New Martinsville is named after Presley Martin, a soldier in the Civil War, and is the birthplace of journalist John Callaway.
New Martinsville has a long history -- what else would you expect from a town settled in 1780? With a population of about 5,000 and a pristine location in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains, the town offers low property costs and lots of fresh air
New Martinsville is named after Presley Martin, a soldier in the Civil War, and is the birthplace of journalist John Callaway.
New Martinsville has a long history -- what else would you expect from a town settled in 1780? With a population of about 5,000 and a pristine location in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains, the town offers low property costs and lots of fresh air.
Okay, so the town is small -- it's safe to assume that most everyone knows each other here, but residents welcome newcomers too. And neighborhoods? Not much of that going on here, but remember it is a small town! For city slickers, the remoteness of New Martinsville may not seem appealing; although it sits near the Ohio border, it's still a bit far from most major cities. Even getting in and out of town can be tough -- from the outside, travelers must cross the 555-acre Lantz Farm and Nature Preserve that stretches north, east, and south of the city. But once you move in, you'll never want to leave anyways.
What Does it Cost to Move Here?
Not much. Many people have lived here for generations (and are responsible for most of the property sales), and newcomers are rare. But prices are a steal -- roughly half that of the United States average. If you want to escape the city, this is the budget-friendly place to do it.
**What You'll Need
**
A car, for starters, since public transportation is scarce. Moving around the city will be extremely limited without wheels, even if you do rely on the kindness neighbors (and they sure are kind!). Start gathering information about your proof of income, past rental history and credit history too. The real estate agencies want proof that you can pay your house rent before they sell properties.
How to Find the Best Rentals
Many landlords only post signs in the windows of the homes -- that's it. You may find listings in the local paper or at the convenience store, but you'll rarely find them online. Drive around the area (3rd Street runs through north to south through the city) and watch for properties that interest you to find the best homes and deals. Even if you aren't looking for luxury apartments, you can still find a small studio apartment and other similar properties with this method. All bills paid apartments are a definite possibility here, but you'd have to work out the exact details with your landlord. Keep in mind that looking for a place to live in advance allows you to learn about the town and potentially score a great deal on property rentals.
Stay away, city lovers; New Martinsville is the sort of town your mom and dad grew up in, not the kind your kid sister runs off to when she's feeling rebellious. You won't find night clubs and sports bars here, but you will find a lot of folks fishing and hiking -- and don't forget Bruce Park or Greenlawn Memorial Park. With hundreds of miles of nature in nearly every direction, New Martinsville marks the perfect gateway to the mountains of West Virginia and Ohio. With low property cost, friendly faces, and all the trappings of nature, New Martinsville is a town for the nature lover in you.
