Communities
Snowshoe Mountain announces 2026 summer events, launches new music fest
SNOWSHOE, W.Va. — Officials at Snowshoe Mountain, in
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See our Communities Travel GuideCommunities in West Virginia offer 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, as well as 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.
Communities
Memorial Day weekend travel in West Virginia expected to surge as summer begins
BECKLEY, W.Va. — Memorial Day weekend this year is expected to bring record travel across the U.S., and West Virginia officials, tourism businesses, and travelers are preparing for crowded highways, full campgrounds, and busy outdoor destinations. The American Automobile Association (AAA) projects that 45 million Americans will travel at least 50 miles from home during … Read more
Communities
Appalachian medicinal plants and edibles can support rural economies, says WVU professor
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — If carefully managed, Appalachian medicinal plants and edibles can help support rural economies and preserve centuries of traditional knowledge, says a West Virginia University professor. Kirsten Stephan, program coordinator of forestry at the Kirsten Stephan, teaching professor of forest resources management and program coordinator of forestry (WVU Photo)[/caption] “By cultivating high-value botanicals … Read more
Communities
Grants of up to $100,000 available in W.Va. for pre-1872 preservation projects
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — As part of the nation’s 250th-anniversary commemoration, officials at the The alliance awarded the Woda Group its “Best Use of Historic Tax Credit Award” for the redevelopment of the Boury Lofts in Wheeling.[/caption] Grant funding may be used for projects including roof and foundation repairs, masonry restoration, window and door rehabilitation, log … Read more
Communities
West Virginia launches “Ascend Heroes” initiative to attract veterans
CHARLESTON, W.Va. – West Virginia has launched an initiative to attract veterans to the state. According to state officials, “Ascend Heroes” will attract veterans with financial incentives, providing opportunities for them to live and work in the state. Created in partnership with the state government, the Wing-2-Wing Foundation, and West Virginia University, the Ascend West … Read more
Communities
Swing fever in West Virginia has inspired social media challenge
CHARLESTON, W.Va.—The quest to visit as many “Almost Heaven” swings as possible in West Virginia has sparked a tourism contest that gives winners the opportunity to help select the site of a future swing. The challenge invites travelers to visit some of the more than 50 scenic swing locations in the state and check in … Read more
Communities
This may look like a 1980s Pizza Hut, but it’s a vacation rental in West Virginia
Fayetteville, W.Va. — What began as a search for an affordable retirement option has turned into one of southern West Virginia’s most imaginative tourism ventures. Nate Adams and his wife, Rachel Adkins, are the founders of Appalachian Escapes, a growing collection of themed vacation rentals near the New River that combine art, storytelling, and Appalachian culture. … Read more
Communities
Nightfall’s Value: Light pollution can diminish real estate worth in W.Va.
WINFIELD, W.Va. — An increasing number of new West Virginia residents are being drawn to its rolling hills and quiet valleys to escape brightly lit cities and reclaim the enchantment of pitch‑dark night skies. But while the dark skies represent a precious amenity, the creeping glare of artificial lighting—known as light pollution—is quietly eroding the … Read more
Communities
West Virginia uniquely prepared to dominate 21st-century outdoor economy
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — West Virginia is uniquely prepared to dominate in the 21st-century outdoor economy of the U.S., thanks to its unmatched potential for outdoor recreation, says a spokesman for The Nature Conservancy. The state is attracting new residents in record numbers as a result of its capacity for outdoor living, an economic reality as … Read more
Communities
We asked AI how its own data centers could pollute West Virginia. Here’s what it had to say
(The following article was generated partly by ChatGPT in response to a prompt about how data centers pollute. As ChatGPT is powered by data centers, one might expect it to lean toward a positive statement about the impact on West Virginia.) DAVIS, W.Va. — Data centers rarely look like polluters. They don’t belch smoke stacks … Read more