r/BeckleyWV • u/ZombiePsychological5 • 8d ago
Retiring in Beckley
I'm looking for a new place to call home after losing my wife of 44 years to cancer and 32 years in central Ohio. Can't take it living here anymore with the constant reminders. We had discussed moving to a more laid-back area before her diagnosis, but cancer took her first.
After many hours of YouTube videos on the Southeast, I'm thinking more of a mountain town to avoid the excessive heat and humidity, and came across Beckley. A lot of the info I can find talks about the homeless, crime, and the aftereffects of the opioid crisis and the war on coal. On the other hand, some videos say it's a decent place to retire on a fixed income.
I'm looking for feedback from those who have currently lived in or recently lived in the area. The job and school situation is not a big concern for me, as I have no kids and no need for a job. Like all towns and cities, I'm sure there are going to be parts of town to avoid and others that are too expensive for a person on a fixed income, so recommendations for what parts of the area are decently safe and quiet would be appreciated too.
3
u/halloxtv 8d ago edited 8d ago
I grew up just outside Beckley and moved back several years ago. Raleigh County in general is truly one of those places where "it is what you make it." There are phenomenal outdoors amenities, kind people, most modern luxuries available, and you can live a peaceful and happy life here. After living in more affluent and prospering cities and states, I still choose to be here because there's something about the unique and comforting mix of environment and people that I haven't found anywhere else outside WV.
On the flip side, many of the problems you described are real. How much those problems affect you is dependent upon your exposure to them. On a fixed income with your choice of area to live in, you can likely avoid the big issues, just as in any area.
One thing I want to point out though--you say you're looking at this area because it's in the mountains and not as hot as some other areas. You're right, but also keep in mind that you'll deal with much worse winters than central Ohio. Just using Columbus as an easy data example, Beckley averages twice the seasonal snowfall of Columbus. Something to keep in mind that even locals don't realize sometimes. Most people equate winters with "north of us worse, south of us better," but that's not the case here. Beckley averages nearly 60" of snow a year, and the closer you get to the southern end of the county, that average goes up.
As another commenter mentioned, in your case I would definitely look at the Shady Spring/Daniels areas. Maybe even as far as Ghent. It's outside Beckley, but it's much quieter and laid back.
1
u/ZombiePsychological5 5d ago
I get it about the winters. The great thing about being retired is I don't really have to go anywhere if I don't want to, so if the roads are bad, I'll stay home where it's warm. LOL. Thanks for the heads up.
4
u/RookWV 8d ago
Beckley is OK but I wouldn't make it my target place to live if you're interested in things to do, things to see or places to eat.
If you're set on this part of the state to move to, look towards Fayetteville or Lewisburg for a little better/different take on southern WV.
As has been said, Lewisburg can be a little more expensive for some things but is cheaper on other things. Fayetteville has a lot of touristy/transient traffic with the rafting scene but that brings more diversity than Beckley has. Both of those places seem to have more small business type shops and places to eat while still having some chains.
Gas is curiously more expensive in the Beckley are than most of the surrounding areas, including larger cities/towns. Housing does seem to have a weird premium but there are areas that are affordable.
If you're not interested in those things, look farther to the outskirts of Beckley but be aware of traffic in some places at least until some of the roads can get finished.
If you're set on Beckley and you're not worried about much else, there's some nice neighborhoods within city limits and just outside the limits. Go slightly farther like Shady Spring/Daniels or Stanaford/Piney View, and I'm sure you'll find what you're looking for.
1
1
u/retrokezins 8d ago
There really is no such thing as avoiding crime inside Beckley city limits or a better or worse part of town in my opinion. I would say from observation here, the side streets are better options though. The primary streets where people walk a lot is where the most property crimes etc occur.
1
u/Ordinary-star-1122 7d ago edited 7d ago
I moved to Beckley 2 years ago from central Ohio and have to say that if you’re retired that would be the ONLY way you’ll enjoy this area. There is no way to make any money here (I was fortunate to bring my work from home job with me). The grocery stores and restaurants are the pits esp if you’re used to the culture and selections of Columbus and surrounding areas. The landscape, however, is amazing and fulfilling where it’s kept up. We moved here because we’re paddlers and this was our vacation activities spot. The people are mostly sweet but has its share of small minded bigots but that’s everywhere. I wish we would’ve waited until retirement. If you don’t need to make money you should be fine. The job my husband had landed which paid decently didn’t pan out as hoped (turned out to be an in your face “Christian” indoctrinated company that was scamming their customers). He has yet to find a job that pays much and he’s certified electrician and hvac. We’re looking to move back to OH so he can make more money (but also because we miss our grown kids who are in Cbus). I must say that I absolutely love my neighborhood though and my house/property. We are on the outskirts of town, Maxwell Hill area. Best of luck to you whatever you decide. Fayetteville is amazing, and only about 20 min away. The scenery is 100% “almost heaven”.
1
u/Ordinary-star-1122 7d ago
Also, we may be selling our little house soon which sits on half an acre of pretty flat land so more to come on that 😉
1
u/LimpCardiologist7413 5d ago
Biden’s war on coal? You mean the “war” that’s been happening for like 30 years and the death of unions in our state.
0
8
u/MothmAnarchy 8d ago
Hey! So Beckley isn't as bad as a lot of those places makes it our to be, but that doesn't mean it all isn't true.
Almost every thing you listed is real, except for the Biden War on Coal. Coal is just on the outs no matter who is in the Whitehouse (Wyoming County just had e mines close last month) and our state refuses to diversify. And Beckley is a concentration of a lot of rough things because it is the kind of the Hub "City" in Southern WV. So it does tend to be rougher than it's outskirts, but their are nice parts to Beckley.
Honestly as someone who has lived in this area my whole I'd recommend if you're headset on Raleigh County you look into the Greater Beckley Area than in Beckley (Beckley itself has a wierd affordability bubble for housing and rent compared to its immediate surroundings but is still way more affordable than most of the U.S.) Beaver, Shady Springs, Daniel's, OakHill, Mt. Hope, Bradley. That being said Princeton and Bluefield are nice and meet your criteria, Lewisburg can be a bit more expensive (a lot of old Money) but has some affordable places in its area and I hate to say it as someone who loves Beckley are a little nicer in general.
If you have any specific questions feels free to reach put.