9 Best West Virginia Towns For Retirees
The awe-inspiring scenic natural beauty and abundance of welcoming small towns in West Virginia make the state appealing to many retirees looking for a quiet yet fulfilling lifestyle. West Virginia is known for its low property and state taxes, as well as a lower tax rate on Social Security benefits. Whether you are looking for serenity in a small village in the mountains or a suburban town that is closer to larger-city amenities, these nine West Virginia towns meet the needs and desires of most retirees. From the vibrant arts scene in Lewisburg to the riverside charm of Parkersburg, each one offers something special for your next chapter.
Parkersburg
The county seat of Wood County, Parkersburg, is home to almost 30,000 people, 21% of whom are over age 65. Parkersburg is just 100 miles from Columbus, Ohio, and an hour's drive from the state capital of Charleston. Parkersburg is popular with retirees due to its proximity to major cities, abundant green space, and community feel. With more than 120 acres of park and recreation lands, Parkersburg will please those looking to retire to a small town with natural beauty. Johnson T. James Park, one of the largest nature preserves in any West Virginia town, is found here. The town also hosts community events such as the Taste of Parkersburg, antique car shows, and summer concerts in Point Park.
Easy Rider Bus, operated by Mid-Ohio Valley Transit Authority, provides public transportation to Parkersburg residents. Meanwhile, the Wood County Senior Citizens Association has services and programs available for those aged 60 and over. If medical care is needed, a top-notch hospital, WVU Camden Clark Medical Center, is right in Parkersburg. Should extra care be required, Parkersburg houses many retirement living options, including the Wygate Senior Living Community and Cedar Grove Assisted Living. To top it off, the median housing value is around $145,000 as of June 2025, a steal compared to the state average of $170,000.
Morgantown
Known as a college town and home to West Virginia University, Morgantown, the county seat of Monongalia County, sits on the Monongahela River and is a little over an hour's drive from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. It is home to more than 30,000 residents, 10% of whom are over 65. Seniors who are looking for ways to stay young might consider moving to Morgantown, where they can receive reduced tuition rates if they opt to take courses at WVU. Active seniors will want to check out the Caperton Trail, part of the 48-mile Mon River Rail-Trail System, which runs through downtown Morgantown and along the riverfront. If water is more to your liking, Cheat Lake and its park have abundant space for fishing, swimming, kayaking, and picnicking.
Mountain Line Transit Authority provides bus service to Morgantown residents. Those who retire to the town might be interested in joining the Senior Monongalians, Inc. Senior Center, which offers nutritional programs, social services, and fitness activities. WVU J.W. Ruby Memorial Hospital, the academic medical center of the WVU School of Medicine, is right in town for medical needs. If you are looking for more supportive living options, The Village at Heritage Point has both independent and assisted living situations.
Elkins
About two hours from Charleston in the Tygart River Valley, the small town of Elkins, population just under 7,000, is the county seat of Randolph County. Fifteen percent of its population is over the age of 65, and there are plenty of amenities to make life easy here. Country Roads Transit provides public transportation to community residents. If seniors are looking for opportunities for socialization, they may wish to join the Randolph County Senior Center, which offers meals, programs, and services. Medical care is available at Davis Medical Center, an 80-bed acute care hospital. Even with so much to offer, the median home value is an affordable $170,000.
As for entertainment, the town’s location within the Allegheny Mountains and the nearby Monongahela National Forest makes a multitude of outdoor activities possible, including hiking, bird-watching, fishing, kayaking, and more. Many who retire to Elkins enjoy the spirit of arts and culture within the town. It is a West Virginia Certified Arts Community and home to the Randolph County Community Arts Center and the Old Brick Playhouse. To this end, there is always a play, musical, or show you can catch to pass the time.
Fort Ashby
The tiny town of Fort Ashby, with just over 1,000 residents, sits along Patterson Creek in Mineral County, just 12 miles south of Cumberland, Maryland. This small, quaint village bestows peace, solitude, and natural beauty upon those who want to retire in an area that is away from the hustle and bustle of the larger city, yet still close enough to amenities. History buffs won't want to miss Ashby's Fort Museum, a French and Indian War fort museum depicting one of the first two forts that Colonel George Washington ordered built in 1755. Each June, residents of Fort Ashby welcome the Mineral County Fair to town, which includes a livestock sale, rodeo, barrel racing, demolition derby, and live music.
Potomac Valley Transit Authority runs limited public transportation routes to residents of Fort Ashby. The town itself does not house a senior center, but Frankfort Senior Center in Ridgeley, just six miles to the north of town, welcomes any interested seniors to join. While the small town has no hospital of its own, the top-notch UPMC (University of Pittsburgh Medical Center) Western Maryland is in Cumberland, Maryland, just 15 miles up the road. Should assisted living be required, Complete Care at Dawnview in Fort Ashby provides assisted and more supervised levels of care.
Barboursville
In Cabell County in West Virginia, Barboursville pairs small-town comfort with the convenience of nearby city amenities. Just 45 miles west of Charleston and five miles east of Huntington, it lets retirees settle into a peaceful community without giving up access to shops, services, and healthcare. Locals enjoy spending time in Barboursville Park, the second-largest municipal park in the state. Covering 750 acres, the park is a favorite spot for fishing, baseball, soccer, tennis, and scenic walks along wooded trails. Many who move here say the park quickly becomes their favorite place for a stroll or a casual chat with neighbors.
The Barboursville Senior Center brings people together for hot lunches, games, and regular social gatherings that help everyone stay connected. Medical needs are covered by nearby St. Mary’s Medical Center in Huntington, only eight miles away. When it is time to downsize or find extra support, residents appreciate choices like the Wyngate Senior Living Community and the West Virginia Veterans Home. Meanwhile, for homebuyers, the town has a median home value of around $205,000, which is $160,000 less than the national average.
Davis
The tiny hamlet of Davis, with 600 residents, sits in the Allegheny Mountains of Tucker County. Davis is about 60 miles southeast of Morgantown, a two-and-a-half-hour drive from Washington, D.C.. The town sits at about 3,100 feet above sea level, offering awe-inspiring views of Canaan Valley, the highest valley east of the Mississippi River. Blackwater Falls State Park in Davis houses the 62-foot-tall Blackwater Falls and other spectacular sights. It is the perfect place to head out for a day of adventure and exploration in one’s golden years.
Potomac Valley Transit Authority is set to start a bus route serving Davis with public transportation, making travel easy for residents. The nearest hospital is WVU Medicine Garrett Medical Center in Oakland, Maryland, 25 miles to the north of Davis. If you are looking for retirement care options, The Pines retirement community in nearby Thomas (four miles north of Davis), and the Village at Davis senior apartment complex are two possibilities.
Beckley
Beckley, the seat of Raleigh County, is a friendly city that blends arts, green spaces, and community spirit. Home to about 17,000 people, with nearly 22% aged 65 and older, Beckley offers retirees plenty of ways to enjoy life at their own pace. It is easy to get outdoors here. With 12 community parks and the Lewis McManus Memorial Honor Trail winding through town for over four miles, you can stretch your legs and enjoy nature any day of the week. Beckley’s Arts Center keeps the cultural side alive with classes, exhibits, and local performances, while the annual Appalachian Arts and Crafts Fair draws visitors and artisans every August.
The Raleigh County Commission on Aging supports seniors with services like adult day care, nutritious meals, and help at home. For healthcare, residents count on Raleigh General Hospital and Beckley ARH Hospital, offering emergency and specialized services. Those who need extra assistance can find a welcoming home at Bayberry Retirement Inn or Heritage House Senior Living. On the other hand, seniors who want their own home will only need to part with around $150,000, making Beckley one of West Virginia’s more affordable communities.
Lewisburg
In southeastern West Virginia, the county seat of Greenbrier County, Lewisburg, is home to almost 4,000 people. This is another small town that is filled with arts and culture, for those looking to move to such an area. The Greenbrier Valley Theatre in town serves up performances for residents, and Carnegie Hall hosts many musical acts. Similarly, Lee Street Studios provides working art studios and spaces for seniors who want to create their own art.
Seniors may wish to join Shepherd's Center of the Greenbrier Valley, which offers opportunities for mental enrichment, spiritual development, and service. Moreover, Greenbrier Valley Medical Center is conveniently located in nearby Fairlea for medical needs. Seasons Place offers retirement care with independent and assisted living options.
Buckhannon
Just over 5,000 people live in Buckhannon, and about 14% of them are over age 65. This charming town, the county seat of Upshur County, sits on the Buckhannon River in the north-central part of the state, about an hour and a half from Charleston and two hours from Pittsburgh. Seniors appreciate the strong support system here. Country Roads Transit provides reliable public transportation for local errands or appointments, while the Upshur County Senior Center keeps older residents connected with regular activities, programs, and social events for anyone 60 and older and their spouses. Quality healthcare is easy to find thanks to WVU Medicine St. Joseph's Hospital, right in town, along with supportive living options such as Serenity Assisted Living and Pringle House Senior Living apartments.
If you enjoy a mix of history and the outdoors, Buckhannon makes it easy to step outside and explore. Pringle Tree Park blends nature and heritage with a large sycamore tree that once sheltered two English army deserters during the Seven Years' War in the 1750s. For more fresh air, Audra State Park on the nearby Middle Fork River offers plenty of room for kayaking, hiking, and laid-back picnicking surrounded by West Virginia’s natural beauty. The best part is that the town is also affordable, with a median home value of $160,000.
Retire to Wild, Wonderful West Virginia
The charm of the Mountain State is evident within its welcoming communities full of incredible natural beauty and friendly folk. Looking at the diversity of towns in the state, from a truly tiny hamlet like Fort Ashby that is surrounded by nature yet still close to larger town amenities, or choose a larger, livelier town such as Parkersburg, you see the wide range of choices available to those wanting to retire to West Virginia. Moving to any of these towns can provide you with a fulfilling and comfortable retirement lifestyle.
