I live in Upshur. I like it fine.
Before I moved here, I was looking to find a place to rent for a year or so before I bought. Just to make sure it was what I wanted. Problem was, there were no rentals aside from a few hovels. So I bought where I thought would be best.
I now have friends in Lewis, Braxton, Gilmore, Harrison and Randolph. Couple of times a year I spend time in Grant and Pendelton. I see dieing towns just as I saw my old neighborhood dieing. Welfare is insidious, but now I don't have to live in the midst of it.
BTW, even though you hate statistics, WV is in the top 5 of states with owner occupied homes.