We love our little city - 12/20/2013

Charleston has a lot going on for being a small city. Capitol Street has great restaurants and Taylor Books, and Capitol Market is one of the best year-round farmers markets in any city, large or small. Appalachian Power Park is a great place to watch baseball and socialize at the same time. The Clay Center is an affordable and fun kids museum, Mountain Stage brings diverse live music to town every month. This is a wonderful and affordable place to live -- and within minutes of great hiking and whitewater.

[Comment on this Posting]

A great little city - 12/20/2013

Charleston has a lot going on for being a small city. Capitol Street has great restaurants and Taylor Books, and Capitol Market is one of the best year-round farmers markets in any city, large or small. Appalachian Power Park is a great place to watch baseball and socialize at the same time. The Clay Center is an affordable and fun kids museum, Mountain Stage brings diverse live music to town every month. This is a wonderful and affordable place to live.

[Comment on this Posting]

A great little city - 12/20/2013

Charleston has a lot going on for being a small city. Capitol Street has great restaurants and Taylor Books, and Capitol Market is one of the best year-round farmers markets in any city, large or small. Appalachian Power Park is a great place to watch baseball and socialize at the same time. The Clay Center is an affordable and fun kids museum, Mountain Stage brings diverse live music to town every month. This is a wonderful and affordable place to live.

[Comment on this Posting]

Reconfirming another poster's views - 9/1/2012

Good stuff: -nice countryside in the outskirts -quiet and descent homes on the hill if you're a professional -traffic not too bad, except at rush hour and when there's a wreck on one of the major highways -nice symphony and concert hall, though they play too many of the overly worn works - Brahms, Beethoven, Tchaikovsky, etc. -Nice restaurants: Tidewater at the mall. -Nice schools: GWHS Bad stuff: -Obesity rate is highest in country (for state). Lots of people sucking in tax dollars (via Medicaid) for diabetes and blood pressure medicine and healthcare, secondary to sedentary lifestyles, lazy and poor diets. The low percentage of fit or thin and attractive women influences those that are to be excessively picky. -The average and median IQ is probably significantly less than the national average. -The maturity level of the average uneducated person is around the junior high school level. Having always had a monthly allowance from the government, they've never been allowed to achieve adulthood, and as a result, create a scourge on society. These uneducated and poorer members of society, which are significant in number, are often openly resentful of the upper middle class, while paradoxically holding medical doctors and lawyers, at least those with which they personally rely, in the highest reverence. They obsess on solving casual disputes with inappropriate lawsuits; seeking to turn the courthouse into the poor man's lottery, in efforts to confound educated and financially sound members and entities. I can't tell you how many times I've heard, "I gonna get my lawyer, and I gonna sue you...". -The average West Virginian pays about 500 dollars in taxes each year, for the medical treatment of smoking related illnesses (via both state and federal health programs (Medicaid + Medicare)). The air quality is probably poor already, with all the chemical plants dotting the city's valley. -Very poor society regarding science education. Climate change denialist professionals: here is your perfect audience. Lots of coal jobs and support for coal as a means of living. -Because of the rampant stupidity, lack of education and maturity, those members of society with a higher education are often exceptionally arrogant; again this is the doctor and lawyer group. -Drug use heavily penetrates all levels of society. I've watched a friend's dad use marijuana right before he took a call to go deliver a baby. I've had several acquaintances that are not shy about personal hardcore drug use work as/for legal prosecutors of drug related crimes. Excessive alcohol use and drunk driving is an ever present problem, driving up insurance premiums, tax dollars to adjudicate legal events generated from such, and health care costs. I could go on........

[Comment on this Posting]

Crime at hospitals in Charleston CAMC Charleston G - 7/30/2010

I have lived many places but think of Charleston, W.Va. as being somewhere between Dueling Banjo country and a shadow state. At both hospitals in Charleston I was the victim of a violent crime as a visitor and patient. The first event occured when visiting my grandmother and we were held at gunpoint by a stranger. He was identified by an out of state federal law enforcement agency. On the second occassion I was attacked during my own medical diagnostic procedure. I believe these people accessed e-mail I sent to an elected official the person who received it found the information to present a lucrative opportunity. I have been asked by a politician here for money in exchange for providing information which was in the parameter of duties of his office, I have had police refuse to permit me to make an appointment with the Chief of Police. The police do not confer with prosecutors to determine if cases merit investigation, the police confer with a law firm. Unfortunately the uniformed police who are behind the reception desk at the hospitals are off duty and on hospital payroll. The hospital and the city police are represented by the same law firm which also represents the elected state official. The culture here is one which evolved through failure, high unemployment, lack of educated citizens,geographic isolation and poverty. Statistics place WV among the countries highest in unwed underage pregnancies, high in illiteracy, and high in crime. The Civil Service Commission in W.Va. is disregarded by what appears to be a gang from St. Albans who violate all labor laws by slandering, threatening and insulting high scoring applicants. After the chemical plants left the area employment in the Capitol City became limited to unskilled labor, hospitals, state and county and city governemnt. Society is stratified with few professionals in the city, most white collar professionals are MD's, attorney's or the few remaining engineers. Women are limited to state or local government low paying jobs, or retail. Teaching is one of the few options available for women with degrees. Many businesses have failed in the state capital, just blocks from the state capitol which has a gold plated dome are decaying inner city slums, mean streets. Most of the state exists as a rural industrial slum with widespread drug use and many gangs Unlike gangs based on drug sales, local gangs here rely on family networks. Nespotism in city government and state government is rampant. The attitudes of men here are resemblant of men from all impoverished areas, their lack of power and money require they dominate women to elevate their self esteem. The slum and ghetto conditions of those in satellite areas near Charleston, such as Maldon and St. Albans, involve the same lower class and powerty level behavioral manifestations as in any inner city slum. Lack of education for this stratum of society is a badge of honor. The average W.V'ian whines a lot about their lack of education, their poverty but at the same time award positive recognition to those who can prove they are in greatest need. Although many people are not competent or qualified to perform in state government or agencies on which the population depends, they remain in offices they cannot manage. One example is the amount of money spent on state and city web pages which the secretaries and office do not know how to use. The hospital here state labor unions do not permit drug testing of employees but alcohol abuse is prevalent among staff at hospitals. ALso many hospital employees are graduates of Shermansville Colllege which admits students with SAT scores of 11. ELeven. The two major universities, Marshall and W.V.U. are overrated. Marshall does not require ethics classes of their law students, W.V.U is a party school with very easy classes requiring little intellectual ability. Theft of property is common with office workers reporting their winter coats stolen during snow storms. There is little night life here and during daytime business hours the downtown area is so void of pedestrians the streets echoe. W.Va. has no cultural venues to speak of, this is a dirty, mean town of primarily unemployed blue collar workers. The chasm between only 2 social classes has created resentment among the uneducated who are delighted to hurt those perceived as being at an economic advantage. It is a good place for people who wish to be gang members Loyalty of law enforcement is to the brotherhood and their part time employers, not the citizens. Women in law enforcment offices have refused to provide addresses of the location for FBI offices and also for the court necessary to petition for restraining orders. In some ways the charasmatic religious sects resemble the Taliban with norms impacting opportunities for women and repressing free speech. Text books were burned here not too long ago, included in the burned books were titles by Hemmingway, Fitzgerald and Salinger. Racism and religious intolerance are extreme in this area. It is dangerous, corrupt and dirty in W.Va. The two major newspapers in the capitol city are owned by the same family, the "Republican" paper is owned by a Democrat, very little news about corruption or problems in the area are brought to light or made public. Attitudes and values here lag about 25 years behind the rest of the country. This is another planet. It is not a good place to be and I would not recommend a vacation in this area it can be dangerous. The KKK is here, the Pagans are here, and strange religious sects are here. At least 2 Governors have gone to prison. It is rumored State Police are hired guns for politicians The FBI and DOJ seem to contract services from the same firm which represents the city, the hospital and the elected officials. Justice is not accessible here for crime victims who wish to prosecute violations of law involving certain people. Drug abuse and cultivation of the forests for marijuana are among the most important industry. For many here, as in the inner city, drug dealing is the only economic opportunity available. These sentiments are based on many conversations with people too poor to go to another city for employment searches or too old to leave. The population in WV is declining, largely because this is a state based on a criminal lower class culture which does not reward integrity or education or ability. When I was a crime victim I telephoned friends out of state before I was taken seriously by the locals. Socially appropriate behavior in the work place as well as during informal gatherings seems to be unknown. In my life I have never met women who were so hostile to one another as they are in W.Va. Emotional immaturity reflects the average maturity of a 14 year old among adult women as a consequence of generations of children having children, the poverty aside the children are spoiled and do not control their emotions. When I reported the crime to the hospital a secretary told me to go to H... and said I was a Sl...T, she said, in her thick hick accent she would KEEEL (Kill) me for talking trash about the hospital. Then as I had no choice but continue to go there with family member and for my own treatement, I was attacked by a work gang. W.Va. should have barbed wire around it to keep the animals caged.

[Comment on this Posting]

Crime at hospitals in Charleston CAMC Charleston G - 7/30/2010

I have lived many places but think of Charleston, W.Va. as being somewhere between Dueling Banjo country and a shadow state. At both hospitals in Charleston I was the victim of a violent crime as a visitor and patient. The first event occured when visiting my grandmother and we were held at gunpoint by a stranger. He was identified by an out of state federal law enforcement agency. On the second occassion I was attacked during my own medical diagnostic procedure. I believe these people accessed e-mail I sent to an elected official the person who received it found the information to present a lucrative opportunity. I have been asked by a politician here for money in exchange for providing information which was in the parameter of duties of his office, I have had police refuse to permit me to make an appointment with the Chief of Police. The police do not confer with prosecutors to determine if cases merit investigation, the police confer with a law firm. Unfortunately the uniformed police who are behind the reception desk at the hospitals are off duty and on hospital payroll. The hospital and the city police are represented by the same law firm which also represents the elected state official. The culture here is one which evolved through failure, high unemployment, lack of educated citizens,geographic isolation and poverty. Statistics place WV among the countries highest in unwed underage pregnancies, high in illiteracy, and high in crime. The Civil Service Commission in W.Va. is disregarded by what appears to be a gang from St. Albans who violate all labor laws by slandering, threatening and insulting high scoring applicants. After the chemical plants left the area employment in the Capitol City became limited to unskilled labor, hospitals, state and county and city governemnt. Society is stratified with few professionals in the city, most white collar professionals are MD's, attorney's or the few remaining engineers. Women are limited to state or local government low paying jobs, or retail. Teaching is one of the few options available for women with degrees. Many businesses have failed in the state capital, just blocks from the state capitol which has a gold plated dome are decaying inner city slums, mean streets. Most of the state exists as a rural industrial slum with widespread drug use and many gangs Unlike gangs based on drug sales, local gangs here rely on family networks. Nespotism in city government and state government is rampant. The attitudes of men here are resemblant of men from all impoverished areas, their lack of power and money require they dominate women to elevate their self esteem. The slum and ghetto conditions of those in satellite areas near Charleston, such as Maldon and St. Albans, involve the same lower class and powerty level behavioral manifestations as in any inner city slum. Lack of education for this stratum of society is a badge of honor. The average W.V'ian whines a lot about their lack of education, their poverty but at the same time award positive recognition to those who can prove they are in greatest need. Although many people are not competent or qualified to perform in state government or agencies on which the population depends, they remain in offices they cannot manage. One example is the amount of money spent on state and city web pages which the secretaries and office do not know how to use. The hospital here state labor unions do not permit drug testing of employees but alcohol abuse is prevalent among staff at hospitals. ALso many hospital employees are graduates of Shermansville Colllege which admits students with SAT scores of 11. ELeven. The two major universities, Marshall and W.V.U. are overrated. Marshall does not require ethics classes of their law students, W.V.U is a party school with very easy classes requiring little intellectual ability. Theft of property is common with office workers reporting their winter coats stolen during snow storms. There is little night life here and during daytime business hours the downtown area is so void of pedestrians the streets echoe. W.Va. has no cultural venues to speak of, this is a dirty, mean town of primarily unemployed blue collar workers. The chasm between only 2 social classes has created resentment among the uneducated who are delighted to hurt those perceived as being at an economic advantage. It is a good place for people who wish to be gang members Loyalty of law enforcement is to the brotherhood and their part time employers, not the citizens. Women in law enforcment offices have refused to provide addresses of the location for FBI offices and also for the court necessary to petition for restraining orders. In some ways the charasmatic religious sects resemble the Taliban with norms impacting opportunities for women and repressing free speech. Text books were burned here not too long ago, included in the burned books were titles by Hemmingway, Fitzgerald and Salinger. Racism and religious intolerance are extreme in this area. It is dangerous, corrupt and dirty in W.Va. The two major newspapers in the capitol city are owned by the same family, the "Republican" paper is owned by a Democrat, very little news about corruption or problems in the area are brought to light or made public. Attitudes and values here lag about 25 years behind the rest of the country. This is another planet. It is not a good place to be and I would not recommend a vacation in this area it can be dangerous. The KKK is here, the Pagans are here, and strange religious sects are here. At least 2 Governors have gone to prison. It is rumored State Police are hired guns for politicians The FBI and DOJ seem to contract services from the same firm which represents the city, the hospital and the elected officials. Justice is not accessible here for crime victims who wish to prosecute violations of law involving certain people. Drug abuse and cultivation of the forests for marijuana are among the most important industry. For many here, as in the inner city, drug dealing is the only economic opportunity available. These sentiments are based on many conversations with people too poor to go to another city for employment searches or too old to leave. The population in WV is declining, largely because this is a state based on a criminal lower class culture which does not reward integrity or education or ability. When I was a crime victim I telephoned friends out of state before I was taken seriously by the locals. Socially appropriate behavior in the work place as well as during informal gatherings seems to be unknown. In my life I have never met women who were so hostile to one another as they are in W.Va. Emotional immaturity reflects the average maturity of a 14 year old among adult women as a consequence of generations of children having children, the poverty aside the children are spoiled and do not control their emotions. When I reported the crime to the hospital a secretary told me to go to H... and said I was a Sl...T, she said, in her thick hick accent she would KEEEL (Kill) me for talking trash about the hospital. Then as I had no choice but continue to go there with family member and for my own treatement, I was attacked by a work gang. W.Va. should have barbed wire around it to keep the animals caged.

[Comment on this Posting]

Charleston stinks - 6/17/2009

Charleston smells of chemicals from the numerous factories along the Kanawha River that extends some 25-30 miles from Belle to Nitro of companies like FMC and Union Carbide. The place literally stinks and is a health hazard. There are nice looking old houses in Charleston and Kanawha City, but this is the armpit of West Virginia. The worst smells are around South Charleston and Nitro, and especially at night when the factories are allowed to run at full speed. Ironically, the people there seem to think it is the greatest place on earth. It is one of the most provincial places I've ever been. Wheeling and Weirton in the norther panhandle are also very ugly places with the scars left by the steel factories along the Ohio River. Very sad places.

[Comment on this Posting]

Charleston stinks - 6/15/2009

There are many chemical factories in Charleston all along the Kanawha River. There air is pungent with the smell of plastics and chemicals. It is a health disaster waiting to happen to live there. Even a nice area like Kanawha City stinks.

[Comment on this Posting]

I live in Charleston for 6 years - 6/15/2009

Those were about the most hellish 6 years of my life. It is a rough, ugly life there. Charleston is a very polluted city. The air is literally pungent there. It stinks of plastics, chemicals, and has a sulphur-like smell. This City should have a failing grade for health. I would guess the water is just as contaminated as the air. The good thing about Charleston is that it is surrounded by the wild mountains of WV which are beautiful. You don't have to go far out of the city at all to find completely rustic, undeveloped places. I lived about 10 miles southwest of Charleston and enjoyed it. The people are generally down home and friendly, but many are backwards as well, and don't even care about the roads' being full of potholes.

[Comment on this Posting]

bad job market - 8/10/2007

Other then the bad job market , Charleston is a good place to live. There very few young people , because they have all left for work. I am looking to leave also , I will miss the mountains, 4 seasons , and the laid back life that is so accustomed to West Virginians. I tried to make it here after college , it's been 5years since I graduated , and I still make a real low salary. In my profession I can't make 10-20 thousands of dollars more working in towns where the cost of living is comparable to Charleston. So I guess i am going to say bye to the mountains, so I can become middle class instead of working poor. By the way , you will hear West Virginians say that 8-10 dollars an hour jobs are good paying. sad huh:(....

[Comment on this Posting]

Charleston WV, a Nice Place to Live - 6/12/2006

Charleston is the capital city of WV and is a pleasant, reasonably affordable place to live It has many of the advantages of a bigger metropolitan area (good cultural life, e.g., a brand new Clay Center for the Arts and Sciences, an outstanding symphony, home of Mountain Stage broadcast globally on Public Radio International and many public television stations around the country, a vibrant jazz scene and jazz series, a good museum, a nice choice of several excellent restaurants, good local theatre and ballet companies, a beautiful State Capitol along a picturesque river that runs through the city, a brand new minor league baseball park, several major festivals, and a dynamic mayor). However, it doesn't have many of the problems that often are found in larger cities (e.g., it has a much lower crime rate, reasonable cost of living, a very short commute which for many residents is 10-15 minutes or less, a nearby airport that is a 10-minute ride from downtown, and very friendly people).

[Comment on this Posting]

MOVING OUT OF WV - 3/1/2006

CHARLESTON HAS A VERY SLOW JOB GROWTH THE CITY AND STATE HAS SEEN A POPULATION DECREASE OVER THE YEARS. THE TAXES ARE HIGH AN THERE ARE NO GOOD JOBS HERE. MOST PEOPLE HERE LIVE PAYCHECK TO PAYCHECK AN THE AIR QUALITY IS POOR.

[Comment on this Posting]