Firstly why Charleston, West-Virginia?

I’ll start with some quick stats and an overview:

• City: Charleston
• State: West-Virginia
• Population: 50,862 people
• Charleston’s quick summary would be The state capital, famous for its historic Haddad Riverfront Park and vibrant arts and culture scene.

Some people I know rave about this place, others say it’s on the upswing or going through changes. Check out these migration details:

• How many people move-in: 8,000 annually
• While this many move-out: 16,000 annually
• Net Migration: -8000 less people annual change
• Non-Citizen Move-in: 200
• Number of Homeless people: 300

You might wonder why people choose to move here, I’d say generally because it as the state capital offers government job opportunities attracting professionals

Perk #1: Charleston Demographic Mix & Lifestyle

• The percentage of Residents Age 30–50 is about 32%
• Percentage of Home Ownership is hovering around 67%
• Largest Local Ethnic Group is White
• The 2nd Largest Ethnic Group is mostly Black
• The median income is (and growing)  $38,000
• Income Required to Live Comfortably in Charleston is $47,000
• Average Extra Spending Money after paying bills yearly is approx. $9000 in positive cash flow

This and any cities local population can be a real melting pot—or sometimes it’s more homogeneous, depending on the area. Ask yourself: would you enjoy a bustling community with diverse backgrounds, or do you prefer a quieter, tight-knit vibe?

Perk #2: Housing & Charleston’s Cost of Living

• Cost of Living Index: 80 (100 is the US average)
• Annual Property Tax Per House: $1,578
• Property Tax %: 1.32%
• Rent for an average 2BD Apartment: $1,000
• Rent for an average house: $1,400
• Popular and Expensive Neighborhood: South Hills
• Top 5 Growing Areas: Charleston, South-Charleston, Dunbar, Nitro, and probably could include Rand
• Avg. Age of Homes in Charleston: 58 years
• The Percentage of Realtors per 100 people here: 1.4%

If the cost-of-living index is low, you might find a place without selling your kidney. If it’s high, well, you’ll need to budget carefully. Some income earners thrive in pricey markets, others prefer less financially stressful areas.

Perk #3: Job Market & Charleston’s Economy

• 3 Industries gaining traction in Charleston are  Government, Healthcare, and Retail
• Charleston Job Scene: stable job market centered on government and healthcare
• The General Tech Scene: modest tech landscape focused on local services and economic development , ,
• Charleston Resident’s pay $1,000 in City Tax alone!
• Local Sales Tax in Charleston: 6%
• No. of Independent Businesses: 75 (excluding chains and corporates)
• Number of Local Branch Banks: 10

Maybe you’re a go-getter in finance, tech, or healthcare. Or you’d rather open a mom-and-pop shop. Either way, it’s worth checking if the local industries align with your skill set—or if you’re game to try something new.

Perk #4: Transportation & Commuting in Charleston

• Monthly Transportation Costs: $90 on average per person
• Freeway Access: I-77 and I-64 converge in Charleston creating major access
• Commute Time: 22 minutes (public & private)
• Main Evening Traffic Area: backups on the I-77
• Transportation Score: 38 out of 100 described as Some Transit
• No. of Vehicles Registered in Charleston: 30,000
• Cars registered per Person: 0.6
• No. of Car Washes: 6 in and around the city
• DMV Website for Charleston: transportation.wv.gov/DMV
• The Bike-Friendly Score: 62 of 100
• Local Airport: Charleston Yeager

Is a 15-minute commute your dream, or is 45 minutes stuck on the freeway a dealbreaker? If you can handle traffic or love public transit, this might be perfect. If not, brace yourself with a killer podcast lineup.

Perk #5: Charleston’s Weather & Natural Factors

• The Most Common Natural Disaster is Flooding
• General Weather in Charleston is best described as cold winters hot summers with substantial precipitation
• Winter Weather in Charleston i’d describe as cold with occasional rain
• Spring Weather in Charleston can be described as mild with some rain
• Summer’s in Charleston are mostly warm and humid
• Fall ( the nicest time) in Charleston is usually cool with sunny days
• How many days in a row over 90°F: 18 days in summer
• Days in a row in Charleston below Freezing: 20
• Average Annual Rainfall: 46 inches
• Summer Air Quality is usually moderate air quality impacted by urban pollution
• Charleston Winter Air average air quality influenced by local industry

Do you live for sunny skies? Or maybe you can’t stand humidity. Some relish snowy winters; others run south at the first snowflake. And if hurricanes, tornadoes, or earthquakes are part of the package, put all that into your consideration matrix.

Perk #6: Charleston Education & Schools

• The GreatSchools.org City Rating:
• Number of Colleges and Universities in Charleston 1
• While the number of trade schools inside Charlestons’s city limits are 0
• Library that I have visited and enjoyed is the Charleston Library

If you’ve got kids—or you’re looking to further your own education—solid school ratings and local colleges can be a huge perk. If not, hey, a good library have more gems that you didn’t know existed, check it out.

Perk #7: Healthcare & Charleston Stats

• Typical EMS Response Time: 8 minutes
• Registered Full-Time Charleston only Doctors is about 25
• Local Hospitals here is  1
• Full-time Charleston only Police Officers is about 130
• Crime Rate Index: 40/100

Medical facilities could be important to you and who knows it could be related to the crime stats. Again some stats that are worth considering.

Perk #8: Utilities, Gyms & Water Quality

• Charleston’s Monthly utility bill average is $90
• Charleston’s Monthly Gym Membership: $35
• Charleston’s Water Quality Score: 65

Some of us freak out if water tastes off, others don’t mind. Gym buffs will appreciate a cheap membership; others prefer running outside for free. Check if these monthly costs fit inside your realistic lifestyle.

Perk #9: Events, Festivals & Vibe in Charleston

• Approx number of Festivals the city puts on is 4 annually
• The General Local City Vibe: state capital with a mix of history and local development
• You might enjoy shows at the Clay Center for the Arts
• Nightlife Scene (yes this is completely subjective), Charleston  features a vibrant nightlife with local bars live music cultural events and a welcoming atmosphere

If you love a lively social calendar—fairs, concerts, maybe the odd chili cook-off—this is your jam. If crowds make you itch, you might only show up for the funnel cakes.

Perk #10: The Food, Sports & Culture of Charleston

• The Objective Restaurant Scene Features local restaurants and a mix of casual dining options
• The Number of Independent Restaurants are 20 scattered around Charleston
• The Popular Sports Team is Charleston Dirty Birds
• Top Level Political Climate in Charleston can be described as state capital with diversity of political opinions
• Charleston’s Longer standing religious establishment is Church of the Covenant

Whether you’re a foodie wanting fancy cuisine or a sports nut who can’t miss the local team’s home game, see if your interests line up with what the city offers.

Perk #11: Charleston Parks & Green Spaces

• Did you know Charleston has 20 Parks?
• Slack Plaza is Charleston’s Green Space Center
• The local favorite Farmers Market is Charleston Farmers Market normally open Saturday 8am-1pm
• Outdoor Activities that both weekend warriors are pro’s can enjoy are Hiking, cultural events, and biking

Love fresh air? A city investing in parks and markets can be a sanity-saver. If you prefer the indoors, maybe it’s less of a draw—but I still say fresh produce is never a bad thing.

Perk #12: Charleston Neighborhoods Pace & Proximity

• The Pace of Life in Charleston can be described as urban lifestyle with a rich history and community involvement
• 3 Family-Friendly Activities anyone can enjoy in Charleston picnicking at parks attending community fairs hiking trails
• The Cities people commute to from Charleston are Laramie 46 miles away Fort-Collins 48 miles away Greeley 61 miles away

Neighborhood pace can range from laid-back suburbs to frantic downtown vibes. If you need a quick getaway, big neighboring cities can scratch that itch for a weekend change of scene.

8 Drawbacks about Charleston or are they?

No place is perfect. I rate these as important based on your location and type of work you do. They might not be negatives or positives for everyone.

1. Traffic/Commute Issues
   Maybe you read: backups on the I-77. If you hate gridlock, look at alternative routes or brace yourself with podcasts.
2. Natural Disaster or Extreme Weather
   Charleston’s Flooding risk could be minimal or major. Dig more on that is your eyebrow just went up.
3. Pricey Neighborhoods
   If South Hills is out of your price point, you might consider these places nearby Charleston are Laramie 46 miles away Fort-Collins 48 miles away Greeley 61 miles away.
4. Crime Rate Concerns
   With a 40 of 100, some neighborhoods might feel safer than others. Everyone has a different tolerance for this.
5. Harsh Climate Contrasts
   Charleston has 20 days in a row below freezing and 18 days above 90 degrees. This might be your heaven or your nightmare. Some people can’t stand snow, while others pray for it.
6. Limited Extra Funds
   After general costs of living here in Charleston people have an average (positive or negative) $9000 in positive cash flow left over in income to spend or pay off. Economics will make or break you here.
7. Homelessness or Social Challenges
   300 homeless people living in Charleston. It can be tough for the community—no easy solutions.
8. Cultural/Political Mismatch
   The general state capital with diversity of political opinions could change but probably not quickly. We all go thru cycles in our lifestyle and outlook. Think about this and your future outlook before a move to Charleston.

Retiree & Senior Life in Charleston

• Retiree Tax Benefits say seniors can might benefit from property tax exemptions focused on affordable housing
• The most established Senior Citizen Community is The Castle
• Charleston Senior Center hosts health workshops social gatherings and various community resources for seniors

If you’re in (or nearing) retirement, see if the city provides property tax breaks or comfy 55+ communities. Some places cater heavily to seniors, others less so.

Moving to Charleston, West-Virginia?

If Charleston, West-Virginia ir your next home or you are packing up, Let Allied Van Lines Help

As someone who’s hauled half his life across state lines more times than I can recall, let me say that Allied Van Lines simplifies the process. From big bulky couches to fragile antiques, they’ve got you covered.

A quick quote or phone call might be all you need to turn your daydream into reality. If you see me around Charleston, West-Virginia, say hi—I’m the guy who once moved with nothing but a backpack and a guitar. Good luck on your new adventure!