I've lived my entire 58 years in WV, the last 37 in the Charleston area. I felt you gave a fair and accurate description of the city. It is declining like most other rust belt cities for the past 60 plus years. Like Detroit, WV was and still is to a certain degree too heavily dependent on one industry, coal. West Virginia had over 100,000 miners in 1960, in 2020 that number was just over 11,400. One would think that the state still has that peak number of miners, by the outsized role coal plays in state politics. Politicians continue to cater to the industry like it is still 1960. Its why the state continues a slow death. It had the largest population decline in the country in 2020, over 3%. But state leaders keep waiting on another coal boom, that probably isn't coming. And BTW, I am not anti coal. I am am anti-mountaintop removal though. I grew up in Logan County, in a mining family. When I mentioned Detroit earlier, it's when you get into the more rural areas of WV. Especially Logan, Mingo, Wyoming and McDowell counties. It looks like a rural version of Detroit full of abandoned and dilapidated houses and towns. The only growing areas of the state are the far eastern panhandle (DC Area) and around WVU in Morgantown. I hope to retire and put WV behind me in a few years.
my daughter and her husband just moved to Charleston West Virginia in October and I'm getting ready to move there the first part of June and I'm looking forward to it
I was born and raised in Lewisburg WV about 2.5hrs away and our town is booming, there’s new stuff coming here every month. We have the Greenbrier resort, the Greenbrier Sporting Club, tho so we always have lots of tourists here.
@@jeffl9956 I like Greenbrier County, one of my 3 favorite WV counties. The Charleston/Huntington areas are dying though, I been here 37 years and see it daily. But as bad as it is here, it is much worse in the southwestern coal counties. McDowell County had very close to 100,ooo in 1960 now it is 15,833.
Stopped in Charleston a few years ago while returning from a vacation looking for an urgent care for my sick daughter. Even though it was closing time the staff and doctor took great care of my daughter and even made arrangements with a late night pharmacy to get us her prescriptions. We found the most caring people in the world in Charleston, West Virginia!
Looks like a nice town live in. Just looks like there’s not a whole lot of employment. Good potential for rental properties if the city wasn’t on a decline.
I was born here in West Virginia not far from Charleston and grew up here. It's my senior year at high school and a lot of people in my graduating class is talking about leaving to another state. I want to be a part of the generation that helps West Virginia. I went to Charleston a lot growing up for doctor visits and I never noticed anything strange about how little people there are here because that's all I've known. I've never thought of West Virginia as a poor state because I've never really given it much thought at all. I think that most people that live here will agree that there is something here that just makes you feel at home and that thing for me is my family and the hills here. Thanks for reviewing this beautiful state and I wish you safe travels to your next one.
I grew up in Ravenswood and my brother and sister both did well in Wv, but as for me it was not going to be as good of a life, just as you said most of my graduation class of 82 moved out of state for a better living, sad now that my parents are in their mid 80 I would love to have been closer just wasn’t in the cards, I’ve been here in Nashville for 32 years and I feel like I’m living were I plan on dying.
I live in West Virginia and I think only delusional people think they can change this state. Too many old people have control in government. Save yourself the time and use your brain and youth to do something you can actually make a difference. The old guard of wv likes things the way it is
My parents are from West Virginia and I spent many happy summers there with my mom’s family in Eskdale and Cabin Creek. This was in the 60’s and 70’s . I love WVa, and always will.
Back in 1973, I turned 18 yrs old and could not wait to leave Charleston. So I joined the Marine Corps and saw the world. 1977, I finished my 4 yrs in the Marine Corps. After seeing the World, I could not WAIT to return to Charleston,West Virginia
It's because of things like US city planning regs. In Europe we plan our urban areas to have integrated local resources within walking distances of housing so as to create community usage and development so they have uses outside of industry and thus reasons to exist in the long term. The US introduced zoning and minimum parking requirements for all new businesses so now there is more space in the US designated for car parking than Human habitation which pushes everything apart and makes walking between locations difficult. US suburbs are a freaking hell hole of misery as far as I can tell.
@@darthwiizius That's really a matter of opinion. I prefer to live in cities, but not everybody *wants* businesses and the traffic (both pedestrian and vehicular) that it brings within eye- or earshot of their house. Many Americans prefer land and yards, too, which aren't realistic in many cities. The extent that apartment block living exists in Europe wouldn't fly in the US (nor Canada, I would wager).
@@JohnSmith-uj6gx Most UK houses have gardens, even the ones in cities. We build orbit towns around cities not US style suburbs, same purpose but with all the local facilities. They'll all be built with a central shopping(with some apartment living) and admin area, an away from housing commercial/industrial area and housing areas radiating around the centre containing the odd local shop and/or takeaway, a local drinking hole, parks, sports facilities etc. They are safer and more self contained for standards of living than the US 'burbs. My town even has a park similar in size to Central Park in the centre of the town next to the main shopping centre, it has wild deer in it alongside a 50m swimming pool, tennis courts, lawn green bowling, a kids play area and one or two other bits 'n' bobs. that's 1/2 a mile from my house but 100 meters in the opposite direction is my local park which is about the size of 6 football pitches and has a kids play area in it, my local park is one of the smaller parks in my town. 3 estates in my town also have their own little shopping areas, I just have one little family owned convenience store and my local pub is a ten minute walk. My town is about 4-5 miles across with a population of 30000ish people.
@@darthwiizius Most Americans who are into suburbs want lawns with acres of property, not a garden terrace in a row homes, apartment, or close-together freestanding home. What you're describing certainly appeals to me, but many people don't care about public parks and would rather just have their own extensive properly. Land is view differently here than in Europe.
Business owners, smaller ones don't have a chance... My BFF owns the distillery in downtown historic district in Charleston and he's about to throw in the towel💔
@@BEATINGYOU you gotta find something that people either really need, or really want and even then most business start-ups fail, even in strong markets. Sometimes it's better to work for someone who can afford the risk or just keep trying until you start a winner. There's a micro brew in the middle of nowhere between Blackwater Falls and Dolly Sods and the one time I was there, it was packed. Of course, that area is full of tourist attractions and fishing destinations. You gotta do business with a purpose and a plan.
I started my career as a chemical engineer there in 1975. There were so many chemical companies in Charleston, Union Carbide, DuPont, FMC, Monsanto. The city was the chemical center if the world before world war 2. Charleston then was expensive to live, bcz of influx of new chemical graduates who made very good money. The decline of Charleston was a direct result from America’s shrinking sharing of manufacturing capacity that started in 1970s.
As a West Virginian, I assure you the continued draining of this state is all thanks to the politicians, you can watch them drive 80k suvs down busted streets, hear them claim they are going to remove trees to lessen the impact of mudslides, self serving politicians will be the death of our entire country.
Born and raised in Charleston for 24 years of my life up until 2013 when I moved south to Florida. Generations of people have been killed off here due to the drug opioid epidemic, as West Virginia and Charleston were hit very very hard by it. I cant even keep count of all the people once knew that have passed away from drug overdoses, it is overwhelming and traumatic and it's so very sad what has happened to such a beautiful place. WV will never be the same ...halfway through to the end of the video you are on the Westside of town which can be a very tough place to be and live...I grew up in this area up on the hill behind near Edgewood drive!!
The US opioid epidemic truly is heart breaking even for those us not American. It is mind boggling that corporations can be allowed to cause such misery and waste of Human potential.
All of WV has lost generations it's a tragedy. We will never be the same. They came in made a profit and destroyed lives. It has multigenerational effects.
@Badass Beaver yeah then big pharma and their experts said wear a face diaper and take the government issued smack that is worthless . It was all BS a scam really makes me sick
I always tend to root for cities like Charleston to make a comeback. They have an absolutely beautiful downtown, with a good mix of stunning historic buildings and cool-looking "modern" buildings.
In recent years, the city life itself has actually been improving. More events, more stuff to do, etc. I don't think the population is getting bigger because even people that work in Charleston usually look further out to live and just commute. Teays Valley and Scott Depot areas are a pretty popular hub right now, especially because it's relatively easy to get to Charleston or Huntington and it's a much nicer area.
@@RocotacoPerposterownI've always had a soft spot for West Virginia in general. Honestly, it reminds me a lot of Pennsylvania (where I'm from). You've got the old steel towns along the Ohio River which remind me a lot of Pittsburgh and its suburbs and places like Johnstown, as well as the little hollers up in the mountains which to me aren't all that different than the little coal towns in the central part of PA.
I just graduated from the University of Charleston, you see the University at the 5 minute mark. Great video, and I would definitely call those hills mountains haha
Born and raised in the Charleston area for twenty years. One, my brother in Christ, I wish you asked a native how to pronounce Kanawha. (cuh-NAW) Two, really glad you didn't visit the Town Center Mall. What was once a bustling shopping center is now a microcosm of the dying city it's located in. It's literally over half empty. The city has had to take out loans and seek outside investors in order to keep it open. I used to love going there as a kid, but it's just plain depressing now. Three, the first neighborhood you featured was located in an area of Charleston known as Kanawha City. I'd say it is more middle class/upper-middle class. The upper class neighborhoods with mansions and such is located in South Hills, on the south side of the Kanawha River. Four, the last neighborhood you visited that had run down houses next to nicely kept ones was "the West Side". It's generally known for having higher crime rates than the rest of the city. Five, thanks for visiting! Next time, try to indulge in the local cuisine. I consider Charleston to be fairly diverse culinarily. Plenty of Indian, Thai, Greek, Jamaican, etc. There are plenty of nice American restaurants as well. I'd suggest Karubee's (Jamaican), Sitar of India (North Indian/Pakistani), Chow Thai (Thai), Black Sheep Burrito (Mexican-American Fusion), Mi Cocina de Amor (Mexican), Adelphia (Greek-American bar and grill), Pies and Pints (pizzeria and draft beer), Soho's (Italian), Dem 2 Brothers & a Grill (American soul food), Graziano's (pizzeria), the Chop House (upscale American), Fazio's (Italian), Harding's (ole' fashioned country food), and literally any Tudor's Biscuit World, the pride of West Virginia. Lol I guess I went overboard on the food bit, but I honestly think it may be Charleston's best attribute, and I didn't even include restaurants in the suburbs.
It’s amazing how much visitors miss. And amazing how they pick their places to view. 🤔 And Kanawha?? The pronunciations are hysterical! 😂 I’ve lived here my whole life. Wouldn’t live anywhere else!
I was born in South Charleston in 70 and although we moved away when I was a teen, still have a lot of family there. I've always known Kanawha as cuh-NAW-uh. You tellin me we've been saying it wrong all these years? lol
@@jamsdead4273 I was born in South charleston and graduated an eagle... I'm specifically speaking for charleston... it's awful and only getting worse...
That is 18 karat yellow gold leaf on the dome. It came from & was applied by Italian workers from Italy & it took approximately 6 months. We are proud of & Love it!!!
@Jane Ingram...I was wondering if he was going to mention anything about that gold leaf dome. West Virginia state capital is the most beautiful of all state capitals.
I lived in beckley til I was 14, and moved to Charleston for high school. I can safely say that, having been to 21 countries, there is something about this city and state that will always be home to me, especially In the summer. There is something so beautiful about the warm winds, the grass covered fields and mountains, the deep green trees. It’s beautiful in such a unique way. I hope to, after law school and working in law for a number of years, return to wv, to make this place known for what it truly is, and to improve the lives of all people here. Please, to those who see this place in pictures and on videos, I know it looks downright dreary. But if you could see this place in the spring and summer, and could only know what it’s like yo have friends and family here, you would look at it in an unrecognizable light. It’s beautiful, it’s home, it’s a place that makes nature seem natural.
My mother is from wv ( Oceana) and left for DC upon graduation. She and dad retired in WV ( Petersburg) and I visit several times a year. We refer to it ( lovingly) as "poor man's Vermont". It's such a beautiful state in fall. It's tough to drive in foggy weather, and that mountain in Elkins gets me every time. Seneca Rocks and Spruce Knob are spectacular. The caverns are amazing too. WV has some of the sweetest, kindest, hard working people, but has been DEVASTATED by the opioid crisis. I love visiting the state. I always leave refreshed. I just wish the economy could support a good living.
I was born and raised in SW PA, we have alot in common in this beautiful area, I appreciate your attitude towards preserving the great state of WV, hope all your dreams come to fruition. I'm 62, and there is nothing more dear to my heart than being able to go jump in a 'crick' when it's hot. I'd really like to visit, but can't climb like I used to, HAHAHAHA. New River Gorge is close. It is one of the most beautiful places I've visited. Pray it stays that way, Love you all WV!
@@jamest4659 Charleston is the capital, the place that’s supposed to be thriving. If you go further down into towns and rural areas you’ll change your mind real quick.
I see so much potential in that downtown! I didn’t expect it to have so many beautiful buildings, and I definitely didn’t expect it to be so walkable. Very clean, too. I think a renaissance could be in its future if West Virginia is able to modernize its economy, and if it’s placed in the right hands.
That's the problem though, isn't it? As long as the coal and chemical companies continue to control our politics, nothing will change, just as nothing has changed in the past 50 years.
Politics crush both Charleston and Huntington the second largest city to the point where the effort would be waisted because of greed , restaurants are the only thing that comes and goes ,bars and strip clubs ,was born in Huntington 30-40 mins away lived there till I joined the USMC to escape
The right hands is the hard part around here the state has been raped for everything it has resource wise ,and it's a downward spiral from there politics is the main problem in my eyes most everyone has given up and moved away and it's been like that for too long now, just my opinion on it ,I agree it could but that would take the perfect storm
I just relocated from Scottsdale AZ to Charleston WV and I love it. It is being revamped, new businesses are coming here and many people are relocating here. It's beautiful, people are amazing, cost of living is fantastic. I am so happy I made the move here and anyone else who does will love it too
The cost of living sure is fantastic, if you've come out of state with money. Most people here are in poverty. Born and raised here, I wish nothing more than to leave so I can find opportunities, get on my feet and FINALLY have a life. Try going to rural towns and see how much people are struggling. Everyone’s an addict. New businesses? They always close within months of opening.
Life-long resident of Charleston here. Love this place in a deep way, truly. Many problems, but where doesn't have that...ya know? All I know is that anyone from here, if being honest, will tell you it is a very special place with a very special type of people.
Moved here from New york and born in Louisiana and I'm obsessed with this state. I get sick just leaving the comfort of the mountains and nature. There's not much opportunity but there are plenty of beautiful locations to start a family and live a happy life.
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.
Good video The “Boat” is called a “Barge”. The actual specific boat pushing the barge is called a “Tug” however, the word tug is not needed since the barge can only operate with the tug. So it was a “River Barge” loaded with coal you saw moving in the river.
I’ve lived in three continents and over a dozen US states. IMO West Virginia is naturally beautiful and one of my favorite places in the world. I think WV should somehow stimulate a tourism industry within itself and capitalize on its outdoors like a Colorado of the East. I would live there if they had a “real” big city
wow. It is almost as if the leaders of the state are WORKING to keep the poor and disadvantaged, even poorer and without any options for progress. But keep voting Manchin into office West Virginians. Because nothing says failure like repeating things and decisions that have never worked in the past. The people of West Virginia deserve better than Manchin.
You seem to be misinformed at best. Manchin has gotten the short end of the stick several times from his own party. In 2007-2008 he voted for a bill reducing the number of coal miners for climate change with the agreement that the miners that lost their livelihoods would receive a free education in another field of work. Obama THEN seen it as an opportunity to destroy the population of WV even further by waiting the maximum time allowed by law to start the reeducation programs. Almost 5 years after the miners lost their jobs the retraining centers opened to literally no one because the miners had been forced to move out of state for work. I wont even start on the promised jobs that never showed up but needless to say they never made it and honestly more than likely ever existed.
Manchin is one U.S. Senator of WV. You have one other Senator, several U.S. Representatives, and state majority seats that are Republican. Senator Byrd was the one who helped West Virginia.
@@stephaniepersin4145 Keywords - US Senator. While yes I think he should be doing more for the state, there is a responsibility of the Governor and the members in the State House and State Senate, most of whom are not doing anything to fix the issues of the state that are effecting most citizens, instead wanting to focus on a culture war.
I mean i agree, but also the rest of the republican governance aint doing shit to provide resources to the people and instead just doing anything to give themselves a buck. Hell you guys just premiered the one representative who actually wanted to invest in infrastructure in that state.
Did I just witness an old respectful/safety gesture bef entering a building by Nic. Wiping her feet bef entering Capital building! God Bless You. Luving your vids so so much. Many Blessings be to you & your family.
I lived in Charleston briefly in the 90s. Even though it was a city of declining population even then, I thought it was a place of immense character. The architecture reflects the different periods of boom and bust. The winding roads and unique lay of the city is dictated by the hills and waterways. The refreshing greenspaces intervene against the roads and structures. The strangers that would wave and say, "Good Morning" when they passed on the street always made me feel at home. It was a truly nice place. I really wish you had gotten the chance to visit Coonskin Park, the massive, green hilltop recreation area or West Virginia International (Yeager) Airport (with the notorious mountaintop runway my pilot friends called "The Postage Stamp"). It would have been interesting to your viewers/subscribers to make mention of one of the largest urban malls in the country or the exploding music scene. If you ever get the chance to revisit Chsrleston, I hope you can explore some of the more compelling points of the city. I assure you that Charleston has much more to offer than boarded-up houses.
Coonskin Park you didn't miss a thing, Yeager Airport is such a joke the FAA is trying to leave and shut it down. While everyone else got a new Airport we get the airport they slap some more runway on the end of the runway it fall off into the Gulley and wipes out a church. 100% textbook West Virginia.
As a transplant, I made the same mistake about the mountains. There is no “height” requirement for mountains. The state is in the Appalachian mountain range. They were once tall, but they are very old and eroded, so old mountains. I was a trail runner and ran up those mountains. It’s also deceptive because they are so covered with trees. The neighborhood you drove through is the poorest in the city, not typical. Although you are definitely correct about its decline.
I'm also a trail runner in the "hilly" part of the Midwest and often wish I had grown up in a more mountainous area. I love the hills, especially running up them! You're lucky 😊
@@toddandangelbrowning2920 yup, and older than bones. In fact when Pangea split ot split the mountain range into the Appalachian and Scottish highlands. Hence why they are so similar 😀
In the 1970’s while a teacher, I was a custodian there on weekends, at that most beautiful capitol, mopping the floors. It is truly a stunning building with much history.
I have lived most of my life in WV. Born and raised in East Bank, moved once and came back. I now live in Charleston. I love it here. Of course there's good and bad just like anywhere else. To me the good far exceeds the bad. WV has some of the friendliest people you will ever meet. Because there are a lot less people walking the streets compared to larger/more populated cities it's very common to say hello to people in passing. That would be quite difficult if you passed someone every every few feet. I know I'm biased but I also feel very confident in saying nobody is as proud of where they're from as people from WV. A few things to keep in mind for if you're ever back in town... I wish you would have shown some of the east end of Charleston (area around the capital building). It is the more historic area of the city. Fun fact, the west side of Charleston once had an amusement park known as Luna Park until 1923. It was located in the southern part of the neighborhood and took up a large portion of the west side. Some of the more "unique" layouts of the city streets in the area are due to the original thoroughfares of the park. Thanks for visiting and "y'all come back now, ya hear".
I'm from Roanoke Va, and Charleston is on the way to my granddad's house in Gallapolis OH, I have always loved Charleston, don't know exactly why, but I always have. Wonderful people and scenery.
How strange. I'm a lifelong Pittsburgh resident. We also had a Luna Park. The amusement park closed early in the 1900's. West View Park closed too. Kennywood is still here
Love this video. It was neat to see and hear the perspective of someone else. I've been in and out of WV for much of my life, but this town and SLC, UT are home. All of this is exactly why my husband and I are fighting so hard to rehabilitate. We've taken up a few properties and are working to fix them up with no intentions of stopping. God Bless you, man!
I've been thinking about moving to West Virginia ... actually I'm putting my house up for sale as soon as the roofers start replacing my roof. Your video is making me seriously consider Charleston as my destination.
Come on down. Be nice to have ya.. just steer clear from the WestSide. (Where I live) .. gun shots are common. Best of luck w the house! Stay safe and take care
@@myheroacademialover4923 Every place is. Name one place that isn't. I don't have to move next to junkies nor do I have to take drugs. Except for weed. I really enjoy smoking weed and I'm hoping it isn't too hard to find. Of course if I catch a junkie on my property I get to blow them away so that is kinda a plus.
@@thetrumpnewsnetwork7503 You don't get to kill junkies for standing on your property. The city has policies that generally favor the homeless, so I don't think shooting them would exactly go down well with Chancellor Goodwin (our mayor).
@@erinmeggik391 Well, if you weren't ignorant but had any knowledge of what's going on in the world, you'd know gas prices have soared in most regions of the world. Happens, when the whole world economy shuts down and the oil industry doesn't know who to sell their products and don't know where to store it. .. They reduce capacity. Then, when demand resurges, you'll have a lag in supply. ..and guess what happens, when demand is way higher than supply!? What else could happen? Right, other industries also reduced capacities so that now supply lags demand. ..and higher fuel prices even creep into these consumer prices because delivery/transport got more expensive. Doesn't exactly help that the USA has strong economic growth right now, even higher than China for the first time in a long time. .. But yeah, let's just blame Biden, because we're too lazy to learn about the world and its economy 🤣
Charleston looks like a beautiful old city that is very well kept with a lot of beautiful historic architecture. At least Charleston didn’t allow urban renewal to run rampant in the 60s and 70s. However Charleston has a stagnant economy and no real estate demand so that is why there are so many empty and half empty buildings.
Oh it did allow urban renewal, as did almost all cities in NA. Look up the historic triangle district of Charleston, which was bulldozed to make way for an urban freeway. Additionally, the town center mall is built on old neighborhoods
When the interstate came through in (I think) the 70s, it wiped out the historically black section of the city. From the photos I’ve seen it was beautiful, and I wish I’d had the chance to see the history there that’s gone now.
I was born in Charleston in 1956, and left in 1975. Believe it or not, Charleston was considered a progressive city in the 60s and early 70s. There were also lots of beautiful women. I recall a sign on a bridge over the Kanawha River that spoke of Charleston’s attributes, the pretty girls being one of them. I’ve lived all over the world since then, but no other place has ever felt like home the way Charleston did. By the way, it’s pronounced Ka-NAW-ah, not KAN-a-wa.
Excellent presentation! West Virginia will Rebound' actually it's our nation best kept secret. You have more natural assets then many other states. It's people are quite unique! The mountains and water ways are fabulous also,unlike anywhere in the U.S. Moreover WV has a atmosphere of peace and a kindred spirit of kindness in the people. With those attributes many people will seek solace, to embrace their lives! Trust me, you have a gem of a State!
19:10 West Virginia was "created by Abraham Lincoln" precisely and directly as a result of the Civil War. Before the Civil War Virginia was just "Virginia"... there was no "West Virginia", it was just another part of Virginia proper... as most folks may well know, Virginia joined the Confederacy and seated the Capital of the Confederacy in Richmond. The thing was, the folks in Virginia west of the Appalachian mountains lived very different lives than those east of the mountains, and thought very differently than those east of the mountains. There were no big slave-owning plantations in western Virginia, and both culturally and politically, western Virginians just thought about things differently. For those reasons and more, when Virginia seceded from the Union, it was against the will of people of western Virginia... and a split of the state occurred with Eastern Virginians joining the Confederacy while Western Virginians stayed loyal to the Union... hence, eventually it became "official" when Lincoln created the state.
Even western parts of North Carolina wanted to stay w in the union like you said. Another reason is Eastern parts of those states are more affected by harassment by the union for trying to stop them from Shipping things to other countries and Military boats trying to collect taxes and tariffs. Virginia and North Carolina made up the fast majority of the Confederate Army, & people up in the mountains we're mostly just doing their thing wanting to be left alone.
Says alot about the people in WV...Lincoln assumed WV would fight for the union, they refused that, too..that WV work ethic hasn't changed...the state is used to living off the government....
Probably a good idea to get a guide when visiting and filming documentaries of cities you’re not familiar with. So many missed opportunities to capture the city in it’s entirety. While I agree it is a dying city, there’s a lot of folks that are really trying to revamp things, they could have given you a better tour and walkthrough. And Kanawha is pronounce Kuh-Naw-wha
Dumb question from a european, I'm genuinely curious, why are you considering more the suburbs styl neighborhood than the downtown? Because hell is it looking like a damn fine place, especially if it's less expensive.
When it comes to “mountains”, most people don’t call the hills around Charleston mountains. That’s usually reserved for areas in the higher elevations in the eastern part of the state like Randolph, Webster, Pendleton, Pocahontas, Tucker, etc.
I lived in Chas from 99-2021 . It was definitely an experience . I miss it a little bit bc it was home for over 20 yrs but ,as yall may already know , there’s absolutely nothing there. The one mall in the whole county can barely survive. WV is in a very sad state but I’ll always have love for it.
Thank you for the nice comments about our city. We are losing roughly 10,000 people a year statewide, and are now the 3rd oldest state in the union, and that may not reverse any time soon. I'm glad you had a good time at the capitol complex. Safe travels on your future journeys!
I wish you’d visited our state parks . For years things like Huge Amusement parks, race tracks, riverboat gambling have tried to come to WV but the people kick against it so without commerce coming in there’s definitely going to be people leaving. It’s sad
I didn't see this video until a few months later after you released it. I grew up on the outskirts of Charleston, WV. I moved to Richmond, KY after I graduated from DuPont High School in 1983 at Dupont City, WV. That first river tugboat that was pushing those coal barges on the Kanawha River was renamed the George W. Jones. The boats original name was the Morris Harvey. I remember it all very well because I grew up in the neighborhood which had been owned by the Jones family who owned and operated Amherst Coal Company and Amherst Industries, and that boat docked at the river port just below the home I grew up in at Port Amherst. My father worked for them as a coal distribution coordinator. My mother worked in the company owned General Store. I worked for them as a groundskeeper, and I did light maintenance and upkeep on their company vehicles. The Amherst Coal Company emblem had been painted on the exhaust stack of the George W. Jones reminiscent of earlier times. The gold plating that is on the capitol dome is paid for by a wealthy family instead of the taxpayers. The last river tugboat you filmed in the video was named The Charleston when I lived there. I was unable to see in the video if the name had been changed. I had ridden on The Charleston during the river boat races they had there at the time called The Charleston Sternwheel Regatta. The Charleston had always been a powerful and quite fast riverboat and won many regatta races. Those were memorable times.
Thank you for taking the time to let people who don't live here know about our tugboats and coal barges. The information on Amherst Coal Company was a nice addition.
Great video! Just a little trivia…West Virginia is the only state to be entirely within the Appalachian Mountains. Pretty much anywhere you go, you see mountains. 😀 And the “boats” on the Kanawha River are barges. (I guess, technically, the tugboat was pushing the barges, though. Lol) So glad you caught one hauling coal on the video! Very nice! Thanks for the tour! I live in Cincinnati, but grew up in southern WV.
I had read that West Virginia was the second poorest state and expected something completely different. Was pleasantly surprised at how beautiful and clean it was. The roads were a little beat up in a few places but that’s about it. Btw, in the video after this one, in which we drive to Richmond, I filmed us driving through WV in the snow. One of the most beautiful drives I have ever driven. LOL, also, we are in Cincinnati right now, eating Cincinnati Chili right this very second. I’ll have that video up in a few days. 😃
@@JoeandNicsRoadTrip Very cool! WV is such a beautiful state, especially in the fall when all the leaves have turned to those vibrant colors. (And btw, we had Skyline chili just last night. I hope you enjoyed it!) 😀
@@JoeandNicsRoadTrip On average, WV is indeed very poor. You didn't get to see southern WV, where the extreme poverty is. McDowell County, Mingo County, Logan County, and others, are really poor. I live in Mercer County, at the southern tip. I was born here, and the decline of coal has really decimated the area.
Thanks for coming and visiting WV. The building that was on the Kanawha River bank is called the Union Building and was actually still in use by some local companies and a community ran radio station. Of course since you’ve filmed the video, the building’s owner cleared out the people in there to make the rooms into apartments.
I remember having to go to the Union Building in the 1990's, and I remember how careful you had to be coming out the front door...else you fall right onto Kanawha Boulevard.
I was born in Charleston. West Virginia is a beautiful state with lovely people. My dad became a Marine and we moved away. I visit family when I can. My grandfather worked on building the roads we travel on today. Growing up we would see him on the weekends, he worked tirelessly. Miss you both, Dad and Grandpa. See you again one day in Heaven.
Thanks for sharing your adventures with us. Like most cities in the tri-state area ( Ohio, WV, PA, ) the collapse of heavy industry and its associated side industries have fell on hard times.
Fewer People, Quiet, Clean, no homeless wandering about, no graffiti.. DUDE, sounds like a wonderful place. WV, be proud, you have a beautiful city there, and while everyone rushes to Texas, and Tenn. for the grid lock roads, and over crowded streets, you can rest easy knowing you dont have to deal with all that. People who love you will stay and keep you alive. So your not dying as suggested by the youtuber, decline is not death... its just resetting to a new normal. I bet after this video many will look to move there to get away from the mess and crowding in other places.
@@reignharris92 When I lived there, my ex-wife (wife at the time) worked on Capitol Street, and there was Aqualung (the most famous homeless person there) and others. I think they camped around Capitol Street, and I know others camped under the bridges that spanned the Elk River at the edge of downtown. That said, it's no worse than another other decent sized city I've been to or lived in.
the thing to remember is you were in a few different neighborhoods which although part of the city they are more like the suburbs you find in New York. you started on Kanawha (pronounced ka- naw- ah not can-i-wh) City before coming across the river into downtown.
I too live in WV, always have, 41 years now. It’s unfortunate we have been on the decline since I have been alive. Thanks for making us at least look good. There are lots of good things here if you know where to look
Thank you for the nice words. There are some who think I made the city look bad. I don’t think I did. The downtown is beautiful, and I made a point of saying that several times. The Capitol building and the accompanying museum were amazing. I said that as well. I really liked the city.
@@JoeandNicsRoadTrip Your take on Charleston is very honest. I lived in the area through the 1990's, and it is declining so fast. I think it was about 60,000 when I moved there, and downtown was still thriving. My wife (at the time) worked on Capitol Street, I worked on Kanawha Boulevard, and I would often walk downtown to have lunch with her, at a Capitol Street restaurant, or at the park at the corner of Capitol and Lee.
I was a lifelong West Virginian and spent the last ten years in Charleston. I finally threw in the towel and ran for greener pastures two months ago. so far, no regrets.
Lived in Charleston my whole life, I love it and it’s very homey, the beautiful Appalachian mountains are filled with so much history, the only thing is the weather is bipolar af and can’t decide if we’re a desert or a rainforest. Also, I feel like you’re pretty accurate on most things but definitely not about the homeless. You can’t go literally one block anymore without seeing tent camps or stolen shopping buggys full of clothes. Drug deals going on all over the place, needles left near playgrounds and bathrooms, it’s getting very bad. And I think the tourism is increasing as well as rent prices so I could imagine how many homeless West Virginians there are here
@@glenfarmer1783 Well Glen where are you from and where would you like to move to in WV? If you have some money in the bank the houses here are probably the cheapest in the country so you wouldnt have any trouble finding a place.
@@glenfarmer1783 I would say move somewhere more rural instead of city, you get more for your buck and the drivers aren’t that crazy ALSO BEAUTIFUL MOUNTAINS, BIRDS AND PEACE AND QUIET lol
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
City isn’t dead. You came during winter. There are still more things to do on a weekend in the winter than other city’s have in the summer. We tons of festivals. Yes it was on a decline, but it’s a great place to start out. I’ve lived here for almost a decade. Covid really hurt us. But we’re getting our footing again. This place could be the Colorado of the east coast if just a few more old farts would move on. It has a TON of potential.
What a beautiful city! Love the historical buildings, wish they were open and thriving. I am looking to buy a cheap old house in West Virginia. I know it is not a good thing for the city but I am drawn to the poorness of it. That it is less "touched" than other places.A lot of the houses you considered in decline look just fine to me. I am not a shiny and new type of person. Should fit in well. :)
As a person who has lived in Charleston, let me say it is a rather depressing place. Its two main industries are State Government and the Charleston Town Center Mall. Down the road a bit there is a casino...it used to be a Greyhound Racing Track...that was/is also a major economic engine for the area. Most of the year, Charleston is dark, cloudy and rainy. Very dreary place overall. With that said, there are class extremes there. There are several folks in Kanawha City with multi-million dollar homes and those that live in $25,000 shacks in the surrounding area.
A great vlog. Really liked it as it was very cool. You guys did it really well. I am in love with the city the way you have covered it in the video. Going to follow and watch all your videos because they are very informative. Love from 'India'.❤❤❤❤
I was born and raised in WV, and been a resident of Charleston for a long time. You’re absolutely right. It’s sad to see but we’re losing a lot of what we used to be. It was coal in the boat btw lol. Although I am required as a citizen to let you know Kanawha is misleadingly spelled. It’s spelled how you pronounced it and should probably be pronounced that way, but it’s pronounced Can-aww. It’s like we completely ignore the A at the end, lol.
What a fine looking downtown area, and those great looking vintage buildings! I wish my home town of San Francisco was in this condition. S.F. was, at one time the "Queen of the West"...now she's a dowdy "Woman of the Night"!!
Unfortunately, the pandemic killed a lot of downtown Charleston's life, it's so sad to see. Even a few years ago, it was more 'happening', especially in the warmer months, and in the last couple of years several businesses, restaurants and bars have closed. It really is a beautiful, unique city with many charming neighborhoods and I wish more people, and more locals, could appreciate it and invest in their own city. The area you drove through is considered one of the worst, and as you saw it mostly isn't too bad; the empty lots and boarded up houses are the physical face of population decline. Other city neighborhoods like Kanawha City, Edgewood and South Hills are in good, if not excellent shape and South Charleston and Mink Shoals are nice, stable inner suburbs. Suburbs farther west in Putnam County have actually seen notable population growth in recent decades, suburbanization is still happening in Charleston, while the downtown is stagnant.
South Hills I grew up I South Hills the whole mountain and every house in South Hills is for sale. Can't give those houses away. South Hills sucks there hasn't been in money in South Hills for the last 20 years that money was gone a long time ago and its never coming back just like everything else.
As a former "Mountaineer" I miss WV and the beauty of the state and very kind and gracious citizens who welcome visitors with open arms. I miss it and eventually return next year for a 2 week staycation and renew former friendships and former hangouts in downtown Charleston to include Cross Lanes and Teays Valley. 'Montani Semper Liberi'
Liked watching the video. I stayed in the same hotel and had the same view one room below a couple months ago. That area around the hotel had many stores and restaurants that were closed.
Charleston looks like a city with a lot of potential. It's sad to see the shortage of people living in this beautiful city. I live in NE Ohio and travel through WV on a regular basis. I find the people to be very friendly and helpful. In all, I think the State of WV is highly underrated and not appreciated for the potential it has. Hopefully Charleston will attract new business and people so that we can keep this great city and state moving at their full capacity.
I'm a huge fan of West Virginia. I've been to practically every major city in that state and have always enjoyed myself and interacting with the people. Morgantown and Martinsburg are really the only places I didn't care for in that state. People are nice in Morgantown, but it's just full of college students. And Martinsburg has a lot of people moving there from the Baltimore/D.C. area and bringing their rude big-city attitudes with them.
One of my best friends lives down the river in Marmet , he and his family as well as all the people i have met were some of the best people you would ever want to know. i need to get back there for the Sternwheeler Regatta soon.
Charleston hasn't had the Sternwheel Regatta for quite some time now but fortunately they are bringing it back this year. Unfortunately I don't think it will be as good as it used to be back in the 80s and 90s. Regardless we would be glad to have you back.
Very interesting tour thank you. I don't know what they are called.....awnings? Those striped fabric things to protect windows from the sun? Was interested to see quite a lot of them, I thought they were only found in East Coast cities. That city is fascinating but looks very sleepy.
Yes, they're called awnings here. It was an interesting city. It's losing population, and overall is poor, but the neighborhoods looked ok. There's not really a ghetto there. There are some boarded up buildings and houses, but they were in fairly good condition. Completely different from the poor cities in the Deep South like Shreveport, Montgomery, Jackson and New Orleans. In those cities many of the houses are completely disintegrating.
First time watching your channel and really enjoyed the visit from my sofa here in Houston when I should have been in my home office working. I feel like I just took a mini-vacation with you and your wife. It was pretty funny to see you open the curtains the next morning and see the snow. Thank you guys for a great adventure, now back to work for me. I’ll subscribe now so that I can travel with you guys again soon.
Thanks for posting this video. Im a Charleston native, and you did a good job surveying the city. You began in what’s called the “Kanawha City” area of Charleston, where the nice houses were. Kanawha is pronounced “Keh-NAW-ah”, but everyone who lives here pronounces it “Keh-NAW”. It’s actually an old Native American name which was originally pronounced “KAN-a-WAH”. I’m really surprised that you didn’t see any vagrants, because trust me, we definitely have a huge population of homeless in Charleston. The opioid epidemic has ravaged Appalachia, and the Charleston/Huntington area is pretty much its epicenter. I noticed you went down Washington St West, which is where the West Side of town in. Washington St East (East End) is where most of the homeless and rundown houses are. You were close when you were at the Capitol. As you saw, Charleston isn’t a very big city. If you’re on the interstate, you can start at one end of town, and go all the way through town in 5 minutes lol. Charleston has its ups and downs like everywhere else on earth. Like you said, it’s a poor area, but it’s very blue collar. I think the average salary is around 30-35k. It’s got that small town vibe to it, where people care about each other. We’re one of the poorest areas in the US, while simultaneously being one of the most charitable areas too. That comes with its drawbacks though. Word got around to bums all over the country, and they hitchhike or hop trains to Charleston so they can make a hundred bucks a day by begging for money and handouts. It’s really a tragedy. The state spends millions educating its children, only to see them move out of state for better career opportunities, while homeless people, drug dealers from Detroit, and beggars take their spot. Sad…
I assume you realize the "through town in 5 minutes" on the interstate would only reveal a part of Charleston, which is 34 square miles, and of course is the hub of Kanawha Valley, which is a rather extensive area. I'm now living in Pittsburgh, PA., which, if not for traffic would not take much more than 5-10 minutes to pass through via freeway. Point being, interstates are not designed for exploring cities, and Charleston (and Huntington, with which it shares suburbs) remains the largest metro area for a substantial radius. Certainly the largest contained within WV borders.
@@davidfrench5407 I lived in Utah a few years ago. Hurricane UT is pronounced the same way there! It's in the SW part of the state. We chuckled seeing your comment. My companion's mom had relatives in SW Kentucky
I have family in the far northern part of the state, near WVU and Morgantown. Even though WV is the second poorest state, it's got to the one of the top prettiest. Especially in the fall, the physical geography is just stunning. It's a shame it's so dependent on coal. Hopefully remote work continues and more people move there. The downtown where you were walking with the brick sidewalks is absolutely adorable and charming and the building facades are just beautiful. Lots of potential.
The poorer states honestly are the most pretty w Virginia Kentucky Mississippi are beautiful vs states like Massachusetts where I'm from New York and California which are some of the richest but ugly
I actually think Charleston is much less advanced then us in Beckley. We’re a poor state but I feel like all we need is some motivated youth into our representative spots and a bit of assistance programs but we have potential. It does break my heart seeing some things in the current state but I love my state. It seems our past generations was focused only toward the hard larbor of mining and therefore had no real other businesses or goals. The real fun here is hanging out with locals and of course our wilderness
Hard agree. I haven’t lived here my whole life, but grew into adulthood in West Virginia. There are a good number of smart, driven young people here. But a lot of them leave due to a lack of higher paying jobs and lack of social support. I may leave for the same reasons. It saddens me. I love, and am deeply troubled by this state.
I have to agree with you on certain things about Beckley being more advanced than Charleston and I I kind of feel like there's things even about Princeton that are more advanced compared to Charleston as well but I do like Charleston and I would have no problem living there at all..,
I’m a born and raised West Virginian and lived in nearby Fayette County. I remember taking my first school field trip in grade school to our state Capitol in Charleston. Back when Jay Rockefeller was governor. The whole trip was fascinating and the city and Capitol were beautiful. We all ate at the nearby McDonalds and we all had a ball. I love my home state and I’ll always remember my first school field trip.
Fun fact about some of those houses. I don't know about elsewhere but here if you see a line of house that are very similar in structure, more than likely they are quite old and known as coal camp houses. Built for the sole purpose of miner housing during the mining boom.
I’ve lived in Charleston my entire life. There are a lot of positives but honestly if my husband I didn’t have so much family living here we would move. People here are very kind, living is pretty affordable, beautiful state, and some really interesting history. Sadly, it is really dying. I wish things would get better. Rural areas really suffer. In some areas the only employment opportunities are working at a gas station or a grocery store. * I think this was a great video and you gave a good description of the city. I really enjoyed this video and it’s so odd to see these areas I see almost everyday in a UA-cam video 😂
Hello Sir Lord Spoda, I'v stated watching your videos since 2 weeks. I just got up your video on the fly one day. It just caught me into it, Now I'm watching 2 - 3 videos a week. I can not stop watching yours... good job... keep up the good work...
ive lived here my entire life and i can tell you that things are definitely declining. The Kanawha City strip use to be loaded with a nice mall movie theatre and plenty of shopping. From there people would head into downtown Charleston where the town center mall was filled with very nice stores. Even if people didnt have money Kanawha City and Down town Charleston were the hang out spots full of people. With all of that gone, people have nothing to do. Since then, for the people who stayed in WV, the nicer areas are further into cross lanes, hurrican, and beyond. Also because of the downward spiral and being the 2nd poorest state, homes have def began to go down, while still costing a lot. Yet even at that, theres a special kind of love we feel for one another here in this state. Ive also lived in other states for shortened periods of time and theres nothing like how people treat one another here. I hope things can one day be fixed
My wife and I stayed in the downtown Hampton in and found it to be a very enjoyable two days. There was a lot of activity going on in town down by the river and we were told that they have music booths of all kinds every week end many out side eateries along the way. Great food it was a very fun time. We want to do it again on our next trip to Myrtle Beach.
Such a beautiful city! So sad to hear about its decline. I visited there a few times while I lived in D.C. and have the most fond memories walking along the river.
Thanks for stopping in! But yes, it’s a dying state and there’s not a lot of opportunity here, but at the same time, it’s nice to have a home and roads that aren’t flooded with people. It’s the way we like it. And the Capitol is one of the nicest in the country. The whole interior is made with imported marble from Italy and the dome is 24k gold leaf. And just like in your experience, there’s really not much security at the Capitol to speak of. Me and my buddy walked to the roof and smoked a cigarette one day and nobody bothered us. It’s probably one of the few Capitols in the US that make you feel like it’s truly “our Capitol” and everyone is always welcome to come inside and explore it. All in all, us locals wish the city was doing better, but we have proud, hard working, simple kind of people here and we all make the best of it because it’s our home.
Next time, check out Bridge road, up the hill across the river from downtown. It has some of the prettiest neighborhoods/shops, winding roads, and views of the city. Regardless, this was an excellent video. Thanks for showcasing our state. I’m an Uber driver and live in my car, so I’ve explored all the major cities here, and according to a lot of Uber riders, there are many people moving here from out of state because of the cheap housing market and business opportunity. It’s easier to be a big fish in a small pond. The majority of people leaving were stuck in a black hole their whole life here, unfortunately, hence why I’ve been living in my car for 5 years.
So sorry you encountered the white fluffy stuff that falls from the sky lol. It’s a beautiful state WV wonderful people. I liked the state building, I could do swore that picture was Ab Lincoln to.
I've lived my entire 58 years in WV, the last 37 in the Charleston area. I felt you gave a fair and accurate description of the city. It is declining like most other rust belt cities for the past 60 plus years. Like Detroit, WV was and still is to a certain degree too heavily dependent on one industry, coal. West Virginia had over 100,000 miners in 1960, in 2020 that number was just over 11,400. One would think that the state still has that peak number of miners, by the outsized role coal plays in state politics. Politicians continue to cater to the industry like it is still 1960. Its why the state continues a slow death. It had the largest population decline in the country in 2020, over 3%. But state leaders keep waiting on another coal boom, that probably isn't coming. And BTW, I am not anti coal. I am am anti-mountaintop removal though. I grew up in Logan County, in a mining family. When I mentioned Detroit earlier, it's when you get into the more rural areas of WV. Especially Logan, Mingo, Wyoming and McDowell counties. It looks like a rural version of Detroit full of abandoned and dilapidated houses and towns. The only growing areas of the state are the far eastern panhandle (DC Area) and around WVU in Morgantown. I hope to retire and put WV behind me in a few years.
Great comment with interesting insight. Thank you for posting it.
my daughter and her husband just moved to Charleston West Virginia in October and I'm getting ready to move there the first part of June and I'm looking forward to it
I was born and raised in Lewisburg WV about 2.5hrs away and our town is booming, there’s new stuff coming here every month. We have the Greenbrier resort, the Greenbrier Sporting Club, tho so we always have lots of tourists here.
@@jeffl9956 maybe sometime I will get to visit there sounds like fun
@@jeffl9956 I like Greenbrier County, one of my 3 favorite WV counties. The Charleston/Huntington areas are dying though, I been here 37 years and see it daily. But as bad as it is here, it is much worse in the southwestern coal counties. McDowell County had very close to 100,ooo in 1960 now it is 15,833.
Stopped in Charleston a few years ago while returning from a vacation looking for an urgent care for my sick daughter. Even though it was closing time the staff and doctor took great care of my daughter and even made arrangements with a late night pharmacy to get us her prescriptions. We found the most caring people in the world in Charleston, West Virginia!
what late night R x. you go to ? not here and never has been 1 here
WV has some of the most caring locals. The state government is a differs in story.
God Blessed You 🙏
Looks like a nice town live in. Just looks like there’s not a whole lot of employment. Good potential for rental properties if the city wasn’t on a decline.
@@robertwalls9073 24 hr pharmacies are located inside of hospitals, they’re called clinical pharmacies.
I was born here in West Virginia not far from Charleston and grew up here. It's my senior year at high school and a lot of people in my graduating class is talking about leaving to another state. I want to be a part of the generation that helps West Virginia. I went to Charleston a lot growing up for doctor visits and I never noticed anything strange about how little people there are here because that's all I've known. I've never thought of West Virginia as a poor state because I've never really given it much thought at all. I think that most people that live here will agree that there is something here that just makes you feel at home and that thing for me is my family and the hills here. Thanks for reviewing this beautiful state and I wish you safe travels to your next one.
I grew up in Ravenswood and my brother and sister both did well in Wv, but as for me it was not going to be as good of a life, just as you said most of my graduation class of 82 moved out of state for a better living, sad now that my parents are in their mid 80 I would love to have been closer just wasn’t in the cards, I’ve been here in Nashville for 32 years and I feel like I’m living were I plan on dying.
I live in West Virginia and I think only delusional people think they can change this state. Too many old people have control in government. Save yourself the time and use your brain and youth to do something you can actually make a difference. The old guard of wv likes things the way it is
It’s only poor to the outsiders who want to drive out the native peoples. So they can come in and take over the land.
Same but I lived in south Charleston
Downtown Charleston reminds me of Baltimore. Also the drinking water down there is terrible.
My parents are from West Virginia and I spent many happy summers there with my mom’s family in Eskdale and Cabin Creek. This was in the 60’s and 70’s . I love WVa, and always will.
Back in 1973, I turned 18 yrs old and could not wait to leave Charleston. So I joined the Marine Corps and saw the world. 1977, I finished my 4 yrs in the Marine Corps. After seeing the World, I could not WAIT to return to Charleston,West Virginia
Thank you for your service! Glad you made it back home!
@The Beard of Gaming thank you, I tell people the same thing, it was an honor to serve our great Nation and beloved Marine Corps. Semper Fidelis
yeah same here except it was navy
@@edhall3719 when were you in the Navy, Ed?
@@usmc-veteran73-77 84 to 90 . Went to ARC in Miramar California with all Marines
As a foreigner it's strange to see such a big city largely empty sad to see a city with some beautiful architecture dying
It's because of things like US city planning regs. In Europe we plan our urban areas to have integrated local resources within walking distances of housing so as to create community usage and development so they have uses outside of industry and thus reasons to exist in the long term. The US introduced zoning and minimum parking requirements for all new businesses so now there is more space in the US designated for car parking than Human habitation which pushes everything apart and makes walking between locations difficult. US suburbs are a freaking hell hole of misery as far as I can tell.
@@darthwiizius That's really a matter of opinion. I prefer to live in cities, but not everybody *wants* businesses and the traffic (both pedestrian and vehicular) that it brings within eye- or earshot of their house. Many Americans prefer land and yards, too, which aren't realistic in many cities. The extent that apartment block living exists in Europe wouldn't fly in the US (nor Canada, I would wager).
@@JohnSmith-uj6gx
Most UK houses have gardens, even the ones in cities. We build orbit towns around cities not US style suburbs, same purpose but with all the local facilities. They'll all be built with a central shopping(with some apartment living) and admin area, an away from housing commercial/industrial area and housing areas radiating around the centre containing the odd local shop and/or takeaway, a local drinking hole, parks, sports facilities etc. They are safer and more self contained for standards of living than the US 'burbs. My town even has a park similar in size to Central Park in the centre of the town next to the main shopping centre, it has wild deer in it alongside a 50m swimming pool, tennis courts, lawn green bowling, a kids play area and one or two other bits 'n' bobs. that's 1/2 a mile from my house but 100 meters in the opposite direction is my local park which is about the size of 6 football pitches and has a kids play area in it, my local park is one of the smaller parks in my town. 3 estates in my town also have their own little shopping areas, I just have one little family owned convenience store and my local pub is a ten minute walk. My town is about 4-5 miles across with a population of 30000ish people.
@@darthwiizius Most Americans who are into suburbs want lawns with acres of property, not a garden terrace in a row homes, apartment, or close-together freestanding home. What you're describing certainly appeals to me, but many people don't care about public parks and would rather just have their own extensive properly. Land is view differently here than in Europe.
@@darthwiizius Even in the same continent but US and Canada are different from Latin American countries in building the cities.
Some of us who live in West Virginia, like the fact that there's less people here.
It's part of it's charm.
Business owners, smaller ones don't have a chance... My BFF owns the distillery in downtown historic district in Charleston and he's about to throw in the towel💔
@@BEATINGYOU you gotta find something that people either really need, or really want and even then most business start-ups fail, even in strong markets.
Sometimes it's better to work for someone who can afford the risk or just keep trying until you start a winner.
There's a micro brew in the middle of nowhere between Blackwater Falls and Dolly Sods and the one time I was there, it was packed.
Of course, that area is full of tourist attractions and fishing destinations.
You gotta do business with a purpose and a plan.
What is the business?
@@carlyscala I'm not sure what specifically you are asking.
I was trying to ask christel what distillery she was referring to
I started my career as a chemical engineer there in 1975. There were so many chemical companies in Charleston, Union Carbide, DuPont, FMC, Monsanto. The city was the chemical center if the world before world war 2. Charleston then was expensive to live, bcz of influx of new chemical graduates who made very good money. The decline of Charleston was a direct result from America’s shrinking sharing of manufacturing capacity that started in 1970s.
All the chemical engineers went to Texas
你好，我是一个90后的大陆留学生，我前女友在uiuc,我在马里兰，因而有了长途通勤的机会。路过WV很多次，我只能感叹大自然是很壮观的，WV的山路有如贵州的路一般崎岖，沿路风景也是最好的，也路过一些小城，一点人气味也没有，但可以看出来几十年前是很繁华的。美国大概就是这样子，他们跑了也就跑了，没有乡土的概念，我一个外乡人觉得很可惜
Thank Reagan. Vote with your feet was his catch phrase. Service industry. China must venerate him.
Chemical valley
As a West Virginian, I assure you the continued draining of this state is all thanks to the politicians, you can watch them drive 80k suvs down busted streets, hear them claim they are going to remove trees to lessen the impact of mudslides, self serving politicians will be the death of our entire country.
Born and raised in Charleston for 24 years of my life up until 2013 when I moved south to Florida. Generations of people have been killed off here due to the drug opioid epidemic, as West Virginia and Charleston were hit very very hard by it. I cant even keep count of all the people once knew that have passed away from drug overdoses, it is overwhelming and traumatic and it's so very sad what has happened to such a beautiful place. WV will never be the same ...halfway through to the end of the video you are on the Westside of town which can be a very tough place to be and live...I grew up in this area up on the hill behind near Edgewood drive!!
That is sad and that it's effecting the US more and it's completely ignored. Like areas are targeted but it's been happening for some time I guess.
The US opioid epidemic truly is heart breaking even for those us not American. It is mind boggling that corporations can be allowed to cause such misery and waste of Human potential.
All of WV has lost generations it's a tragedy. We will never be the same. They came in made a profit and destroyed lives. It has multigenerational effects.
@@darthwiizius Biden wins that prize. Wide open borders.. drugs flowing in.
@Badass Beaver yeah then big pharma and their experts said wear a face diaper and take the government issued smack that is worthless . It was all BS a scam really makes me sick
I always tend to root for cities like Charleston to make a comeback. They have an absolutely beautiful downtown, with a good mix of stunning historic buildings and cool-looking "modern" buildings.
In recent years, the city life itself has actually been improving. More events, more stuff to do, etc. I don't think the population is getting bigger because even people that work in Charleston usually look further out to live and just commute. Teays Valley and Scott Depot areas are a pretty popular hub right now, especially because it's relatively easy to get to Charleston or Huntington and it's a much nicer area.
@@RocotacoPerposterownI've always had a soft spot for West Virginia in general. Honestly, it reminds me a lot of Pennsylvania (where I'm from). You've got the old steel towns along the Ohio River which remind me a lot of Pittsburgh and its suburbs and places like Johnstown, as well as the little hollers up in the mountains which to me aren't all that different than the little coal towns in the central part of PA.
I just graduated from the University of Charleston, you see the University at the 5 minute mark. Great video, and I would definitely call those hills mountains haha
Born and raised in the Charleston area for twenty years.
One, my brother in Christ, I wish you asked a native how to pronounce Kanawha. (cuh-NAW)
Two, really glad you didn't visit the Town Center Mall. What was once a bustling shopping center is now a microcosm of the dying city it's located in. It's literally over half empty. The city has had to take out loans and seek outside investors in order to keep it open. I used to love going there as a kid, but it's just plain depressing now.
Three, the first neighborhood you featured was located in an area of Charleston known as Kanawha City. I'd say it is more middle class/upper-middle class. The upper class neighborhoods with mansions and such is located in South Hills, on the south side of the Kanawha River.
Four, the last neighborhood you visited that had run down houses next to nicely kept ones was "the West Side". It's generally known for having higher crime rates than the rest of the city.
Five, thanks for visiting! Next time, try to indulge in the local cuisine. I consider Charleston to be fairly diverse culinarily. Plenty of Indian, Thai, Greek, Jamaican, etc. There are plenty of nice American restaurants as well. I'd suggest Karubee's (Jamaican), Sitar of India (North Indian/Pakistani), Chow Thai (Thai), Black Sheep Burrito (Mexican-American Fusion), Mi Cocina de Amor (Mexican), Adelphia (Greek-American bar and grill), Pies and Pints (pizzeria and draft beer), Soho's (Italian), Dem 2 Brothers & a Grill (American soul food), Graziano's (pizzeria), the Chop House (upscale American), Fazio's (Italian), Harding's (ole' fashioned country food), and literally any Tudor's Biscuit World, the pride of West Virginia.
Lol I guess I went overboard on the food bit, but I honestly think it may be Charleston's best attribute, and I didn't even include restaurants in the suburbs.
Yes his video drove me crazy
.....I live up from the capital and I'm like holy crap you missed everything!!!
It’s amazing how much visitors miss. And amazing how they pick their places to view. 🤔 And Kanawha?? The pronunciations are hysterical! 😂 I’ve lived here my whole life. Wouldn’t live anywhere else!
I was born in South Charleston in 70 and although we moved away when I was a teen, still have a lot of family there. I've always known Kanawha as cuh-NAW-uh. You tellin me we've been saying it wrong all these years? lol
@@jamsdead4273 I was born in South charleston and graduated an eagle... I'm specifically speaking for charleston... it's awful and only getting worse...
I ran to the comments to see if anyone mentioned the pronunciation of Kanawha. 😃
That is 18 karat yellow gold leaf on the dome. It came from & was applied by Italian workers from Italy & it took approximately 6 months. We are proud of & Love it!!!
@Jane Ingram...I was wondering if he was going to mention anything about that gold leaf dome. West Virginia state capital is the most beautiful of all state capitals.
@@rachelc.5463 Gold Leaf on the dome in such an otherwise poor state says it all.
I would be more proud if everybody was out of poverty.
@@SmedleyWarIsaRacket
WHAT COULD I EXPECT FROM A SMEDLEY…
@@SmedleyWarIsaRacket
Newsflash - there is poverty everywhere in the world.
I lived in beckley til I was 14, and moved to Charleston for high school. I can safely say that, having been to 21 countries, there is something about this city and state that will always be home to me, especially In the summer. There is something so beautiful about the warm winds, the grass covered fields and mountains, the deep green trees. It’s beautiful in such a unique way. I hope to, after law school and working in law for a number of years, return to wv, to make this place known for what it truly is, and to improve the lives of all people here. Please, to those who see this place in pictures and on videos, I know it looks downright dreary. But if you could see this place in the spring and summer, and could only know what it’s like yo have friends and family here, you would look at it in an unrecognizable light. It’s beautiful, it’s home, it’s a place that makes nature seem natural.
My mother is from wv ( Oceana) and left for DC upon graduation. She and dad retired in WV ( Petersburg) and I visit several times a year. We refer to it ( lovingly) as "poor man's Vermont". It's such a beautiful state in fall. It's tough to drive in foggy weather, and that mountain in Elkins gets me every time. Seneca Rocks and Spruce Knob are spectacular. The caverns are amazing too. WV has some of the sweetest, kindest, hard working people, but has been DEVASTATED by the opioid crisis. I love visiting the state. I always leave refreshed. I just wish the economy could support a good living.
I was born and raised in SW PA, we have alot in common in this beautiful area, I appreciate your attitude towards preserving the great state of WV, hope all your dreams come to fruition. I'm 62, and there is nothing more dear to my heart than being able to go jump in a 'crick' when it's hot. I'd really like to visit, but can't climb like I used to, HAHAHAHA. New River Gorge is close. It is one of the most beautiful places I've visited. Pray it stays that way, Love you all WV!
I'm from Joliet IL. This doesn't look dreary to me at all. For a city that has lost half its population, I think it looks great still.
@@bretthousman8317 I live further south in Johnston City, IL. I agree with you, it did not look dreary.
@@jamest4659 Charleston is the capital, the place that’s supposed to be thriving. If you go further down into towns and rural areas you’ll change your mind real quick.
Back in the early 80's i lived in Charleston WV. The Capital building was my favorite spot to walk around.
I see so much potential in that downtown! I didn’t expect it to have so many beautiful buildings, and I definitely didn’t expect it to be so walkable. Very clean, too. I think a renaissance could be in its future if West Virginia is able to modernize its economy, and if it’s placed in the right hands.
That's the problem though, isn't it? As long as the coal and chemical companies continue to control our politics, nothing will change, just as nothing has changed in the past 50 years.
Politics crush both Charleston and Huntington the second largest city to the point where the effort would be waisted because of greed , restaurants are the only thing that comes and goes ,bars and strip clubs ,was born in Huntington 30-40 mins away lived there till I joined the USMC to escape
Yes, I thought it was a beautiful city. I love how they still take good care of it.
The right hands is the hard part around here the state has been raped for everything it has resource wise ,and it's a downward spiral from there politics is the main problem in my eyes most everyone has given up and moved away and it's been like that for too long now, just my opinion on it ,I agree it could but that would take the perfect storm
That is so dangerous to walk in downtown Charleston...
I just relocated from Scottsdale AZ to Charleston WV and I love it. It is being revamped, new businesses are coming here and many people are relocating here. It's beautiful, people are amazing, cost of living is fantastic. I am so happy I made the move here and anyone else who does will love it too
The cost of living sure is fantastic, if you've come out of state with money. Most people here are in poverty. Born and raised here, I wish nothing more than to leave so I can find opportunities, get on my feet and FINALLY have a life.
Try going to rural towns and see how much people are struggling. Everyone’s an addict. New businesses? They always close within months of opening.
And we have seasons and snow!
@@missfortune8553 Why not work as a nurse or in elderly care? You make your own luck in life!
Fritz Lang If someone is fortunate to have both brains *and* a conscience, then they will avoid a profession in the medical industry.
@@cross-eyedmary6619 and why is that?
Life-long resident of Charleston here. Love this place in a deep way, truly. Many problems, but where doesn't have that...ya know? All I know is that anyone from here, if being honest, will tell you it is a very special place with a very special type of people.
Moved here from New york and born in Louisiana and I'm obsessed with this state. I get sick just leaving the comfort of the mountains and nature. There's not much opportunity but there are plenty of beautiful locations to start a family and live a happy life.
@@Zombiesteve03 Amen.
Dude I've lived all over wv and Charleston is the worst place I've ever been
@@isaaccutlip5815 what are the best options? Excluding near DC. I would never live that close to those swamp rat scum bags. Trump2024!
Q
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.
Good video
The “Boat” is called a “Barge”. The actual specific boat pushing the barge is called a “Tug” however, the word tug is not needed since the barge can only operate with the tug. So it was a “River Barge” loaded with coal you saw moving in the river.
I’ve lived in three continents and over a dozen US states. IMO West Virginia is naturally beautiful and one of my favorite places in the world. I think WV should somehow stimulate a tourism industry within itself and capitalize on its outdoors like a Colorado of the East. I would live there if they had a “real” big city
Why? Tourons take away from the natural beauty 😢
Seriously. Not where I live buddy boy.
Yeah I wish wv did have a nice big city
I was there in 1958 it was a beautiful old style town Thank you for bringing back the memory.
wow. It is almost as if the leaders of the state are WORKING to keep the poor and disadvantaged, even poorer and without any options for progress. But keep voting Manchin into office West Virginians. Because nothing says failure like repeating things and decisions that have never worked in the past. The people of West Virginia deserve better than Manchin.
You seem to be misinformed at best. Manchin has gotten the short end of the stick several times from his own party. In 2007-2008 he voted for a bill reducing the number of coal miners for climate change with the agreement that the miners that lost their livelihoods would receive a free education in another field of work. Obama THEN seen it as an opportunity to destroy the population of WV even further by waiting the maximum time allowed by law to start the reeducation programs. Almost 5 years after the miners lost their jobs the retraining centers opened to literally no one because the miners had been forced to move out of state for work. I wont even start on the promised jobs that never showed up but needless to say they never made it and honestly more than likely ever existed.
Manchin is one U.S. Senator of WV. You have one other Senator, several U.S. Representatives, and state majority seats that are Republican. Senator Byrd was the one who helped West Virginia.
@@stephaniepersin4145 Keywords - US Senator. While yes I think he should be doing more for the state, there is a responsibility of the Governor and the members in the State House and State Senate, most of whom are not doing anything to fix the issues of the state that are effecting most citizens, instead wanting to focus on a culture war.
I mean i agree, but also the rest of the republican governance aint doing shit to provide resources to the people and instead just doing anything to give themselves a buck. Hell you guys just premiered the one representative who actually wanted to invest in infrastructure in that state.
@@josephmanning3179 So thats not accurate at all. Millions of dollars have been invested in WV infrastructure since Jim Justice took office 🤦♂️😅
Did I just witness an old respectful/safety gesture bef entering a building by Nic. Wiping her feet bef entering Capital building! God Bless You. Luving your vids so so much. Many Blessings be to you & your family.
I lived in Charleston briefly in the 90s. Even though it was a city of declining population even then, I thought it was a place of immense character. The architecture reflects the different periods of boom and bust. The winding roads and unique lay of the city is dictated by the hills and waterways. The refreshing greenspaces intervene against the roads and structures. The strangers that would wave and say, "Good Morning" when they passed on the street always made me feel at home. It was a truly nice place.
I really wish you had gotten the chance to visit Coonskin Park, the massive, green hilltop recreation area or West Virginia International (Yeager) Airport (with the notorious mountaintop runway my pilot friends called "The Postage Stamp"). It would have been interesting to your viewers/subscribers to make mention of one of the largest urban malls in the country or the exploding music scene. If you ever get the chance to revisit Chsrleston, I hope you can explore some of the more compelling points of the city. I assure you that Charleston has much more to offer than boarded-up houses.
Coonskin Park you didn't miss a thing, Yeager Airport is such a joke the FAA is trying to leave and shut it down. While everyone else got a new Airport we get the airport they slap some more runway on the end of the runway it fall off into the Gulley and wipes out a church. 100% textbook West Virginia.
Where do you live now?
As a transplant, I made the same mistake about the mountains. There is no “height” requirement for mountains. The state is in the Appalachian mountain range. They were once tall, but they are very old and eroded, so old mountains. I was a trail runner and ran up those mountains. It’s also deceptive because they are so covered with trees. The neighborhood you drove through is the poorest in the city, not typical. Although you are definitely correct about its decline.
🦅🇺🇲🦅 By God Forgotten , West Virginia ♦️♦️♦️‼️
The “ app-uh-latchin” mountain range is older than the Rockies.
I'm also a trail runner in the "hilly" part of the Midwest and often wish I had grown up in a more mountainous area. I love the hills, especially running up them! You're lucky 😊
Fact is, if the WV mountains were rolled flat, it would be the biggest state in the country.
@@toddandangelbrowning2920 yup, and older than bones. In fact when Pangea split ot split the mountain range into the Appalachian and Scottish highlands. Hence why they are so similar 😀
In the 1970’s while a teacher, I was a custodian there on weekends, at that most beautiful capitol, mopping the floors. It is truly a stunning building with much history.
You did a pretty good job on the capitol and the cultural center. Thanks!
Also, for you Charleston fans, Memorial Day weekend I think is set for the Vandallia Music Frstival at the Capitol. It’s a great time!
You probably saw me running around the inside of the capitol and the cultural center.
I have lived most of my life in WV. Born and raised in East Bank, moved once and came back. I now live in Charleston. I love it here. Of course there's good and bad just like anywhere else. To me the good far exceeds the bad. WV has some of the friendliest people you will ever meet. Because there are a lot less people walking the streets compared to larger/more populated cities it's very common to say hello to people in passing. That would be quite difficult if you passed someone every every few feet. I know I'm biased but I also feel very confident in saying nobody is as proud of where they're from as people from WV. A few things to keep in mind for if you're ever back in town... I wish you would have shown some of the east end of Charleston (area around the capital building). It is the more historic area of the city. Fun fact, the west side of Charleston once had an amusement park known as Luna Park until 1923. It was located in the southern part of the neighborhood and took up a large portion of the west side. Some of the more "unique" layouts of the city streets in the area are due to the original thoroughfares of the park. Thanks for visiting and "y'all come back now, ya hear".
I'm from Roanoke Va, and Charleston is on the way to my granddad's house in Gallapolis OH, I have always loved Charleston, don't know exactly why, but I always have. Wonderful people and scenery.
How strange. I'm a lifelong Pittsburgh resident. We also had a Luna Park. The amusement park closed early in the 1900's. West View Park closed too. Kennywood is still here
I've lived briefly in Charleston but it was bad then in Scott depot ,saint Albans , Webster springs and buckhannon wear Virginia
I'm from the Westside
@@TheJoaniejoancansew Of Pgh ?
Love this video. It was neat to see and hear the perspective of someone else. I've been in and out of WV for much of my life, but this town and SLC, UT are home. All of this is exactly why my husband and I are fighting so hard to rehabilitate. We've taken up a few properties and are working to fix them up with no intentions of stopping. God Bless you, man!
I grew up in Salt Lake City!
Kan-E-Wah river. 🤣 That was cute, being from WV. Good video.
I got a good laugh from that. 🤭
Same ?? Never heard it even pronounced like that
I've been thinking about moving to West Virginia ... actually I'm putting my house up for sale as soon as the roofers start replacing my roof. Your video is making me seriously consider Charleston as my destination.
Come on down. Be nice to have ya.. just steer clear from the WestSide. (Where I live) .. gun shots are common. Best of luck w the house! Stay safe and take care
We move 5 months ago and we love it, people are nice and food is amazing too , being a small city it’s what we love the most.
I wouldn't it's polluted with drugs
@@myheroacademialover4923 Every place is. Name one place that isn't. I don't have to move next to junkies nor do I have to take drugs. Except for weed. I really enjoy smoking weed and I'm hoping it isn't too hard to find. Of course if I catch a junkie on my property I get to blow them away so that is kinda a plus.
@@thetrumpnewsnetwork7503 You don't get to kill junkies for standing on your property. The city has policies that generally favor the homeless, so I don't think shooting them would exactly go down well with Chancellor Goodwin (our mayor).
The city never ‘retooled’ for a changing economy. Ask the politicians why they abandoned their taxpayers.
And now we have $4++++ ⛽. Thanks Joe Biden 😂 at "I built that"
@@erinmeggik391
Well, if you weren't ignorant but had any knowledge of what's going on in the world, you'd know gas prices have soared in most regions of the world.
Happens, when the whole world economy shuts down and the oil industry doesn't know who to sell their products and don't know where to store it.
.. They reduce capacity.
Then, when demand resurges, you'll have a lag in supply.
..and guess what happens, when demand is way higher than supply!?
What else could happen?
Right, other industries also reduced capacities so that now supply lags demand.
..and higher fuel prices even creep into these consumer prices because delivery/transport got more expensive.
Doesn't exactly help that the USA has strong economic growth right now, even higher than China for the first time in a long time.
.. But yeah, let's just blame Biden, because we're too lazy to learn about the world and its economy 🤣
@@erinmeggik391he had nothing to deal with it
Charleston looks like a beautiful old city that is very well kept with a lot of beautiful historic architecture. At least Charleston didn’t allow urban renewal to run rampant in the 60s and 70s. However Charleston has a stagnant economy and no real estate demand so that is why there are so many empty and half empty buildings.
Oh it did allow urban renewal, as did almost all cities in NA. Look up the historic triangle district of Charleston, which was bulldozed to make way for an urban freeway. Additionally, the town center mall is built on old neighborhoods
@@korianderbadger exactly
@@korianderbadger ugh
When the interstate came through in (I think) the 70s, it wiped out the historically black section of the city. From the photos I’ve seen it was beautiful, and I wish I’d had the chance to see the history there that’s gone now.
I was born in Charleston in 1956, and left in 1975. Believe it or not, Charleston was considered a progressive city in the 60s and early 70s. There were also lots of beautiful women. I recall a sign on a bridge over the Kanawha River that spoke of Charleston’s attributes, the pretty girls being one of them. I’ve lived all over the world since then, but no other place has ever felt like home the way Charleston did. By the way, it’s pronounced Ka-NAW-ah, not KAN-a-wa.
Yes Charlie was loaded with beautiful women back in the day,
Excellent presentation! West Virginia will Rebound' actually it's our nation best kept secret. You have more natural assets then many other states. It's people are quite unique! The mountains and water ways are fabulous also,unlike anywhere in the U.S.
Moreover WV has a atmosphere of peace and a kindred spirit of kindness in the people. With those attributes many people will seek solace, to embrace their lives!
Trust me, you have a gem of a State!
19:10 West Virginia was "created by Abraham Lincoln" precisely and directly as a result of the Civil War. Before the Civil War Virginia was just "Virginia"... there was no "West Virginia", it was just another part of Virginia proper... as most folks may well know, Virginia joined the Confederacy and seated the Capital of the Confederacy in Richmond. The thing was, the folks in Virginia west of the Appalachian mountains lived very different lives than those east of the mountains, and thought very differently than those east of the mountains. There were no big slave-owning plantations in western Virginia, and both culturally and politically, western Virginians just thought about things differently. For those reasons and more, when Virginia seceded from the Union, it was against the will of people of western Virginia... and a split of the state occurred with Eastern Virginians joining the Confederacy while Western Virginians stayed loyal to the Union... hence, eventually it became "official" when Lincoln created the state.
Even western parts of North Carolina wanted to stay w
in the union like you said. Another reason is Eastern parts of those states are more affected by harassment by the union for trying to stop them from Shipping things to other countries and Military boats trying to collect taxes and tariffs. Virginia and North Carolina made up the fast majority of the Confederate Army, & people up in the mountains we're mostly just doing their thing wanting to be left alone.
Says alot about the people in WV...Lincoln assumed WV would fight for the union, they refused that, too..that WV work ethic hasn't changed...the state is used to living off the government....
Probably a good idea to get a guide when visiting and filming documentaries of cities you’re not familiar with. So many missed opportunities to capture the city in it’s entirety. While I agree it is a dying city, there’s a lot of folks that are really trying to revamp things, they could have given you a better tour and walkthrough.
And Kanawha is pronounce Kuh-Naw-wha
It would have been nice if he had someone to tell him how to say Kanawha.
@@toddandangelbrowning2920 true lol 😂
Dumb question from a european, I'm genuinely curious, why are you considering more the suburbs styl neighborhood than the downtown? Because hell is it looking like a damn fine place, especially if it's less expensive.
@@marcbuisson2463 still waiting in the US for a good answer to this too...
I came straight to the comments when I heard him say KAN●uh●wah. 😂
Such a beautiful state capitol on the inside.
Thanks for giving us a fair shake. We're not the best as far as entertainment but there's a lot of charm and opportunity here.
Ah yes “opportunity” the most lucrative employer is the dollar general in West Virginia 😂😂
When it comes to “mountains”, most people don’t call the hills around Charleston mountains. That’s usually reserved for areas in the higher elevations in the eastern part of the state like Randolph, Webster, Pendleton, Pocahontas, Tucker, etc.
I lived in Chas from 99-2021 . It was definitely an experience . I miss it a little bit bc it was home for over 20 yrs but ,as yall may already know , there’s absolutely nothing there. The one mall in the whole county can barely survive. WV is in a very sad state but I’ll always have love for it.
Interesting to see a review about my hometown pop up on my feed. Thanks for making this. I enjoyed growing up in Charleston.
Thank you for the nice comments about our city. We are losing roughly 10,000 people a year statewide, and are now the 3rd oldest state in the union, and that may not reverse any time soon. I'm glad you had a good time at the capitol complex. Safe travels on your future journeys!
I wish you’d visited our state parks . For years things like Huge Amusement parks, race tracks, riverboat gambling have tried to come to WV but the people kick against it so without commerce coming in there’s definitely going to be people leaving. It’s sad
I kinda knew a John brown from Kanawha city....
Have you lost more people
Hey. Thanks for this awesome tour.
I didn't see this video until a few months later after you released it. I grew up on the outskirts of Charleston, WV. I moved to Richmond, KY after I graduated from DuPont High School in 1983 at Dupont City, WV. That first river tugboat that was pushing those coal barges on the Kanawha River was renamed the George W. Jones. The boats original name was the Morris Harvey. I remember it all very well because I grew up in the neighborhood which had been owned by the Jones family who owned and operated Amherst Coal Company and Amherst Industries, and that boat docked at the river port just below the home I grew up in at Port Amherst. My father worked for them as a coal distribution coordinator. My mother worked in the company owned General Store. I worked for them as a groundskeeper, and I did light maintenance and upkeep on their company vehicles. The Amherst Coal Company emblem had been painted on the exhaust stack of the George W. Jones reminiscent of earlier times. The gold plating that is on the capitol dome is paid for by a wealthy family instead of the taxpayers. The last river tugboat you filmed in the video was named The Charleston when I lived there. I was unable to see in the video if the name had been changed. I had ridden on The Charleston during the river boat races they had there at the time called The Charleston Sternwheel Regatta. The Charleston had always been a powerful and quite fast riverboat and won many regatta races. Those were memorable times.
Thank you for taking the time to let people who don't live here know about our tugboats and coal barges. The information on Amherst Coal Company was a nice addition.
I’ve always had a good experience with the people of that state when ever I visited. It’s one of my state on the list when I retire
Great video! Just a little trivia…West Virginia is the only state to be entirely within the Appalachian Mountains. Pretty much anywhere you go, you see mountains. 😀 And the “boats” on the Kanawha River are barges. (I guess, technically, the tugboat was pushing the barges, though. Lol) So glad you caught one hauling coal on the video! Very nice! Thanks for the tour! I live in Cincinnati, but grew up in southern WV.
I had read that West Virginia was the second poorest state and expected something completely different. Was pleasantly surprised at how beautiful and clean it was. The roads were a little beat up in a few places but that’s about it. Btw, in the video after this one, in which we drive to Richmond, I filmed us driving through WV in the snow. One of the most beautiful drives I have ever driven. LOL, also, we are in Cincinnati right now, eating Cincinnati Chili right this very second. I’ll have that video up in a few days. 😃
@@JoeandNicsRoadTrip Very cool! WV is such a beautiful state, especially in the fall when all the leaves have turned to those vibrant colors. (And btw, we had Skyline chili just last night. I hope you enjoyed it!) 😀
@@JoeandNicsRoadTrip Today, poor means youre not a millionaire
Why didn't u move to Pittsburgh?
@@JoeandNicsRoadTrip On average, WV is indeed very poor. You didn't get to see southern WV, where the extreme poverty is. McDowell County, Mingo County, Logan County, and others, are really poor. I live in Mercer County, at the southern tip. I was born here, and the decline of coal has really decimated the area.
Thanks for coming and visiting WV. The building that was on the Kanawha River bank is called the Union Building and was actually still in use by some local companies and a community ran radio station. Of course since you’ve filmed the video, the building’s owner cleared out the people in there to make the rooms into apartments.
I was thinking while looking at it that it would make lovely apartments, or condos. Gorgeous old building.
I remember having to go to the Union Building in the 1990's, and I remember how careful you had to be coming out the front door...else you fall right onto Kanawha Boulevard.
I was born in Charleston. West Virginia is a beautiful state with lovely people. My dad became a Marine and we moved away. I visit family when I can. My grandfather worked on building the roads we travel on today. Growing up we would see him on the weekends, he worked tirelessly. Miss you both, Dad and Grandpa. See you again one day in Heaven.
Wooow! Thank you very much for an opportunity to travel with you and seeing places I may never see in my life..
Thanks for sharing your adventures with us. Like most cities in the tri-state area ( Ohio, WV, PA, ) the collapse of heavy industry and its associated side industries have fell on hard times.
This is more true in the southern coalfields. The Wheeling area is in decline but nothing like Charleston and south thereof.
Fewer People, Quiet, Clean, no homeless wandering about, no graffiti.. DUDE, sounds like a wonderful place. WV, be proud, you have a beautiful city there, and while everyone rushes to Texas, and Tenn. for the grid lock roads, and over crowded streets, you can rest easy knowing you dont have to deal with all that. People who love you will stay and keep you alive. So your not dying as suggested by the youtuber, decline is not death... its just resetting to a new normal. I bet after this video many will look to move there to get away from the mess and crowding in other places.
You haven’t been to Charleston have you? There’s tons of homeless
@@reignharris92 When I lived there, my ex-wife (wife at the time) worked on Capitol Street, and there was Aqualung (the most famous homeless person there) and others. I think they camped around Capitol Street, and I know others camped under the bridges that spanned the Elk River at the edge of downtown. That said, it's no worse than another other decent sized city I've been to or lived in.
the thing to remember is you were in a few different neighborhoods which although part of the city they are more like the suburbs you find in New York. you started on Kanawha (pronounced ka- naw- ah not can-i-wh) City before coming across the river into downtown.
Thanks for telling him how to say Kanawha. I must say every time he said can-i -wh I busted out laughing.
@@cmd5221 me too. LOL
Even South Hills isn’t what it used to be smh and Comparing Charleston to New York is like comparing a Chihuahua to a Mastiff
I mean that's how you truly pronounce it, it was an Indian name lol how do people not know this but quick to correct someone
My hometown💙 moved away 30 yrs ago. But it will always be home! It is beautiful. Thank you!!
I was hoping for video of the next morning 😂 I didn't think I'd get it. Thank you. Great video.
I too live in WV, always have, 41 years now. It’s unfortunate we have been on the decline since I have been alive.
Thanks for making us at least look good.
There are lots of good things here if you know where to look
Thank you for the nice words. There are some who think I made the city look bad. I don’t think I did. The downtown is beautiful, and I made a point of saying that several times. The Capitol building and the accompanying museum were amazing. I said that as well. I really liked the city.
@@JoeandNicsRoadTrip Your take on Charleston is very honest. I lived in the area through the 1990's, and it is declining so fast. I think it was about 60,000 when I moved there, and downtown was still thriving.
My wife (at the time) worked on Capitol Street, I worked on Kanawha Boulevard, and I would often walk downtown to have lunch with her, at a Capitol Street restaurant, or at the park at the corner of Capitol and Lee.
I was a lifelong West Virginian and spent the last ten years in Charleston. I finally threw in the towel and ran for greener pastures two months ago. so far, no regrets.
Where are you now?
New state?
Lived in Charleston my whole life, I love it and it’s very homey, the beautiful Appalachian mountains are filled with so much history, the only thing is the weather is bipolar af and can’t decide if we’re a desert or a rainforest.
Also, I feel like you’re pretty accurate on most things but definitely not about the homeless. You can’t go literally one block anymore without seeing tent camps or stolen shopping buggys full of clothes. Drug deals going on all over the place, needles left near playgrounds and bathrooms, it’s getting very bad. And I think the tourism is increasing as well as rent prices so I could imagine how many homeless West Virginians there are here
I would love to move to WV... I find it very fascinating... can you help me?
@@glenfarmer1783 Well Glen where are you from and where would you like to move to in WV? If you have some money in the bank the houses here are probably the cheapest in the country so you wouldnt have any trouble finding a place.
@@glenfarmer1783 I would say move somewhere more rural instead of city, you get more for your buck and the drivers aren’t that crazy
ALSO BEAUTIFUL MOUNTAINS, BIRDS AND PEACE AND QUIET lol
@@glenfarmer1783 it's not hard to do if you can rent a u haul and have the money for rent or buy a house .
This video means a lot I grew up there and so did my father it's nice to see home again
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
Excellent video. Fantastic filming, great presentation, very informative, 5 stars.
City isn’t dead. You came during winter. There are still more things to do on a weekend in the winter than other city’s have in the summer. We tons of festivals. Yes it was on a decline, but it’s a great place to start out. I’ve lived here for almost a decade. Covid really hurt us. But we’re getting our footing again. This place could be the Colorado of the east coast if just a few more old farts would move on. It has a TON of potential.
I agree, it does have a ton of potential.
What a beautiful city! Love the historical buildings, wish they were open and thriving. I am looking to buy a cheap old house in West Virginia. I know it is not a good thing for the city but I am drawn to the poorness of it. That it is less "touched" than other places.A lot of the houses you considered in decline look just fine to me. I am not a shiny and new type of person. Should fit in well. :)
That was the whole point in visiting those areas. It was to show that the worst parts of Charleston aren’t bad, especially compared to other cities.
As a person who has lived in Charleston, let me say it is a rather depressing place. Its two main industries are State Government and the Charleston Town Center Mall. Down the road a bit there is a casino...it used to be a Greyhound Racing Track...that was/is also a major economic engine for the area. Most of the year, Charleston is dark, cloudy and rainy. Very dreary place overall. With that said, there are class extremes there. There are several folks in Kanawha City with multi-million dollar homes and those that live in $25,000 shacks in the surrounding area.
A great vlog. Really liked it as it was very cool. You guys did it really well. I am in love with the city the way you have covered it in the video. Going to follow and watch all your videos because they are very informative. Love from 'India'.❤❤❤❤
I was born and raised in WV, and been a resident of Charleston for a long time. You’re absolutely right. It’s sad to see but we’re losing a lot of what we used to be. It was coal in the boat btw lol. Although I am required as a citizen to let you know Kanawha is misleadingly spelled. It’s spelled how you pronounced it and should probably be pronounced that way, but it’s pronounced Can-aww. It’s like we completely ignore the A at the end, lol.
It’s funny, I pulled up the pronunciation on Google and mimicked that. That’s what I get for trusting Google, which got it completely wrong.
I cringed eveytime you'd try to say Kanawha. Also, that made me wonder if you actually talked with anyone there.
It’s pronounced Kuh-naw-uh
Seems like not even the people from Kanawha can agree on prouncing it correctly ^^
What a fine looking downtown area, and those great looking vintage buildings! I wish my home town of San Francisco was in this condition. S.F. was, at one time the "Queen of the West"...now she's a dowdy "Woman of the Night"!!
Unfortunately, the pandemic killed a lot of downtown Charleston's life, it's so sad to see. Even a few years ago, it was more 'happening', especially in the warmer months, and in the last couple of years several businesses, restaurants and bars have closed. It really is a beautiful, unique city with many charming neighborhoods and I wish more people, and more locals, could appreciate it and invest in their own city. The area you drove through is considered one of the worst, and as you saw it mostly isn't too bad; the empty lots and boarded up houses are the physical face of population decline. Other city neighborhoods like Kanawha City, Edgewood and South Hills are in good, if not excellent shape and South Charleston and Mink Shoals are nice, stable inner suburbs. Suburbs farther west in Putnam County have actually seen notable population growth in recent decades, suburbanization is still happening in Charleston, while the downtown is stagnant.
it ahs come back full force if not better this year. but, ALOT of people left the state during the pandemic
South Hills I grew up I South Hills the whole mountain and every house in South Hills is for sale. Can't give those houses away. South Hills sucks there hasn't been in money in South Hills for the last 20 years that money was gone a long time ago and its never coming back just like everything else.
The scamdemic worked perfectly, very sad.
As a former "Mountaineer" I miss WV and the beauty of the state and very kind and gracious citizens who welcome visitors with open arms. I miss it and eventually return next year for a 2 week staycation and renew former friendships and former hangouts in downtown Charleston to include Cross Lanes and Teays Valley. 'Montani Semper Liberi'
Liked watching the video. I stayed in the same hotel and had the same view one room below a couple months ago. That area around the hotel had many stores and restaurants that were closed.
Charleston looks like a city with a lot of potential. It's sad to see the shortage of people living in this beautiful city. I live in NE Ohio and travel through WV on a regular basis. I find the people to be very friendly and helpful. In all, I think the State of WV is highly underrated and not appreciated for the potential it has. Hopefully Charleston will attract new business and people so that we can keep this great city and state moving at their full capacity.
I'm a huge fan of West Virginia. I've been to practically every major city in that state and have always enjoyed myself and interacting with the people. Morgantown and Martinsburg are really the only places I didn't care for in that state. People are nice in Morgantown, but it's just full of college students. And Martinsburg has a lot of people moving there from the Baltimore/D.C. area and bringing their rude big-city attitudes with them.
One of my best friends lives down the river in Marmet , he and his family as well as all the people i have met were some of the best people you would ever want to know. i need to get back there for the Sternwheeler Regatta soon.
Charleston hasn't had the Sternwheel Regatta for quite some time now but fortunately they are bringing it back this year. Unfortunately I don't think it will be as good as it used to be back in the 80s and 90s. Regardless we would be glad to have you back.
Very interesting tour thank you. I don't know what they are called.....awnings? Those striped fabric things to protect windows from the sun? Was interested to see quite a lot of them, I thought they were only found in East Coast cities. That city is fascinating but looks very sleepy.
Yes, they're called awnings here. It was an interesting city. It's losing population, and overall is poor, but the neighborhoods looked ok. There's not really a ghetto there. There are some boarded up buildings and houses, but they were in fairly good condition. Completely different from the poor cities in the Deep South like Shreveport, Montgomery, Jackson and New Orleans. In those cities many of the houses are completely disintegrating.
My beautiful state unfortunately fell in addiction it's so sad. Because most of these people are good people who got stuck
I like your content, watching you from the Philippines,feeling me that I am there,strolling and enjoy❤️
That is awesome. :)
First time watching your channel and really enjoyed the visit from my sofa here in Houston when I should have been in my home office working. I feel like I just took a mini-vacation with you and your wife. It was pretty funny to see you open the curtains the next morning and see the snow. Thank you guys for a great adventure, now back to work for me. I’ll subscribe now so that I can travel with you guys again soon.
Awesome, Joi! Great comment as well. :)
Thanks for posting this video. Im a Charleston native, and you did a good job surveying the city. You began in what’s called the “Kanawha City” area of Charleston, where the nice houses were. Kanawha is pronounced “Keh-NAW-ah”, but everyone who lives here pronounces it “Keh-NAW”. It’s actually an old Native American name which was originally pronounced “KAN-a-WAH”. I’m really surprised that you didn’t see any vagrants, because trust me, we definitely have a huge population of homeless in Charleston. The opioid epidemic has ravaged Appalachia, and the Charleston/Huntington area is pretty much its epicenter. I noticed you went down Washington St West, which is where the West Side of town in. Washington St East (East End) is where most of the homeless and rundown houses are. You were close when you were at the Capitol. As you saw, Charleston isn’t a very big city. If you’re on the interstate, you can start at one end of town, and go all the way through town in 5 minutes lol. Charleston has its ups and downs like everywhere else on earth. Like you said, it’s a poor area, but it’s very blue collar. I think the average salary is around 30-35k. It’s got that small town vibe to it, where people care about each other. We’re one of the poorest areas in the US, while simultaneously being one of the most charitable areas too. That comes with its drawbacks though. Word got around to bums all over the country, and they hitchhike or hop trains to Charleston so they can make a hundred bucks a day by begging for money and handouts. It’s really a tragedy. The state spends millions educating its children, only to see them move out of state for better career opportunities, while homeless people, drug dealers from Detroit, and beggars take their spot. Sad…
Great comment, William. Thank you for posting it.
Opioid epidemic started in West Virginia. Obama gave a speech but it didn't curb it at all.
@@JoeandNicsRoadTrip Out 25 miles west of town is a town called Hurricane. It is also pronounced differently. Locals call it "HURR-u-cun"
I assume you realize the "through town in 5 minutes" on the interstate would only reveal a part of Charleston, which is 34 square miles, and of course is the hub of Kanawha Valley, which is a rather extensive area. I'm now living in Pittsburgh, PA., which, if not for traffic would not take much more than 5-10 minutes to pass through via freeway. Point being, interstates are not designed for exploring cities, and Charleston (and Huntington, with which it shares suburbs) remains the largest metro area for a substantial radius. Certainly the largest contained within WV borders.
@@davidfrench5407 I lived in Utah a few years ago. Hurricane UT is pronounced the same way there! It's in the SW part of the state. We chuckled seeing your comment. My companion's mom had relatives in SW Kentucky
I have family in the far northern part of the state, near WVU and Morgantown. Even though WV is the second poorest state, it's got to the one of the top prettiest. Especially in the fall, the physical geography is just stunning. It's a shame it's so dependent on coal.
Hopefully remote work continues and more people move there. The downtown where you were walking with the brick sidewalks is absolutely adorable and charming and the building facades are just beautiful. Lots of potential.
The poorer states honestly are the most pretty w Virginia Kentucky Mississippi are beautiful vs states like Massachusetts where I'm from New York and California which are some of the richest but ugly
The City looks great compared to other round the globe. Clean and nice views. I hope its going stronger again..
Thank you for taking me down memory lane. I'm from West Virginia
I actually think Charleston is much less advanced then us in Beckley. We’re a poor state but I feel like all we need is some motivated youth into our representative spots and a bit of assistance programs but we have potential. It does break my heart seeing some things in the current state but I love my state. It seems our past generations was focused only toward the hard larbor of mining and therefore had no real other businesses or goals. The real fun here is hanging out with locals and of course our wilderness
Hard agree. I haven’t lived here my whole life, but grew into adulthood in West Virginia. There are a good number of smart, driven young people here. But a lot of them leave due to a lack of higher paying jobs and lack of social support. I may leave for the same reasons. It saddens me. I love, and am deeply troubled by this state.
My wife has an MBA and can't find a job.
I have to agree with you on certain things about Beckley being more advanced than Charleston and I I kind of feel like there's things even about Princeton that are more advanced compared to Charleston as well but I do like Charleston and I would have no problem living there at all..,
I’m a born and raised West Virginian and lived in nearby Fayette County. I remember taking my first school field trip in grade school to our state Capitol in Charleston. Back when Jay Rockefeller was governor. The whole trip was fascinating and the city and Capitol were beautiful. We all ate at the nearby McDonalds and we all had a ball. I love my home state and I’ll always remember my first school field trip.
Fun fact about some of those houses. I don't know about elsewhere but here if you see a line of house that are very similar in structure, more than likely they are quite old and known as coal camp houses. Built for the sole purpose of miner housing during the mining boom.
Nope. Not coal camp houses...no mines in the city Just cheaper to build several houses with the same plan.
Great vid and great commentary! Really enjoyed brother!
Thank you for the kind words. :)
Thanks for sharing.. I'm thinking about making Charleston my next home
I think i like this city...No Graffiti No people.. No homeless.. My kind of town Sounds like paradise
I just moved here after living in CA/OR and it's amazing. Truly amazing. The best choice of my life.
I’ve lived in Charleston my entire life. There are a lot of positives but honestly if my husband I didn’t have so much family living here we would move. People here are very kind, living is pretty affordable, beautiful state, and some really interesting history. Sadly, it is really dying. I wish things would get better. Rural areas really suffer. In some areas the only employment opportunities are working at a gas station or a grocery store.
* I think this was a great video and you gave a good description of the city. I really enjoyed this video and it’s so odd to see these areas I see almost everyday in a UA-cam video 😂
Don't let your Husband's Family keep you from living a better life ...Slap some sense tn to that Idiot and get out of there while you can.
That “ boat” is called a “ barge”!
Hello Sir Lord Spoda, I'v stated watching your videos since 2 weeks. I just got up your video on the fly one day. It just caught me into it, Now I'm watching 2 - 3 videos a week. I can not stop watching yours... good job... keep up the good work...
Wow, thanks, Krishna!
lovely state i can't imagn to visit it thank you for interview
ive lived here my entire life and i can tell you that things are definitely declining. The Kanawha City strip use to be loaded with a nice mall movie theatre and plenty of shopping. From there people would head into downtown Charleston where the town center mall was filled with very nice stores. Even if people didnt have money Kanawha City and Down town Charleston were the hang out spots full of people. With all of that gone, people have nothing to do. Since then, for the people who stayed in WV, the nicer areas are further into cross lanes, hurrican, and beyond. Also because of the downward spiral and being the 2nd poorest state, homes have def began to go down, while still costing a lot. Yet even at that, theres a special kind of love we feel for one another here in this state. Ive also lived in other states for shortened periods of time and theres nothing like how people treat one another here. I hope things can one day be fixed
My wife and I stayed in the downtown Hampton in and found it to be a very enjoyable two days. There was a lot of activity going on in town down by the river and we were told that they have music booths of all kinds every week end many out side eateries along the way. Great food it was a very fun time. We want to do it again on our next trip to Myrtle Beach.
Such a beautiful city! So sad to hear about its decline. I visited there a few times while I lived in D.C. and have the most fond memories walking along the river.
Informative and entertaining video.
Like your vids. Especially of Fargo/Morehead. 😉
Thank you, Amor!
Thanks for stopping in! But yes, it’s a dying state and there’s not a lot of opportunity here, but at the same time, it’s nice to have a home and roads that aren’t flooded with people. It’s the way we like it. And the Capitol is one of the nicest in the country. The whole interior is made with imported marble from Italy and the dome is 24k gold leaf. And just like in your experience, there’s really not much security at the Capitol to speak of. Me and my buddy walked to the roof and smoked a cigarette one day and nobody bothered us. It’s probably one of the few Capitols in the US that make you feel like it’s truly “our Capitol” and everyone is always welcome to come inside and explore it. All in all, us locals wish the city was doing better, but we have proud, hard working, simple kind of people here and we all make the best of it because it’s our home.
At one time Charleston wv was the chemical center of the world we produced more chemicals than the rest of the world
Next time, check out Bridge road, up the hill across the river from downtown. It has some of the prettiest neighborhoods/shops, winding roads, and views of the city. Regardless, this was an excellent video. Thanks for showcasing our state. I’m an Uber driver and live in my car, so I’ve explored all the major cities here, and according to a lot of Uber riders, there are many people moving here from out of state because of the cheap housing market and business opportunity. It’s easier to be a big fish in a small pond. The majority of people leaving were stuck in a black hole their whole life here, unfortunately, hence why I’ve been living in my car for 5 years.
1010 Bridge is up there right? One of the best restaurants ive been to in awhile
@@ryankeener3432 yes! I’ve heard great things about it. Still need to check it out
He drove the west end you can find those neighborhoods in any city in America and a lot worse
So sorry you encountered the white fluffy stuff that falls from the sky lol. It’s a beautiful state WV wonderful people.
I liked the state building, I could do swore that picture was Ab Lincoln to.
In the next video I filmed us driving through a snow storm in the Appalachians. It was quite an experience!
So neat and clean... So amazing... Love it. No trash or paper in the streets...n
Nice video my family left Kanawha county in 1987. Still miss being there. I sure hope someone taught you how to pronounce Kanawha 🙂