Communities in West Virginia offers residents a welcoming atmosphere, affordable cost of living, and a strong sense of connection to nature and neighbors alike. From charming small towns to vibrant cities like Charleston and Morgantown, West Virginia communities provide friendly neighborhoods, excellent schools, and access to outdoor recreation right at your doorstep. Residents enjoy a slower pace of life surrounded by the state’s beautiful mountains, rivers, and forests, along with rich local culture, historic sites, and community events that bring people together. With safe streets, local businesses, and a true spirit of Appalachian hospitality, living in West Virginia communities means enjoying a high quality of life and a supportive, tight-knit environment where everyone feels at home. Be sure to visit our Communities Travel Guide for information about communities in West Virginia.
CRANBERRY, W.Va. — Wolves in North America typically run in packs of around eight, according to most sources, though packs as large as 30 have been documented. However, packs far larger may have hunted in the mountains of West Virginia. A settler in the wilderness of the southern state tells the chilling tale of a … Read more
CEDAR GROVE, W.Va. — West Virginians are renowned for their helpfulness, a generosity that is perhaps most evident in their devotion to helping stranded motorists. When pulled over alongside the road to engage in a cell phone call, many out-of-staters have quickly found themselves engaged with a concerned native tapping at their window, checking on … Read more
SHADY SPRING, W.Va. — Frequent visitors to the West Virginia woodlands, especially to the mountain counties, are likely familiar with this evergreen groundcover. Though inedible, the plant was harvested to the point of becoming rare for two peculiar reasons. Diphasiastrum digitatum, or Lycopodium digitatum, as the plant is scientifically known, is so common in the … Read more
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — While the ease and convenience of an artificial Christmas tree has genuine appeal, a West Virginia University professor and forest resource specialist is making the case for the authentic look and smell of a fresh-cut tree. Purchasing live trees from local sources puts a maximum amount of money back into the local … Read more
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — In West Virginia, nature has provided an unmatched setting for wildlife portraiture. With a plentiful population of critters and dramatic and diverse scenery, it’s a cornucopia for artists who strive to capture wildlife in paint and pigment. Artists who wish to share their work with a perpetually appreciative audience are invited to … Read more
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — A West Virginia University researcher has found a way to locate, access, and destroy invasive plants more efficiently. Yong-Lak Park, a professor of entomology, is researching the efficacy of dropping natural enemy insects on invasive plants using drone technology and artificial intelligence. With a $200,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s … Read more
CANAAN VALLEY, W.Va. — Step aside, New England! West Virginia is fast becoming a chief destination for autumn leaf-change vacations in the eastern U.S. Thanks to accessibility, affordability, the number of trees, and the remarkable length of the season, the Mountain State is enjoying a significant shift to national prominence as a chief leaf-change destination, … Read more
FAIRDALE, W.Va. — A public open house for historians and history buffs has been scheduled for Saturday, October 28, at a pre-Civil War homeplace for sale in western Raleigh County in West Virginia. Built in about 1855, the six-room cabin appears much as it had before West Virginia separated from Virginia — at a time … Read more
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — There’s nothing like a motorcycle road trip through West Virginia in winter. The snow-covered scenery that frames the open road is a feast for the eyes, but it’s essential you don’t grow distracted to the point that you neglect the dangers of such a trip. The scenery can be epic, if frigid, … Read more
FAYETTEVILLE, W.Va. — As autumn approaches and tourist season winds down in West Virginia (except near its ski resorts, which are nearing their winter boom), operators of tourism businesses are working to attract groups and conferences. Thanks to the discovery of the Mountain State as a vacationland during the COVID-19 pandemic, businesses with outdoor recreation … Read more
