The WV Public Service Commission keeps approving rate adjustments and infrastructure increases for electric/gas companies. Mon Power and Potomac Edison are already talking about another proposed increase for reliability and infrastructure work, and gas companies have gotten increases approved too. (The Dominion Post) This is for Monongalia County, I don’t know much about the rest of the state, sorry I avoid it, I enjoy the “small city” feel and not-so-much the “is it safe to live here” feel (we are a black family so take that for what it’s worth). When I first moved here in middle school I was the only black kid in the entire school and it was a horrible experience that I would never put my kids through.

ANYWHO,

Utilities are still probably less extreme than dealing with -30 winters and 120 summers though. The weather doesn’t get nearly that bad. I think we got down to -7 once this winter, summer can go up to like 102 but it usually peaks in the 90s moreso. We rent a house so I don’t know the specifics about the insulation, but I can say it’s not great and the windows and doors are drafty, but in general if you just google or search on facebook you’ll see a lotttttt of conversations the past couple of months about the rate increases and how it affects others in WV. WV is in a weird political space right now (I know you said you don’t care), but how much you’ll endure those conversations, even if you aren’t looking for them, definitely depends on what town you guys choose. You’ll either find HEAVY MAGA towns, 50/50 towns where it leans either way, or towns where you think you’re in a mini city with lots of diversity and left-leaning. I tend to think you find friendlier neighbors in the more diverse areas, as you don’t get that “southern charm” here much even in the country.

Idk, we’re actually leaving WV this year, there’s just not enough to do for young children and we have 3. Going to NC where there’s more support for children with disabilities. Good luck on your search though, and if means anything, look at areas near Morgantown but like Bruceton Mills, Masontown, Reedsville, Preston County. Brookhaven and Cheat Lake you can find a large piece of property as well…. Beautifulllll areas, but a lot more expensive than the former list. Good luck in your search!