AVOID Moving to West Virginia - UNLESS you can handle these 5 things 

It's moving out to WV now. Leesburgification, as I call it. Happened to Bowie, Gaithersburg, Germantown, Frederick, Baltimore area, Chantilly, etc. List goes on. So people move to escape it, and in turn it changes to what they left. Local poor get priced out. I grew up in Lancaster and it's unrecognizable.

Yep I live in your area as well and I also work in EMS. I can make more money at Sheetz than I can saving lives

Yeah Berkeley springs is nice for sure but that's the exception hardly the rule

West Virginia is like anywhere else, there’s good and bad wherever you go. It’s also about personal preference and what the situation is for an individual.

I love Berkeley Springs but was a little far. I work in Urbana Frederick Md. I am building a house in Jefferson County. The house is 100k cheaper than a house that is 5 min away in Brunswick Md.

It's a great place to live and raise kids, but some people want to down it and probably never been here to experience the beauty of this state. If low taxes, crime, and land/home prices isn't your thing stay in the sepsis pool you call a city, with high crime, drugs, gangs, and no rights to own a gun.

@@jimssurvival4994 You can't tell from this video you bellend. FYI, it you're a realtor in WV you should probably be selling the state, not telling everyone why it sucks.

I love my WV Hills, but I don't want the word to get out what a paradise it is! So, my first comment was being sarcastic!, If anyone trashes my beloved WV, they will hear from me!

@@1WVaMomma me too

I am in Southern part of the state.

In your opinion what areas of WV are ideal for shtf and why are they? What are your thoughts on the middle around Summerville and Fayetteville compared to the Fairmont Morgantown area?

⁠@@regularguyprepper2993 I live in the middle of the state. As long as you stay out of the big cities like Charleston, Huntington, Morgantown etc., It’s a great place to live; provided employment is not an issue. Land is still relatively affordable. The mountains are less steep, the farther west in the state you go. I live in the most heavily forested county in the state and Walmart is still 20min away. Property taxes are not high, but have been rising steadily; like most everywhere else. Crime in the rural areas is not too bad, most everyone has a gun to defend their property. I grew up in a big city and bought a farm here over 20 years ago, and these are some of the finest folks I’ve known in my life. Neighbors still care about and support each other, just don’t expect a pizza delivered lol. I have never regretted moving here; hope this helps. Have a blessed day 🙂

Dude i think you have no ucking clue what your talking about. I'm born and raised Maryland(Baltimore and surrounding areas) and most of my family originate from central wva. Yes land is cheaper not much of ANYTHING ELSE IS. Gas, taxes, :-except property- literally nearly everything else is way more expensive. Health care in most areas nearly non existent. Crime? Tons of crime and super bad drug problems esp pills. And if you think your safe there when shtf your delusional. Your not that safe there now and if things got worse so would wva. If that's possible. There's lots of nice people there but tons of issue people too.

@@sourwes0001 thanks that's great feedback. I'm actually watching these videos because Everytime I drive through WV I like it more and more. It "feels right" like I'm being called to it. I absolutely think we're heading for disaster and SHTF so I'm actively looking to move my family to someplace quieter and safer in the hopes of setting up a mini homestead to try and be a little more self sufficient in a better more mild climate surrounded by good people. The hwy 19 corridor in central WV seems like a decent area but I haven't ventured too far off it yet. Any advice would be appreciated.

Depending on your employment or commute time being relevant, Webster County area maybe of interest to you. I’m from there but currently residing in Upshur County.

It’s true man, I moved here sight unseen. Best decision I’ve made, place is off the hook! God willing I’ll be buried here. 100% head over heels in love with West V, the people and its lands are second to none.

I live here and have lived here most of my life unfortunately. I don't love it and there are many other places I'd live. I just feel stuck.

They're the most loyal to their land out of anywhere else I swear. True salt of the earth people.

@@SmellyMellyization People that are moving here have money falling out of there ass. They have no idea what life long local people go through to make ends meet. I'm 43 and I'm really starting to hate this place.

@@slapnutzracing2152 Personally speaking, I was poor in a bad blue state. Right infringement, ceaseless fees and taxes, can’t exercise most freedoms unless you can pay to play. Yes, I have no idea what the poor folk in WV go thru to make ends meet, other than what history’s tells us. But I sure as hell can tell you about making ends meet as a poor person in the commie nation i fled. Being lower class earner it took 3+ years of sacrifice and work to save and plan our escape. We didn’t have “money falling out of our asses” to just relocate. What I found was pure mountain magic in a small town community I’ve fallen in love with and enjoy being a part of. It hurts my heart when folks bag on WV. Everyone I knew thought I was crazy, WV is the worst, rednecks, hillbillies, hicks, inbred mofos..I got all the stereo types. So far I haven’t found or met any of them! There are 49 other states bro, at least one of them gotta be better than WV for ya’! I made a space for one on r the left coast, have at it! For anyone wondering, no I did NOT bring any bs baggage with me, WV is free and wonderful just the way it is. WV don’t need any blue state bs screwing up what’s here. I came as refugee, not prophet. Red thru and thru.

I absolutely agree! This is a terrible place to live. All people who do not currently reside here should do the smart thing and stay away.

Trying to hide your paradise aren't you? :)

@@jordangouveia1863 You caught us. 😆

Hillbillies, rednecks, heat, swamp gas, Sasquatch, bugs, humidity, hurricanes, earthquakes, drugs, thugs and poverty, the list is long and ongoing. It’s worse than you think! Stay away! Say a prayer for those of us stuck here!

Can't find a decent soy latte with Madagascar vanilla!! Guns everywhere!! People eating meat!! Scary woods full of wild animals!! Stay in you cities where you know your barista.

Welcome home brother!

@@brookscarney Thanks, I made it!

I was born in the same hospital!

Going to do the same thing . Was a electrician for20 yrs now retired returning to my home town Wheeling.

That's the wv I grew up in but now a day the neighbors at nosey rude and they act like the boss of a H.O.A. I'm in the eastern panhandle and it's pretty much a suburb of D.C. anymore.

Even if your black?? 😂 (serious question)

Born and raised in fl thinking about moving to wv too. Just nervous about the economic state there.

@@Lotives Truthfully it hasn't been bad I'm close to Virginia and Maryland to look for jobs. I think with anything just check out the jobs etc and see if this is right for you. I personally love this state.

I live in Miami i want to move to West Virginia myself.

@@gypsytheepolequeenshow I love it here. It doesn't usually hit 100, so doesn't get hot like in Florida and I love the mountains

WV is beautiful and I’m from the mountains (Roanoke, VA) but have been living in central NC for the past 20 years. The COL here in NC has skyrocketed in the last few years so I’d definitely consider retiring somewhere in the WV mountains. Probably should start looking for a place. Bluefield seems like a likely first choice

👍Maybe add “health care professionals” and “experts” in anything.

Politicians should be added to the list. Actually, most government workers. 🤢

“Journalists”

Exactly 👍

I have had similar experiences as well and that’s one of the reasons I plan to move to WV in the next few years. The sense of community and neighborliness is something I rarely felt when living in larger cities. Check out our most recent video where we discuss a few of the many reasons so many people ARE moving to the wonderful state of WV. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-cMoLN5JgsaA.html

Rex, you have a lot to learn about West Virginia. I am a fifth generation Virginian/ West Virginian with a master’s plus. All earned in West Virginia. Relying on Federal statistics and your slight Virginia and Eastern Panhandle bias doesn’t tell the whole story. Preston County, for example, and not far from you has a tremendously practical vocational education program. A good student can graduate from high school with an electrician’s license and earn more than most college grads for an entire career. There are many other options. West Virginia had a broadband deployment plan in place and everywhere I go I see fiber optic cable being strung. As you probably realize this will eventually allow working remotely and increasing property values.

We also plan on moving to west virginia over the next few years. I subscribed 😉 thank you for the videos

Addiction and drugs do not discriminate.

Giving strong consideration to N-ville region due to high ratings for care at Vanderbilt med center…As a retired guy it looks like a good place to find regular jam sessions with other pickers as well.. 😉….

I appreciate that!

Wow! Thank you, really appreciate the compliment ! Should you decide to move out this way I’d be happy to help.

He's wrong, I don't know what he has against W.VA but it's a great place to live and raise children.

@@dennisreed3382 nothing against WV! This is just the “Cons” video in a two part series of Pros and Cons. I’m planning to move to Jefferson County with my wife and kids in the next year or so. Here’s the Pros video. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-cMoLN5JgsaA.htmlsi=ipN7cnQSHJU0J_Il

Do you live in West Virginia?

If you made that and lived in WV, you'd be in the top 10% of the population.

@@the_gilded_age_phoenix8717 You’re joking right? Is it really that low? How comfortable is it to live with that salary range?

@@KyleHong I'm as serious as a heart attack. You could live an upper middle class lifestyle in WV with that much money. Of course, this depends on what part of the state you choose to settle in. Jefferson and Berkeley counties have gotten more pricey because of their proximity to DC.

@@the_gilded_age_phoenix8717 Wow. Thanks for that info.

I hate to break it to you buddy. But neither panhandle is much about WV. The attitudes and personalities in those areas are exactly like the surrounding areas of DC, Maryland, Ohio, and Pennsylvania. You know. Arrogant. Overbearing. Unfriendly. And especially in the eastern panhandle, it's basically been bought up by wealthy out of state people to begin with. More power to you. I wish all good things for you. But you're in WV by name only.

@@bradlane3662 So true !!!

And factories more coming to your area

Me and wife are planning on retiring in the Martinsburg area

@@bradlane3662 I’m from Montgomery Co Maryland and I am not Arrogant, Overbearing nor Unfriendly. All I can say is I actually hate it here so there will be one less of “Us people” to invade the not so great place

I’m sorry you feel that way. I love where I live. Local school scores on national level every year. I don’t know anyone who want to better themselves and couldn’t. Opportunity is what you make of it. I’d rather make 50 in WV than 100 in NYC. It’s all relative.

i live here and agree with most of what you say

Sing them praises brotha'! I love West Virginia, thru and thru! It should stay exactly like it is now, wild and free. Freedom is disappearing in many places in our country. 🇺🇸 is alive and well in West V, I assure you. Come as refugee, not a prophet!

UPDATE 2023: Gov. Jim Justice signed a bill (HB 2526) reduce Income Tax and a Credit for Property Taxes Paid. ~ Tax Rate Cut: State Income Tax rate in reduced for the 2023 tax year, as of January 01, 2023. ~ Motor Vehicle Tax Credit: On January 01, 2024, taxpayers can claim a Motor Vehicle Property Tax Adjustment Credit for eligible vehicles, with the first credit claimable on the 2024 tax return filed in 2025. ~ To qualify, you must file and pay personal property taxes timely, with specific deadlines for each half of the assessment. ~ Rebate for Non-Filers: Taxpayers not required to file a WV income tax return can claim a rebate for their Motor Vehicle property taxes paid in early 2025. For more detailed information, taxpayers should consult the official guidance and contact their County Assessor. Tax Rate Table: Not over $10,000 2.36% of taxable income $10,001 - $24,999 $236 plus 3.15% of the excess over $10,000 $25,001 - $39,999 $708.50 plus 3.54% of excess over $25,000 $40,001 - $59,999 $1,239.50 plus 4.72% of excess over $40,000 $60,000 above $2,183.50 plus 5.12% of excess over $60,000 source: West Virginia Tax - 2023 Income Tax Rate Cut and Property Tax Rebate (tax.wv.gov/Individuals/Pages/PersonalIncomeTaxReductionBill.aspx).

@@lindavicknair3593 Unfortunately it won't be enough. The tax culture in WV has to change.

obama impoverished the state, 🤣it was doing great up until 2008 that's when things went down the Appalachian hill. Every bad thing you mention or all the problems are the "gummits" fault taxes etc., even though car taxes exist in most states. There are a lot of states with high taxes that have no problem with growth i.e. California there GDP by itself is that of a large country.

Thanks for watching!

Moving in bud

Thank you for commenting! I’m thinking about moving there too. I work remotely hoping to be able to afford living alone. I can’t in FL.

@@Aniexo_ you should definitely research it. It's a hidden gem, for sure. I figure as far as living expenses go, you should realistically be able to make at least $2500 monthly, to live comfortably. Living comfortably means you own at least one car, have a mortgage, and can afford your daily living expenses like food and power. For me, as a minimalist, that's pretty easy to come by.

@@WhoBeSilly okay I make that and work remotely. Thank you

@@Aniexo_Hey, I’m in AL, so if you ever take a road trip up there give me a shout. 😊I can drive up in my own car if you’re looking to check out a few cities up there, and want someone to tour with. 😊

@@theraptureisnearbelieveinj448 that’s sounds fun but my job doesn’t allow me to move to AL.

If you don’t mind me asking what is your profession?

Sounds like you have no ambition.

I still have ambition left, it just doesn't involve work or West Virginia.@@dennisreed3382

How is planning for retirement no ambition after a lifetime or working?@@dennisreed3382

What job did you do?

Hey John! It’s definitely not my final summation of WV at all. I do regret separating the pros video from the cons video on WV, but hope you find the time to take a look at some of my other videos!

SHUT UP! We don't want Yankasses buying stuff up. WEST VIRGINIA IS HAUNTED STAY OUT

I'm moving out there in a few weeks. House closes on the 10th.

@@skytrip5273 awesome! Where you moving to?

@@movingtovawv A small town south west of Morgantown called Carolina.

It may seem backwards but the majority of people who have reached out to me for help finding their next home in WV called after watching this video. Also check out the follow up to this video that goes over some of the reasons many people ARE moving to WV. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-cMoLN5JgsaA.htmlsi=bmEIt-BUaGqugaco

Glad it was helpful!

Jiji that’s right

And you'd be correct.

I'm moving to West Virginia in a few weeks. House closes on October 10th.

@@skytrip5273 Cool what town did you pick? Too bad you missed the Moth Man Festival.

@@thetrumpnewsnetwork7503 A small area of 277 people called Carolina WV.

I appreciate that! Just bring them with you! 🤣

@@movingtovawv OMG, would I love that!!

Thanks, I think so too!

@jaquesrabit8400 People are psy chos everywhere...even in the deep cuntry.

😮😢

Classic!! LOL

Meth is a hell of a drug.

@@slapnutzracing2152 😅

Stay out of Charleston and some of those deep southern coal counties and you'll be alright.

Look at Google Earth and see what all the cheap strip mining is doing to the state. A disaster of a hell hole.

Correct- that brain drain is real. It will be interesting to see what happens in the next few years in regard to that. I think a lot of people go to WV for school for the competitive tuition rates too

Anyone who wants to go to university can. Of course, the real value of most university degrees is questionable.

My son is going to Shepherds town University which is 10 min from my house in Ranson. The price of tuition is much cheaper UMD. I can pay for so he doesn’t have to get a loan.

No problem! Let me know if I can ever help with more specifics

Welcome to WV. not. It's called WV crud. Starts when you move here & doesn't end

Wow thanks for that comment! Glad you see it wasn’t meant to bash but just give people the considerations I’d want to have if I was moving there with three kids. Glad you’re enjoying the Midwest!

The advertising for healthcare is more impressive than what you actually get at "upper crust" hospitals. By the way, did you get your four beer virus boosters?

@@the_gilded_age_phoenix8717 NO-- SHOTS/VACCINES, ETC. ARE A PHARMACEUTICAL $$$$$ MAKER AND SCAM

@wingsandbeer4208 Hello, i just read your message. No, I go there for a long weekend from time to time but i am sure you can find either an apartment or a house for rent, i was told i should be able to get 700-750

You forgot to mention the turnpike $24.00 for a round trip on a road that is 80 miles is that crazy or what. Gangsters.

Welcome back!

Diversity =🐂💩

Nice! Where do you live currently?

@@movingtovawv Florida

@@kristiemiller4752 stay there

That's awesome to hear! Seems like a lot of folks around here are having trouble finding people to work

Where do you live in WV? I am thinking of moving there.

Is your Area in health care? - I'm thinking of doing medial. tech. work at night.

@@PeterErikson-rd5tj my My daughter is she's an OBGYN technician. I work in the Communist state of Maryland

Yessir. I plan to move near Timberline Mountain in the future!! Pa is a communist agenda

same... the reasons people state for NOT moving to WV, I don't care about. No jobs - I'll be retired. Bad schools - I don't have kids. Nothing to do - 25 years working in Midtown Manhattan, it can't BE too quiet and peaceful.

I live in Upstate New York. There's really nothing to do around here. And all of our tax money gets sent to NYC. Only a few counties are Republican, the majority of the state is Democratic controlled. Which won't change anytime soon. The governor can get elected as many times as they want. And with NYC being so Democratic, it's an automatic win for whoever is the democratic candidate. If you are a republican living in New york, get out while you can. And dont look back.

@@arupian666don’t let what they say both you. I have lived here my whole life. I love it here. I don’t care for many people and I like the simple life.

Please come and meet poverty Methman ...👾

Depends on where in WV you want to move to as far as nice housing. I moved to the WV panhandle in 2018. I had been looking in VA but the price difference was significant. My realtor suggested I check out WV and I found a beautiful chalet style home built in 2009. I'll be retiring in 4 years and I'd like to stay in WV but yes they need to address their taxation issues if I'm going to stay. There are alot of other more retirement tax friendly states out there.

We have a TON of old people in this state. We had a vote last year on getting rid of state income tax and people didn't vote for it.

Indeed, WV could really help itself by eliminating taxes on retirement income. Instead focus on the sales tax. There are many people that would love to retire in WV but are lured away by other close states that are tax friendly.

The high school mascot is a dot!!

Interesting perspective! Would love to hear more about the beautiful parks and natural sights in West Virginia you mentioned. Maybe another video showcasing the positive aspects?

Love my state, but yes, healthcare access is one thing to look at. If you're close to the larger metro areas like Charleston, Huntington, Morgantown, and maybe the Martinsburg area ( not super familiar with it), you're good. Get very far away from them and it does become an issue.

That's why we need tax supported healthcare. Funds for rural clinics and hospitals, preferably not connected to big pharma and corporations. A social democratic outlook would help.

Yup! It’s one of the first things I ask folks when we’re doing our buyer consult. People always ask if a certain town has good internet and honestly it always comes down to the specific neighborhood or property. Research first comes down to every property. But hopefully starlink rolls out sooner than later. Lot of my clients are on the wait list

Tell them Starlink no longer has a waitlist, it's available to everyone now, just have to contact them.

Are you commenting on the right video? I don’t think we mentioned buying a house for 50k in Florida anywhere in the video

You can’t in WV either. Not worthy of living in. 50k houses are a myth and have been for 10+ years.

​@@jamusmorrison3073 Exactly good luck finding an acre of land around my area of West Virginia for 50k

Don't feel bad I've lived here my whole life the whole state sucks.

​@@slapnutzracing2152Pack up and move.

I live in north central and I guess we don’t have the problems they speak of. A man for sure doesn’t have to look to hard for work I don’t know a physical job not looking for help. We have to look for non English speaking folks just to fill positions. 18 dollars an hour starting. Needless to say work is abundant here.