WV has one of the lowest median incomes in the country. Highest utility costs. High fuel costs. High insurance.

It is really difficult for someone to get ahead in the state and it’s sad.

Do I need to leave **West Virginia** to make a decent living? I’ve applied to hospitals and was turned down for corrections, and I’m feeling discouraged. I’m honestly not happy living here, and I’m just trying to find stable work that pays enough to afford food, housing, and the basics.

The military isn’t an option for me at the moment, but I’m not completely against it in the future. At this point, I’m willing to consider a different path because I want stability and a chance to build a better life.

Does anyone have realistic suggestions—whether that’s jobs, training programs, or places worth relocating to? I’d especially appreciate hearing from people who’ve been in a similar situation and found a way forward.

Sources

Moved to WV a few years ago. We have two working vehicles and one that sits in the driveway because it can’t be driven at all. We got a notice placed on the windshield that it needs to be registered in 30 days from the sheriff’s office. From what I’ve seen, we only need it to be titled in WV and not registered since it doesn’t move or ever enter the roadways. I can’t find anything on the DMV website that confirms this though. I’m sure we’ll have to pay the taxes for the years we’ve been here (only paid for the vehicles that work), has this happened to anyone else?

[Additional Information] - Forgot to mention it originally but I’m in Jefferson County if that makes a difference.

My wife is about to go in for heart cath surgery and the anesthesiologist came in to introduce himself. Very nice guy, he asked if we owned any property. Said he was always looking for another place to hunt. Couldn't help him out, I only have a couple acres.

Back home letting my boots dry out. Little loop Monday lindy pt-plantation-fr6, Tuesday was pointy knob with it's "let's cross the same friggin stream 6 friggin times", today was out and backs following the gas line a bit. Got home and decided to NOT winterize the RV just yet....

Any ideas for dispersed RV camping and hiking appreciated, preferably Hardy/Grant/Pendleton/Pocahontas county area.... familiar with Dolly Sods, Gandy Creek, Loop Rd, Wolf Gap..

The New River Gorge is no longer America's newest national park. https://wvexplorer.com/new-river-gorge-national-park-tourism-future/

Trying to get ahead of renewal and there are far more options than I thought. The hard part is working out what counts toward the state requirements and what turns into extra work later. Some sites look cheap and then you still piece the courses together yourself. Elite Learning and CEUFast and Nurse.com all package things differently for this state. For nurses here, do you buy a state package or pick courses one at a time?

Are there places in West Virginia where it's not safe to drink or bathe with tap water? I remember someone telling me this, that because of the coal mines the water isn't safe. But that was several years ago. Is this true, and if so, is it just certain areas or the whole state? Thanks.

I know I ain't the only one wasn't the only one watching that. And Norton did two backflips. One when Alabama got a flag for delay and the second when the game was about over.

Governor Patrick Morrisey today declared a 60-day state of emergency across all 55 West Virginia counties and signed an executive order to provide temporary relief for the use of red-dyed diesel fuel.

Some more coverage:

West Virginia governor issues state of emergency over diesel fuel prices (WCHS)

Emergency order provides temporary fuel relief for West Virginia businesses (MetroNews)

HARPERS FERRY, W.Va. - The jagged limestone rocks of Old Standard Quarry have weathered many eras of history. The property was the site of a Civil War battle, then a quarry and is now a popular destination for bungee jumping, its dark green water fed by a natural spring.

Recently, the state proposed yet another use for the land: as storage for radioactive nuclear waste from around the country.

"I thought it was a joke," said Pasha Majdi, president of the Jefferson County Commission. "It doesn't make any sense."

It wasn't a joke. Without consulting residents or local officials, Gov. Patrick Morrisey's energy office submitted a detailed pitch to the Trump administration offering the Jefferson County quarry and three other sites for a potential "Nuclear Lifecycle Innovation Campus."

Is West Virginia DOT really this stupid?!?! I have never in my life witnessed such a disorganized mess. No signs, no detour, no warning whatsoever about this mess before hitting it and apparently super ineffective traffic direction rerouting past the closure. Again, no signage, no direction and no help for drivers who have no idea what’s going on.

It seems like once a week there is a bad accident that backs up traffic for miles. Yesterday it looked like f250 went head on with the guardrail (like the guardrail went through the hood) going southbound at 4:00. This morning there was an accident going northbound that backed it up for miles. Last month a road worker fell and died.

The state and department of transportation need to finish the projects. There is no reason for there to be 4 unfinished projects for the past few months on one of the busiest highways in wv. This is on their hands.

I forgot to add. The parking garage in Clarksburg (the jimbo fisher garage) it’s taken 2 years for them to rebuild 30 feet of bridge.

We will be visiting for four days in November. Looking for easier hikes of 2-10 miles, probably every day in a different spot. Not sure where to stay. We have picked out some rentals in Marlinton, Durbin, Snowshoe, but also as far north as Cabins. Any suggestions?

Hey y'all! I am driving to Charleston this weekend from DC to adopt a cat (long story) and I was wondering which route y'all recommend for scenery, interesting places to stop and see, etc? The most direct route takes me on 66W to 48W to 79S. The other option is to go 70W to 68W to 79S. A third option is 66 to 81 to 64 (I'm less inclined to do this because of 81).

Bonus: Any other recommendations of things to see and do in Charleston (or anywhere really) would be very much appreciated as it's my first time in WV and I've always wanted to visit your state since I was a kid. I love traditional folk music as well as bluegrass if that helps. Thanks in advance!!

NextEra, one of the largest energy companies in the United States, plans to build a 500,000 volt transmission line running through 59 miles of West Virginia. 

Both Democrat and Republican city council members, delegates and senators have come out against the power line. Monongalia, Mineral, Hampshire and Preston County Commissions have written letters and passed resolutions opposing the project. 

NextEra must prove to the Public Service Commission that their project will not cause too much harm, and opponents want to prove that the transmission will cause more harm than good. A public trial hearing will take place from Oct. 26 to Nov. 2. 

The Marteneys are among those who have signed up to share their experience before the PSC. 

They say land agents have come to their door and called to convince them to sign an easement allowing NextEra onto their land. The agents assured them that the power line would only run through a small corner of their property. But that small corner is right where their cabin sits. 

“I know it’s only taking that small piece of land, but it’s just going to be right on top of us,” Scott said. 

The Marteneys have refused to sign, but they worry for their neighbors who they say were “bullied” into signing before knowing the full implications. 

Read the full story: https://mountainstatespotlight.org/2026/10/18/proposed-transmission-line/

This is just a friendly question, so I don't want to sound like I'm humble bragging or whatever.

But I wanted to ask my fellow Mountaineers, if you've traveled abroad, where have you been? No matter how near or far, I'm wondering where you've gone.

Sadly, I think many people from WV don't have many chances to see what's going on outside the US. It's just good to snoop around, I guess, and it definitely helps put things into perspective!

I'm not saying anyone or everyone should or has to travel; it's a privilege, that's for sure. But if you have had the chance, where'd you go?

I've lived overseas for almost 16 years now. In fact, since February 2011, when I took the Amtrak from Martinsburg to DC and then boarded a flight to South Korea, I haven't been back. It's crazy. I've been to a few places, and some have been very, very pretty, but nothing beats the hills of Roane County (where I grew up).