So learn me southern WV

Warning long post ahead!

So... SWMBO graduated Dec 13 with her Masters in Library Science, and since Jan 1st has been pounding the electronic pavement so to speak looking for jobs. Looks like she may have found something in her hometown in southern WV, we'll find out more tomorrow.(fingers crossed and I'm hoping this post doesn't jinx it)

Basically a little mountain town where everyone knows everyone, and through a friend of a friend found out the local library director wants to retire, but she wants someone with a MLIS degree to replace her, which rules out any of the local, already there employees. I'm happy for her, especially if she lands the job, as she's always wanted to go "home" and try to make a difference in the community. Zillow rates the schools at a 2/3 between middle and high school. Community is an old mining town, that once the mine closed 90% of the town became unemployed, it's gotten better but I think it's still at like 80% or so. My job is a telecommute so it can go with me(luckily they had a fiber network put in 2 years ago so a 100mb connection is available even if it is 200$ a month).

Her father was a first responder to a mine collapse and was killed when it collapsed further, she was 4 or 5. When she was 6 mom took the settlement money and moved her and the kids to fl, bought a house and pretty much tried to move on with her and the kids. SWMBO has always wanted to go back. I've been there, nice enough town, random people she doesn't know walking up to her and asking about her mom and if she's so and so's daughter all grown up. (Kinda weird, but seeing as how I've had it happen to me in my dads hometown, I get it) BUT having been a military brat who's moved a lot, and been back and forth a few times to a few places, I can say that things are never how you remember them. People may be the same, but somehow things always feel different. I don't know how long she's going to want to stay, but I plan on making the best of it while I'm there with her. Besides after 16 years in one place, after moving as much as I did, wanderlust doesn't begin to describe the way I feel about this place, I'm ready to go. I've got family here, and I'm hoping to be able to make an offer to my dad and his brothers for some family owned property in the next year or two, I'll be back. Not to mention FL gulf coast big bend area fishing is too good to walk away from forever.

Which brings me to my point, WTBerk is there to do up there? Local Craigslist is rather uninspiring, and is expensive as hell for cars/trucks that see salt and snow. Boats are omg insane price wise, motorcycles too! Not to mention HD is the greatest thing since sliced bread apparently up there. (Got a feeling I will be dragging a trailer back and forth to visit mom and dad). Fishing is obviously going to be freshwater with a lot of creeks and streams, probably don't need my SCUBA certification(though it might be an excuse to get my rescue divers cert and try to get on with the sheriffs office as a reserve deputy). Apparently 4 wheeling is big up there in the summer time, as they were all over the roads last time I was up there, so I could learn to ride off road, (never been that big into ORV's, but it's another skill set in the box). Paintball is pretty much non existent in southern WV last time I looked other than a few "outlaw" fields, which after playing tournament and scenario ball is going to be rather aggravating.

Cliffs notes:So is it to much to hope for that there is some kind of organized motorsports in or around southern WV?

Damn. I dunno. Do you like rural? How bad is the meth around there? 80% unemployment tends to drag that in. But if her job pays, I suppose it's worth at try.

Dr. Hess wrote: Damn. I dunno. Do you like rural? How bad is the meth around there? 80% unemployment tends to drag that in. But if her job pays, I suppose it's worth at try.

Yeah, drugs are an issue in that town. The one field SWMBO has "forbidden" is law enforcement in that area. Did corrections years ago, and was looking to cross over but the good ole boy mentality that dominates a majority of FL LEO drove me away from it.

Rural is fine, I like city life enough but if I don't get away from it once in awhile I start feeling claustrophobic. She's expecting a lowball offer on the paycheck, but with my job coming with me we'll be fine.

Housing runs between 45-85k for decent ready to move in places. We've actually got our eye on a place that "needs updating" for 20k. 3/1 1300 sq ft+ basement. After living in mobile homes for 20years I am pretty confident my skill and tool set will allow me to do 90% of any work that needs to be done. Just need to check out the neighborhood, as I'll double that in a heartbeat to get out of a crappy place where I need to keep a gun handy to protect my car.

Masters in library science... in west virginia? They have libraries there?

In reply to mndsm

Smart ass tonight are we?

Oh wow it didn't insert the filter for me... Oh well we're mostly all adults here.

Spinout007 wrote: In reply to mndsm Smart ass tonight are we?

Yeah, that's me. Seriously though, I know a few things about the area. The laid back feel.is weird. If you know the locals, the good old boy vibe can work to.your advantage. If you can lay your hands on some, real live.corn whiskey is damn tasty. The food is weird, but awesome. Those cats will cook anything they can shoot. Its just a totally different pace of life.

My dad is from Wirt County and while we lived there a little while, most of my time in that part of the country was spent in the Parkersburg/Marietta area. He always said to never go into Mingo County without a knife in your boot and a gun under the seat to protect from Cops and Ex-Miners. He never mentioned the car scene.

He also complained about the liberals in Morgantown so watch out for them too.

Not what I'd called well versed in regards to the area, but I'm not exactly lost either.

So, I'd be throwing it right back to you. Coffee or Latte? Movie or live play? BBQ or quiche? Hike in the woods or run on a groomed park trail?

Yes, I'm stereotyping. It's basically accurate. Especially in a small town, especially a small town in West (by God) Virginia. None of it is bad, but if you don't fit, it won't be fun.

foxtrapper wrote: Not what I'd called well versed in regards to the area, but I'm not exactly lost either. So, I'd be throwing it right back to you. Coffee or gay? Movie or gay? BBQ or gay? Hike in the woods or run on a groomed park trail? Yes, I'm stereotyping. It's basically accurate. Especially in a small town, especially a small town in West (by God) Virginia. None of it is bad, but if you don't fit, it won't be fun.

FTFY Sad but true.

moparman76_69 wrote:

foxtrapper wrote: Not what I'd called well versed in regards to the area, but I'm not exactly lost either. So, I'd be throwing it right back to you. Coffee or gay? Movie or gay? BBQ or gay? Hike in the woods or run on a groomed park trail? Yes, I'm stereotyping. It's basically accurate. Especially in a small town, especially a small town in West (by God) Virginia. None of it is bad, but if you don't fit, it won't be fun.

FTFY Sad but true.

So you are saying his long term plan of his and hers Miatae may be viewed as a dislike of BBQ?

logdog wrote: My dad is from Wirt County and while we lived there a little while, most of my time in that part of the country was spent in the Parkersburg/Marietta area. He always said to never go into Mingo County without a knife in your boot and a gun under the seat to protect from Cops and Ex-Miners. He never mentioned the car scene. He also complained about the liberals in Morgantown so watch out for them too.

Whatchu know bout dem McHappy's donuts, dawg?

McHappy's do not compare to the donuts from JR's Donut Castle.

I grew up in WV (Parkersburg) and I would have to think really hard about moving to southern WV. Watch the Wild and Wonderful Whites of WV movie.

I'm from Wyoming County. It sounds like you're describing either Wyoming, Mingo, McDowell, Mercer, or Boone County. My family, along with a lot of other families left there in 1997 for North Carolina (West Virginian's pronounce it Norcurlina). Honestly, when we left things were bad. Coal was on the decline, drugs were starting to pick up steam. Since the serious decline of coal and the serious increase in drugs, I haven't felt the need to go back there since 2004ish when my neighbor and great-grandma happened to pass away a couple of days apart. It's a rough area, with poor roads, and no flat land. A lot of double and single wide trailers. I've been married now for 5 years and my wife has never seen the area my family refers to as the badlands.

On the plus side. The people down there are hardworking, friendly, genuinely caring people. You may have a hard time fitting in, but after a week they'll call you brother. Real estate should be cheap, but impossible to find a rental.

What to do... The Hatfield McCoy Trail system is massive and far reaching. The plus side is that southern WV is literally covered in old mining and logging roads. We used to ride for hours upon end on the weekends traveling over a lot of miles. Everyone has an ATV or dirt bike, and you can find a gang to ride with pretty easily. Hunting is almost cult like, and you can fish in the creeks or rivers all day. You won't be too far from Summersville Lake since you mentioned SCUBA. It is rumored to be the clearest freshwater lake in the country, but don't quote me on that.

You need to be prepared for a one hour trip to WalMart and one hour plus to the movies and chain restaurants. That one hour trip isn't easy either. Very mountainous, twisty roads that will make you puke if you're not used to it.

I really don't understand why anyone would want to move back there after leaving, but I've had tons of friends and family leave and think it's the best place ever and move back. You couldn't pay me to move back there and I live in the arm pit that is Pittsburgh.

Yea, where in SWV?

I live 5 miles west of Mingo Co and it's not that bad but it isn't roses either.

Ranger50 wrote: Yea, where in SWV? I live 5 miles west of Mingo Co and it's not that bad but it isn't roses either.

EDIT: Williamson ehh? I used to go to the orthodontist there. Dr. Nester. Do you know about horsepen mountain?

When I tell people I'm from WV they say where. I tell them where WV, KY, and VA meet. They look at me like I have nine heads.

On the way to Gilbert? Btdt.

Smarta$$ McPoopyPants wrote:

logdog wrote: My dad is from Wirt County and while we lived there a little while, most of my time in that part of the country was spent in the Parkersburg/Marietta area. He always said to never go into Mingo County without a knife in your boot and a gun under the seat to protect from Cops and Ex-Miners. He never mentioned the car scene. He also complained about the liberals in Morgantown so watch out for them too.

Whatchu know bout dem McHappy's donuts, dawg?

Like TJ I preferred JR's donuts. I did a 2 year tour of midnight shift at 5 different Parmar gas stations and we got our donuts from JR's.

I think half of my female relatives did a stint at McHappy's. Us men-folk tended to work at their other company Napoli's.

None of this is relevant to moving to southern WVA though. But the chance to go local and mention Big Bertha's is too good to pass up.

I do a lot of vactioning in the southern part of W Va, the State Park system is far superior to that of NC. That's all I got.

It's almost heaven!

I believe MTV had a documentary on this very topic...

Yeah that MTV crap was as scripted as it gets. All "reality TV" is. You can't possibly maintain that level of drama for years on end.

Ranger50 wrote: Yea, where in SWV? I live 5 miles west of Mingo Co and it's not that bad but it isn't roses either.

Welch, Mcdowell county.

ScreaminE wrote: I'm from Wyoming County. It sounds like you're describing either Wyoming, Mingo, McDowell, Mercer, or Boone County. My family, along with a lot of other families left there in 1997 for North Carolina (West Virginian's pronounce it Norcurlina). Honestly, when we left things were bad. Coal was on the decline, drugs were starting to pick up steam. Since the serious decline of coal and the serious increase in drugs, I haven't felt the need to go back there since 2004ish when my neighbor and great-grandma happened to pass away a couple of days apart. It's a rough area, with poor roads, and no flat land. A lot of double and single wide trailers. I've been married now for 5 years and my wife has never seen the area my family refers to as the badlands. On the plus side. The people down there are hardworking, friendly, genuinely caring people. You may have a hard time fitting in, but after a week they'll call you brother. Real estate should be cheap, but impossible to find a rental. What to do... The Hatfield McCoy Trail system is massive and far reaching. The plus side is that southern WV is literally covered in old mining and logging roads. We used to ride for hours upon end on the weekends traveling over a lot of miles. Everyone has an ATV or dirt bike, and you can find a gang to ride with pretty easily. Hunting is almost cult like, and you can fish in the creeks or rivers all day. You won't be too far from Summersville Lake since you mentioned SCUBA. It is rumored to be the clearest freshwater lake in the country, but don't quote me on that. You need to be prepared for a one hour trip to WalMart and one hour plus to the movies and chain restaurants. That one hour trip isn't easy either. Very mountainous, twisty roads that will make you puke if you're not used to it. I really don't understand why anyone would want to move back there after leaving, but I've had tons of friends and family leave and think it's the best place ever and move back. You couldn't pay me to move back there and I live in the arm pit that is Pittsburgh.

Looking forward to exploring the Hatfield and McCoy trail system some. SWMBO is to, as she can trace her family line back to both families.

Real estate is cheap as hell, like stoopid cheap. But with SWMBO having a decent sized loan to pay off from grad school, that’s not a bad thing. If we can get into the house we’re kind of looking at online we should be free and clear of all our debts in 5-6 years barring anything major. That includes me looking at a mod-v jon boat to bring up there with me.

MrJoshua wrote:

moparman76_69 wrote:

foxtrapper wrote: Not what I'd called well versed in regards to the area, but I'm not exactly lost either. So, I'd be throwing it right back to you. Coffee or gay? Movie or gay? BBQ or gay? Hike in the woods or run on a groomed park trail? Yes, I'm stereotyping. It's basically accurate. Especially in a small town, especially a small town in West (by God) Virginia. None of it is bad, but if you don't fit, it won't be fun.

FTFY Sad but true.

So you are saying his long term plan of his and hers Miatae may be viewed as a dislike of BBQ?

Let’s just say, I may only be bringing one up there. His and hers will have to wait, and I want to see what the roads look like before I go bonkers, though a turbo Miata with a koni/GC setup on those mountain roads sounds like a LOAD of fun.

I'm a Hatfield. From the same family as Devil Anse. My Great (x3) Grandpa and Devil Anse are are first cousins.