9 Safest Towns In West Virginia For Senior Living
Although not the safest state in the US — a title that goes to Vermont — West Virginia's violent crime rate is still 22% below the national rate, as per data from Safewise. For retirees who prioritize safety, as anyone should, West Virginia presents enticing retirement options. Make no mistake. As a senior, whether male or female, you don't want to be constantly looking over your shoulders when strolling down the streets, clutching your pulse, or worrying about potential break-ins. The truth is, your sunset years should be easy and stress-free. That's the reason we reveal below the nine safest towns in West Virginia for senior living.
Weirton
Beautifully set along the Ohio River in the state’s northern panhandle, Weirton is easy-going and one of West Virginia's towns suited for retirement. It has the improbable distinction of being the city in the United States that sits in one state while its borders touch two others. Information gleaned from City-Data.com shows the 2022 crime rate in Weirton was 4.4 times lower than the U.S. average, making it one of the safest towns in West Virginia for senior living. Weirton scores big on amenities since it hosts the Weirton Medical Center, is close to the award-winning East Liverpool City Hospital, has many shops and boutiques, and, best of all — it is only 35 minutes from the heart of downtown Pittsburgh. A retiree can bike the Panhandle Trail, reel in a yummy catch at the nearby Tomlinson Run State Park, float down the Ohio River, or camp at Raccoon Creek State Park. In October 2024, Weirton's median listing home price was $165,000. Still, on a positive note, seniors aged 60 and above comprise 32% of Weirton’s population.
Charles Town
According to Safewise, Charles Town is the fourth-safest city in West Virginia. Its 2022 crime rate is 3.6 times lower than the U.S. average. Seniors in the town comprise 25% of the population, meaning 1 in 4 residents are fellow empty nesters. The median listing home price in Charles Town was $392K in October 2024, a price point that comes with being about an hour from the nation’s capital. This means one thing: fantastic access to big-city amenities, including several world-class hospitals. Speaking to this, one of the best hospitals in the area is Berkeley Medical Center in Martinsburg, a 2023 winner of the Gastrointestinal Care Excellence Award. There is the Cool Spring Preserve with its well-maintained trails, Shenandoah River, and a large casino with almost all the most popular slots.
Weston
Weston was the site of a “bank heist” in the Civil War years when federal forces made away with about $30,000 in gold from the Weston Bank. Fortunately, they repurposed this cash towards the fledgling Restored Government of Virginia. Today, Weston is safe and no longer the site of notorious bank heists. For perspective, the 2022 crime rate in Weston was a massive 47.3 times lower than the U.S. average, as per data from city-data.com. You can be relaxing at the Stonewall Resort Jackson Lake, exploring Stonecoal Lake Wildlife Management Area, or visiting the iconic Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum. Besides, the expansive Monongahela National Forest is a short drive away. To add to that, Stonewall Jackson Memorial Hospital, a 2024 winner of the Joint Replacement Excellence Award, is right in town. So no need to endure even a night of joint pain. The median listing home price in Weston was $120,000 in October 2024. On the social side, 26% of Weston residents are empty nesters aged 60 and above.
Grafton
Known to be a quiet and safe area for families, Grafton is known for its great history and beautiful scenery. You have the shimmering Tyrgat Lake at your doorstep — along with the state park and public golf course that bear its name. Besides, one can be chasing waterfalls at the Valley Falls State Park, just north of town. In October 2024, the median listing home price in Grafton was $189,900, an unbeatable price point considering Grafton’s outdoor scorecard. The best part is that Grafton — according to Safewise — is the safest city in West Virginia. If one is sick, Grafton City Hospital, which has been attending to patients in the area since 1915, is right in town. Alternatively, the United Hospital Center in nearby Bridgeport is ranked among America’s 50 Best Hospitals for Vascular Surgery. Finally, with seniors aged 60 and above comprising 20% of the town’s population, a pensioner will rarely feel out of place here.
Oak Hill
The 2022 crime rate in Oak Hill was 5.3 times lower than the U.S. average. With your safety assured, Oak Hill’s retirement appeal is mostly because of its proximity to the New River Gorge National Park & Preserve and, of course, what could be the oldest river in the world. Besides, you can camp with your grandchildren at the breathtaking Summit Bechtel Reserve — get your groceries at Grant's IGA Supermarket — or enjoy a world of outdoor fun and adventure thrills at the dog-friendly Babcock State Park. Don’t worry about healthcare access. CAMC Plateau Medical Center, which is in town, is a 2023 winner of the Outstanding Patient Experience Award. Still, you probably prefer to interact with peers in the same age group. Fortunately, Oak Hill hits that point as well, considering 30% of its residents are aged 60 and above.
Buckhannon
Buckhannon consistently ranks among the safest towns in West Virginia and boasts 2022 crime rates 2.8 times lower than the U.S. average. Buckhannon hosts the West Virginia Wesleyan College, a four-year campus whose history goes back more than 130 years. While you will mingle with young people, you will also find many folks in the same age bracket since 24% of the town’s residents are aged 60 and above. The median listing home price in Buckhannon was $199,000 in October 2024, making it dabble up as an affordable retirement destination. Outdoor spots here include the Buckhanon River, the nearby Stonecoal Reservoir, and the relaxing Buckhannon River Walk Trail. Although the highly ranked St. Joseph's Hospital is in town and will meet most of your needs, the award-winning United Hospital Center is just a heartbeat away.
Martinsburg
The 2022 crime rate in Martinsburg was 6.1 times smaller than the U.S. average. Martinsburg is in a rich fruit-growing region — think of apples — and is only about one and a half hour’s drive from Washington DC. With the Sleepy Creek Wildlife Management Area to the west and the town's reputation as the "Gateway to the Shenandoah Valley” still solid, outdoor lovers will have a blast spending their sunset years here. Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park, home to a historic canal and several scenic trails, is also a short drive away. Besides, War Memorial Park, centrally located in town, offers picnic pavilions, a mini golf, and an outdoor swimming pool. A retiree can be treated at the Berkeley Medical Center, ranked among America’s 100 Best Hospitals for Gastrointestinal Care. In October 2024, the median listing home price in Martinsburg was $329,000. Finally, 22% of Martinsburg residents are aged 60 and above, meaning a retiree can find a crowd she can roll with.
Lewisburg
A cozy, quirky town full of surprises, Lewisburg is also among the safest towns in West Virginia to retire. The 2022 crime rate in Lewisburg, for instance, was 2.8 times smaller than the U.S. average. An annual Chocolate Festival, the Greenbrier River Trail, a Literary Festival (typically held in August), a tasteful collection of shopping venues, and the iconic Greenbrier Valley Theatre — all curate an experience that meets the expectations of empty nesters. The median listing home price in Lewisburg was $352,000 in October 2024, a price point that comes with ready access to the award-winning CAMC Greenbrier Valley Medical Center. The best part is that 32% of residents — about 1 in 3 — are aged 60 and above.
Point Pleasant
Retirement in Point Pleasant means living in an environment that is safe and pleasant ( it's right in the name) — while being only two hours from Colombia, Ohio. Charleston, the capital and largest city in the state, is even closer, just 50 minutes down the road. You have Kanawha River, Tu-Endie-Wei State Park — with its murals and statues — and the Ohio River. The 2022 crime rate in Point Pleasant was 4.6 times smaller than the U.S. average. Still on the brighter side, although Rivers Health meets the healthcare needs of most residents, Holzer Gallipolis, ranked among America's 100 Best Hospitals for Coronary Intervention, is just a heartbeat away in Jackson Pike. If you need a family, meaning peers in the same age bracket, you will be comforted by the fact that 33% of Point Pleasant residents are aged 60 and above.
The Takeaway
There is no doubt that Americans are deeply concerned about their financial security in retirement. Just as important, however, is physical security. If anything, retirees want to enjoy life — to lose themselves in the thrills and diversions an area offers. They don't want to be worrying about potential break-ins and spending all their cash on anti-burglary installations. Instead of retiring in Vermont, now ranked the safest state in 2024, consider the options that West Virginia offers, the best of which we have highlighted above.
