Charleston, West Virginia: This City Is Dying
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Date: 2024-01-28
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Comments and reviews: 34
Walkingcedar2006
At 9: 01, you turned your camera away, right as you were approching Taylor's Books, an excellent little bookstore and cafe, something that seems more at home in New England than Charleston, WV. Yet, they set-up in Charleston right after I lived in that city for a year, before moving to Montgomery, WV, to attend WV Tech (whichg is now WVU Tech and located in Beckley; Montgomery is all but defunct. I lived in Westt Virginia for nearly 10 years, ending it with a 6. 5 year stay in Morgantown, the only place in the state that doesn't fit the rest of the state. WVU main campus is an incredible place, but the University has turned against faculty and students and has decided to head downhill (very recent ugliness involving extreme ideologies of board members and other folks. There's negative growth at every level to include social. They were never that good at embracing social growth in WV. I still have people there that I love. I was just at Taylor's books less than a month ago. I was in WV for a wedding, a beautiful wedding, between two wonderful people. It makes me sad to think abou the decade I spent there. There's still a piece of my heart left in that place.
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At 9: 01, you turned your camera away, right as you were approching Taylor's Books, an excellent little bookstore and cafe, something that seems more at home in New England than Charleston, WV. Yet, they set-up in Charleston right after I lived in that city for a year, before moving to Montgomery, WV, to attend WV Tech (whichg is now WVU Tech and located in Beckley; Montgomery is all but defunct. I lived in Westt Virginia for nearly 10 years, ending it with a 6. 5 year stay in Morgantown, the only place in the state that doesn't fit the rest of the state. WVU main campus is an incredible place, but the University has turned against faculty and students and has decided to head downhill (very recent ugliness involving extreme ideologies of board members and other folks. There's negative growth at every level to include social. They were never that good at embracing social growth in WV. I still have people there that I love. I was just at Taylor's books less than a month ago. I was in WV for a wedding, a beautiful wedding, between two wonderful people. It makes me sad to think abou the decade I spent there. There's still a piece of my heart left in that place.
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UncaDave
Back in the early 1970’s while I was a poor teacher, my second job was as a custodian here at that very beautiful Capital. Another fellow and I mopped that whole building including the wings every weekend and cleaned out the big fountain too. Was a good job at the time. I can see they are still taking very good care of it. It was designed by the famous architect, Cass Gilbert, who did several state capitols. Also the Cultural Center where the museum is, is really nice. They have a big festival there every year called the Vandalia Festival with crafts and old timey entertainment. My younger son works at the Cultural Center and really loves his job. People there are great!
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Back in the early 1970’s while I was a poor teacher, my second job was as a custodian here at that very beautiful Capital. Another fellow and I mopped that whole building including the wings every weekend and cleaned out the big fountain too. Was a good job at the time. I can see they are still taking very good care of it. It was designed by the famous architect, Cass Gilbert, who did several state capitols. Also the Cultural Center where the museum is, is really nice. They have a big festival there every year called the Vandalia Festival with crafts and old timey entertainment. My younger son works at the Cultural Center and really loves his job. People there are great!
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shawng7902
As far as the population decline. It's the same in Huntington. NO one wants to live in the city. Once you have a decent enough income to move you run for the hills as fast as possible. You work in the city and then leave right after. Go to Hurricane or Tayes Valley up that way. That's where everyone moves to. In Huntington, it's the Barboursville area now, and expanding out Route 10. Hunt, would have been a city that size too had city planners let the interstate run through. They didn't want it to ruin our beautiful city. #1 vacation spot for most of Detroit and Chicago area right now.
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As far as the population decline. It's the same in Huntington. NO one wants to live in the city. Once you have a decent enough income to move you run for the hills as fast as possible. You work in the city and then leave right after. Go to Hurricane or Tayes Valley up that way. That's where everyone moves to. In Huntington, it's the Barboursville area now, and expanding out Route 10. Hunt, would have been a city that size too had city planners let the interstate run through. They didn't want it to ruin our beautiful city. #1 vacation spot for most of Detroit and Chicago area right now.
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Walkingcedar2006
I have to say this, 'cause it's killin' me: 12: 46. (There's no way you'd know this, not having lived there, and that's ok): The river and the county are of the same name -- Kanawha, prounounced: KAA - NANAH-UH, or. by some. KAA-NAW-a. It sounds like 'canaw' or 'caanawuh'. I suspect that's accuratly close to the Native people it was named for (I'm sure afte they were promptly massacred or marched to their deaths in Oklahoma, or the normal thing folks did tot he native peoples. Hey, if I still didn't love the place just a little bit, I wouldn't respond on this one.
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I have to say this, 'cause it's killin' me: 12: 46. (There's no way you'd know this, not having lived there, and that's ok): The river and the county are of the same name -- Kanawha, prounounced: KAA - NANAH-UH, or. by some. KAA-NAW-a. It sounds like 'canaw' or 'caanawuh'. I suspect that's accuratly close to the Native people it was named for (I'm sure afte they were promptly massacred or marched to their deaths in Oklahoma, or the normal thing folks did tot he native peoples. Hey, if I still didn't love the place just a little bit, I wouldn't respond on this one.
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lowellirish
Damnnnn. And I was in shock when I left Tacoma-Seattle. where the AVERAGE 1, 800 sf home is $600, 000 and moved to upstate NH where there was a significant price difference of $200, 000 for the same house/condition.
A $800k house in Tacoma would be about $2, 000, 000 in W. Virginia. The $100k homes shown here are located in slum areas in Tacoma, but still sell for $300k.
I wouldn't like this area.
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Damnnnn. And I was in shock when I left Tacoma-Seattle. where the AVERAGE 1, 800 sf home is $600, 000 and moved to upstate NH where there was a significant price difference of $200, 000 for the same house/condition.
A $800k house in Tacoma would be about $2, 000, 000 in W. Virginia. The $100k homes shown here are located in slum areas in Tacoma, but still sell for $300k.
I wouldn't like this area.
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superstampguy
I just passed through Charleston a few nights ago and on the surface it looks like a large city from the interstate. But like you said, the city is in the decline. Each census shows an average 4% drop in population. If it keeps on trending in that direction, it’s going to be like those ghost towns you’ve traveled through in a lot of your other videos. What a real shame.
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I just passed through Charleston a few nights ago and on the surface it looks like a large city from the interstate. But like you said, the city is in the decline. Each census shows an average 4% drop in population. If it keeps on trending in that direction, it’s going to be like those ghost towns you’ve traveled through in a lot of your other videos. What a real shame.
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jasonromage6129
While many areas of West Virginia are declining, the eastern panhandle is thriving. If you are an entrepreneur, Martinsburg is for you. We could use some small eateries. If you have a VIABLE business plan, contact myself or other retail commercial property owners. In the meantime, work at one of multiple Fortune 500 corporations employing hundreds of workers.
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While many areas of West Virginia are declining, the eastern panhandle is thriving. If you are an entrepreneur, Martinsburg is for you. We could use some small eateries. If you have a VIABLE business plan, contact myself or other retail commercial property owners. In the meantime, work at one of multiple Fortune 500 corporations employing hundreds of workers.
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msdyamonddiva
I loved watching this video. My family is from Charleston and I remember going down there as a child in the summer sometimes to visit family. Was there last summer for a funeral and you’re right, hardly anyone on the streets at all. Which to me was odd for a weekday downtown. I can even tell the difference from now and more than 30 years ago.
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I loved watching this video. My family is from Charleston and I remember going down there as a child in the summer sometimes to visit family. Was there last summer for a funeral and you’re right, hardly anyone on the streets at all. Which to me was odd for a weekday downtown. I can even tell the difference from now and more than 30 years ago.
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shawng7902
Had to comment again after watching and seeing a few of your videos. You give a really good look at every area. Around the heart of Charleston even in the run-down neighborhoods you always found something positive to say. Just feel like you do a very very respectful in-depth look. Great job on every video I've watched to date.
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Had to comment again after watching and seeing a few of your videos. You give a really good look at every area. Around the heart of Charleston even in the run-down neighborhoods you always found something positive to say. Just feel like you do a very very respectful in-depth look. Great job on every video I've watched to date.
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usa-by-car
Most likely, there is little or no homelessness in Charleston because property values must be low enough for low income people to be able to afford housing. In wealthy areas like Portland and Seattle, great wealth and high property values produce homelessness for even people who work full-time jobs, thus tent-living.
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Most likely, there is little or no homelessness in Charleston because property values must be low enough for low income people to be able to afford housing. In wealthy areas like Portland and Seattle, great wealth and high property values produce homelessness for even people who work full-time jobs, thus tent-living.
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yuegonghuamei6685
You real big American should ship in millions of Asians Chinese Vietnamese Arabic immigrant to UAss each city to make big better beautiful bursling booming busy bold cities instead dying dire destitute doom closing empty boring scary tense ahit hole. Prejudice cost lot. Kakakak Kakakak.
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You real big American should ship in millions of Asians Chinese Vietnamese Arabic immigrant to UAss each city to make big better beautiful bursling booming busy bold cities instead dying dire destitute doom closing empty boring scary tense ahit hole. Prejudice cost lot. Kakakak Kakakak.
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user-hn3zo1mj6f
My daddy is from West Virginia and I only have sweet memories when I was a little girl of sitting on the porch swing at grandma's house and her making deer burgers from a neighbors recent hunt. We would just sit on the porch and stair at the hills. Sweetest people in the world there!
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My daddy is from West Virginia and I only have sweet memories when I was a little girl of sitting on the porch swing at grandma's house and her making deer burgers from a neighbors recent hunt. We would just sit on the porch and stair at the hills. Sweetest people in the world there!
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curthenry9398
I motorcycled through Charleston WV in June 2023. The road conditions were horrible, to the point of being dangerous on a motorcycle. Uneven lanes with edge traps that can cause motorcyclists to crash. Large potholes. I was glad to exit the city.
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I motorcycled through Charleston WV in June 2023. The road conditions were horrible, to the point of being dangerous on a motorcycle. Uneven lanes with edge traps that can cause motorcyclists to crash. Large potholes. I was glad to exit the city.
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ljstreight278
Wv has been going downhill since the 70s. It's all politics and the war on steal which we lost and the war on goal has been the reason for our decline and the reason we are a poor state. Many cities in WV was and are DYING. ITS STINKS
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Wv has been going downhill since the 70s. It's all politics and the war on steal which we lost and the war on goal has been the reason for our decline and the reason we are a poor state. Many cities in WV was and are DYING. ITS STINKS
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tripphaden6089
You said you were driving on a highway looking at neighborhoods and most of what you saw were poor neighborhoods. When are high income neighborhoods ever near a highway in any state This guy just seems biased or something.
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You said you were driving on a highway looking at neighborhoods and most of what you saw were poor neighborhoods. When are high income neighborhoods ever near a highway in any state This guy just seems biased or something.
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EviiLMooN114
Grew up in WV all my life and have felt little reason to visit our capital. I’m sure the people there are nice but it seems like its been hit pretty hard in an economic sense which goes for most of the state at this point
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Grew up in WV all my life and have felt little reason to visit our capital. I’m sure the people there are nice but it seems like its been hit pretty hard in an economic sense which goes for most of the state at this point
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Durnee88
Been my home all my life. Live about 10 miles from Charleston. Loved growing up here. We need new leadership here in the state. Coal industry is having a slow death. We have some of the best people here. And hard worker
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Been my home all my life. Live about 10 miles from Charleston. Loved growing up here. We need new leadership here in the state. Coal industry is having a slow death. We have some of the best people here. And hard worker
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jojohns1949
This is the result of sucking trillions into useless wars and oversea nation building We are being hollowed out by bad federal policy as the world police and very bad trade agreements both parties caused this rot
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This is the result of sucking trillions into useless wars and oversea nation building We are being hollowed out by bad federal policy as the world police and very bad trade agreements both parties caused this rot
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wvsky
It's Kan AW Wa. And you're on Washington St, not Pennsylvania. And yes, you were in the SUPER BAD neighborhood on the lower West Side. The Super NICE neighborhoods are across the river, worth millions of dollars.
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It's Kan AW Wa. And you're on Washington St, not Pennsylvania. And yes, you were in the SUPER BAD neighborhood on the lower West Side. The Super NICE neighborhoods are across the river, worth millions of dollars.
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JJJBRICE
Wow, there are many coments from those with West Virginia ties ! I heard an old saying about West Virginia: It's not quite the south, it's not quite the north, it's not quite the east it's quite the midwest.
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Wow, there are many coments from those with West Virginia ties ! I heard an old saying about West Virginia: It's not quite the south, it's not quite the north, it's not quite the east it's quite the midwest.
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wvsky
I dont know how you missed the homeless because we have more Bums walking our streets than any other city in the state. Quite often, there will be more Bums on the sidewalks than tax paying citizens.
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I dont know how you missed the homeless because we have more Bums walking our streets than any other city in the state. Quite often, there will be more Bums on the sidewalks than tax paying citizens.
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SR-ro4xc
Not every place needs to be overran by tourists and new yorkers. No Californians or northerners No homeless. Jacked up prices. Graffiti. Crime. Nearly as much litter. great job Charleston!
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Not every place needs to be overran by tourists and new yorkers. No Californians or northerners No homeless. Jacked up prices. Graffiti. Crime. Nearly as much litter. great job Charleston!
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klmiller333
I grew up in Beckley WV. I had to move to a city. It’s hot and they have tornadoes. It’s very sad what happened to WV. Our politicians and Presidents do not care about us!
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I grew up in Beckley WV. I had to move to a city. It’s hot and they have tornadoes. It’s very sad what happened to WV. Our politicians and Presidents do not care about us!
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birdlynn417
That is sad to see. Such a beautiful state and country. I wonder how the residents feel That is a huge plus not to have homeless hanging around all about town.
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That is sad to see. Such a beautiful state and country. I wonder how the residents feel That is a huge plus not to have homeless hanging around all about town.
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michellegreene7685
It's the KAN - naw - WHA not Can - a - wha. You should have went down to the bottom of the rotunda in the state capital. The echo is amazing.
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It's the KAN - naw - WHA not Can - a - wha. You should have went down to the bottom of the rotunda in the state capital. The echo is amazing.
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johnhutchinson6080
Wyoming State produces the most coal in the US. Further the Powder River Basin in Wyoming produces I think the highest grade of coal in the world.
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Wyoming State produces the most coal in the US. Further the Powder River Basin in Wyoming produces I think the highest grade of coal in the world.
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jackcampbell5443
Lmfao; u pronounced the Kanhawa river very wrong bro. Lol. It’s ok just giving u a heads up. I’m sure I’m not the only 1 who committed
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Lmfao; u pronounced the Kanhawa river very wrong bro. Lol. It’s ok just giving u a heads up. I’m sure I’m not the only 1 who committed
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geekmangreg1677
Very nice video overall. I grew up there. Just as a FYI however, it’s not can-a-wa river it’s pronounced kuh-naw-wah. A Cherokee word
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Very nice video overall. I grew up there. Just as a FYI however, it’s not can-a-wa river it’s pronounced kuh-naw-wah. A Cherokee word
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Nick94MI
Looking to move out of crazy central FL and possibly relocate here lol I've had enough of the never ending construction amd too many people.
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Looking to move out of crazy central FL and possibly relocate here lol I've had enough of the never ending construction amd too many people.
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mpstrgc112
It’s a real shame that these beautiful old places are in decline. It looks so nice. I’d move there if there was a future for my brood.
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It’s a real shame that these beautiful old places are in decline. It looks so nice. I’d move there if there was a future for my brood.
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ryanbyrd3022
Those are technically mountains. They are so small from eons of erosion because the Appalachias are the oldest mountains in the world.
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Those are technically mountains. They are so small from eons of erosion because the Appalachias are the oldest mountains in the world.
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usa-by-car
What is the future of West Virginia Is there a surge of young people or young families moving out of the state for better opportunities
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What is the future of West Virginia Is there a surge of young people or young families moving out of the state for better opportunities
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heberje
A lot of West Virginia cities are in these small valleys. West Virginia is the only state that is completely in the Appalachian mountains.
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A lot of West Virginia cities are in these small valleys. West Virginia is the only state that is completely in the Appalachian mountains.
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dralbertpakin8895
Most of West Virginia has been failing due to the Coal Miners and the shut downs of the coal mines so they have moved on.
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Most of West Virginia has been failing due to the Coal Miners and the shut downs of the coal mines so they have moved on.
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