What Are The Pros And Cons Of Living In West Virginia?

West Virginia is one of those states that few people know about unless they are actually from there. If you are considering a move to this state, expect a culture shock. This is especially true if you are coming from a place like NYC. While the state gets a bad rep from many, the truth is that it can be a nice place to live for the right person. But, are YOU that person?

West Virginia boasts extremely low home prices, a low tax rate, and a low cost of living. Most areas are relatively quiet, and the outdoor recreation can’t be beaten. However, extreme poverty, terrible schools, rampant drug use, and a rough job market make it hard for many to live here.

If you want to move to West Virginia, you probably are going to have a lot to get used to. This guide will give you the inside scoop on what you should expect to see if you head to this state.

Related Content: Cost Of Living In West Virginia | Small Town Living vs. Big City

West Virginia is right in the heart of the Appalachian Trail, making it one of the best places for people who love to hike and camp.

Multiple national parks, ample campgrounds, and plenty of fishin’ holes mean that nature lovers will never run out of new places to discover. The state is also famous for its hunting and its biodiversity.

Since much of West Virginia is free from towns and people, there are a lot of areas that allegedly could have species once thought to be extinct. So, you never know what you might see here.

The median home price in West Virginia is around $96,400. Most homes, even the luxurious ones, are valued at under $150,000 throughout the state.

Knowing this, there are few states out there that offer the cost of living as low as West Virginia. You can expect the cost of living to be notably lower than the average state.

Due to the sheer sparseness of the population in most areas, renting is very rare. However, it is still done from time to time.

Not a fan of feeling like “a drop in the bucket?” West Virginia will hold a lot of appeal for you, then! Even the most populated parts of West Virginia are still spread out.

This gives the entire state a very small-town feel, and it’s expected that you will be able to name your neighbors within a week of moving in.

With that said, this is a double-edged sword. Many parts of West Virginia involve people who are not amenable to new faces.

So, it depends on where you move. If you don’t have relatives in and around the area you’re moving to; you might want to do your due diligence first.

Many people find the lax attitudes of West Virginia to be a very refreshing thing. It’s incredibly unusual to hear of homeowners’ associations, and there’s plenty of space to just spread out and do what you want to do.

Want to spray paint a mural on your home? Go for it. No one will say a thing about it. Want to set off fireworks in your backyard? In some parts, it’s a regular pastime.

When you own a home in West Virginia, there’s a very big belief that it’s your property that you can do whatever you want to it that comes with it. This is especially true in Appalachia, where you can be king of your street.

Crime is higher than the national average in West Virginia for both property and violent crimes. However, this is only half of the story.

Most of the cities and some of the small towns have a severe problem when it comes to crimes. This much is true. However, the vast majority of the smaller cities have almost no crime to speak of.

Many parts of West Virginia are the type of place where you are expected to leave the doors open during the day. When everyone knows everyone, it doesn’t make sense to keep them locked.

West Virginia is the 6th poorest state in the nation, with 15 percent of all households falling under the state’s poverty guidelines.

So, that’s why the average income level is so low and why the home price is as low as it is. Finding employment can also pose a problem, particularly for people who are new to the area.

What’s alarming is that the unemployment rate is stuck at 15 percent, even after the economy started to recover. Depending on where you live, unemployment could get as high as 25 percent.

Well, it’s not any food variety. You can find all-American food, Southern fare, as well as the occasional pizza joint. However, West Virginia is not exactly known for being a gourmet hotspot by any means of the word.

Due to the lack of diversity in the state, finding international cuisine will not be accessible by any means of the word.

Even if you live in one of the cities here, there’s a good chance that you won’t find anything more adventurous than sushi, or maybe Thai.

If you’re a foodie, this isn’t very pleasant. At the very least, you can enjoy some severe distiller creations, though. Appalachian moonshine is a thing.

Don’t get us wrong. There is an arts element to living in West Virginia, especially when it comes to bluegrass.

After all, this state is where bluegrass began. Buck dancing, too, is a significant thing here. However, if you were hoping for many art galleries, theater companies, and fine arts, you’re going to be disappointed.

West Virginia’s “high arts” sector is almost entirely relegated to the city portions, unlike other states. Even then, you’re probably going to be underwhelmed.

Does West Virginia have cities? Yes. However, the term “city” is pretty loose here. The truth is, most cities in West Virginia aren’t cities by most other state standards. They are densely populated, and they do have a higher population than most small towns around.

However, it’s not like you’re going to see skyscrapers. Even tall apartment buildings aren’t going to be a thing.

For some people, this can be a great thing. For others, especially those who used to live in a major city, it could be a rough time.

It takes several hours to get to a city that’s as city-like as Baltimore. If you are not okay with that kind of distance and that level of being far away from a big city, then West Virginia is not for you.

Related Questions

Does West Virginia get a lot of snow?

The average snowfall total in America is around 28 inches. West Virginia clocks in at slightly more, approximately 32 inches in total every year.So, the snowfall here is slightly above the norm. The bigger issues that come with this state is in the amount of rainfall they get.West Virginia gets an average of 144 inches of rain per year—well above the national average of 100! If you love rain, you probably will find West Virginia an enjoyable place to be.