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.
West Virginia was once among the world’s chief exporters of glass, supporting more than 400 factories through the 20th century. Now, only a handful of manufacturers remain, though its glass museums and exhibits are growing as destinations for collectors. What circumstances caused West Virginia to excel, and why did the industry wane? Historians say three … Read more
GLEN JEAN, W.Va. — Appalachian wildflower events are flourishing in attendance and programming in the New River Gorge region in southern and south-central West Virginia. Thanks in part to the establishment of America’s newest national park, the New River Gorge National Park and Preserve, interest in the region’s cultural and natural history is increasing, according … Read more
West Virginia is a prominent producer of Appalachian honey, churning out almost 245,000 pounds annually from 13,300 registered bee colonies. It ranks 40th in the nation among producers, though the honey it produces is renowned for its richness. Most of the state’s honey is produced from black locust, tulip poplar, and basswood blossoms—nectar sources that … Read more
SOUTH CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The West Virginia Outdoor Heritage Conservation Fund is accepting applications through April 28 for large and small grants for projects that conserve unique and vital wildlife habitats, natural areas, forest lands, farmlands, and lands for hunting, fishing, and recreation. Applications will be accepted for large grants that are more than $25,000. During … Read more
OAK HILL, W.Va. — Overlooking the New River Gorge in southern West Virginia, this up-and-coming community adjoining America’s newest national park has been ranked among the safest cities in the U.S. Reflecting on the achievement, its mayor says the result is one of the benefits of living in a small town where residents are neighborly. … Read more
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Members of the Kanawha Garden Club and the West Virginia Native Plant Society are urging gardeners and property owners across West Virginia to plant native species and have established April as Native Plant Month in West Virginia. The Native Plant Month proclamation by Governor Jim Justice was set February 20, 2023, according … Read more
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — With supply-chain faults apparent nationally, the West Virginia Department of Agriculture is working to bolster agricultural products by expanding the “West Virginia Grown” branding program. According to Commissioner of Agriculture Kent Leonhardt, the department has launched a West Virginia Grown partner program to incorporate supporters of local agricultural products. The branding program … Read more
ATHENS, W.Va. — Three of West Virginia’s best-loved state and national parks are a drive of fewer than 15 minutes from Concord University, which is maximizing that advantage to the benefit of students. Officials are working with nearby Pipestem Resort State Park to provide students discounted opportunities for zip-lining, water recreation, and other outdoor adventures, … Read more
Digging and eating ramps in the spring is a traditional activity throughout West Virginia, notably within the Monongahela National Forest in its eastern mountains. While collecting ramps for personal use is permitted in the forest within established limits, the commercial harvest of ramps—including the re-sale of ramps collected for personal use—is prohibited, according to Kelley … Read more
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Officials at the W.Va. Division of Forestry are urging West Virginians to be cautious of burning amid dry, windy winter conditions. Assistant State Forester Jeremy Jones said high winds, warm temperatures, and a lack of rain and snow have conspired to create inflammable conditions. “Our winter hasn’t seen as much precipitation as … Read more
