9 Best Small Towns To Retire In West Virginia In 2024
Almost Heaven. That is how West Virginia styles itself, thanks to John Denver's heart-warming masterpiece. The Blue Ridge Mountains, Shenandoah River, wild and wonderful waterfalls — West Virginia has it all. But is it a good place for retirement? The financial technology company SmartAsset considers West Virginia a tax-friendly state. Social Security benefits and other types of retirement income are only partially taxed. From Summersville to Ripley, discover below the nine best small towns to retire in West Virginia.
Summersville
While it may have a dense suburban feel, Summerville scores big on other retirement aspects. For instance, the town's median age stands at 54 years. Empty nesters will be joining a big family of fellow retirees, sharing life experiences, and supporting one another. If you are concerned about access to medical care (as you should be), Summersville Regional Medical Center has been serving patients from across southern West Virginia since 1967.
For even more options, Charleston, West Virginia's largest city, is just about 80 minutes down the road. And if you want to retire next to the water, this town actually gets its name from Summerville Lake, the largest lake in West Virginia and one of the most beautiful in the state. Summersville Lake State Park, besides being an awesome spot for hiking, biking, and camping, is the first in the country with an emphasis on climbing education. Data from realtor.com shows homes in Summerville fetch a median price of $389,900.
Oak Hill
An outdoor lover will love the fact Oak Hill is conveniently close to the New River Gorge, one of the Appalachian's most sublime outdoor gems. An empty nester will want to frequent the area — if just to marvel at one of the most astounding bridges in the world. But Oak Hill is not just an outdoor lover's paradise. According to Safewise, it is the safest city in West Virginia. It is, therefore, perfect for retirees who need to feel secure and comfortable in their surroundings.
According to Zillow, homes in Oak Hill fetch a median price of only $159,483. This means a retiree does not need to pour all his savings into purchasing a home. Besides, Plateau Medical Center, which specializes in emergency medicine and internal medicine, is one of southern West Virginia's leading healthcare providers. And Beckley, which anchors a newly-defined Metropolitan Statistical Area, is just around the corner.
Lewisburg
It is difficult not to fall in love with Lewisburg, a fantastic historic town known to provide some of the most heart-melting mountain views anywhere in the state. The Greenbrier River, which flows close to the town, is a spot a retiree will always want to frequent. The haunted properties in the precincts of the town and the stories behind them will be a delight to explore.
The median age here is about 40 years, which means the town is neither loud and wild — nor boring and spiritless. And homes, according to Realtor.com, fetch a pocket-friendly median price of $300,000. When it comes to medical access, Greenbrier Valley Medical Center, recognized for the Pulmonary Care Excellence Award, is just next door in Ronceverte.
Star City
Retiring in Star City means you will be close to West Virginia University (WVU), which features the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute, whose courses, whether music or economics, can keep an empty nester's brain active and engaged well into retirement. Plus, Star City is located in the Morgantown area and, hence, provides awesome access to big-city amenities, including some excellent hospitals. The highly regarded Mon Health Medical Center, for instance, has been the recipient of numerous awards, including America's 100 Best Hospitals for Prostate Surgery. According to the National Institute on Aging, prostrate issues are common after age 50.
And you will not need to scratch your head wondering where to pick up groceries. ALDI and Kroger are both excellent venues and are just steps away. Plus, with the scenic Monongahela River in its precincts, the town brims with outdoor adventure options and features lovely waterfront views.
Buckhannon
Featuring a stunning downtown area adorned with beautiful flowers, Buckhannon provides an aesthetic appeal that is nearly unmatched. Though home to just about 5,000 residents, this town is vibrant and brims with numerous restaurants and retail stores. Plus, according to Safewise, Buckhannon is the third-safest city in West Virginia. This means you may not need to obsess about your safety or worry about unexpected break-ins. Because it boasts a median age of 37 years, a retiree here will have opportunities to interact with the young. Such interactions are known to imbue retirees with a sense of purpose and enhance their quality of life.
When it comes to access to healthcare, St Joseph's Hospital has been serving residents for more than 100 years. And with homes fetching a median price of just $165,000, Buckhannon is one of West Virginia's most affordable retirement venues.
Bridgeport
A beautiful small town with lots of friendly people, Bridgeport can make anyone easily throw caution to the winds. Just like Oak Hill and Buckhannon, Bridgeport is among West Virginia's safest cities. Some, however, put this to the town's relative affluence. That aside, retirees with school-going children will love the fact Bridgeport schools are nothing less than outstanding and is among the town's most loved features.
The town's median age stands at about 43 years, a sweet spot between the enthusiasm of the youth — and the mellowness of the aged. The median home price here, according to Realtor, stands at 410,000. Concerning access to healthcare, Bridgeport hosts several health facilities. These include the reputable United Hospital Center, which has been recognized for the America's 50 Best Hospitals for Vascular Surgery Award.
Williamstown
Williamstown lies along the Ohio River and boasts plenty of natural beauty. The people here are known to be friendly and will make a retiree feel welcome and accepted. Parkersburg, one of West Virginia's largest cities, is just about 13 miles down the road. Empty nesters will not need to spend hours on the road, whether because of needful shopping items or medical services.
In case of any medical emergency, for instance, this town provides top-notch healthcare access. For instance, Selby General Hospital in Marrieta, Ohio, which has been recognized for the Outstanding Patient Experience Award, is just next door. Besides, homes here are not eye-wateringly expensive. As of January 2024, homes here fetched a median price of $229,900. Expect a rural feel here, in environs where most residents are homeowners.
Barboursville
Home to just about 4,300 residents, Barboursville is small and provides an authentic and intimate experience that most retirees often desire. The fact it is located close to U.S. Route 60 and just about 9 miles east of Huntington, West Virginia's second-largest city, makes it particularly score big on accessibility. St. Mary's Medical Center, recognized for America's 100 Best Hospitals for Orthopedic Surgery Award, and the highly-ranked Cabell Huntington Hospital will be at your doorstep.
Besides, Barboursville Park, which spans 750 acres, is the second largest municipal park in the state. It is a nice place for fishing, early-morning strolls, or just relaxing and inhaling heart-ravishing views. Barboursville boasts a median age of 37; therefore, one should not expect an overly mellowed-out social scene. As of January 2024, homes in Barboursville, according to realtor.com, fetched a median price of $362,900.
Ripley
Rounding off this list is a town mostly associated with the 4th of July celebration, the oldest parade, and the Independence Day Celebration in West Virginia. Through its many unique shops, Ripley plays host to a retail scene that often fits the shopping and grocery needs of retirees. But if one wants a larger, more varied scene, Charleston is just about half an hour down the road via the Interstate 77 route. Parkersburg is also just up north.
Jackson General Hospital is in Ripley and has been providing excellent healthcare since 1964. With its quaint feel and friendly neighbors, Ripley is also a good bang for the buck. Homes here, according to Realtor's January 2024 data, fetch a median price of just $160,000.
The Takeaway
You do not want to be like John Denver, who sang about and praised West Virginia before ever setting foot there. Known for its dizzying beauty, West Virginia is a place you will struggle to get off your mind. Forget about the Monongahela National Forest, its pristine feel, and unblazed trails; West Virginia plays host to America's newest national park — the New River Gorge National Park & Preserve. Dotting the breadth of the state is a coterie of small, beautiful towns, many of which are ideal for retirement. For specific recommendations, towns such as Summersville, Oak Hill, Lewisburg, and Star City provide top-notch retirement experiences.
