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.
After several days of battling a blaze in scenic Pendleton County—notably home to Seneca Rocks—the W.Va. Division of Forestry declared the South Mill Creek fire in patrol status. “Patrol status” means that no active fire threatens to get out of control, although smoke and hot spots may be visible, and firefighters will continue to monitor … Read more
A warm winter led to a decline in syrup production in West Virginia in 2021, though state Commissioner of Agriculture Kent Leonhardt said the industry continues to grow statewide. “Weather remains a key factor for how successful our maple seasons end up,” Leonhardt said of the low yield reported this week. “If it is too … Read more
West Virginia University plans to fully reopen its campuses this fall, according to school officials who attribute the decision to continued decreases in cases of the pandemic and the knowledge that vaccines are safe and effective. COVID-19 numbers within the U.S. and West Virginia have significantly decreased as the number of vaccinations has increased, according … Read more
Landowners in the Kanawha Valley had a hands-on opportunity to learn how to create pollinator habitats on their properties through a recent workshop hosted by the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources and Toyota Motor Manufacturing West Virginia Inc. Susan Olcott, pollinator project leader for the division, says landowners across the state can avail themselves … Read more
Gov. Jim Justice today awarded 19 grants worth $13,734,817 for parks, broadband, demolition, and water-sewer to communities in 14 counties across the state. The Federal Community Development Block Grant funds are a pleasure to provide, said Justice, who was joined for a virtual ceremony by local officials representing many of the communities receiving these grants. … Read more
Adjoining a newly completed expressway, Historic buildings line Main Street in Sophia, West Virginia.[/caption] “Sophia is poised to grow—now more than ever,” says Fanary, a highway project manager who grew up in the town of just more than 1,300 residents. Several factors have set the stage for growth in the town, Fanary says, including the … Read more
The West Virginia Division of Natural Resources has partnered with fish and wildlife agencies and angling organizations across the eastern U.S. to attempt to gauge sport-fishing impacts on the muskellunge population. In cooperation with Coastal Carolina University and West Virginia University and state agencies in Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, and Wisconsin, the study will help … Read more
The extension service at West Virginia State University is inviting West Virginians to plant a part of state history by planting oak tree seedlings grown from the acorns of trees on the university’s historic campus at Institute. Extension Agent Liz Moss said the initiative was created to help spread heirloom species planted long ago at … Read more
West Virginia has made its historic tax rehabilitation credit program permanent, a move real estate developers are hailing for its economic influence in downtowns. Gov. Jim Justice recently signed the bipartisan bill, which provides a 25-percent tax credit for those who rehabilitate historic income-producing properties, according to Danielle Parker, executive director of the Preservation Alliance … Read more
Just in time for Earth Day, biology and ecology students at West Liberty University are planting trees in public spaces from Wheeling to West Liberty to increase the quality of life in the Northern Panhandle of West Virginia. Students planted two types of native flowering trees along a portion of the Heritage Trail along the … Read more
