Moving to West Virginia ?
Situated in the Appalachian region of the Eastern United States is the landlocked state
of West Virginia. The state was created from Virginia during the American Civil War through the Wheeling Conventions.
It is the only state to be formed by seceding from a confederate state.
Due to the presence of the Appalachian
Mountains, the state is nicknamed as the Mountaineer State and its motto is Montani Semper Liberi, meaning, “Mountaineers
are always free.” The lush green landscape and the beautiful Allegheny Mountains have given the state the distinction
of being the “Switzerland of America.”
The beauty of this state has been aptly described by John Denver in
his song, Take Me Home, Country Roads. The state has also been the location for many movies such as A Beautiful Mind,
Silence of the Lambs, Patch Adams, and October Sky.
If you’re moving to West Virginia, there are a lot of
things you’re going to need to know. Luckily, you’ve come to the right place.
Things to Know When Moving to West Virginia
West Virginia Climate
Owing to its topographic transitions, West Virginia experiences a highly variable weather pattern. A humid subtropical
climate is prevalent in the lower elevations in the southwestern region of the state and in parts of the Eastern
panhandle. Hot, humid summers and milder winters are found to the east of the Appalachians while the rest of
the state experiences a humid continental climate with warm summers and cold winters that increase in severity
with altitude. West Virginia is considered as one of the foggiest places in the country, with poor visibility
for at least 40 days per year. It is due to high evapotranspiration rates from extensive forest cover, the nighttime
radiation loss from elevated locations and the ensuing cold air drainage that often fills valleys.
Registering your Car
You have 30 days to register and title your car in West Virginia from the date
of the beginning of your residency in the state. The fees include a $10 title fee, a registration fee of $30
and a $5 lien fee if applicable. The titling 5% sales tax on the vehicles' value has been exempted for new residents
moving into West Virginia. In order to claim this exemption the vehicle has to be in the name of the applicant
at the time of applying for the title.
Obtaining a West Virginia Driver's License
If you are in possession of a valid out-of-state license, then
you are eligible for a transfer of the license. If the out-of-state license is expired, you are required to produce
a certified driving record from the state where you were previously licensed, before taking various examination
tests of your vision, written, and road skills. You ought to complete a brief alcohol awareness course before
a West Virginia license is issued. If your out-of-state license is suspended or revoked then it is considered
illegal to drive in West Virginia until you get a clearance in the PDPS.
Crime Rankings
As of 2011, West Virginia was ranked 20th out of 50 states in violent crime, with a total of less than
20 violent crimes for every 100,000 people in the state.
Industries
The economy of West Virginia is powered by diverse industries such as coal mining, livestock, chemical
manufacturing, glass products and tourism. As far as agricultural products, West Virginia leads in the production of
broilers, cattle and calves, chicken eggs, dairy products, and turkeys. Crops such as corn, soybean, hay, tobacco, apples,
peaches, and wheat are also grown. The state leads the country in the production of coal, while exploration of natural
gas is also undertaken. Lumber production is another important manufacturing activity in the state. From hand-blown containers
to large scale manufacturing and cottage industry art glass, West Virginia presents a history of glass making. The state's
premier skiing destinations have also attracted tourists in the hundreds of thousands and brought in billions of dollars
of revenue.
Employment Statistics
As of early 2012, the state of West Virginia had an unemployment rate of 7.2 percent, which is lower than the national
average of 8.2 percent.
Average Income
The median household income in the state of West Virginia is $38,380, while the average per capita
income for the state is $21,232.
Moving and Storage
If you are looking for a moving company or storage facility to help you with anything,
you should check to make sure the company is registered with the United States Department of Transportation or
with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.
Real Estate
The average listing price for homes in West Virginia is $197,546, while the median sales price
is just over $105,000. The West Virginia Association of Realtors is the official real estate resource for the state of West Virginia.
Major landmarks and attractions
Snowshoe Mountain; Stonewall Jackson Lake; West Virginia Independence Hall;
Capitol Music Hall; West Virginia Symphony Orchestra; George Washington's Trail; the Town of Harper's Ferry
State Capital: Charleston
Largest Cities: Morgantown, Charleston, Beckley, Huntington, Clarksburg, Martinsburg
Schools
The West Virginia Board of Education oversees the functioning of formal public school education. The West Virginia
Board of Education was established by the constitution and it supervises, controls, and manages the business
and educational affairs of 834 elementary and secondary schools, and the West Virginia schools for the deaf and
blind in Romney. All 8th grade students in the state are allowed to take history or social studies classes about
the state and the top-scoring students in the test conducted are given an award each year. The West Virginia
Education Policy Commission is vested with the responsibility of overseeing higher education institutions. As
part of the higher education program the commission is also involved with coordinating scientific research grants
to academic institutions from federal and state agencies. It also conducts activities to help broaden the public
understanding of science and technology. Among the many great elementary, middle, and high schools in the state
is a system of higher education institutions such as West Virginia University and various other community and
county colleges.
National Parks
Bluestone National Scenic River
Harper’s Ferry National Historical Park
Wheeling National Heritage Area
New River Gorge National River
State park System
The West Virginia state park system is comprised of 36 parks that let you explore the scenic
beauty of this mountain state. The parks, with its rugged mountain terrain, natural beauty and sylvan locations,
let you indulge in a range of outdoor activities like river gorge hikes, mountain biking, whitewater rafting,
kayaking, rock climbing, golfing, bird watching, hunting, fishing, and winter sports like skiing and sledding.
Major Airports
Yeager Airport
North Central West Virginia Airport
Tri-State Airport
Morgantown Municipal Airport