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 remarkable Christmas town with its own “elf train” has come to life in the wintry Allegheny highlands near Snowshoe Mountain. One of the most well-preserved historic towns in the U.S., the village of Cass, West Virginia, is welcoming visitors to tour its historic lanes twinkling with holiday lights and teeming with seasonal events. Perhaps … Read more
The West Virginia Department of Agriculture is now seeking requests for applications for 2020 specialty crop block grants. Funds awarded are used to enhance the production, processing, and consumption of specialty crops in West Virginia. State Commissioner of Agriculture Kent Leonhardt called the capital access program vital. “One of the largest barriers to small business … Read more
New technologies are helping pre-K teachers studying online at West Virginia University to complete student teaching in their home communities. With a new “virtual” system, professors are now using video to observe student teachers in classrooms and employing computer technology to meet them remotely to discuss their methods. WVU professor Ashley Martucci, the coordinator for … Read more
An institution itself for more than a century, the Mountaineer Marching Band at West Virginia University will soon have a home of its own in Morgantown, West Virginia. Dedicated alumni and university officials are working together to pursue a practice facility for the 330-member band, which currently practices in the parking lot at the WVU … Read more
Every eighth-grader enrolled in West Virginia History learns of the Gandy Creek (Photo: Rick Burgess)[/caption] “The Sinks of Gandy are a true West Virginia wonder,” Summers says of the cave, which owners have traditionally let tourists visit freely for generations. As of January 22, 2020, the cave property had still not found a new owner, … Read more
West Virginia Wesleyan College is welcoming winter in north-central West Virginia with a series of nine free musical performances in November and December, including a celebration of 50 years of jazz at the school. Including four large hallmark performances, the public series is being held principally at the school’s campus in Buckhannon, West Virginia, and … Read more
The West Virginia Department of Agriculture has confirmed the presence of a new invasive insect, the Spotted Lanternfly (Lycormia delicatula), in West Virginia. A small population of spotted lanternflies was detected in the Bunker Hill area of Berkeley County on October 30, and the findings were confirmed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The spotted … Read more
Healthberry Farm has been awarded a silver medal in the sweet varietal mead category for its Honey River Basswood Mead, made with raw honey and spring water sourced on the farm in the Allegheny Mountains. Healthberry Farm owner Benjamin McKean says he’s honored to represent the state’s honey industry. “It is an honor to be … Read more
Approaching completion, the new U.S. Route 48 expressway is dramatically changing tourism in the Tucker County highlands. Now a drive of fewer than three hours from Washington, D.C., the region—long known as an outdoor-recreation paradise—is welcoming an influx of new travelers, and more are on their way, according to the marketing director for the Tucker … Read more
When samples from the Mars 2020 expedition eventually make their way to Earth, the scientists of tomorrow will have a WVU Mountaineer to thank. West Virginia University geologist Kathy Benison is one of 10 scientists selected as a return-sample selection scientist for NASA’s Mars 2020 expedition, responsible for helping determine which rocks and sediments shall … Read more
