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. — From doorbell videos to cell phone clips shared on Facebook, black bears seem to be appearing almost everywhere in West Virginia this summer. The surge in online sightings has many residents wondering whether the state’s bear population has suddenly exploded. According to Colin P. Carpenter, black bear project leader for the W.Va. … Read more
POINT PLEASANT, W.Va. — Long before antibiotics, anesthesia, or modern hospitals, a young physician in a log cabin on the American frontier faced an impossible decision. The operation he performed is now widely regarded as the first successful Cesarean section in the United States in which both mother and child survived. Within a few years, … Read more
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — As thousands gathered at the West Virginia state capitol this weekend to celebrate the nation’s 250th birthday, organizers made a point of welcoming visitors who might otherwise avoid large Independence Day celebrations. Among the accommodations were designated sensory-friendly spaces to provide a quieter environment for children and adults with autism, post-traumatic stress … Read more
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — More than 170 miles of West Virginia mountain streams that support the state’s native brook trout have been newly recognized as protected “trout waters,” expanding safeguards for some of Appalachia’s coldest and cleanest waterways. The designation, announced through a partnership involving Trout Unlimited, the W.Va. Rivers Coalition, the W.Va. Division of Natural … Read more
BECKLEY, W.Va. — By late afternoon in Washington, D.C., summer settles over the city like a heavy blanket. Heat radiates from sidewalks and office buildings. The marble monuments along the National Mall shimmer in the haze, while commuters hurry between air-conditioned offices, Metro stations, and cars. Even after sunset, the pavement continues releasing the warmth … Read more
ELKINS, W.Va. — Across the United States, entrepreneurs are increasingly building businesses from home offices, renovated storefronts, and small-town communities while relying on digital marketing to reach customers nationwide. Whether selling handmade products online, promoting vacation rentals, or guiding outdoor adventures, professional photography, video, and audio have become essential tools for success. In rural West … Read more
BECKLEY, W.Va. — Five years after the redesignation of New River Gorge National Park and Preserve, southern West Virginia is entering a new phase of growth. While millions of visitors now know the New River Gorge region for its whitewater rivers, scenic overlooks, climbing cliffs, and mountain trails, local leaders are increasingly focused on turning … Read more
BECKLEY, W.Va. — West Virginia contains the finest remaining temperate hardwood forests in the eastern United States, according to the executive director of a national conservation organization that recently invested nearly $2.8 million to help protect them. That conviction led the Arc of Appalachia to purchase nearly 2,000 acres bordering the New River Gorge National … Read more
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — West Virginia wildlife officials are proposing new regulations to slow the spread of diseases such as chronic wasting disease, with changes that could affect how hunters, landowners, and even backyard wildlife enthusiasts feed wildlife and transport harvested deer. The W.Va. Division of Natural Resources is accepting public comments through July 27 on … Read more
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — As thousands of boaters head to West Virginia’s lakes and rivers for the Independence Day holiday, state natural resources police are reminding visitors that alcohol can be dangerous long before anyone takes the helm. Read more: Best swimming holes in West Virginia While many people associate boating under the influence with an … Read more
