this is also where their grocery stores, clothing stores, gas stations, big box stores, restaurants, bars and so on are located. What does this mean? Tax dollars that go right back into our community. WV desperately needs the growth that's happening in the EP. There are plenty of dead areas of WV that are begging for new residents if anyone is looking to get away from here.
Investing in MARC was an excellent decision by WV. We are so far behind almost every other state when it comes to public transportation. In most other states, funding a commuter rail line would be a no-brainer. Here, it's like pulling teeth from a lion.
3. To imply that the train derailment was done by the "powers that be" is incredibly disrespectful.
4. Why do almost all of your posts appear confrontational, Katie1? I, as well as other members, have tried numerous times for years to have productive conversations with you only to be met with insulting replies.
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