re: Why is Appalachia so poor and decrepit

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What's scary is that's not the worst part of WV by far. I partially grew up in Fairmont, just outside of Morgantown. Morgantown itself is nice and growing. Fairmont is stagnant but not terrible. But yes you get to places like Monongah and Preston and it's a lot of poverty.

It's sad because there is lot of pride if you're from WV. But there's just no economic opportunities.

There's a reason why WVU has a huge alumni network in Pittsburgh and Charlotte. Heck there's probably more WVU alumni in Pittsburgh and Charlotte than in West Virginia.

A lot of people from WV would love to move back, but simply can't until they retire. That's where WV's future probably is economically. Retirement (and the industry, especially medical, around that) as well as tourism.

It's truly a beautiful state, and I'm glad most people bypass WV for Western NC or Eastern TN. Maybe if I retire, WV will still be affordable long after Western NC and Eastern TN become unaffordable.

There are options in WV, but mostly in the north. Morgantown is a good place to live. The northern panhandle, you can commute to Pittsburgh. The eastern panhandle, you can commute to DC.

The central and southern parts of the state though are just too isolated. The main thing the keeps Eastern TN and Western NC from being Central and Southern WV or Eastern KY is the proximity to Charlotte, Asheville, Greenville, Knoxville and the Tri-Cities.

If I did move back to WV, as much as I would prefer the southern part (where you have the bigger mountains, great whitewater rafting and the New River Gorge NP), it would probably have to be in Morgantown, the northern panhandle to commute to Pittsburgh or the eastern panhandle to commute to DC. And the northern part of the state is a little too cold for my liking.

If I did retire in WV, it would be around Lewisburg/White Sulphur Springs. I've always genuinely enjoyed that area, the weather is more moderate than the northern part of the state, you're only a few hours from Charlotte and you can easily get to part of VA (including Blacksburg and Roanoke) and NC.

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Most people don't realize that Morgantown and Pittsburgh are only 80 miles apart. Northern WV and the western panhandle are basically an extension of Pittsburgh.

It seems the weather/climate changes once you get north of Summersville. By the way, I hate driving through there on 19 heading to Pittsburgh. fricking speed trap. They'll bust you for doing 51 in that 50 zone.

West Virginia is truly a beautiful state. But like you, if I did live there, it'd be the southern portion. Probably around Beckley.

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I could see myself retiring in a place between Beckley and Fayetteville. I spent a lot of time climbing in the New and going to Bridge Day. It is a gorgeous bit of country.

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I'll be there for Bridge Day and to see some fall foliage. I haven't been up there for fall foliage in years.

It really is an underrated part of the country (which for people like you and me is good). I just wish there were some decent jobs in the area. If there was I would seriously consider moving there.

Nm

I heard the mating call up there was find a holler and shake a pill bottle.

They don't seem to off each other by the dozens though. Something must be different.

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Drive up Hwy 71,Montgomery to Coushatta.I’ve never been to Appalachia but it can’t be much worse than that stretch of 71

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Grayson's BBQ is pretty dang good

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There is no war on coal.

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Just tell us you are an uneducated buffoon and save all the typing.

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Other fuel sources like natural gas being more efficient, cleaner, and cheaper than coal

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. Then why is electricity more expensive? My local power company uses natural gas, and my bill continues to increase.

West Virginia has several ski resorts, but I've only been to the one in Snowshoe. The state has its good and bad, like most places, but I do hate its roads. It and Eastern Ky have the worst.

think a lot of it also has to do with the topography. The pocket of Appalachia with WV, E KY, SW VA is less pronounced and sits on a plateau (mountains aren't as high, hollers are more windy, and no real valleys. NC and TN have higher, more pronounced hills and longer and wider valleys, making it much easier for industry and infrastructure. I was driving from NC to IN through Eastern KY once, it took us almost 45 minutes to go 15 miles. takes us maybe 25-30 mins to go 15 on a mountain road in the High Country in NC.

tourism is also a much bigger deal in TN and NC than in WV, KY, SW VA, partly due to that topography