West Virginia

[next_migration]

As for Kentucky, West Virginia seems to have more of Appalachia’s chronic problems than Tennessee and fewer opportunities. It is much more rural in character, which for some will be attractive as there is still plenty of unspoiled scenery, and dominated by evangelicals, who make up over half the population. Addiction and poverty are common, and crime rates are often quite high compared to towns of similar size elsewhere. The coal industry is politically very powerful, enabling it to harm environments and human health almost unchecked, even though employment in that industry has been declining for decades.

 

In other communities, town water has been polluted by powerful chemical industries, including DuPont and Freedom Industries, which in 2014 spilled toxins into the river that provides water to the largest metro area. West Virginia is known for its terrible water quality, with a majority of residents, disproportionately non-white and lower-income residents, exposed within a three-year period to water that does not meet standards. Some people who like deregulation in theory may not be eager to drink the results; if that’s you, be careful to investigate before moving.

There are about 14 cities or towns having populations between ca. 10,000 and 48,000. Most communities in West Virginia have been losing population over the past 10 years. The state is making efforts to attract remote workers, but many areas have poor or near-absent internet service. If you will be looking for any kind of technical job, you’re better off looking in Tennessee. You certainly shouldn’t move to a small town unless you come from the area or are a blood relative of long-time residents.

All that said, one doesn’t like to completely write this state off. It is poor and mostly rural. However, if you believe that the long-term future of this country is poor and mostly rural, maybe West Virginia would appear not so bad off: they have not so far to fall as most of us. With the exception of one metro region with a moderately larger footprint, Kurtz et al. (2020) estimated that their towns could be supplied from foodsheds under 250 km in radius if (as usual) less meat were eaten. Most promising places for outsiders include the following.

 

o  Charleston, the biggest city, only has 49,000 people, although its metropolitan area includes about 200,000. Health care, retail, trade, energy, telecommunications, manufacturing, and chemical and extractive industries are among major employers. In 2014, “Freedom Industries” spilled toxic coal-processing chemicals into Elk River, which supplies the city’s drinking water. There are a few university and college branch campuses in the metro area, and a variety of cultural events. Economic stagnation, drugs, and crime are issues. Has an Amtrak stop.

o  Morgantown (30,000 people) is a college town, home of West Virginia University, whose student population is similar in size to that of the town. Housing is a little pricier than in some places as a result, but not exorbitant by urban standards. In addition to the university, there’s a large WVU hospital system and employment in retail, energy, and pharmaceuticals. The town is well liked for its beautiful scenery and low crime rate. There is both a bus system and a Personal Rapid Transit system, mostly serving WVU, which shuttles passengers among five stops in driverless electric mini-trolleys.

o  Fairmont (18,000 people) is a somewhat rundown Rust Belt town, formerly mining-dependent, known as the Pepperoni Roll Capital of the World. There is a small public university, and Fairmont is home to the National White Collar Crime Center. Residents complain about drugs, but the crime rate is still pretty low.

o  Wheeling (27,000 people), in the northern tail of the state, is less than 50 miles from Pittsburgh, PA, which some might see as a plus. Schools are good, housing cheap, and crime low. The economy includes energy, tourism, law, and health care, but many residents are employed in retail or services. There are four small colleges or universities. Entertainments include theater, a symphony, a waterfront with many live events, and a casino and greyhound racetrack.

o  Bridgeport (9000 people) is a small bedroom community with limited jobs and rather high housing costs. It is the home of a large shopping complex. Bridgeport is well rated for its beautiful parks, good schools, and low crime; it is extremely white and religion may be found in public institutions.

 

There’s a fair amount of transit access in western West Virginia, but none in the rural eastern part of the state. Charleston, Parkersburg, Morgantown, Clarksburg, Fairmont, Bluefield, and Wheeling have Greyhound bus stops, as do half a dozen other less promising communities.