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.
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — West Virginia’s 2026 fall foliage season should begin in the highest Allegheny Mountains in late September, spread through much of the state during October, and linger into late October or early November in some of the lowest valleys. For travelers trying to catch peak color, elevation matters as much as the calendar. … Read more
PARKERSBURG, W.Va. — Environmental testing following the massive July warehouse fire in Parkersburg has detected low concentrations of contaminants in some soil, produce, vegetation and honey samples, although state officials say results received so far have not reached federal action levels or warranted additional protective measures. The findings are part of an ongoing investigation and … Read more
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — Imagine wagering $10 on your phone that six different football teams will win their games. Five win; the sixth loses; you get nothing. But instead of feeling as though you made a bad bet, you might feel as though you almost won. Within seconds, your phone offers you the chance to put … Read more
THURMOND, W.Va. — The Thurmond Town Council has voted to pursue pro bono legal representation for a lawsuit against the U.S. Department of the Interior, escalating a dispute over plans by the National Park Service to demolish historic buildings in the nationally recognized railroad town. The council passed a motion directing the town to seek … Read more
FARMINGTON, Pa. — From coordinating poolside entertainment and guiding outdoor recreation to caring for animals at a wildlife center, a record number of West Virginia University students are spending the summer learning how one of the region’s best-known luxury resorts operates behind the scenes. Twenty-one WVU students are working this summer at Nemacolin in southwestern … Read more
LEWISBURG, W.Va. — At the southern end of the Allegheny Mountains, where the Greenbrier River enters a landscape of bluegrass pastures, mineral springs and cavernous limestone, a West Virginia valley is finding itself particularly well suited to one of the travel industry’s fastest-growing summer trends. They are called “coolcations”—vacations chosen at least partly to escape … Read more
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — Thousands of West Virginia University students will begin returning to Morgantown next week as residence hall move-ins get underway and the university launches nearly two weeks of Welcome Week activities surrounding the start of the fall semester. The university’s Welcome Week schedule runs Aug. 12-23 and includes activities for commuter students, residence … Read more
LEWISBURG, W.Va. — The West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine has enrolled the largest number of West Virginia students in its history, marking a milestone that school leaders say could help address the state’s long-standing shortage of physicians, particularly in rural communities. The incoming Class of 2030 includes 210 first-year medical students, 79 of whom … Read more
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — Millions of people now turn to artificial intelligence chatbots with questions they once reserved for therapists, doctors, or close friends. They ask about anxiety, depression, loneliness, and even suicidal thoughts, often because the technology is available instantly and without the cost or wait of a traditional appointment. Two researchers at West Virginia … Read more
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — For many travelers, spring gets all the attention when it comes to wildflowers. Yet some of West Virginia’s most spectacular wildflowers don’t arrive until summer is nearly over. As August settles across the Mountain State, hillsides, mountain meadows, wetlands, and stream banks burst with a final wave of color. Brilliant reds, deep … Read more
