1. It’s Hard To Beat That Mountain View
When a West Virginian leaves the state they love, they’ll quickly realize that pretty much everywhere else in the country seems flatter. West Virginians are used to mountains being a part of their life and leaving this behind can be pretty hard sometimes.
2. No One Will Really Know Which East Coast Blob You Are
To most Americans, West Virginia is one of those weird shaped states somewhere on the East Coast.
It can get quite frustrating for travelling West Virginians when they realize that no one can even put their state on a map and it’s even worse when they confuse WV with the Old Dominion State.
3. People Think They Know What All West Virginians Are Like
One of the most popular misconceptions about West Virginia is that it’s full of bib wearing, buck tooth, shoeless mountain people.
While it is true that people in West Virginia thrive living at a higher altitude, most out-of-towners will be a little surprised when they discover all of the stereotypes they’ve heard couldn’t be farther from the truth.
4. Nothing Can Replace A WV Autumn
The trees truly spring to life come fall in West Virginia. No matter where a West Virginian goes, as September rolls around, they’ll be wishing they were back in the Mountain State.
5. You Won’t Encounter Many Mountaineer Fans
While the old gold and blue of West Virginia University seems to flood the streets of this state, this school doesn’t have much of a fan base outside of this region.
It can get a little disappointing to a displaced West Virginian when there’s no one else to cheer on the Mountaineers with.
6. Pepperoni Rolls Aren’t A National Food (But They Should Be)
A West Virginian staple, few things are as delicious as pepperoni rolls. Originally created as a more convenient means of feeding local miners, these delicious treats don’t travel much outside of the state.
7. You’ll Miss Summers At The Swimming Hole
Nothing beats the heat like a giant pond and a rope swing. It can be a little daunting to a travelling West Virginian when they realize that most people in the country aren’t as open to getting as wet and muddy outdoors as they are.
8. Coleslaw Isn’t A Normal Hot Dog Condiment
Unless you’re at a place that has a huge variety of hot dogs on the menu, West Virginians shouldn’t expect to find slaw as a topping option outside of their home state. If only the rest of the country knew what they were missing.
9. You Can’t Find Ramps Everywhere
Known for their uniquely strong garlic flavor, this wild onion is hard to find outside of the West Virginian region. If a West Virginian is leaving the area, they should make sure they stock up on these before they roll out.
10. No One Else Will Know Where Marshall Is
Thanks to the silver screen, everyone is well aware that there’s a school called Marshall somewhere in the country, but very few people actually know that the Thundering Herd calls Huntington, West Virginia their home.
If a Marshall alumni is travelling out of state, they should assume that there’s a good chance they’ll have to further explain where they went to college.
11. People Elsewhere Are Really Bad At Snow Driving
While West Virginians seem to excel at driving will there are several inches of snow on the ground, the rest of the country does not.
If a West Virginian moves out of state, they’ll find it extremely annoying that other drivers on the road refuse to go faster than 15 miles per hour because a few flurries have fallen.
12. “Country Roads” Will Get Brought Up A Lot
Most out-of-towners know West Virginia for one thing, that part in the John Denver song “Country Roads” where everyone yells “West Virginia!” Once a new friend discovers where you hail from, they’ll automatically assume this is your favorite song.
13. You Can’t Beat The Rapids In West Virginia
Once you’ve done some white water rafting in West Virginia, all other rivers will seem tame. Home to some of the best rapids in the world, it’s hard to get more of a rush than when you’re going down a famous rafting run in these parts.
14. Most Americans Are Babies When It Comes To Weather
While West Virginians are great at handling whatever ends up falling from the sky, in most of the country, anything but sunshine will result in a long list of complaints.
Traffic comes to a giant halt, grocery store shelves are emptied, and huge lines are formed at the gas stations. If only everyone treated the weather like a West Virginian.
15. People Will Call You Out For Saying “Y’all”
While it’s a naturally used word in the Mountain State, once you get out of Southern America people don’t really use the word “y’all.” If a West Virginian is travelling far from home, their accent and word choice will definitely get brought up a lot.
16. Get Your Biking Fix Before You Leave
It shouldn’t be much of a surprise, but with all of the awesome terrain, West Virginia has some of the best mountain biking and road biking in the country.
Chances are, if a West Virginian is headed for somewhere else in America, they’ll have a hard time finding trails and routes that can even compare.
17. Cornbread And Beans Will Confuse Most Out-Of-Towners
A popular dish in the West Virginian region, cornbread and beans is an option on many menus and at most family gatherings. Unfortunately, the only way West Virginians will be feasting on this away from home is if they make it themselves.
18. Less Trains Means Less Frustration
West Virginians grow up with trains being just another part of life, as any West Virginian is quite familiar with the feeling of getting stuck at a crossing.
Fortunately, most places in the country keep trains further away from busy roads, meaning time spent waiting at railroad crossings is much lower.
19. There’s A Reason It’s Called SOUTHERN Charm
One thing that every West Virginian will miss when they move away is the Southern hospitality that’s very apparent in their home state. You’d be hard pressed to find a place in this country where the people are more kind and generous than in West Virginia.
20. The Roads Elsewhere Aren’t Quite As Crazy
West Virginian roads tend to get the reputation for getting a little extreme at times. Snaking throughout the mountains, often covered in mud, snow, and potholes, many of the roads here aren’t for the faint of heart.
Throughout the rest of the country, this isn’t the case. Most roads are straight, flat, and very boring…which could be considered good or bad, depending on who you talk to.
21. Drives Elsewhere Aren’t Quite As Entertaining
One pro of driving the crazy West Virginian roads is that there’s always a spectacular view. By taking cars directly through the mountains, travelers have front seats to one of the greatest shows on earth. Drivers in most parts of the country aren’t as lucky.
22. Other Places Aren’t Quite As Laid Back
Life in West Virginia moves at a slower pace, something most locals love about their state.
However, if a West Virginian is moving across the country, there’s a good chance they’ll encounter a little more hustle and bustle. Let’s just hope they don’t hop straight to New York City.
23. It Sucks Being Farther From A Ski Hill
While West Virginia isn’t typically thought of as a skiing destination, the state actually has some pretty cool places like Snowshoe Mountain and Canaan Valley. If a West Virginian is planning on leaving their home and they enjoy skiing, they should check into available options before deciding on a final destination.
24. No One Will Know What The Seneca Rocks Are
One of the coolest hidden gems on the East Coast, the Seneca Rocks tend to be a symbol of pride and joy for many West Virginians. Try not to be insulted when out-of-staters haven’t even heard of them before.
25. People Will Think It’s Weird You Like Bluegrass
Driven by banjos, fiddles, and dulcimers, bluegrass music is in a class of its own. It’s safe to assume that when leaving the region, most people won’t have much experience with this genre.
26. Nowhere Else Has This Much History
One cool thing about West Virginia is how much stuff has happened in the area. Nearly everything seems to have a story behind it, many of which have shaped the nation.
Unfortunately, most places in America don’t have the same rich past, meaning that WV history buffs might be disappointed when they get away from the Eastern region.
27. Most People Only Get Fish From The Store
With some of the best fishing in the country, many West Virginians head to the river from time to time in search of a delicious dinner. While fishing is part of the culture in this state, it’s not a feasible option in many parts of the country.
If a West Virginian is moving far away, they should check whether or not it’s even worth bringing the fishing poles along.
28. Most People Don’t Take As Much Pride In Where They’re From
When a West Virginian leaves their home state, people they encounter throughout their travels will have a hard time understanding why they’re so proud of where they’re from.
With all of the mountains, snow, and wilderness in West Virginia, thriving in this part of the country can be a battle, giving people from the Mountain State a reason to brag. Once a West Virginian has lived in the mountains, they mountains will always be in their blood.
What do you miss about West Virginia? Tell us in the comments below!
