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Communities in West Virginia offers 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, along with 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.

Berkeley County Courthouse in West Virginia
Communities

Mills Group to breathe new life into historic courthouse in Martinsburg, West Virginia

by David Sibray

MARTINSBURG, W.Va. — Two of the most recognizable landmarks in historic downtown Martinsburg are about to get a second life, thanks to one of the state’s best-known architectural and preservation design firms. The former Berkeley County Courthouse at 100 West King Street and its neighboring annex, long symbols of the county’s civic past, will be … Read more

Communities

Filmmaker says here’s why everyone should visit this West Virginia ghost town

by Will Reedy

THURMOND, W.Va. — Deep in the New River Gorge, the town of Thurmond is attracting attention worldwide. With four full-time residents, it’s technically a ghost town, but filmmaker Jillian Howell insists there’s nothing lifeless about it. “Every brick in Thurmond tells a story,” she says. “Whether it’s fact or fiction, the history runs deep—more than … Read more

Charleston, West Virginia, Remote Work Relocation
Communities

Charleston, West Virginia, joins program attracting remote workers with $20K incentives

by David Sibray

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Remote workers looking for a new home with equal parts city energy and mountain calm will find it in West Virginia’s capital. Ascend West Virginia—the nation’s leading talent attraction and retention program—announced that Charleston, West Virginia, has officially joined its lineup of communities welcoming newcomers with incentives and opportunities to plant roots … Read more

West Virginia Explorer published David Sibray celebrates millions of monthly users.
Communities

West Virginia Explorer celebrates record 3.3 million monthly users amid 25th anniversary

by Clyde Craig

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — West Virginia Explorer, the state’s most comprehensive online guide to travel, history, and culture, is celebrating a major milestone. According to Google Analytics, the publication hosted more than 3.3 million users in August, marking one of the highest traffic surges in its 25-year history. The record-breaking numbers reflect recent strategic investments and … Read more

Retro store for sale near the Hatfield McCoy Trails
Communities

Retro commercial realty for sale near Hatfield-McCoy ATV trails in West Virginia

by Bianca Bosworth

PINEVILLE, W.Va. — Once a gathering place for miners and families on the Guyandotte River, a vintage curb-service restaurant, service station, and boarding house is attracting the attention of ATV entrepreneurs looking to offer tourists an authentic experience. The retro landmark near Pineville is filled with mid-century kitchen and service station items, complete with oak-paneled … Read more

Officials remind public that hemorrhagic disease is harmless to humans and not a long-term threat to deer.
Communities

West Virginia monitoring seasonal hemorrhagic disease in deer populations

by Will Reedy

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Cases of hemorrhagic disease in deer have been confirmed in Jackson, Pleasants, Ritchie, and Wood counties in West Virginia, officials with the W.Va. Division of Natural Resources announced. According to Brett McMillion, director of the division, the West Virginia counties are near counties in Ohio, where the Ohio Department of Natural Resources … Read more

A WVU scholar of global supply chain management says consumers assume the burden of warehousing merchandise when retailers’ extended shopping seasons make every day a holiday.
Communities

WVU supply chain expert explains why Halloween is hitting shelves in August

by Clyde Craig

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — Have you noticed Halloween merchandise appearing earlier on racks and shelves at national retail chains like Lowe’s, Walmart, and Family Dollar? A West Virginia University professor who studies supply chain economics says there’s a reason summer is getting spookier. It’s partly because sophisticated tools for predicting consumer behavior are driving he creep … Read more