Is West Virginia the least fun state? WalletHub study says so

CLARKSBURG, W.Va. (WBOY) — After a WalletHub research ranked West Virginia the nation’s economic system final week, one other research launched Monday isn’t favorable to the Mountain State. West Virginians might not just like the monetary outlet’s “2022’s Most Enjoyable States in America.”

It ranked the Mountain State useless final total, in comparison with California, Florida, Nevada, New York and Illinois as the highest 5 “most enjoyable”.

The research assessed states primarily based on two essential classes which might be damaged down into a number of smaller components: Leisure & Recreation and Nightlife. Although West Virginia was ranked fiftieth total, the research ranked it forty ninth in Leisure & Recreation—with Mississippi ranked final—and forty sixth in nightlife—higher than Utah, New Hampshire, Arkansas and Delaware.

Amongst different components, the research used Eating places per Capita, Film Theaters per Capita, Golf Programs & Nation Golf equipment per Capita, Performing-Arts Theaters per Capita, Health Facilities per Capita, Snowboarding Amenities per Capita, Marinas per Capita, Entry to Nationwide Parks, Number of Arts, Leisure & Recreation Institutions, Private Expenditures on Recreation Providers per Capita and State & Native Expenditures on Parks & Recreation per Capita to rank the states.

The research additionally broke down how every state carried out in these classes individually, and of these, West Virginia was within the backside 5 for Performing-Arts Theaters per Capita, Health Facilities per Capita, Number of Arts, Leisure & Recreation Institutions, and Private Expenditures on Recreation Providers per Capita. It was not ranked within the backside 5 of any class centered round outside recreation.

Whereas California was ranked first total, it was tied with West Virginia for forty seventh in relation to Number of Arts, Leisure & Recreation Institutions.

The research‘s methodology additionally doesn’t point out if the “Private Spending on Recreation Providers per Capita” class was weighted to take note of the variations in states’ economies. States that ranked within the prime 5 included Washington, Colorado and Massachusetts, the place the state minimal wages are $14.49 per hour, $12.56 per hour and $14.25 per hour respectively, with some localities setting their minimal wages even increased, like Seattle’s $17.27 per hour. As compared, the underside 5 states included Alabama and Mississippi, which observe the federal minimal wage of $7.25 per hour. West Virginia, the place the minimal wage is $8.75 per hour, ranked useless final on this class.

Different components which will have harm West Virginia within the research embody shoreline mileage and seashore high quality, the place coastal and Nice Lakes states would dominate.

The place can you’ve got enjoyable in West Virginia?

Enjoyable is subjective, so listed below are a couple of solutions for these on the lookout for a superb time, whether or not they’re residents of West Virginia or not:

• Go to New River Gorge Nationwide Park and Protect, which is within the minority of nationwide parks the place looking is permitted in sure areas.
• Throughout soccer season, cheer on the Mountaineers in Morgantown.
• Festivals and occasions together with however not restricted to:
• West Virginia has loads of standard state parks, together with Blackwater, Valley Falls and Audra. The state has sufficient mountain climbing spots and trails that final week it launched its Waterfall Path.
• The state’s highest level, actually, and to some, figuratively: Spruce Knob in Seneca Rocks, West Virginia.
• Followers of the paranormal can head to Level Nice to get pleasure from all issues Mothman, from the TNT space close to city to the annual Mothman Competition—which is deliberate for Sept. 17 and Sept. 18 of this 12 months, or try the Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum in Weston.