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Mountain Roads Retirement Community
(Raleigh County)

Community Assessment Profile

Many requirements must be met for a community to be awarded Designated Retirement Community status. One of these requirements is the completion of a Community Assessment Profile. Below you may find the information compiled through the assessment of Beckley-Raleigh County.



    Welcome

    Community Assessment
    Profile

    Housing and
    Retirement Living

    DRC Certification

    Health Care and Safety

    Shopping and Dining

    Recreation

    Educational Opportunities

    Utilities

    Contact Us
Health Services
Question: How many hospitals are there in the area?
Answer: Four.
  1. Beckley Appalachian Regional Hospital - Acute Care
  2. Raleigh General Hospital - Acute Care
  3. Pinecrest State Hospital - Long Term Care
  4. Veteran's Administration Medical Center

Comments: Assisting individuals to live healthy, active lives before and after retirement is of primary importance to the many dedicated healthcare professionals providing care to the Beckley-Raleigh County community. A complete healthcare delivery system spans the continuum of care from preventative services to our patients, emergency and trauma care, acute care hospitals, home care services, and pharmacies. Choices in assisted living settings as well as long term care in intermediate and skilled nursing facilities are also available.

Question: How many family practitioners are there in the city?
Answer: Thirty-one.

Question: How many specialists are there in the city?
Answer: 123 (Comment: Not including internal medicine, surgeons, emergency room doctors, or family practices.)

Question: What is the availability of special services, such as therapists?
Answer: Each hospital offers a wide variety of special services, and a dialysis center, cancer center, and rehabilitation center is located in the community.

Question: Are home nursing services good?
Answer: Yes.

Question: Are pharmacies accessible?
Answer: Yes.

Question: What are the pharmacies hours of operation?
Answer: Most are open from 9:00 a.m to 9:00 p.m.

Other comments:
Veterans Administration offices are located in the Veterans Administration Medical Center.

Housing
Is a wide range of housing available?   Yes, from new and old construction to condominiums, apartments, rental properties, resorts, cabins, and seasonal homes

What is the median sales price of a two-bedroom home? $45,000

What is the median sales price of a three-bedroom home? $80,000

Views/waterfront costs?  Waterfront property is available at Flat Top Lake. The prices of homes range from $78,000 to $350,000.

Are farms available? Yes

What is the price range of farms?  Properties are listed throughout the county and start at around $37,000

Are quality apartments available? Yes

What is the median monthly rent of apartments? Two bedroom unit from $575 - $600

Are condos/town homes/garden homes available? Yes

What is the median price of condos/town homes/garden homes?  Average of $90,000

Are assisted living or continuing care retirement communities available? Yes, but space is limited

As of this date, how many residential properties are currently offered for sale in yourcommunity?
  1. 219 in the city averaging $89,000
  2. 239 in the county averaging $87,000

What is the population of your community?  19,000 city

What is the population of your county? 79,066 county

Climate

How would you define the climate?
  1. Elevation of 2,422 feet at the Courthouse located in Beckley, the county seat
  2. Average temperature is 52.4 degrees
  3. Summers offer warm afternoons in the 80's and cool nights in the 70's
  4. Days in the 90's are rare
  5. Winters offer mild, intermittent snow storms December through March
  6. Spring and autumn are world famous for color

What is the annual average rainfall and which months are the heaviest? 38.82 inches, spring

What is the annual average snowfall and which months are the heaviest? 51.7 inches ,December and January

What is the annual average humidity and which months are the heaviest? 74% June, July and August

Air quality/problems?  Plenty of fresh air, Beckley lies on the edge of the largest unbroken forest in the eastern U.S. the forest continually replenishes its air and lack of heavy manufacturing keeps the area clean

Public Safety

How safe is your area? West Virginia has achieved the lowest crime rate in the U. S. for more than forty years only in 2000 did West Virginia fall to #2

What is your crime rate per thousand? Per 100,000 overall 9,281

What types of crimes are most prevalent? Simple theft most offenses relating to this type of crime are shoplifting and theft from vehicles

What types of emergency services are available?
  1. State-of-the-art 911 emergency response systems that lists all residences and telephone numbers
  2. Thirteen volunteer fire departments
  3. City of Beckley's main police station is located on Prince Street with three precincts located on Maxwell Hill, Scott Avenue and Mool Avenue
  4. The City of Beckley has three fire departments located at 3rd Avenue, Eisenhower Drive and Pikeview Drive
  5. Six ambulance services
  6. Sheriff's department with detective bureau
  7. State police detachment
  8. National park service rangers.

Is the emergency system effective? Every call to the 911 service automatically shows all information needed to respond without delay

What is the average response time? Three minutes for most of the area emergency services

Continuing Education Opportunities
Is there a university, college or community college in your community?
  1. Appalachian Bible College
  2. Bluefield State College
  3. Concord College
  4. Mountain State University
  5. New River Community & Technical College
  6. Valley College of Technology

Do any of these institutions offer free or reduced tuition for 50+ students on a space available basis?
  1. Appalachian Bible College offers a 25% discount, 55 or older
  2. Bluefield State College has classes for credit are 1/2 price of in-state tuition; Audited classes are $50 per course
  3. Concord College has classes for credit are 50% of the cost of tuition for 60+ ; Seniors (60+) may audit classes at no cost if space is available

Is there an Institute for Learning in Retirement in your Community?  An Elderhostel program is being established at Mountain State University scheduled for Fall, 2001. Some of the new courses being offered relate to wellness, the study of herbs, massage, and acupuncture. In addition, there are many interesting courses in psychology, sociology, literature, gerontology and Appalachian culture to mention a few.

Utilities
What is the quality of telephone service? Excellent service is provided by Verizon

Is special pricing available for seniors? No

How are most homes heated? Gas

What is the average monthly cost to heat homes with gas? 2,000 sq. ft. - $42

How are most homes cooled? Electric

What is the average monthly cost using electric to cool homes? 2,000 sq. ft.- $62

What is the electric rate per kilowatt hour? 0-500kw=.056950 ; 500+=045600

Is natural gas available? Yes, at 6.07 per mcf (l,000 cubic feet)

How are television and radio reception?   For those areas served by cable television, the reception is excellent.  Radio reception is excellent as well.

How many broadcast television channels are available?
1. NBC affiliates, WVVA and WSAZ,
2. ABC affiliates, WCHS and WOAY
3. CBS affiliates, WVNS
4. PBS affiliates, WVPTV

How many radio stations serve the area? Nine

Is cable television service available? Yes

What is the cost of basic cable? $15.90 monthly

Are any or all of the above utility rates believed to be reasonable? All are reasonable with natural gas rate the lowest in the State

Transportation

What types of public transportation are available?
  1. Dial-A-Ride - A transportation service for the public in Beckley and surrounding areas of Raleigh County. Vans are handicapped accessible. Dial-A-Ride offers transportation to doctors, hospitals, clinics, pharmacies, mall, grocery stores, banks, etc. It is operated by appointments only booked 24 hours in advance.
  2. Public Transportation - A Beckley area and city route is designed to stop at all major shopping centers within the City of Beckley. This will also include all area hospitals, clinics, medical facilities, city, state and federal offices as well as various housing complexes located within the city limits.

Is transportation easy and convenient to use? Two systems are available making it accessible to all citizens.

Comments:
In the center of the East, Beckley/Raleigh County stands at an interstate crossroads. Interstates 64 and 77 join in Beckley with the expressway U. S. 19. A days drive from half the U. S. population, Amtrak, interstates and an airport link to major cities nationally.

Restaurants
What different types of restaurants are available (fast food, family, fine dining)?
1. Fast food - 30
2. Family Style - 35
3. Fine Dining - 3

Recreation
What types of community services and facilities are available?
  1. Mall Tracks Walking Club - Crossroads Mall
  2. Shopping - Crossroads and Raleigh Malls, Tamarack and several strip malls
  3. Bingo at all fire departments
  4. Beckley/Raleigh County YMCA
  5. Raleigh County Armory Civic Center - Gun Show, Concerts, Wrestling, Circus, Rodeo, Fashion Show

What types of specialty shops are available?
  1. Cranberry Station Consignment
  2. Tamarack "The Best of West Virginia
  3. Crossroads Mall

What types of sporting facilities are available for senior citizens?
  1. Golf Courses
  2. Raleigh County Armory Civic Center
  3. Ski Resort
  4. White Water Rafting

How many public golf courses are in the area?
  1. Glade Springs
  2. Grandview Country Club
  3. Hidden Valley
  4. Beaver Creek
  5. Lakeview Country Club
  6. Briar Patch Gold Club
  7. Twin Falls

How many private golf courses are in the area? Black Knight Country Club

How many public tennis courts are in the area?
  1. Woodrow Wilson High School
  2. New River Park
  3. Ewart Avenue
  4. Maxwell Hill Pool

How many private tennis courts are in the area? Glade Springs

How many public swimming pools are in the area?
  1. New River Park
  2. East Park Pool

How many private swimming pools are in the area?
  1. Black Knight Country Club
  2. Glade Springs
  3. Beckley-Raleigh County YMCA
  4. Pikeview Manor Apartments
  5. Maxwell Woods

How many exercise facilities are available?
  1. YMCA
  2. Bodyworks
  3. L. A. East
  4. Curves for Women

How many walking trails are available?
  1. New River Park - fitness trail - 1 mile
  2. Little Beaver State Park - 5 trails ranging from 1.2 miles to 1.7 miles
  3. National Park Service - 12 trails ranging from easy to difficult
  4. City of Beckley Hike & Bike Trail

Is there a YMCA or a YWCA in the area? Yes, there is a YMCA

Is fishing easily accessible and available to the public?
  1. Little Beaver State Park (public)
  2. Lake Stephens (public)
  3. New River Gorge National River (public)
  4. Twin River Outfitters (private)
  5. Appalachian Back Country Expeditions (private)

Is hunting easily accessible and available to the public? Raleigh County is located in District IV public hunting lands in West Virginia. There are approximately 40,000 acres of public land available. Twin River Outfitters does custom hunting trips

Are there organized activities, such as dances, available to seniors ?
  1. Shepherd Center - The City Fun Spot for Older and Retired Adults host a variety of programs geared for seniors. They include Blood Pressure Clinic, Life Enrichment, Small Appliance Repair, Needlecrafts, Beginning Art, Beginner's Bridge, Bible Study, Singing for Fun, Travelogue, and more. It is hosted by the Beckley Presbyterian Church.
  2. Senior Programs through the two local hospitals: a. Appalachian Regional Hospital's Well I'll Bee program features monthly luncheon for members with an informational speaker on topics of interest, an Annual Senior Expo, group excursions (day trips and overnight), discounts at BARH pharmacy, two free meals per admission for family member if member is hospitalized, flu shots. b. Raleigh General Hospital Senior Friends offer two pharmacy plans to members to save on their prescription drugs, three to four trips per year offered at the lowest possible, discounted price, a National Convention where members have the opportunity to take a cruise or a weeklong trip at discounted prices, additional discounts on hotels, flowers, air, ambulance, rent-a-car and eye care to mention a few.
  3. Little Beaver State Park Sock Hop
  4. Square Dancing (Calico and Jeans)
  5. Quilters through Extention Homemakers
  6. Bowling Leagues
  7. Beckley Art Group
  8. Ballroom Dancing
  9. Line Dancing
  10. Stain Glass Cutting Class

What types of entertainment and cultural events are available?
  1. Appalachian Arts and Crafts Fair
  2. Appalachian Coal Town Christmas
  3. Appalachian Vision Series
  4. Beckley Area Association Concert Series
  5. Beckley Exhibition Coal Mine
  6. Beckley Kennel Club Dog Show
  7. Better Homes and Garden Cooking Show
  8. Chili Night
  9. Fridays in the Park
  10. Irish Festival
  11. Mountaineer Homestead
  12. New River Concert Association
  13. Rhododendron Festival
  14. Soldiers & Sailors Theatre and Arts Centre
  15. Tamarack Art Gallery
  16. Tamarack Dinner Theater
  17. Tamarack Garden Show
  18. Taste of Beckley
  19. The Nutcracker
  20. Theater West Virginia Outdoor Dramas
  21. Wildwood House
  22. Youth Museum
  23. Daniel Vineyard Wine Tasting
  24. Daniel Vineyard Wine Festival