The city of Charleston, West Virginia is located in the heart of the state and is known for its picturesque scenery. The city is home to a wide variety of restaurants, art galleries, and shopping destinations. So, what’re the pros and cons of living in Charleston, West Virginia?
The advantages of living in Charleston, West Virginia, include being Surrounded by beautiful nature, friendly and welcoming people, Low cost of living, and Fresh food. On the other hand, living in Charleston has its downsides: Rain, poverty, drug issues, unreliable internet, and lack of jobs.
Let’s go into a little more detail about the pros and cons of living in Charleston, West Virginia, and see if moving to Charleston is worth it.
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Living in Charleston, West Virginia PROS
1. Surrounded by beautiful nature
Charleston, West Virginia is a city that is surrounded by beautiful nature. The city is located in the Kanawha Valley, which is nestled between the Allegheny Mountains and the Appalachian Plateau.
The Kanawha River flows through the center of the city, and the surrounding hills are lush and green.
In the spring and summer, the flowers in Charleston bloom and the trees are full of leaves.
Charleston is a great place to take a walk or hike, and there are many trails to explore.
The city also has a number of parks, including Kanawha State Forest, which is just a short drive away.
2. Friendly and welcoming people
Charleston is a city with a strong sense of community.
The people of Charleston are friendly and welcoming, and they take pride in their city.
There are many things to see and do in Charleston, from exploring the city’s historic buildings to enjoying the great outdoors.
3. Low cost of living
Charleston, West Virginia is a great place to live for those on a budget. The cost of living in Charleston is lower than the national average, and the city offers a variety of affordable housing options.
In addition, utilities and transportation costs are also relatively low in Charleston.
4. Fresh food
Charleston, West Virginia is known for its fresh food.
The city has a farmer’s market where locals can buy fresh produce, and there are also several restaurants that serve locally grown food.
In addition to being fresh, the food in Charleston is also affordable.
This is due to the fact that the city is located in a rural area and the cost of living is relatively low.
As a result, Charleston is a great place to live if you are looking for fresh, affordable food.
Living in Charleston, West Virginia CONS
1. Rain
There’s no denying that Charleston, West Virginia rains a lot.
In fact, the city averages over 45 inches of rain each year, making it one of the rainiest cities in the United States.
While the wet weather can certainly be a nuisance, it also has its benefits.
The abundance of rain means that the area is lush and green, with plenty of beautiful flowers and trees. It also provides a natural way to keep cool in the summer months.
2. Poverty
The city has a long history of poverty and economic hardship.
The city’s poverty rate has been steadily increasing over the past decade, due in part to the declining coal industry.
Many residents have been forced to leave the city in search of work elsewhere.
As a result, Charleston has become a “ghost town”, with large areas of the city being abandoned or rundown.
While there are many factors contributing to Charleston’s poverty problem, it is clear that something needs to be done to help improve the situation.
5. Drug problem
The opioid epidemic has had a devastating impact on Charleston and other cities across West Virginia.
In response to the soaring drug death rates, state and local officials have implemented a number of initiatives aimed at curbing the epidemic.
These include expanding access to addiction treatment, increasing public awareness about the dangers of opioids, and cracking down on illegal drug dealers.
While these efforts are beginning to show some signs of success, the problem of drug addiction in West Virginia remains a serious concern.
6. Unreliable internet
One of the most frustrating things about living in Charleston, West Virginia is the unreliable internet.
Too often, our internet goes out for no reason, or it is so slow that it is unusable.
This is especially frustrating when you need to work from home or when you try to stream a movie or TV show and it keeps freezing up.
Even though there are many companies that offer internet service in Charleston, they all seem to have the same problem.
7. Lack of jobs
Charleston, West Virginia has long been struggling with a lack of jobs.
The city’s unemployment rate has been consistently higher than the national average for the past decade, and many residents have been forced to leave the area in search of work.
The situation has been exacerbated by the decline of the coal industry, which was once a major source of employment in Charleston.
While there have been some efforts to attract new businesses to the city, so far these have not been sufficient to replace the jobs lost from the coal industry.
As a result, Charleston remains one of the most economically challenged cities in the United States.
Is Charleston, West Virginia a great place to live?
There are both pros and cons to living in Charleston, West Virginia.
On the positive side, the city is full of natural beauty and its residents are friendly and welcoming.
The city also offers affordable housing and fresh, locally grown food.
However, Charleston also has its share of challenges, including poverty, lack of jobs, and unreliable internet.
So ultimately, whether or not Charleston is a great place to live depends on what you are looking for in a city.
