[apillar]

I grew up in West Virgina and in some ways it is an armpit, but it does have a few good point too.

GOOD:

1. It really is a beautiful state, mostly rural, very mountainous, mild winters, warm summers etc.

2. Land is DIRT cheap, I recently purchased sixty acres of land with a hunting cabin for $54,000. Cost of living is low. Taxes are average for the region.

3. Even though the state is considered a democrat bastion, the people for the most part are very conservative. Very pro 2nd amendment, anti abortion (which is why Al Gore lost) Even the democrats tend to be more conservative -- the "liberal" democrats here could pass as conservative republicans in New York or Massachussets.

BAD:

1. The state is pretty much run by the coal/steel/teachers unions, most of the legislators owe their "soul" to the unions. Cronyism is rampant -- The moto of the state should be "It's not what you know it's who you know."

2. VERY anti-business / pro-organized labor climate -- high business taxes, high unemployment, high poverty, very little economic growth.

2. Schools range from average to abyssmal. Culturally not a lot of emphasis on education -- even if you do get a college degree (like I did) you almost always have to leave the state to use it.

[ladylib]

I'm sure it has a lot of good points. It sure beats NJ as far as beauty. Beauty can only go so far, however, unfortunately.

[rightwingbob]

Don't forget Robert the Shaking Klansman Byrd!