Communities 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.
A West Virginia University plant pathology professor emeritus who has spent more than 70 years developing hearty tomato varieties for home gardeners has created his fourth and final tomato — the West Virginia 2023, dubbed “Mannon’s Majesty.” “With so many tomato growers in this state, I wanted to help them continue to grow their food,” … Read more
FAIRMONT, W.Va. — Due to isolation and hilly terrain, rural cemeteries in West Virginia often require special care. One of the state’s leading conservators of sacred burial grounds says much can be done to maintain them and offers advice for those in need. According to Joni Morris, the unmanaged overgrowth of trees is often the … Read more
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The West Virginia Infrastructure and Jobs Development Council announced $22 million in funding for sewer and water projects around the state. Kanawha Public Service District The council approved a $1 million grant and a $12.62 million loan to the Kanawha Public Service District to extend sewer service to 220 homes from Marmet … Read more
WHITESVILLE, W.Va. — A new recreational trail in an isolated valley in southern West Virginia has piqued the curiosity of hikers, bikers, and residents wondering about its impact. The 15-mile Clear Fork Rail Trail, the first phase of which is set to open in spring 2024, follows an old railroad through one of the most … Read more
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
