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 winter’s passed and before the trees leaf out, the West Virginia forest bursts into a profusion of colorful flowers. No one understood this Appalachian magic better than Earl Core, the naturalist for whom the 100-acre Core Arbortum at West Virginia University is named. Core literally wrote the book on West Virginia plants in 1952 … Read more
To bolster growth in the emerging craft-beverage economy—including the production of sodas, teas, beers, wines, and spirits—the Robert C. Byrd Institute will sponsor “Craft: A Farm-to-Bottle Summit” April 8 in South Charleston. Participants will explore ways that craft products can engage various interests in agriculture, hospitality and tourism to build markets for this growing business … Read more
Organizers of the sixth annual spring wildflower walk set for April 6 at Saint Albans City Park are expecting more participants as word of the event grows and ancillary programs are developed. More than 150 people joined in last year’s walk, which follows the park’s nature trail through the wooded hills that skirt the city … Read more
The 2019 guide to West Virginia ramp feasts and festivals is now available online, and many venue organizers are reporting increases in attendance as a result of the publication. According to David Sibray, publisher of West Virginia Explorer, more than 35,000 visitors are visiting the guide annually and many hosts of ramp dinners are enjoying … Read more
The West Virginia Department of Agriculture today announced the availability of education and training scholarships for veterans to attend the 2019 Appalachian Grazing Conference March 7–9 at the Marriott Hotel at Waterfront Place in Morgantown. Commissioner of Agriculture Kent Leonhardt said the department hopes to inspire many veterans to farm. “It is our mission at … Read more
Confronted with a potential hay shortage, three state agencies are advising cattle farmers in West Virginia how to maintain healthy herds. The looming shortage is most likely due to an unusually wet 2018 season, during which increased rainfall ruined and reduced hay crops. The W.Va. Department of Agriculture, the state Farm Service Agency, and the … Read more
New River Community and Technical College is offering classes in bird-watching and nature exploration in March at its campuses across southeastern West Virginia. Students can expect to learn about bird species, habitats, and activities in the bird-watching classes and plants, animals, and the environment in the nature-exploration classes. Families are encouraged to participate, says Jenni … Read more
Following a fire that destroyed a remarkable centerpiece of the new West Virginia Renaissance Festival, community leaders in the Greenbrier Valley are rallying to raise funds to assist in its reconstruction. Alaina Hower, an organizer of a fundraiser to be held March 10 in Lewisburg, West Virginia, is among community members who say the festival … Read more
Chief Logan State Park is introducing a free bird-watching program on weekends in February, March, and April to welcome novice and ardent bird watchers to the mountainous valley of the Guyandotte River. Park naturalist Lauren Cole says she’s identified 11 spring species in the park, though more may soon be found as participants come to … Read more
Marion County has become one of the most vibrant communities in West Virginia — the kind of place one can experience a practically Perfect Day, says Leah Nestor, engagement specialist for the Convention and Visitors Bureau of Marion County. Following-through with her New Year’s resolution to emphasize daily rest, health, and fun, she takes us … Read more
