Educate me - living in the WV panhandle

Looks like our life might turn "bi-coastal" for a while, with a potentially permanent move in the offing.

My wife and I have been dreaming of owning an old (ideally stone) house for a while. Her family's ancestral region happens to be in the WV panhandle, and she's been there for work a few times. It also has much better prospects for her work in one of the old spa towns there than she's had out West. Not to mention she's already got an offer to work out of one of the spas there. My work is mostly location independent, although the nearest airports are a bit far.

As luck would have it we may be able to get a place that close to the house we want there.

What I've found so far:

• They have vehicle inspections - safety but no smog
• Closest SCCA region is WDCR
• Cost of living seems to be pretty low, and land appears to be pretty cheap

What else would I need to know as a car person there?

Because of the mention of spas, that you are talking the eastern panhandle and not the one in the north that might as well be PA. 

Summit point is in your area.  If you move to Berkeley Springs, you'll be a hero. 

T.J. said:

Because of the mention of spas, that you are talking the eastern panhandle and not the one in the north that might as well be PA. 

Specifically the Martinsburg/Berkeley Springs area. Sorry, should've pointed that out.

T.J. said:

Summit point is in your area. 

Ah yes, someone mentioned that's only 40 minutes or so away. Which would be a big improvement over the current 4+ hour tows.

That is the expensive part of WV because of being within commuting distance to DC. I've not lived in that part of the state, but have been there a few times. 

For work travel, you could take the train from Harpers Ferry to DC. Reagan has a metro stop. Dulles didn't used to but I haven't been to DC in about 10 years. 

East coast mentality is completely different from tge southwest mentality  in my opinion. I cant exactly describe how, except over here things seem much more rapid and closed in. More hurried and pressured.

Granted youre on the west coast i think, so this may not be helpful. West Virginia is a beautiful area, with good folks. My niece is going to school at wvu in the fall.

In reply to Dusterbd13 :

All insights help, thank you. I'm somewhat aware of the East Coast way of doing business being more formal (kinda like "more European"), but then again I work in IT where everything has to be done yesterday anyway.

Check internet and cell coverage before putting down a deposit.  Coverage in WV can be spotty with large swaths having zero (literally) cell service.  For some reason, even GPS can be sketchy. Should be better in the eastern area closer to NoVA money.

On the plus side for a car person, WV is like PA in not having a front license plate, unlike VA and MD.

Having just driven through there, there isn’t much around, literally. It can take hours to get to somewhere.

WV does have an annual vehicle inspection but no smog checks yet.  You're going to get nailed with basically a sales tax on your vehicles when you get here.  I think it's still 6% of the book value, plus around $45 a year for a license plate sticker.  The annual inspection is like $20.  If you're close enough to the border, it might be better to register in Maryland or Va.  I think MD doesn't have annual inspections and the taxes have got to be cheaper.  That said, the WV tax assessors of border counties look for that sort of thing.  You also have to pay an annual personal property tax on vehicles.  The overall cost of living is generally on the cheap side though

You're closer to the DC SCCA chapter and it's better than the lone chapter in WV; SWVR.  The eastern panhandle is more like western northern Virginia than West Virginia.

I have ATT and it works pretty much everywhere but in some rural areas in the central part of the state.

Finally, don't be like everyone from Ohio that drives through WV: the left lane is for passing.  You might be a maniac in OH if you fly past people with the cruise on 71 in the fast lane, but here you'll have a long line of irritated people stacked up behind you.  Also, there are curves in the road.  No need to slow down to 45 on the interstate for them.  Your car won't tip over even doing the insane speed of mid 70s to 80.

In one sense, that area is pretty convenient in that it is almost an equal drive to Morgantown, Pittsburgh, Harrisburg, State College, Baltimore and DC.  Philly isn't much further out either.  So that gives you lots of regions to run with. Hillclimbing is also popular in the Eastern Side of PA. That said, there isn't much in that area other than beautiful outdoor space. My advice would be to live just over the line in PA so at least you can say you are from PA and not WV.  (just kidding, a little local ribbing for my WV friends) 

Ian F said:

Check internet and cell coverage before putting down a deposit.  Coverage in WV can be spotty with large swaths having zero (literally) cell service.  For some reason, even GPS can be sketchy. Should be better in the eastern area closer to NoVA money.

On the plus side for a car person, WV is like PA in not having a front license plate, unlike VA and MD.

That is no joke. Especially if you go a little south into the National Radio Quiet Zone.

In reply to pinchvalve :

Why would anyone want to admit to being from PA?

Ian F said:

Check internet and cell coverage before putting down a deposit.  Coverage in WV can be spotty with large swaths having zero (literally) cell service.  For some reason, even GPS can be sketchy. Should be better in the eastern area closer to NoVA money.

I know about the Internet issues, apparently this can even be an issue in town so we are waiting for the current owners to confirm the speed of their existing Internet connection. At least in the panhandle cell phones were OK-ish - I'm used to pretty spotty coverage and it was probably better than what I get where I live now.

Apis Mellifera said:

WV does have an annual vehicle inspection but no smog checks yet.  You're going to get nailed with basically a sales tax on your vehicles when you get here.  I think it's still 6% of the book value, plus around $45 a year for a license plate sticker.  The annual inspection is like $20.  If you're close enough to the border, it might be better to register in Maryland or Va.  I think MD doesn't have annual inspections and the taxes have got to be cheaper.  That said, the WV tax assessors of border counties look for that sort of thing.  You also have to pay an annual personal property tax on vehicles.  The overall cost of living is generally on the cheap side though

I better look into that then. I suspected something like the personal property tax, but essentially paying sales tax for a car I already own smarts a bit. Any idea how high those personal property taxes are? We don't have those in NV, but we have pretty high registration fees...

You're closer to the DC SCCA chapter and it's better than the lone chapter in WV; SWVR.  The eastern panhandle is more like western northern Virginia than West Virginia.

That's good to know, thanks.

I have ATT and it works pretty much everywhere but in some rural areas in the central part of the state.

Finally, don't be like everyone from Ohio that drives through WV: the left lane is for passing.  You might be a maniac in OH if you fly past people with the cruise on 71 in the fast lane, but here you'll have a long line of irritated people stacked up behind you.  Also, there are curves in the road.  No need to slow down to 45 on the interstate for them.  Your car won't tip over even doing the insane speed of mid 70s to 80.

I noticed the curves and wished I'd brought my bike instead of a Ford Edge rental jalopy.

BoxheadTim said:

I better look into that then. I suspected something like the personal property tax, but essentially paying sales tax for a car I already own smarts a bit. Any idea how high those personal property taxes are? We don't have those in NV, but we have pretty high registration fees...

It seems to vary based on county.  If you're up in the Berkley Co. area, I'd expect taxes to be at least what they are down where I am around the capitol.  PP tax is also a little convoluted.  Every year you mail in a form that lists what property they think you own, like: vehicles, boats, motorcycles,... # of sheep (seriously), welders... -anything and everything they think they can tax you on.  They ask you to list any additional purchases you've made during the last year.  You mail it back and the assessor decides how much you can be fleeced.  Incidentally, you can also cross off property they've listed that you may have sold or otherwise disposed of in the last year (coyotes ate parts of your sheep and you buried the carcass(es)).  You do not pay annual taxes on property that gets crossed off.  I don't know anyone that has crossed off all but one old and valueless vehicle just to get the personal property tax receipt so that their other cars can get registered.  When it's time to pay your annual registration fee (a road tax), they just check to make sure you paid your property tax.  You'll also pay 54 cents a gallon at the pump for another road tax, but I digress.  The assessor seems to manipulate your assessed value so that you pay basically the same amount year after year.  For me that's meant undervalued property.  For example here's my assessment for 2017: 58 MG A 2S 2592 01 HOND ACCO 1215 .  The MGA is worth $10K more than that and I don't own a 2001 Accord.  The total PP tax bill was $111.92.  That's around 3%, not bad.  I could use that tax receipt to register any number of cars and motorcycles, that is if I had some and wished to easily avoid one layer of taxation in a virtually undetectable and repercussion-free way, of course.

I just did some research and apparently they have recently discontinued the new resident 6% sales tax on a vehicle you already own.  From WVDMV:

"New Residents must have their vehicles titled and registered within thirty (30) days of establishing residency.

The fees include a $15 title fee, a $10 lien fee if applicable, and a regular registration fee of $51.50. The titling sales 6% sales tax on a vehicles' value has been eliminated for new residents moving into West Virginia with a vehicle already title in their name in another state."

That is quoted exactly from the official WVDMV website.  I left the poor grammar and sentence structure intact so you can start to acclimate.

I'm an organizer with http://www.capitaldrivingclub.com/  We have autocrosses in Frederick and in Winchester VA. (as well as Waldorf MD, but that would be a haul) Let me know when you are in the area.  I may be a bit sparse at the non-waldorf events for awhile due to becoming a new parent. Usually 6 runs a day and we have smoked ribs and porkchops available as well as sausages and hotdogs.  We tend to be more easy going and less serious business, but with pretty good courses.  

Depending if you want to get into more serious...   Summit Point is over by winchester as well.  

Also http://pahillclimb.org/schedule-results/

Polish Mountain Hillclimb is in Fllintstone MD, which is nearby. (Aug 4-5 this year)

You are near Carlisile PA, I think the most worthwhile show is Import-Replicar (or whatever they call it now) in spring. GRM usually attends.  Lots to look at and also a good swap meet area.   Depending if you are into domestics, some other shows there may be worthwhile. 

Regarding Dulles, they have been working on the silver line, but its not fully linked to the airport yet. There are bussing options.  Look into MARC train as far as getting into DC.  Usually going to take a little longer, but be much lower stress way to get into DC. PARKING IN DC IS A PAIN.   I work in DC and parking is $15 a day if I drive in.   Bus $5 each way with free parking and gets cheaper if you get a monthly pass like I do. (dont have figures off the top, I have transit benefits from work)

From Martinsburg area:

Race Tracks

Summit Point  - 1/2 hour

Pitt Race - 3 1/2 hours

VIR - 4 1/2 Hours

Auto-X with CDC as mentioned or WDCR SCCA

Rally-X with WDCR at Summit Point (check with Irish44J)

Car shows, C&C, etc are all over the area with the big shows at Carlisle 1 hour 15 minutes up I-81

I live in Frederick, MD ~ 45 minutes from Martinsburg and moved here in 1966.  Never saw any reason to leave the area.  An hour or so South to DC, same going east to Baltimore.  An hour north will put you in the mountains of south central PA (parks,ski areas, etc.).

Don't forget rallycross. Summit point, this year, for DC region, and meyersdale pa, about 2 hours (I think) for Allegheny highlands region

If you need any information about WDCR SCCA let me know.

I can also tell you about any of the area Rallycross programs.

moxnix - WDCR BOD member.