What the Hell Happened to West Virginia? Episode 1 - Poverty.
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- čas přidán 16. 08. 2021
- This is just sad.
West Virginia is the second poorest state in the nation. We’ve all heard that before - we know how a decline in coal jobs and a lack of good jobs and a generational sense of pride and self reliance has meant that many people here in West Virginia struggle.
It’s really pretty - there’s really charming little towns tucked away in the hollers and mountain valleys all throughout this state. While they don’t make much money, a lot of folks here don’t need much to live, either. However, as it stands, 1 in 5 people here lives at or below the poverty line.
Today, we’re going to visit the second poorest county in West Virginia - a county on the northern end of the state that’s just south of Morgantown. We’re going to drive through a place called Fairmont, the biggest city in a very poor county. As we’ll see, while much of Fairmont is doing just fine, a lot of this place is not, and Fairmont is just one example of like 100 other places in West Virginia where poverty and drug addiction rules the day.
At one point in Fairmont, there were 27,000 people. Today, due to a lack of jobs and younger generations fleeing for better opportunities, the population has plummeted to around 18,000 people. Here in Fairmont, 1 in 4 people lives in poverty and many collect unemployment benefits and welfare. The average person here earns about $16,000 a year, which is pretty much 8 bucks an hour. You can imagine the types of jobs that exist here. A quick walk around the area in the evening showed that EVERYONE in town was hiring, but a lot of people in this town don't want to work. Or at least work here.
Of course, West Virginia isn’t just poor overall. This state traditionally ranks towards the bottom when it comes to healthcare, obesity and education.
It’s a cycle here in West Virginia - a place where despair lingers in the damp air between rolling hills and where people who can’t “just pick up and leave,” as outsiders advise, or who just object to doing so.
Coal jobs left this area ages ago, and there’s no sign it’s ever going to come back. Many West Virginians don’t have the skills needed to transition into other industries, or can’t pass the drug tests needed for new employment. Even so, this is the worst state for jobs. I mean you can’t farm here, and it’s hard to convince any large companies to locate here, considering the terrain and potential job pool.
The poverty has been made worse by an influx of opioids, on which tens of thousands of West Virginians became addicted to. These days, it’s heroin and meth that plagues small poor communities in this state. And sadly, addicted parents can’t care for their children. There are an estimated 7,000 West Virginia kids in foster care under state supervision because of parental drug abuse and neglect.
#westvirginia @moving
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The best video on this topic!
I spent the first 18 years of my life in WV then joined the Marine Corps. I knew we were below the poverty line growing up but it never felt that way. We always grew a big Garden and we canned a lot of our own food. Fishing in the summers and hunting in the fall. My dad always made sure all three of the kids had new shoes every school year. Now after five years I’m about to go back and I can’t wait to get home. I hope to get to a point where I can create jobs within my community so that younger generations have some hope and want to stay.
If more people stuck to the old ways my friend,we'd be a lot better off. There's plenty here people just don't make use of it the same way they used to
@@dereks8930 Truth spoken .....amen
good on ya marine !!!
Truly needs a desperate change, there's nothing here and no opportunities so if you're able to make a difference that's great. I'm dying to escape myself but that's still gonna be quite a while, I feel robbed having been born here.
Your family were very smart by doing all that stuff... It kept you well sustained.
I was born in Maryland but lived most of my life in WV.
I’ve seen what happens when the mines shut down.
People trying to relocate to other mines or find jobs that will support their families.
It’s such a shame because WV is such a beautiful state.
I moved to Texas for 4 years and now I’m moving back to WV!
I love the beautiful mountains!
I am honored to be featured on your channel and video once again. It was a pleasure interviewing with you and chatting afterward. I love your content and keep up the good work.
Josh!!! Stay well man! KIT!!
Very misleading.
The people in West Virginia I have met are some of the happiest people I’ve ever known. It’s a beautiful state and it has great people. I love West Virginia.
Idk who you've met but I spent most of my life there, right up until 6 months ago. They're not. It's a shit hole. They may seem happy but that's because they think thr whole world is like that.
Shout out to WV!
Keep your heads held high.
Showing love from Cheyenne Wy!
I just moved out of Cheyenne a few months ago after 6 years there.
Loved the safety and quiet life.
Hated the extreme cold weather and the wind.
@@Dangic23 I just moved to Cheyenne because of grandkids being here. Will see if I stay after my first winter.
Shout out to Cheyenne
Two of our sons live in beautiful Cody, WY
Wyoming is equally a beautiful place. 👍
West Virginia has a lot of problems but I still like it especially for its scenery and relaxed, rural atmosphere.
You will live a real life there. But in bigger “developed” cities, we will end up spending most of the time in traffic and useless shopping in the malls.
@@MilesToGo78 you can live a real life in many place in the US without settling for WV poverty pride porn
@@korbermeister1 what's a poverty pride porn?
@@taraakins8273 I'd like to know that too..and BTW Corey Mayo,not everyone who lives here in WV is an ignorant,uneducated drug addict
@@barbarascott3945 I'm not saying anything bad about West Virginia. I am just acknowledging that it has a lot of problems but it's still a very beautiful state with a lot of great people.
Damn at least they got houses and trucks!!!try that in New York City!!!!
I live in WV, I love it. I’ve lived all over the U.S. I have a good job in healthcare. The cost of living in WV is low. The only thing I don’t like are the drug addicts, but that’s an issue all over the U.S.
I like it too. Wood county here close to Parkersburg. It's quite all the time. On your way to work and at home just like God intended it . Mountaineers are always free!
Yeah, the only difference in American drug addiction rates are the wealthier your area is, the more it is hidden or just ignored, since as with most laws, its targeted against the poor. They won't be kicking down Bill Gates door for smoking pot.
@agenda 2030 what’s the percentages and numbers? I live in south central West Virginia and I find it hard to believe that the cities are not way worse. I know one thing, there aren’t shooting victims every day.
@agenda 2030 You are right but its only because there are 280 ppl in the town and 140 of them are meth heads and that make s 50% drug addiction rate. It is all because of population and the way those statistics are calculated. As far as looking like zombies I agree but still it goes back to a lot of things that are totally out of the control of the person. It is hard to make good decisions without messing up when you raised yourself because your parents can't afford to care for you because the only income they have is selling all the state assistance that is supposed to feed their children. If you don't want to stand in line for a job at the little general for 8 dollars an hour then you don't have any chance for a job unless you have a college education to get a healthcare job and if you do then you have even more fierce competition for the one medical job that comes around every few years when someone retires, dies, or moves away.
@@joeyfarley9916 There are some old coal towns, railroad tows and sawmill towns where there are some problems, but most of the state is rural. Where I live there are a few druggies, but not many. Huntington, for example, has big problems, but this is a Democrat controlled city that has a needle exchange program.
Baltimore is an out of state city that is not far from Fairmont that has WAY bigger problems.
They may be poor, but the neighborhoods don't look that bad for poverty. You can still live in a two story house there. Here in California, not even a room if you're overly poor. Some don't even have a car.
I used to live in Southern WV. I live in Vermont now. Apartments and housing is dirt cheap there right now. Where I live now housing is nearly impossible to find and it costs average of $1200 for a studio apt. I was looking at the area I used to live in I saw a few things like a $875 month 3 bedroom house. Dirt cheap to live there.
yes but we dont have Trader Joe's and The Container Store and the Whole Foods here
@@RiftShad3COD I live in R.I. & Just like Vermont studios are around $800& up! A 1 bed 1,000 My friend found a nice 3 bed for $1200 but nothing including! But that's cheap! WV I'm surprised is the 2nd poorest state? Honestly having a job is better than no job!!! You can always move up like even at a Subway or BK! Hey you can ride up fast!!! Just do your job show up on time & stray later! Do everything you can possibly can!JS!
@@taraerskine3954 Vermont has a big problem with a housing shortage right now. I’m 18 I drive trucks for a job and make $30-32k a year. I could afford a place but couldn’t find a place. We sold our house and it closes this upcoming Saturday and everyone was moving away except me. I was prepared to be homeless and couch surf for a bit. But a customer from my old job found out I was looking and he said he’d rent it to me no questions asked. Gave me a whole upstairs and dropped the price to $740 everything included.
And they all seem to own a new car. No junk allowed!
This is going on across the entire USA not just one state.. I see it getting a lot worse not better
Sad but so true. The middle class/working class is disappearing and it's not hard to see why. It makes me worry for the kids growing up today, that's for sure. We're reverting to the way this country was a century ago, when you had the rich and the poor and not much in between.
@@jeremyt2212 I feel sorry for kids as well growing up.. the new generation of kids are going to be total sheep.. they will gladly be told what to do..
@@katelee670 You should learn a little more about sheep before making comparisons like that. They like to butt heads, you know. Then there are goats, too.
@@kennethquesenberry2610 quite a few people are going to be sheep they are going to allow this to happen.. my entire street is like that.. dumb blind sheep.. I know quite a few people here in Arkansas will not allow it.. half of these people are armed to the teeth and I'm not joking.. if they try to force their vaccine on people.. you will be met at the door with a loaded 44 I'm not joking.. oh yes quite a few people are going to be against this.
@@jeremyt2212 West Virginia has the most poverty and the lowest cost of living. You would think a lower cost of living would help them but it doesn’t.
West virginia in some areas are improving. But their needs to be more companies having the confidence to place jobs in other parts of the state other then the Eastern panhandle.
I loved seeing all of the old houses. In California some of those old houses would be worth 1 million. Such beautiful architecture. The trees are gorgeous. It is so green there.
Yes! I moved from Cleveland Ohio and we are buying a house here, some of the old Victorian houses would be worth at least half a million where I am from. You can get a $20,000 grant for buying and fixing one up.
@@freeflyer151 Wow. I had no idea you could get a grant to fix one up. That sounds amazing. Victorian houses are so beautiful. They are my favorite. I love seeing them. How much are they and in what condition are they in?
Where I’m from in Vancouver bc, those old homes would be around 3-4 million dollars. Beautiful little place.
Yes lovely houses. 🙂
I would tell u coming to Florida but we have too many New Yorkers down here they buying everything
It’s crazy how the 2nd poorest state in the country literally borders the richest county in America (Loudoun in VA).
A reflection of the greed and politicians in America.
A reflection of the natural workings of capitalism.
@@pappap1702 actually government workers are paid lower than private sector. And the DC area is more private than government.
@@JhonnyBoi Govt workers are paid more than 8 bucks an hour but I was thinking of VA instead of WV govt workers are paid pretty well if you have more than an entree level job.
Jefferson county is probably the richest county in wv thanks to the money earned in va, dc area. If you drive about 2 to 3 hours west in wv you’ll find some poor and depressed areas
I was in WV last month and drove through Fairmont on my way to valley falls and morgantown I actually thought it was quite nice.
Dudes FOS !! I was born and raised in Fairmont. He went down the 2 worst street's in town !! Gotta push that agenda!!!
Yes! I live in Clarksburg and watching this I was so mad! You can find 2 streets that look like that in any state that doesn’t reflect the rest of the area and the drug problem is a global problem not just a WV problem!
@@AliciaLynn2 I was F'en steaming watching it. Like I said, dude is FOS !! and the guy he interviewed was absolutely 💯 NOT from Nort Central WV. He had a distinct southern draw to his dialect!! Bluefield, Princeton, Charleston aera imo. We sound like a mix of Eastern Ohio / Southern PA. Imo. I lived in NC. For 18yrs & can remember when we 1st moved there. They asked where I was from, they said... You Don't sound like you're from Wes Virginie 😳🙄🙄. I always replied, Trust me brother, Not everyone from WV. sounds like that 🙄🙄 I have been with my Beautiful, Wonderful wife for 35yrs and have 5 Gr8 kids. And guess what... I have never worked in the F'en coal mines !! There are definitely other job opportunities here that offer good pay and benies. My wife has been @ here job for 24yrs. And does quite well !! Together we bring in close to 120k a yr. Which is by no means rich. But I wouldn't trade what we have here in WV for being rich in NYC for anything in this world!!!
@@mocarpenter8836 1000%! I live in an area where we still don’t lock our doors or cars at night and yes I’ve had family that worked in the coal mines back in the day but most of the men in my family (my great grandparents had 22 children) work in the welding industry and have all done quite well for themselves. I work in the dental field and my husband works in airplane mechanics and we have also made great lives for our family. As you said there are many more opportunities other than just the mines. I’ve traveled all over and have seen places that they showed in this video in every state and country I’ve been in. And yeah dude definitely wasnt from NC West Virginia!
@@mocarpenter8836 Right. The Northern part of the state is kinda like Pittsburgh or Youngstown. Nobody talks like this. He's clearly from the southern part of the state with that drawl.
"You can't farm here" is one of the many untruths you spoke in this video.
Yeah you can tell this is a hipster soyboy who needs to have his chai latte before he can function in the morning. He is more comfortable in a blue hellhole and wouldn’t last two days doing real work away from a computer.
Yeah, there's many different forms of farming. You can't generalize it that much, especially since I know most of the schools in WV have 4H and FFA. They wouldn't have these programs if you couldn't farm in the area you're living!
@@vikmusic1165 dude then explain why red isnt doing to hot just admit you and that libtard both got scammed
How about doing green house farming . Ho w about online business.
@@vikmusic1165 You just obliterated that dude lol...well done
Been there several times. The people were so kind and welcoming. So sad 😞. Thanks Nick
Ok Patti. And I agree.
At least when you're poor you know who's your friend. When you're rich you can never be 100% sure.
Very true!
I guess that's why I have no friends 😔
True but I'd rather be 🤑 and take my chances.
your friend only steals one chainsaw while a stranger will take them all.
The rich have no friends
It looks like such a beautiful place. I hope things get better.
Well done. Solid narration and info. Love the smooth camera movements
Great interview. The mining experience is eye-opening.
Nick, you are amazing, thank you for all your research and hard work exposing these issues, you bring a whole new perspective with your presentation, you have been blessed with a gift.
Hi Linda ❤️
I lived in West Virginia for 10 years in the mid ‘70s to early ‘80s. I developed wonderful friendships with caring and loving people. It is a beautiful state too and it brings me much sadness to learn of the struggles. God bless the folks in the Mountain State. I pray God shows you the way to recovery.
Most of us are doing just fine. I don't know what this guy's agenda is, but he's clearly got some sort of bias.
West Virginia has had so many opportunities that have been destroyed simply due to greed and government officials that could simply care less about the beloved state. The opioid crisis was really the downfall. Coal is no longer King, drugs are King...
@@jeremystout412 the opioid crisis is far more reaching than just West Virginia. It's Coast to Coast.
That's something the elites capitalized on with a purpose. They don't want working class people who think clearly and defend their rights. They want free range livestock who live in a brain fog and don't hire lawyers for the right reasons.
As far as coal goes. They don't want to get rid of coal. If they wanted to get rid of coal, Mount Storm West Virginia would be shut down and Washington D.C. would have trouble keeping the lights on. But coal is just as much a global market these days as oil is. Much of the coal that comes out of WV has too high of a suffer content to meet USEPA standards and is sold to countries like China and India so they can burn it because we have to burn cleaner coal.
Electric companies in the United States sample coal from all over the world and buy up batches that yield the highest BTUs in testing.
So the world burns a bunch of diesel fuel to unnecessarily ship coal across the oceans and continents, just to create a market that the globalists can get obscenely rich off of and the consumers cover the costs.
We normal people are free range livestock to the parasitic elites.
@@JP-ec9rl the opioid crisis is major in West Virginia. Yes, it is nationwide. We tend to have the highest numbers of overdoses and deaths here related to it. We also continue to spike up cases of HIV/AIDs and Hepatitis related to drug use. I work in healthcare and it’s never a surprise to see that they’re admitted for something related to substance abuse. The government here only influences it more as they have the needle exchange program which may get a brief hiatus from an investigation via the FDA. Sure it’s great to reduce the cases of communicable diseases, but the drug users only see it as it’s okay to continue their addiction.
I’m not sure what are you reside in West Virginia, but everything here is poverty ridden and it’s sad when you lose post offices. All of these coal communities are dead, well past being revived. All of the manufacturers here have shut down that produce anything relating to coal. Such as Joy and Komatsu. You can go to any recycling facility and literally see stacks of equipment from the mining industry laying there, coal trucks as well.
“Coal keeps the lights on.” That holds true only in a few areas it seems. Yes, for Washington D.C. and especially third world, developing countries. There’s many ways to repurpose areas that are now rendered useless from mining. One example is a lavender farm in Boone County.
As for jobs here, there’s a lack of motivation as they see that plenty of others can rely on government funding and they’re perfectly okay with that. Who would want to work when you can lounge around all day?
West Virginia has had plenty of opportunities, but they choose to do nothing. Thank God the King Coal Highway is finally moving along at a decent pace. It’s about 50 years late. Better accessibility is a good start.
“Peasants continue to vote for parasites.” -Anonymous
I like your name by the ways.
@@jeremystout412 can't you contribute alot of the high # of OD to accessibility to a hospital/Narcan? In large cities the response is much faster and ppl have better access to the Narcan. I think this is a big reason for the OD deaths being so high.
We visited WV on the KY line during a recent marathon that I ran. My wife couldn't believe the shape that the area was in. She asked why businesses didn't move in to help. One thing about it, the locals were very nice and helped with the race. I'm thinking about going back next year to run it again, simply to put a small amount of money to maybe help a local business.
Businesses don’t move in because nobody can afford to spend money at a business in these areas.
Business wants an educated workforce.
wish you best, i'm thinking it need to digest the natural wealth of the state and gaining prosperity of the people.
Awesome content, thanks for sharing brother 🙏
really? awesome? negative and whiny as well as super lazy. just drive around and show Trump Signs
The government needs to spend money in these towns and start training these locals for new skills and offer apprentices. Its a shame. Hard working people just going to waste.
That's what I'm saying. If they want them working make it worth their while.
My husband does alot of his jobs in Huntington and nearby places. He's union bricklayer. You can't get people to work. He tells me what goes on. He has pretty steady work. But hes 62, and hopefully he can retire in a couple of years. But they need younger men to take the jobs.
@@sharoncrawford7192 Well if the pay is good I hope more men take the jobs.
Never heard of nwo
Obama tried but they soundly rejected training because their politicians told them to.
This is some good analysis and conversation about the hardships and many of the nuances behind them. I like that you manage to see these hardships through the eyes of the good citizens. Sure wish you'd take that same approach with the inner cities you visit where you seem to just define them all with lots of sweeping generalizations about crime and drugs.
For real.
The guest was very well spoken and gave some great insight into what life is like these days in West Va.
Seems like it would be a good idea to own some land out there in case the world collapses. It'd be the first place I go
Some areas are very cheap too. I lived in Webster county. A lot of abandoned properties. Lots of hunting and fishing too.
We lived there 5 years. It was a much better place for my kids to go to high school than in Virginia. There was a strong sense of community. Also, pay and cost of living was better than in Virginia. As long as you're educated, you just drive 20-30 minutes to your office job in Morgantown or Bridgeport/Clarksburg. If you are willing to drive a bit longer, you can drive to Pittsburgh if you have a good job offer.
You can rent a 3bed 2bath home in WV for cheap. I only pay $650 a month for that and my water and trash are included. I live on the edge of the woods and get to watch the deer cross the mountain every afternoon!
Nick, I think I saw you in a Mexican Restaurant in Charlottesville, VA, two weeks ago. I watch your videos every week, and it helps me to understand a lot. Thanks for your work. If I see you again someday, I'll ask you for a photo, and I'll buy you a drink.
It's really sad, because it's such a beautiful state. If only they diversed their economy. I think if they still tried to make West Virginia more based on tourism and some businesses, it could be turned around a little.
yeah man thats right
We're trying.
You also have to blame the energy regulations too.
To beautiful for big money not to discover at some point.
@Free Speech Merchant yep. The UN is taking over the world and bringing us back to feudalism. We fight back now, or it's slavery in a dystopian future.
I'm rooting for all of West Virginia! Never give up, things will improve.
The man who helped you in this video was very thoughtful and insightful.
At least it's clean. I lived in Portland Oregon, and Seattle Washington. They are so bad now, crime/homeless/corrupt leaders, I won't even go for a visit. It's horrible what has happened to them in just a few years.
Its only going to get worse
The plus about rural WV, tight knit communities, and an apprehension to outsiders, that with self sufficiency keeps most of the crazies and bums out
I worked for 14 years in Huntington. Outside the towns, it is absolutely gorgeous. Not so much near the towns and cities.
So Nick says the Population is 18,000 and the guest says they lose 18,000-20,000 people a year? Somebody is apparently incorrect.
I live in Huntington now
@@NoNORADon911 I believe Nick is referring to the STATE losing 18-20K population a year.
It's a beautiful state and the people are very proud of it. It is a matter of the "have's" and the "have nots" unfortunately. Go Mountaineers!
Go Herd
Nothing beautiful about that God forsaken place.
@@justrandomthings319 You clearly haven’t seen the mountains
it's what happens when the good "have not" kinda folk vote against their own dam good and or self interest......this is no accident by the by.
@William Joen republicans have made it heaven 🤣🤣🤣
Really appreciate the drive! Thx
Enjoyed this video very much.
People are no longer investments. Corporations look at us through spreadsheets and see us now as liabilities instead of assets while they took off with all the money continuing their lives in luxury. Perfect example of income inequality.
Mylan pharma, and joe Manchin and his daughter are perfect examples of what you say.
Vote republican or lose it all!!!
@@markee063 Joe Manchin almost always votes with Republicans. He is a DINO. No Democrat likes him.
@@markee063 The GOP is a backwards looking party and the future is not in that direction.
What does income inequality really mean? I mean seriously, it's such a vague and shallow, cookie cutter, terminology.
Don't mistake me, I'm not attacking you personally for using it. I'm just saying that personal ambitions, goals and perseverance are still decisive factors, aren't they?
The problem I see is bought and paid for politicians and bureaucrats who work for globalist NGOs, that have no loyalties to any one nation's interests. It's past time to break up their monopolies and re-implement freedom again.
@@markee063 The Republican establishment is just the other half of the propaganda show.
I'm not saying that you're wrong about Manchin. I'm just saying it's time to "burn down" the entire establishment. As long as our learning institutions are continuing at brainwashing kids into the saving grace of democratic socialism, I don't see that happening though.
It's beautiful here in West Virginia they just want people to believe we live in one of the poorest states but they sure do charge us an arm and leg for everything
I search room for rent? WV
I live in San Diego, three weeks
I go to WV thanks
@@facundobeltransocorro2162 but did you compare the salary differences? Percentage of salary, they are closer than most think
Imagine if the US Government spent a fraction of all that money wasted in Afghanistan during the last 20 years on West Virginia instead,
That would be money 💰 well spent, in my opinion.
In nearly 20 years, almost $2 trillion spent in Afghanistan. Trump's & the Republican's TCJA tax cuts over $2 trillion during an 8 year period, 2018 through 2025, with 85% of the tax cuts directly benefitting the upper-1-percenters & their big corporations. The Biden infrastructure programs would be especially beneficial to a poor state such as West Virginia, but it's very iffy if West Virginian representatives, (including Manchin) will vote for it. Unlike other spending, at least Biden's plans are aimed directly to assist a wide swath non-wealthy individuals and infrastructure, rather than put the money directly into the pockets of the fat cats & war. For some strange reason, West Virginians like to vote for representatives who would rather help the rich, then the rich send the money & resources out of West Virginia.
Or the money wasted on the war supplies left for the Taliban like trucks guns ammo tanks Hummers ECT. Hundreds of millions of dollars just left behind for the Taliban.
Government money= taxpayers hard earned money that has been confiscated. WV has a poverty problem because its citizens became dependent upon handouts rather than work and therefore electing more politicians that push poverty disguised as entitlements.
@@mxxhxx991 Perhaps but how is bringing in millions of illegal immigrants helping US Citizens also didn't all these over zealous clean energy hurt coal producing states like WV?
How is Poverty in Africa & Asia DECLINE
While Middle-Rural America TANKING?!
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MICRO-Business LOW Interest LOANS!!
As I live in Fayette County, I heard it best summed by one of my college professors, the mountains cradle us. Plus, most are friendly, to each other and out of staters. Some exminers have gone back to school to be trained in a business to help them stay. Solar panels, tourism, or medical field.
It looks like most of the houses are still cared for.
WV is 94% WHITE…tradition of caring for homes
That’s the case in the bigger towns like this. In the smaller communities, it’s pretty common to see lots of buildings either collapsed or on the verge of collapse.
In smaller communities around here you’ll find a lot of destroyed houses or just junk houses with junk in the yard
@@tomkruze2749 A tradition of screwing with members of the family too
Businesses are generally hard hit in these places, but by God, a Dollar General appears at the very start.
Dollar General has a business plan to siphon customers from Walmart by placing stores way out in the country so that people don't has as far to drive for the necessities and basics. It seems to work in WV.
@@Roperx1010 I believe the plan is similar here in Pennsylvania. And yes, it works here. That is, if by 'working' we mean destroying what's left of small businesses in these little towns.
As Grocery stores, Banks, Restaurants and other businesses close down, DG still stays open. My rural home in WV lost almost everything after that "1000 year flood", yet DG rebuilt their store a little smaller and still services the community. To some being able to buy bread, milk, coffee, some can, dries, cold goods and home goods, maybe some underwear....is priceless. Yes, when there is nothing left, your local DG came keep someone going. For that kudos Dollar General!! I fear if they do shutter our local shop, many will be in serious dire straights. Thankfully I am not one of those, but understand and appreciate DG.
@@Chordonblue I agree. All influx of out of state corporations comes at the cost of the small business man. My hometown of Fairmont will cut tax deals with to try to draw in the corporate businesses, but then apply a crippling B and O tax on the little guy. Then, they scratch their head wondering why downtown businesses close up after a few years.
Haha, I just drove through WV and on the detour to avoid the toll road, we must have seen 4-5 DG's within ~15 miles.
What a neat place and clean. Never seen a video on West Virginia but really like it. All the best from NZ.
Check out a place like New Hampshire it’s a similar vibe to West Virginia without the poverty
Those neighborhoods are terrifying! Not because of the poverty, but those winding cliffs during winter storms OMG. Looks like a deep drop. Love the landscape. Love the hills and mountains.
Thanks Nick great video West Virginia
As a displaced West Virginian, most of the troubles are uncaring corrupt government. People who don't try to build but lots of successful drug dealers
The first mistake is when people look to government to solve their problems for them. It's all downhill from there.
Who votes those folks in?
@@tesmith47 same people who voted Biden in
@@JP-ec9rl my point was the politicians/representatives don't try to bring jobs to the state, intrice businesses to build there
@@anitanewsham674 my point is that I don't need the government socially engineering my community.
I certainly don't need people from other communities trying to make mine more like theirs.
Businesses don't want to come to West Virginia because they have to spend millions excavating and dealing with watershed issues or tear down existing WW2 and cold war infrastructure, just to start construction. The flat ground with good highway access is already taken.
Good shows Nick👍
16,000 a year is actually a steep estimate. It's more like 6,000 to 12,000 because there's no readily available full time work, I made 250 every 2 weeks for 3 years.
Coal, steel, heavy manufacturing all left the state for white collar business services. Specialty farming, light manufacturing are options to rebuild the economy.
I believe you have hit the nail on the head.
Hey nick it's Jason again. Thank you for making another video on WV. I just started watching it.
Thank you for your video Sir
We moved from downtown Colorado Springs to nowhere WV. We love it. Awesome people, beautiful. But ya, there's poor areas, same as the Springs. The difference is residents in the Springs can drive 10 minutes to good work. That's it.
Almost heaven,
West Virginia,
Blue Ridge Mountains
Shenandoah River.
Life is old there, Older than the trees,
Younger than the mountains,
Growing like a breeze.
@Hugh Jasse When those words were written it couldn't have been any more true. WV is one of the most beautiful states I've ever had the pleasure of driving through. People are kindhearted and ready to lend a hand if needed. WV is God's Country. Nothing more beautiful than WV mountains. Brightest Blessings to all who live there. Your state is so beautiful
Absolutely,came here to visit and ended up finding the perfect house and buying it!! It is Absolutely beautiful. Yes,there are drug's everywhere,was even worse where I came from in NH. But it's peaceful and living is Definitely cheaper here. Mortgage is lower than my car note!! For real..
You hit the nail on the head as I live here in Wv since 1999 - and NOTHING has changed. Politicians still to this day campaign on or about the coal industry...low cost of living but good paying jobs are far and few between.
Always loved driving through the state, very beautiful.
Thank you Nick Johnson for your amazing documentation of the America I live in. You are a truth teller.
Haha ok Denise ❤️
Amazing ? LMAO
"God is an artist and he painted a pretty picture. He called it West Virginia" - Daniel Johnston
Amazing how 2 states, WV and PA, can be so beautiful yet so poor and horribly run.
Who painted Detroit?
@@vetbcrazy probably the devil!
Almost Heaven-West Virginia--John Denver.
@@itsnick37 Pennsylvania not as much. What you said can also be said for Mississippi, Louisiana, New Mexico, Alaska, New York and California lol.
Reminds me strongly of old mining towns in the U.P. A young person’s best hope is to get out and start life in a stronger economy. In a land where family means everything, though, that may be unlikely to happen.
Radiant T, Shout out to the old mining towns of the UP! My heart is in that cold, beautiful forest land.
Thank you, for not sending negative shade our way. I appreciate the facts and not stereotyping! Thank you. We are hard working and proud
Ok Shelly ❤️❤️
hey nick i was thinking what about west vinginnia how to recycle tje #6 plastic into boards for raised gardens boxes
i mean i work for the state and make just above poverty wage which is 15ish an hour, 10 years employment and i make 18.90 an hour, living wage is 34ish mind you thats with 4 kids. Its not a bad place to live just hard to find anything that makes a decent earning around here
Amen! I work for the State as well and am still making the same wage that I was when I started 12 years ago! So many people think that all state workers get paid a lot. It’s more for the benefits
The decline of coal was the final straw. And Joe Manchin just laughs all the way to the bank.
Joe Manchin is a flip flopper. He will say one thing and do another. He use to be ok before he went to D.C.
anybody live in Mt. Storm, WV ?
@@doneown503 Huntington,WV here.
The issue with all of the mining industry here was that the money never stated here, it all went up north to places like Pittsburg, PA. Also, the opioid crisis was really the epitome of WV. Coal was no longer King, drugs were!!
Joe Manchin is a scumbag, and those of us old enough to remember know he comes from a long line of political grifters. His uncle, A James Manchin was the WV State Treasurer and went to prison for EMBEZZLING STATE FUNDS
I went on a missions trip to Fairmont a few months ago, I worked on and helped paint a nice lady's house. I'm glad someone is talking about these things, some of my friends worked in a group with a children's ministry. I saw all these poor kids who had no clue who was going to take care of them, or where they would be next. It was sad, but I'm glad that they could cheer them up and help the kids in some way. I went down a lot of these same roads too and heard a lot of the same stuff about the community. This town holds a place in my heart even though I've only been there a week.
That's sad
This is really interesting, I live in Fairmont, I came across this video by chance. I love our little town, but it does have its problems. I honestly expected this video to be on Huntington or another WV city. Most of the people working here are working in Bridgeport or in Morgantown.
The nicer parts of Fairmont are really outside of the city (small adjacent towns in the county) like Pleasant Valley or White Hall.
I don't personally plan on being ever leaving this town as long as there's work in the area for software developers. However I know a lot of people who have left the area for greener pastures.
I try to not take this outside looking in view on our city too personally but It does feel like the video is more brutal on Fairmont than I personally would be (but I'm biased of course), but it also has opened my eyes on how lucky I am in the area in a lot of ways.
We are gradually improving the area over time but there are areas in town that are getting left behind for sure and it is tragic.
Born and raised in Fairmont!! Dude is FOS!! We actually just bought a new home in Morgantown but lived most my life in Fairmont!! Dude films Walnut and like flippen View Av 🤔🤔 Why didn't he go to Country Club or like you said The Valley. My mom lives on Othlahurst. Very nice neighborhood!! Or Down by Rocko's on the Tygart. My wife's boss has a 3/4million dollar home, right here in Fairmont West Virginia!! Imagine that!! But Dude wants to film Walnut Av ?!?!?! I call B.S. !!
@@mocarpenter8836 The majority of it’s not country club , Country club is a Minority !
@@lindastern8708 I mentioned many more areas other than Country Club !! Fact is, the only places he filmed was shitty aeras of Fairmont!! Most of E.Fairmont is fairly nice middle class ppl. Obviously you know nothing about Fairmont if you think C.C. is the only nice place in Fmt. Been to Whitehall lately??? Haters gonna Hate !! 😒😒
I won't call him FOS, but I will call his data absolutely flawed.
"2nd poorest county in the state, Marion County." This can be factually debunked in 14 seconds. Marion county is actually 12th from the TOP in terms of median income.
"Can't farm here"
"No one wants to work" what the heck are you talking about? We farm every in every portion of the state. People want to work, we're just so full of black lung, silicosis, broken backs, and broken dreams that we have nothing left in the tank. Respectfully, sir, reconsider those statements.
That said, we gotta acknowledge that the sections of Fairmont, and WV at large, presented here are pretty bad. I've lived here since college (13 years). I delivered pizza for 2 years while in school. You see the streets: Country Club, Albert Court, Ridgely, Riverside Drive, Mary Lou, and View Ave. Things are bad where they are bad. But elsewhere, they look like any other rust belt town, mixed with a thriving college, top rated high schools, and even indoor plumbing!
To give credit to his narrative, even with his downright flase statments, consider this: if Fairmont is as bad as what's presented here, imagine McDowell, Boone, Ritchie, those really far out places. Even the border land of Marion/Tyler/Wetzel are some out-there places.
WV has been left behind. Mined out. Clear cut. Gutted. Left in the morning with only a cigarette and some bus change. Throughout the years all that money flowed to ritzy titzy tycoons, speculators, and barons of industry who built the metropolis this guy is lucky enough to live in.
If you want a more accurate, honest, and respectable exposé of West Virginia that is more inspiring and less degrading, Anthony Bourdain (rest his soul), did a visit to the southern coal fields back in 2017. Google it.
All said, I respect the video. I respect the effort. And I love when WV, especially Fairmont, breaks into the hundreds of thousands of views.
Please get a little more accurate in fact reporting or at least cite something so we can see why you said Marion County is 2nd poorest. Why you chose Fairmont. If the creator was confined to NC WV, I suggest visiting Mannington, Blacksville, Hundred, or Cameron. These places are a better example of Boom to bust related to 20th century exploitation of WV natural resources. Exploitation of which built your 20th and 21st century luxuries. We have pride, because after all this pillaging, it's all we have left.
Montani Semper Liberi
@@corwinrussell4634 yeah it's interesting that he picked Fairmont of all places. Also, I really must say I appreciate the response, this was well thought out and better said than anything I had to say for the video. To your point, sadly a lot of people have forgotten our labor roots from the 20th century trying to fight the so called coal barons and tycoons, in a lot of ways we are a shell of our former selves, but regardless I love our state and don't plan on leaving it any time soon.
*Thanks for sharing this Interesting Beautiful Fairmont West By God Virginia Video Nick & Sage* 👍🇺🇲
Take me home to a place where I belong country roads.. West Virginia... “John Denver”....
Wasn't John Denver from Colorado???????????🤔
Love that song 🎵🎶
@@dr.challis808 Yes he was but it still sounds good.
That song was actually written about Maryland.
@@robbarnes1485 Ok
One of my best friends lives in WV, I use to go every 2 years and to me is a beautiful place, I really love it, and I live an a very diferent place. Greetings from Mallorca, Spain.
Loved the time I spent in Morgantown, WV in 2013 away from the hustle and bustle of the city. Beautiful place, serene and lively (attended some basketball games) It was just what I needed to recharge. The best 6 months I'd had in a long time!
Thank you Nick for all the GREAT information!
i never felt poor living there..we always had what we needed..and plenty of love..WV is a lovely place...ummm drugs?? well thats a choice for everyone to make..and if you leave them behind you can do well in any state!! lol WV is a beautiful friendly loving place...dont let this video fool ya!! yea we dont live like millionaires..but love conquers all : )
@@leiferiksson3152 its not a city kinda place..yes there are small ones..and the night life is like any other city..but the towns are nicer..everyone knows everyone you talk to your neighbors you cook out together..your kids grow up together..its a simple life..sitting on the porch after work listening to all the birds..wildlife all around..its like a piece of heaven..you should try a calm quiet evening some time : ) WVU Football and others..but its just not about that at all..its about living a good clean life and enjoyin nature and family : )
@@skatpak2967 where abouts do you live?
I'm from a small town in PA and it looks similar to the town he's driving through. It's full of good people living a simple life. There's a sense of community that I still haven't felt living in a city for 10 years. It always feels good to go home.
@@jaeves007 not got flooded with diversity yet?
There are drugs everywhere...it's up to the individual
Taking my kids to west Virginia soon.. love the mountains views and museums there.
I was raised in West Virginia and experienced poverty first hand!! unemployment was horrible!! upon graduation i joined the Marine Corps in 1966,my parents and little bro. moved the same year to Ohio,i have been back on numerous occassions and still see the same poverty after 50 odd years!!! I pray it will get better!!--David.
By me living in NC i always pray to see west virgina apporve No Matter what
I’d still rather live there then anywhere near downtown Baltimore.
Don't believe the hype!
You can live quite well in West Virginia, without public assistance, on moderate income.
People living in high cost areas are getting paid more and have the same standard of living but can't understand that it's all relative with a different numerical value attached to it.
My daughter recently bought a beautiful three bedroom brick home on 2.5 acres for 70,000. Property values are being distorted by the demand being created by the influx of post pandemic, North East, refugees but the cost of living is still low here and there's opportunity if you pick the right area and you are willing to work.
@@JP-ec9rl I completely agree. I'd love to move there.
If u have a decent job u can live like a king.
@@JP-ec9rl it's cheap to live there because there are few good paying jobs. Just looking at the condition of the homes in this video made me look on Zillow to see if it was cherry picked housing. Nope. Some of the home did look nice but majority were small run down homes. To your point of the "influx" of people. Census showed that West Virginia was just 1 of 3 states to lose population. Mississippi and Illinois were the other 2. Even here in the Northeast we managed to eek put small gains. A a former Rhode Islander, I was shocked that they held on to 2 representatives because of barely adequate growth.
@@jaeves007 I'm pretty happy with my decision to move here overall
I live in northern va and it's a complete 180. Everything soooo expensive..
Coming from probably the bluest city in the bluest state, the level of contempt I hear from my peers for these ppl is what's wrong in America. Ppl who pride themselves on being "compassionate"
Ironic because the left declared war on coal which is affecting the region
From other documentaries I’ve watched about West Virginia. The one thing I love about these people they are resilient, and love where they live. You don’t find that kind of pride in many people now days.
Many downtown areas in WV have problems with poverty and drugs. I live in Fairmont in a nice area. There very nice areas in Fairmont as well. We do have the problem of living in one of the poorest states. The eastern panhandle and the region from Bridgeport to Morgantown are growing. If you move to WV, move to those areas.
Hi yea that’s true I live in Morgantown and it’s pretty nice
Every downtown area in the world has the same problems.
Thanks for your information
Hi Jason. I just moved here from Oregon. I love the folks I've met around Bridgeport. I'm Small farm shopping right now. I bring my tiny woodworking business too. I truly believe WV is going to rebound big time!
I live in the Eastern Panhandle part....we dont even have a Walmart & have to go i to MD or Va off this mountain to work.....poorly maintauned rds that tear your vehicle apart....these old timers in the small towns wont let growth happen here.
Sometimes main thing behind poverty are people themselves . They need to quit drugs and start to live healthy life
That's absolutely right, everything around you is better, if you're healthy!!!
Being healthy cost money!
@@valjean2036
Who are you referring to?
@@valjean2036
Tattoos, booze , fast food, and cigarettes cost money too, what's your point?
@@erikcaldwell2913 Eric made a right point. All the other stuff costs so much money. That's why many of the people stuck in poverty. If you wanna overcome of poverty., you have millions of opportunities around you. You just need to look out.
After spending six weeks in Central WV, I am so glad to be back in south central Pennsylvania, the difference in the highway system is incredible. I have never seen such a gap between the haves and the have nots, which is most of WV.
Good informative video. Have hope WV!
Southern West Virginia has some of the worst poverty and saddest towns I’ve seen yet I really like the place. It’s full of beautiful scenery and good people
I travel through from Florida to Ohio up i-77 every October. Friendly people nice scenery too.
I have friend that lives in fairmont. Can confirm about some of the residents actively seeking work in Morgantown since there are more jobs there. I know a few folks who didn’t want to leave to the state so they ended up working temp in Morgantown.
America heading into a depression. War after war they cannot pay their debts.
@@mrleafbeef634 Pretty much. At least some folks are making it work.
1500+ people lost jobs in Morgantown when they shut down the Myland plant in June or July.
@@angiej9535 Oh I know. There’s still a bunch of job openings compared to other parts of WV. They have the university and its students. WV is getting low on opportunities as a whole.
You just drove through Jewett, Ohio
Looks exactly like Fairmont!!
I’d rather be poor in California than any type of “wealth” in West Virginia! The most common quote of West Virginia is “ Looky here ma I gotz me a Walmart edumacation” when you get hired from Walmart or worse dollar general.
Good job thank you
It's to bad this state struggles so hard. I used to do regional truck driving and thought it was very scenic and Charleston seemed nice. It is kind of patchwork with housing and industry trying to make it work and maybe diversify their economy.
I didn't really see this side until I got off the main highways myself
Shout out from Huntington!!!! Love my state ❤
It's really sad about WV. Beautiful state with incredible nature, and the people are so wonderfully nice.
Would love to see one of these breakdowns for the Hampton Roads part of Virginia. I used to be stationed there and it was a miserable place
Me too. Always been intrigued by that area.
I live here in Hampton Roads. It's very nice to he honest.
The traffic is TERRIBLE!!! even in suffolk😂
I lived in Woodbridge, Va.when I was younger and I gotta tell you it was a beautiful state ❤
I live in NJ and am moving to Morgantown very soon. I was born in Fairmont but grew up in NJ. I can drive 5 minutes and be in a neighborhood that looks just like you showed in Fairmont but NJ is considered one of the wealthiest states in the US. What you didn't show is the people in WV. Where I live people are rude and unpleasant and their wealth is all they have; impoverished in spirit in my opinion. When I was in WV a few weeks ago looking at homes to buy I had not had my spirit lifted so high in years just from interacting with the citizens of Fairmont and Morgantown. I came home with a "bounce in my step" as my wife described it. The stark contrast I experienced between NJ and there when simply buying dinner or paying for my room at the hotel cannot be ignored and needs to be highlighted for the rest of the country to see. The people in WV are overall very kind and beautiful people and that is why I'm moving there and my children and grandchildren are coming with me.
WV is a special place with special people and that's why WV natives like me always come home.
Aww Chad email me! NickJohnsonNC18@gmail
I went to school in Morgantown i really never noticed Fairmont that way but then again I never got to see a lot of it
Outdoor recreation, Appalachian history, music, melting pot of cultures,.. WV is rich!
The stubborns, the woeful, and addicts will die off and WV's riches will shine like a full moon
Not likely...in the small 1 stop light towns the old timers wont allow growth to happen....we still have to drive 45 min to a Walmart.
Wow
I really like the interview with this good hearted guy. I know he truly loves and cares for his state and all the people. West Virginia needs a million or more like him…
Yea, but he is a guy driven on coal minds and there are other things to do..And the guy lives in an area that pays more than southern WV lol...
Geez, that looks better than parts of Los Angeles, especially skid row.
That's the thing about rural and small towns , everything is more visible , for good or bad .
In big cities , people can move between business districts and middle class or higher residential areas and never see the 'hood . And vice versa .
I am really starting to think that you cannot use the word poverty to describe people in America who choose not to work, or take drugs, and yet are still overweight and have a smart phone. In en economic sense, their wealth should be measured by their opportunity cost, i.e. what they give up by choice. There is a difference between being poor because of the lifestyle you choose and third world poverty with no opportunity or financial security.
I agree.
WV has so much going against it , but true mountaineers will never give in . Just have to hope the younger generation can stay and help improve , I get why they leave 100% .
Just have to get help , and not vote against helping ourselves .
Good morning Nick, still here enjoying your content 👍👋
I can't believe my town made it to one of your videos lol. I live in South Fairmont, a much, much nicer section than what you showed. There is definitely a huge drug problem here though. I have a great job working for the electric company but most jobs around here are fast food (minimum wage) places. We could use some help! I will say though, that the shopping mall area you showed (at the Applebee's and Arby's) is being completely redone and is looking SO good.
12:38 looks like such an amazing house!