Communities
How to research historic homes in West Virginia: Free state webinar offers tools
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Homeowners, local historians, and community members interested in historic homes in
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Communities
See our Communities Travel GuideCommunities 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.
Communities
Vape shops and gray-area drugs put West Virginia towns at a regulatory crossroads
BECKLEY, W.Va. — They’re hard to miss in downtowns and along highway strips in West Virginia with their neon-bright window graphics, flavor names splashed across posters, and glass cases filled with sleek devices and colorful packaging. Over the past decade, vape shops have spread from big cities into small towns and rural communities across Appalachia, … Read more
Communities
WVU: Federal funding could lower bills, boost winter energy resilience in West Virginia
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — Winter in West Virginia can be unforgiving, especially for households and businesses already struggling with high utility bills and the threat of losing heat when ice storms, extreme cold, or surging demand strain the electric grid. West Virginia University researchers say improving winter energy resilience is key to maintaining power and controlling … Read more
Communities
The quiet vision of Morris Harvey, an early West Virginian who bet on education
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — In the late 19th century, as West Virginia was still defining itself as a young state, Morris Harvey placed his faith not in coal seams or rail lines, but in education. A descendant of one of the region’s first families, he may be best remembered as the benefactor whose name was given … Read more
Communities
Doctor urges West Virginia to use opioid settlement funds for new state hospital
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — A West Virginia physician and former law-enforcement officer is urging state leaders to invest in a chronic care hospital aimed at treating the mentally ill, drug addicted, and homeless. “This is not only a West Virginia issue, but a national one, and it is nonpartisan,” Dr. Norman Wood said in a written … Read more
Communities
W.Va. a top state for inbound moves as Americans seek affordability, outdoor living
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — West Virginia is emerging as one of the nation’s top destinations for inbound moves, according to new data from United Van Lines, underscoring a broader shift toward smaller states, outdoor access, and affordable living. United Van Lines, in its 49th Annual National Movers Study, ranked West Virginia as one of the country’s … Read more
Communities
Charleston, West Virginia, celebrates record-breaking year in tourism
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — West Virginia’s reputation as a destination for sports tourism was on full display in Charleston in 2025 when major athletic events brought visitors, national attention, and millions of dollars in economic impact to the region. From cycling championships and high school tournaments to national basketball events and marquee car shows, the Capitol … Read more
Communities
These five sports are rapidly growing in West Virginia communities
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Sports in West Virginia will always include Friday-night football, high school basketball, and hunting and fishing, but the landscape is changing. A handful of “next wave” sports are gaining players quickly. Proponents say that’s because they suit modern life in the state’s small towns. They afford shorter learning curves, vibrant social scenes, … Read more
Communities
How to keep poinsettias healthy through the holidays—and for years to come
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — With their vivid colors and deep holiday roots, poinsettias remain one of the most recognizable plants of the season in West Virginia. Keeping them healthy through the holidays—and even for many years—is easier than many people think. Sven Verlinden, an associate professor at West Virginia University in Morgantown, said poinsettias can stay … Read more
Communities
West Virginia Tourism wins gold Adrian award for ‘Screen-Free Summer’ campaign
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The West Virginia Department of Tourism has earned international recognition for its consumer branding efforts, receiving a Gold Adrian Award from the Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International for its “Screen-Free Summer” campaign. Now in its 69th year, the Adrian Awards are the world’s largest and most prestigious travel marketing competition, honoring … Read more