9 Best Places to Live in West Virginia in 2024
West Virginia, found in the South Atlantic region of the United States, was one of the top ten states where people moved in 2023 (according to United Van Lines). The state shares borders with five other states, including Pennsylvania for its northern border and Kentucky to the southwest. West Virginia is separated from the state of Ohio by the Ohio River and sits entirely within the Appalachian Mountain region. This state has become one of the most popular places for people to relocate due to the low cost of living, the natural beauty and breathtaking landscapes, and strong communities.
If you are considering moving to West Virginia in 2024, these nine towns are some of the best in the state to plant roots.
Buckhannon
Situated on the Buckhannon River, the town of Buckhannon is one of the most affordable places to live in West Virginia. Median home listing prices sit around $157,000 (according to realtor.com), which is considerably lower than the US national average of $420,000. The town, which has roughly 5,000 residents, has a vibrant downtown section lined with locally owned shops and cafes and gained the nickname "City of Flowers" thanks to its stunning floral displays that draw in visitors from across the US. The flowers bloom during the month of May and are best seen at Fred Brooks Park, during the annual Strawberry Festival. The West Virginia Strawberry Festival is a Buckhannon tradition that started over 80 years ago and showcases the town’s history with fruit sales and offers a fun community experience with food vendors, rides, and a parade.
Buckhannon is a great place to call home for both individuals and families, as it is a small town with several parks and spaces to get out and enjoy nature. North End Park is one of the most popular parks in Buckhannon, offering a playground for kids, a basketball court, picnic tables, and a small walking path. Jawbone Park on Madison Street is another park with vibrant flowers, picnic tables, and well-maintained grounds that are used for the town’s annual events, including the BBQ Bash, Festival Fridays, and Farmers Market. Finally, Audra State Park is a large recreation area in Buckhannon that has grounds around a former 9th-century gristmill. No matter your interests, Buckhannon is a great place to live in West Virginia.
Huntington
Huntington is a city in West Virginia with a population of around 45,000 and a low median home listing price of just $119,000. This city is known for sitting at the meeting points of the states of West Virginia, Kentucky, and Ohio, as well as being the second most populated town in the state. Huntington is also one of the largest river ports in the United States and boasts the largest shopping mall in West Virginia, the Huntington Mall. Pullman Square is another popular shopping center with numerous stores and restaurants. The city has a suburban feel but strives to maintain a small-town community feel that’s warm and welcoming to new residents and tourists.
If you’re someone who wants to live in a town in West Virginia with a large parks and recreation system, Huntington will not disappoint. There are several parks to explore, including walking trails and places for kids to play, as well as dog-friendly options for those with four-legged friends. Ritter Park is one of the most spacious parks in the area that is dog-friendly, has a walking path, and even an amphitheater. Harris Riverfront Park is another great option for getting outdoors, offering a skate area, playground, and exercise section. Huntington also has museums like the Museum of Radio & Technology and Heritage Farm Museum & Village, where you can see informative exhibits. Another perk of living in Huntington is the technology park, KineticPark, which offers employment options at businesses like the Amazon Customer Service Center.
Summersville
Located in the center of West Virginia in Nicholas County, Summersville is a town known for its stunning landscape of lakes fed by the surrounding mountains. It’s an excellent place to call home for anyone who enjoys getting outdoors and wants a large number of parks and attractions to choose from when planning a day out. The median home listing price sits around $359,000, which is well worth the price for the stunning scenery. Summersville’s landscape helps fuel the town’s laid-back atmosphere and slow pace, which is perfect for retirees and young families alike. This town also holds West Virginia's largest lake, Summersville Lake, which has an incredible 60 miles of shoreline to enjoy, whether it be for boating, fishing, or even scuba diving! The lake is surrounded by sandstone cliffs and maintains a vibrant blue color that’s reminiscent of a tropical getaway.
Even with Summersville only having around 3,400 residents, there’s plenty to see and do in this charming town. Nicholas County Veterans Memorial Park is a great place to have a picnic or get some exercise on the basketball court, while Summersville Lake State Park is a dog-friendly outdoor recreation area with 177 acres of land to explore. The park is well-loved by rock climbers and outdoor enthusiasts, proudly being one of the first parks in the country to focus on climbing education. Clark's Antiques and Salvage is a great spot to spend an afternoon thrifting before stopping in for a delicious meal at Alfredos of Summersville.
Marlinton
Another great West Virginia town for nature lovers is Marlinton, tucked away in Pocahontas County on the shores of Greenbrier River. Marlinton, home to less than 1,000 people, is a small town known for its beautiful scenery and close proximity to the Monongahela National Forest. One of the biggest draws is the low cost of housing, with median home price listings around $135,000. People also choose to relocate to Marlinton for the cozy, small-town feel and the rural location, with the families who have lived in the town for generations welcoming new residents with open arms. One of the best spots to get a feel for this quirky little town is at 4th Ave Mason Jar Trading Post, an antique store with unique merchandise and handmade furniture.
Another reason Marlinton is one of the best places to live in West Virginia is that this town provides access to the Greenbrier River Trail. This trail is over 70 miles long, has 35 bridges, and has some of the state’s most incredible views of the river and the Allegheny Mountains. When living in Marlinton, you can take comfort in knowing that a highly-rated hospital, Pocahontas Memorial Hospital, offers a 24-hour emergency department.
Berkeley Springs
Berkeley Springs is a mountain town situated in the heart of Morgan County, in the eastern panhandle section of West Virginia. It’s an incredibly small town with under 1,000 residents, with a median home listing price of $325,000, yet it boasts some of the state’s most unique history. Berkeley Springs is known as "America’s First Spa," thanks to the natural warm springs located in Berkeley Springs State Park. The mineral spa is a truly unique attraction, and the water maintains 74.3 degrees Fahrenheit at all times, which is why it has been viewed as a healing location throughout time. George Washington even frequented the town during the 1760s and believed strongly in the water's medicinal healing properties. Today, visitors can visit the state park and swim or take advantage of the spa services in the Old Roman and Main bathhouses.
Living in Berkeley Springs provides an intimate community setting where families can feel safe and get to know their neighbors. It’s an artistic town in close proximity to larger cities (like Martinsburg) without feeling too overwhelmed by the hustle and bustle. One of the best ways to learn more about the town’s history is at the Museum of the Berkeley Springs, which is found on the second floor of the Old Roman bathhouse. George Washington’s Bathtub is another popular historic attraction on the Washington Heritage Trail at Berkeley Springs State Park.
Shepherdstown
One of the oldest towns in West Virginia, Shepherdstown, is a historic location known best for being where James Rumsey invented the steamboat in 1787. There is a monument dedicated to his achievements at James Rumsey Monument and Park, which is a beautiful granite column that overlooks the water. Shepherdstown sits along the Maryland section of the Potomac River and has a historic district that’s listed on the National Register of Historic Places. There is also the Historic Shepherdstown Museum for those who want to learn more about this town’s roots. For those looking to buy, the median home price listing is a bit steep at $592,500, but Shepherdstown has everything you need to feel right at home in a small town.
There is O'Hurley's General Store, dating back over 100 years, which sells antiques and has folk music events every Thursday where visitors can bring their own acoustic instruments and join in on the fun. The Shepherdstown Public Library is a great spot to pick up a new book or attend a community event in a building that once functioned as a farmers market called the Market House. Finally, the Florence Shaw Demonstration House, known as "The Little House," is a one-of-a-kind attraction built between 1928 and 1930. The house stands just 10 feet tall and is filled with impressive attention to detail.
Harpers Ferry
The Blue Ridge Mountain town of Harpers Ferry sits at the point where West Virginia, Virginia, and Maryland, as well as the Potomac and Shenandoah Rivers, meet. Harpers Ferry is one of the smallest towns in the state, with a population of under 300 people, but its charm and connection to Civil Rights history make it one of the best places to live. This historic town has been featured in Southern Living for being an underrated destination in West Virginia.
Living in Harpers Ferry provides a rural landscape and quiet setting, though it is important to note the cost of living is higher than some of the other towns in the state, with a median home listing price of $385,000. Jefferson County, where Harpers Ferry is located, is just over an hour's drive from more populated areas like Washington, DC. Whether you are just visiting Harpers Ferry or are getting ready to move there, one must-see attraction is Harpers Ferry National Historical Park. This park has John Brown’s Fort, as well as historical museums, shops and restaurants, and hiking trails that cover land once part of the battlefields.
Ripley
Ripley is a small West Virginia town in Jackson County, with just over 3,000 people calling it home. It’s a small town with a big heart and southern charm that attracts visitors from across the country for its numerous events throughout the year, including the country’s ’Largest Small Town Independence Day Celebration’ and the West Virginia Chocolate Festival, a Ripley staple for over 15 years. This town may have a tiny physical area of 3.286 square miles, but it fosters a strong sense of community. The median home listing price is also affordable, at $205,000.
The Mountain State Art & Craft Fair is held each year in Ripley and showcases true Appalachian culture. The fair features art, live woodworking shows, delicious food, and hands-on activities for kids. Year-round entertainment is also available at the Alpine Theater, a historic performing arts center that’s one of the town’s registered landmarks. Ripley also has a covered bridge, Staats Mill Covered Bridge, sometimes referred to as Tug Fork Covered Bridge, first constructed in 1887 over Mill Creek. However, the bridge was moved to its current location in 1982 after construction and is one of the biggest attractions in Ripley.
White Sulphur Springs
White Sulphur Springs is a relatively small city in Greenbrier County in West Virginia that locals refer to as "Almost Heaven." The population hit just over 2,000 people in 2022, making it great for both tourism and relocation. The cost of living in White Sulphur Springs is a bit higher than other areas in the state, with the median home listing price sitting around $399,000. This town has a wide variety of shopping, entertainment, and dining options while still keeping a rural feel for residents. One of the most well-known events in White Sulphur Springs is the annual Dandelion Festival, which includes music, food, and a pageant.
What makes White Sulphur Springs unique is that it’s one of only ten Mon Forest Towns, meaning it is surrounded by over one million acres of beautiful forests and wilderness, including the Monongahela National Forest. Some of the best places to enjoy the area’s nature are at Lake Sherwood Recreation Area and Campground and Blue Bend Recreation Area and Campground. These two locations have hiking and camping areas and provide several scenic overlooks with beautiful views. Another great place to relax is The Greenbrier, a resort in the Allegheny Mountains with a golf course and dining options.
Whether you are looking to relocate to West Virginia or just want to learn more about why this state made the tenth most popular state for people to move to in 2023, visiting one of these nine towns is a great way to experience the charm firsthand. From the cozy stress of Marlinton to the blue lake water in Summersville, you can find a quiet place that is never too far from a bigger city with commercial amenities. Rural landscapes, affordable living, and an abundance of outdoor attractions await when you make your home in West Virginia.
