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.
This here story is a tale about a very interesting native plant that just happens to be one of the many species of orchids that grow wild in our lush mountains and valleys. Some may find it hard to believe that orchids grow in West Virginia, but it’s no fantasy. More than 20 species grow … Read more
Densely wooded, West Virginia may be home to more than its share of bats—wheeling in the twilight as they feed on flying insects. But what have bats to do with the coronavirus outbreak? Most scientists agree the COVID-19 virus was first transmitted from a bat to a human, possibly after a human ate a bat … Read more
Officials at the West Virginia Department of Agriculture are working with producers and farmers impacted by COVID-19 mitigation efforts by facilitating communication between producers and potential buyers. The department’s business development and marketing staff have received calls from multiple producers are who experiencing a surplus of food or other burdens due to the pandemic, according … Read more
The West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine at Lewisburg, West Virginia, has been named fourth in the nation for producing the greatest number of primary care resident practitioners. According to U.S. News & World Report, the school is now ranked among “America’s Best Graduate Schools.” Between 2017 and 2019, more than 70 percent of its … Read more
More than 2,300 West Virginians have signed up so far for “Grow This: WV Garden Challenge,” an annual program by the West Virginia University Extension Service’s Family Nutrition Program that encourages home gardening. Launched in 2018, the program usually has a few hundred participants each year but has seen a surge in interest after the … Read more
Thirteen species of turtle live in West Virginia, though the best known may be the eastern box turtle, which will be on the move this spring. The turtles are a familiar sight in backyards and along hiking trails—and on country roads, where motorists are often at a loss as to how to manage the situation. … Read more
Service workers and those who have been unexpectedly laid off may not have the savings they need in a time like this, says a health-and-families agent for the extension service at West Virginia University. Lauren Weatherford, who is working with families in Fayette and Nicholas counties in southern West Virginia, says many mountaineers are wondering … Read more
Shepherd University, at Shepherdstown, West Virginia, is offering an opportunity for the public to engage free-of-charge in its Lifelong Learning program through a series of classes online that are open to anyone. The classes will be delivered in March and April through the Zoom software platform, according to Cecelia Mason, a spokesperson for the university. … Read more
West Virginia Governor Jim Justice today has issued a stay-at-home order to help combat the spread of the coronavirus in West Virginia. Justice is directing all West Virginia residents to stay at home and limit their movements outside of their homes beyond essential needs. According to a posting being disseminated by the Governor’s Office, state … Read more
Transparent communication between caregivers and their children is key in mitigating children’s anxiety about the pandemic, says a school counseling expert at West Virginia University. Christine Schimmel, associate professor and program coordinator of the School Counseling Program at the College of Education and Human Services, recommends that parents be open with their children about current … Read more
