While the Appalachian region of the U. S. might conjure up unflattering stereotypes of coal mines and opioid addiction, residents  , Greg and Missi Moore , do n’t mind the rumors that circulate about where they live.  , They yet prank about them.
” They call me’ The Anomaly ‘ down below, because I have all my teeth”, quips Greg, who is 6- base- 5 and even goes by” Big Mo”.
In earlier 2024, the Moores moved from a million- money house near Washington, DC, to the West Virginia group of , Glade Springs. There, they found a gorgeous , Frank Lloyd Wright–inspired house for$ 675, 000.
Both were born and raised in West Virginia, albeit in various places, and both emigrated as soon as they left great class to join the military.
” I’m not coming back”, they vowed.
Then, Big Mo swears,” We’re not leaving”.
What led to such a total resurgence of this couple’s desire to live?
Appalachia: An inexpensive and attractive choice for owners
One unexpected place that has recently gained attention is Appalachia as Americans are forced to look further afield for an economical place to live.
Although the Appalachian mountain range essentially extends from New York to Georgia, the southern regions have grown in popularity, especially for Floridians who are escaping their own condition for cooler climates and lower prices.
” Data does seem to show an increase in removals from Florida to Southern Appalachia”, says , Hamilton Lombard, a statistician at Weldon Cooper Center at the University of Virginia who studies migration patterns.
The first fresh influx of Eastern inhabitants in the 2010s was largely , seniors, but the place has just started attracting younger age groups, too.
” In Southwestern Appalachia, most of its population expansion has come from its people under age 45″, says Lombard. ” For Southeastern Appalachia, the rise in its younger people is a shift from the 2010s, when its inhabitants under years 45 grown and well over 90 % of its progress came from its 65- plus people”.
Lower living costs and house prices in Appalachia are undoubtedly a significant factor in the draw, according to Lombard,” The cost of living in most of Southern Appalachia continues to be somewhat inexpensive.”
However,  , Realtor.com® , listing info shows the median list price in , Daniels, WV—where Glade Springs is located—is$ 319, 900, a cost range that’s quite common throughout the state. By comparison, in Florida, the median home price is$ 100, 000- plus higher, at$ 422, 500.
However, the value is just a small portion of the purpose people are emigrating to the area.
” A lot of people are absolutely migrating around”, agrees , Jon Sinko , of , Bass Sinko Real Estate, which lists many properties in the Glade Springs area where the Moores live. ” The value, the plan, the simplicity of living in a Mayberry RFD- type community with pleasant neighbors and reduced crime, and the ability to appreciate four seasons—these are just a few of the factors”.
Appalachia’s cooler breezes may feel especially rejuvenating because 2024 is slated to become the , hottest summers on record , in the U. S. It’s likewise winding up to become the , biggest storms season , in data story. This, in turn, has  , inflated home insurance costs, especially in hurricane- vulnerable places like Florida.
” Right now, Floridians pay arguably the highest average premium in the U. S.”, says , Mark Friedlander , at the , Insurance Information Institute.
Some insurance companies are leaving Florida altogether as a result of the rise in natural disasters, making it difficult to obtain home insurance at any price.
Appalachia is better protected from extreme weather. As a result,” Home insurance is still affordable and obtainable here”, says Sinko.
The average cost of homeowners insurance in West Virginia is$ 1, 600 per year, or about$ 133 per month, according to a , NerdWallet analysis.
For comparison, the national average is$ 1, 915 per year. The average cost of , homeowners insurance in Florida , is$ 2, 625 per year—if you can get it at all ( and the number of those who ca n’t is on the rise ).
For the Moores, the weather was definitely a huge factor.
” We went down to visit some friends in Florida”, Big Mo says. While their friends were hoping the Moores would fall in love with the area, Big Mo found Florida’s humidity oppressive.
Missi agreed, explaining,” We’re not really beach people. We love the mountains. I’m a four- seasons girl”.
The Moores even enjoy the snow in the winter—the mountains of West Virginia , do  , see snow—along with a skating rink and a ski resort 10 miles away.
The Moores are relieved that they wo n’t have to deal with alligator stumbling upon them like they did in Florida, despite the bad weather and rising living costs.
Big Mo recalls that” we saw an awful lot of gators roaming around there,” adding that his friend had to nickname them all” Daryl” to make them into a joke because he frequently saw them.
Appalachia: A growing cultural mecca
Despite having less than sophisticated roots, Appalachia has been gaining popularity as a cultural hotspot with vibrant arts and foodie scene.
In February,  , Berea, KY,  , was nominated as the No. 1″ small- town art scene” by , Newsweek , magazine. In March, the esteemed , Martha Graham Dance Company , celebrated its 100- year anniversary by joining with Ballet Spartanburg in South Carolina to perform Graham’s” Suite From Appalachian Spring”. In June, Charleston chef , Paul Smith , became the first in the state’s history to win ( much less be nominated for ) a prestigious , James Beard , award.
Upon accepting the award of” Best Chef: Southeast” for his three restaurants, Smith said,” Two words that have never been mentioned here before: West Virginia”.
In fact, certain areas of Appalachia have become so trendy and popular, Sinko says,” there just is n’t a lot of availability for single- family homes”.
But there are a few, like these below:
And should someone desire to purchase a lot and build anew, Sinko notes that lots are plentiful and unbelievably low- priced—like this golf course–adjacent lot, below, for , one dollar.
Buyers will also have to pay$ 53 per month in homeowners association fees in addition to the one dollar. But that seems like a fair deal for access to two top- rated golf courses, fitness centers, pickleball and tennis courts, a bowling alley, kayak launches, clubhouses, lake and river fishing, 24/7 security, and many other community amenities.
” Some people just buy lots for access to the amenities”, says Sinko. ” And when you consider the price of a country club membership, that$ 153 is a great deal”.
Although there are several lots listed for$ 1, according to Sinko, Glade Springs ‘ median list price for a lot in 2023 is$ 1,750. This 0.29- acre lot below is listed for$ 1, 100.
Building a home on one of these lots, however, would increase the costs quite a bit. But for anyone looking for a fresh start, it’s certainly intriguing.  , And given Appalachia’s growing popularity, who knows how long these deals will last?
