Longtime lurker here, Born and raised here. Crime rate is something to consider -Beckley sits at 1,057.1 per 100K. Poverty rate is 22.6%, which is higher than I expected. With a population of 16,977, Beckley is a small town. The median home value here is around $148,800, which is actually reasonable. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. TIA! The city has invested a lot in new development.
15 upvotes
8 Replies
Lily Hall
yeah no that's not right
38 upvotes
Nolan Carter
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. I genuinely enjoy living here. Internet is decent in most areas.
28 upvotes
Julian Ross
underrated comment
28 upvotes
Bella Wood
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a marketing manager who relocated here from Austin about 15 years ago. The main reasons were family and a job opportunity.
Pros I've experienced:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Strong job market in several industries
- Active local events and festivals
Cons that are real:
- Limited shopping options
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Financially, we've found it excellent compared to where we came from. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. Groceries are developing, gas is tough.
Socially, it's not perfect but it works for me. Feel free to reach out with questions..
24 upvotes
Lydia Gray
as a local I can confirm
14 upvotes
Katherine Moore
lol so true
14 upvotes
nashville_sadie
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a sales manager, 43, moved here 12 years ago from Charlotte. I've lived in Downtown and Sunset, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Decent public transit for the size
3. Affordable housing options
4. The people are generally pretty good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Property taxes are high
2. Far from beaches/mountains
3. The cost of living situation is stable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Downtown: Great for families. better than expected vibes, walkable.
- Sunset: More affordable, family-friendly.
**Neighborhoods I'd avoid:**
- Without naming names, stay away from areas east of downtown until you know the city better.
**Cost comparison:**
Coming from Charlotte, everything felt surprisingly good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are developing. Gas is stable. You can live comfortably on $70K-$140K here.
**Final verdict:**
No regrets on my end.. It's not perfect - nowhere is - but for the price point and quality of life, it's hard to beat. DM me if you have specific questions.
10 upvotes
evelyn_heart
My experience has been mostly positive. it's exactly what I was looking for. The only thing I'd watch out for is housing market. Other than that, Would recommend to anyone considering it..
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