We have many parks and centers you can visit such as New River Gorge, Harper's Ferry, Blackwater Falls, and Seneca Rocks are just a few! And if you already knew these places were Black, check out the best places to live in west virginia or the most diverse places in west virginia. Crank up some Bill Withers and get those biscuits out of the oven, because we're heading to the best places to retire in West Virginia. It prides itself on the status of it's school system and it's tight community. The crime rate is low, and while the night life and activities aren't as plentiful as other bigger cities, Wheeling is like much else in life: what you make it. You get to know a lot of people because it's a growing city with a small town feel despite that. Our search tools let you customize your search for the best places by population, housing costs, amenities, and other metrics to help you find the best places to live in West Virginia. The best place to live on our list of West Virginia's cream of the crop is Bridgeport. No matter where you live, you aren't too far from a major metropolitan area, including Washington D.C., Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Columbus, Ohio, or Lexington, Kentucky. The public schools are very close to all the homes in the city so getting to school is very easy while offering a great education. Ranking based on data from the U.S. Census, FBI, BLS, CDC, and other sources. To help people find the best places for them, Niche ranked the best cities in the Mountain State that are best to retire in. Shepherdstown is a small college town in West Virginia that prides itself on having a strong community. Notre Dame High School and St Mary's Grade School are, in my opinion, the best schools for your kids in the area, other than maybe Bridgeport.Read 40 Reviews, Current Resident: I have just moved here, but it seems to be a nice neighborhood. 10 Best Cities to Live in West Virginia. It is close to shopping and the schools are good. I am proud to be a product of Wheeling and will always proudly own my West Virginia heritage no matter where life takes me.Read 46 Reviews, Niche User: I believe Scott Depot, West Virginia is a great place to live. Where else in West Virginia would you recommend living if you want a good deal? Where to Live Now Best Places to Live in West Virginia The schools in this town are some of the best, and offer lots of resources to higher education. The towns on this list represent those with communities that are safe, affordable and active. Vienna contains the closest mall for Parkersburg and Vienna residents, which holds jewellery shops, sports shops, clothing stores, and a great food court. I am proud to be a product of Wheeling and will always proudly own my West Virginia heritage no matter where life takes me. Star City is the easiest place to live in comparison to the numerous locations I've called home. Read more on how this ranking was calculated. While it was settled in the mid 18th century, the city itself wasn’t founded until 1816. I have never been to Shepherdstown and not enjoyed my time. With the amount of things you can do here is remarkable for a vacation, a time to unwind, or simply just for a day out. The parks have a wave pool, basketball courts, baseball field, playground, tennis courts, walking trails and more! The two community parks in Charles Town are great and it is filled with revolutionary and civil war history as denoted by its father, Charles Washington. Then we’ll take a closer look at each of our top 10 most conservative cities in West Virginia. Housing is especially inexpensive across the state with average home prices and rental prices nearly half the national average. The people in town are great. There is no keeping things private.Read 5 Reviews, Current Resident: I grew up in Charles Town, it is a nice place to raise children. If you want to enjoy some of the finest skiing and snowboarding in the eastern U.S., Pocahontas County is one of the best places in West Virginia to live due to its proximity to Snowshoe Mountain Resort. I grew up in Charles Town, it is a nice place to raise children. Explore the best places to live in the U.S. based on crime, public schools, cost of living, job opportunities, and local amenities. It prides itself on the status of it's school system and it's tight community. This town takes sports very seriously and everyone is so friendly. Every Saturday from April to October there is a farmers market downtown with several local vendors and great food! I see it being even more of a thriving area in the future. The parks have a wave pool, basketball courts, baseball field, playground, tennis courts, walking trails and more! One thing I dislike about this town is that everyone knows your person business. Every Friday night, majority of the town would be at the football a game. The people can be really friendly and amazing neighbors whom help each other every chance they get. The public schools are very close to all the homes in the city so getting to school is very easy while offering a great education. Major industries in West Virginia include chemical manufacturing, biotech and pharmaceutical production, and coal mining. The schools are okRead 21 Reviews, Current Resident: Wheeling is accurately nicknamed "the friendly city" and for good reason. It has enough people to have a decent size city, spread with comfortable distance. The schools are doing their best to teach the students in them! Everything else is pretty good! And in the end, Grafton ranks as the worst city to live in West Virginia for 2021. Or, check out the best places to live in West Virginia and the cheapest places to live in West Virginia. Bridgeport is a wonderful place to live! There are many small shops with items from local farms and artists. I was born and raised in Wheeling. Bluefield It prides itself on the status of it's school system and it's tight community. Such proximity has allowed me to…, Fairmont, WV is on the Monongahela River. Finding a safe neighborhood to settle down is likely to be at the top of your list when planning a move. It's right in the middle, it's awesome! Since it is such a small town, they tend to be right there when the meter runs out so keep a close eye on your time! Once a manufacturing stronghold, Wheeling’s economy has now diversified into the healthcare, tourism, and energy sectors. Consisting of coffee shops, swimming pools, and many side streets, this is a nice place for children to grow up. Barboursville, WV is a wonderful neighborhood to raise your family! Spend a Lifetime." The drug problem is terrible and has to be fixed as soon as possible. There is also either a Walmart or Kroger in at each end- Hurricane or Teays Valley. Its small town is full of friendly and genuine people. My only complaint would be the limited parking available. The Best Counties To Live In West Virginia … Our town is very supportive of our athletics. Not to mention that with awesome amenities like the McDonough Wildlife Refuge, low unemployment, and high levels of education, Homesnacks named Vienna one of the best places to live in West Virginia. The top five cities in West Virginia–– Wheeling, Morgantown, Charleston, Fairmont and Clarksburg. It has a population of about 13,450. It has a very low crime rate, there are a lot of job opportunities to come in the future too, because this city is growing at a steady pace. I feel very safe living here, especially when there is a police station down the road. Barboursville is every middle class family's dream. Ranking based on county data from the U.S. Census, BLS, CDC, and other sources. It has enough people to have a decent size city, spread with comfortable distance. #3 Best Places to Live in West Virginia Current Resident: Bridgeport is a very safe, clean, friendly town. The traffic is this town is very good. Cheat Lake is a town in West Virginia with a population of 9,337. Study Methodology. Luckily for West Virginians, there are a number of tiny West Virginia towns where we can enjoy the slower pace of a rural area. The University provides every citizen with a common subject as we all want our town to grow and succeed. Weirton, Moundsville, and Wheeling are all in West Virginia's northern panhandle super close the Pennsylvania border, so if you've got relatives living in Pittsburgh, they'll be in easy visiting range. The diversity is wonderful both in and outside of school and offers opportunities for students' minds to be open to multiculturalism. I think the true loss in value is the state of the school system. The elderly are respected. See which cities are West Virginia’s five safest of 2020. The downtown has some cute shops but struggles to keep businesses and does not have great night life. It is close to shopping and the schools are goodRead 7 Reviews, Current Resident: I have grown up in Athens my whole life. Whether you are just passing through or planning to stay, this town will make you feel right at home. It doesn’t take long for you to be in the middle of nowhere, even if you live in downtown Charleston. Click here to create an account…. I was born and raised in Wheeling. I grew up with all the people here, in that case, I love living here.Read 18 Reviews, Current Resident: Barboursville, WV is a wonderful neighborhood to raise your family! 8,556) Vienna (Pop. The town of Winfield is a nice town to visit or live in! I have grown up in Athens my whole life. Each class that graduates from my school gets bigger and bigger each year. Unlike bigger towns/cities, people might not even notice you, but in this town everyone knows everyone. The people can be really friendly and amazing neighbors whom help each other every chance they get. The schools in this town are some of the best, and offer lots of resources to higher education. The commute into town can be as little as 5 mins and the housing variety is nice.Read 2 Reviews, Current Resident: Williamstown is a very close community. How We Determined The Best Cities In West Virginia To Work There are certain things that everybody dislikes about work, not the least of which is the time it takes to get there. The 10 Blackest Cities In West Virginia For 2021 1. Whether you are just passing through or planning to stay, this town will make you feel right at home. There is also a wonderful downtown area in Charleston that is great to walk around with friends throughout the day to grab a quick bite for lunch, or to enjoy during the night time in the summers where many events take place (Live at the Levee, Art Walk, FestivALL).Read 160 Reviews, Current Resident: Hurricane is a nice area. Morgantown is packed full of art, music, dining, lodging, business and … Teays Valley is the place we call home, nature surrounds us and keeps things fresh every time the…, Known as the Pride of the Valley, Vienna is an idyllic city located in the heart of West Virginia in the Mid-Ohio Valley. Barboursville is every middle class family's dream.Read 15 Reviews, Current Resident: I have lived in Clarksburg my whole life. Along the banks of the Monongahela River is Morgantown, best known as home to West Virginia University. The schools are doing their best to teach the students in them! Our town is very supportive of our athletics. Hurricane is a nice area. I have lived in Clarksburg my whole life. The town started out as an old coal mining town and even has a museum with a…, Not registered? Explore the best places to live in the U.S. based on crime, public schools, cost of living, job opportunities, and local amenities. The stadium , lounges , bars and clubs are what make the town! The historically restored courthouse is beautiful as well as Washington Hall, a building now converted into a little farm to table market. Friendly people, close proximity to amenities, business development and revitalization of the area. #9 Best Places for Young Professionals in West Virginia Current Resident : Charleston is a very great place to live! It is a growing city with increasing potential. Area type classifications are based on populations and proximity to major city centers. Based on 2012 and 2016 presidential election results compared to the national average. I feel very safe living here, especially when there is a police station down the road. I would of course live in this area again. The commute into town can be as little as 5 mins and the housing variety is nice. We have children who live with their great grandparents because their parents or their immediate grand parents are unable to take care of them because of their own drug problems: It is a very very beautiful state, and town. The downtown has some cute shops but struggles to keep businesses and does not have great night life. Vienna contains the closest mall for Parkersburg and Vienna residents, which holds jewellery shops, sports shops, clothing stores, and a great food court.Read 9 Reviews, Current Resident: The drug problem is terrible and has to be fixed as soon as possible. SCHOOLS West Virginia public schools spend $12,183 per student. The town also is home the Concord University, a small university that has brought many unique and intelligent individuals to our small town. I see it being even more of a thriving area in the future.Read 8 Reviews, Current Resident: Vienna is the closest residential town to the big city of Parkersburg, WV. With the amount of things you can do here is remarkable for a vacation, a time to unwind, or simply just for a day out. Move To These 10 Towns In West Virginia If You Wanna Get Away From It All. Williamstown is a very close community. The schools in the area are safe, and the best in the state! The elderly are respected. The 10 Best Places To Raise A Family In West Virginia For 2021. According to a report looking at 380 places in the Mountain State by HomeSnacks, Bridgeport is the best place to live in the state! One thing I really love about this town is that most of the shops are pet friendly. I have been blessed with the opportunity to travel around the world on several occasions, and still look forward to coming home. 2. Coming in at #4 is St. Albans, a small city of around 10,000 located at the confluence of the Kanawha and Coal rivers. Each class that graduates from my school gets bigger and bigger each year. It’s a city that is calm, peaceful and filled with lovely people. There are cute little shops and restaurants you can visit in either direction. The town of Winfield is a nice town to visit or live in!Read 19 Reviews, Former Resident: Westover is a nice town near Morgantown WV. A truly excellent place to grow up.Read 41 Reviews, Current Resident: Charleston is a very great place to live! You are surrounded by beautiful mountains and trees, but you are also only six to eight hours away from the beach. Home to West Virginia University, Morgantown has one of the best reputations of any city in the state for its academics, art & culture scene, and athletics, in addition to a respectively low crime rate. 2020 Best Counties to Live in West Virginia About this List Explore the best counties to live in the U.S. based on public schools, cost of living, job opportunities, and local amenities. I packed up my family and moved away…, The east coast has been an enjoyable place to call home. Based on data including state test scores, college readiness, graduation rates, SAT/ACT scores, teacher quality, as well as reviews from students and parents. Unlike bigger towns/cities, people might not even notice you, but in this town everyone knows everyone. Vienna is located along the Ohio River, 5 miles north of Parkersburg. I grew up with all the people here, in that case, I love living here. My only complaint would be the limited parking available. The schools are ok. Wheeling is accurately nicknamed "the friendly city" and for good reason. The stadium , lounges , bars and clubs are what make the town! With approximately 1.8 million people, West Virginia ranks 41st in population. You can easily be downtown Huntington in 5 mins and the mall in the exact opposite direction. I'm gonna be honest, it was one of the safer cities that I have lived in, as I have…, This is my hometown. The historically restored courthouse is beautiful as well as Washington Hall, a building now converted into a little farm to table market. Since it is such a small town, they tend to be right there when the meter runs out so keep a close eye on your time!Read 14 Reviews, Niche User: I would of course live in this area again. That could be due to impressively low crime rates—especially if you live in one of the state’s five safest cities. The crime rate is low, and while the night life and activities aren't as plentiful as other bigger cities, Wheeling is like much else in life: what you make it. Starting us off our best places to live in Virginia list is Arlington, a vibrant city that sits on the border between Virginia and Washington. Being in Scott Depot, West Virginia, you get to experience all four seasons as if you were up north, but you also get to experience some southern hospitality as if you were in the south. I have never been to Shepherdstown and not enjoyed my time. Living in Star City offers residents a dense suburban feel and most residents rent their homes. The city is home to the Capitol Music Hall,…, Just south of the Pennsylvania border along Interstate 79 lies Morgantown, West Virginia, a city that has been on the rise over the course of the past few years. Westover is a nice town near Morgantown WV. I would definitely choose to live here again. Home construction is…, I lived in Huntington, WV for a short time after I graduated college. With its gorgeous scenery and rugged terrain, nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts will have plenty to do. Cheat Lake is in Monongalia County and is one of the best places to live in West Virginia. Vienna is the closest residential town to the big city of Parkersburg, WV. Being in Scott Depot, West Virginia, you get to experience all four seasons as if you were up north, but you also get to experience some southern hospitality as if you were in the south. This area is safe and a great place to raise your family. Nice places to go out to and enjoy your time. Bridgeport is a wonderful place to live!Read 35 Reviews, Former Resident: I use to live in Morgantown WV and I absolutely loved it here, everything is so close and the stores aren’t expensive! Our choice for West Virginia’s best city to live in is Wheeling, which is situated along the Ohio River in the foothills of the Appalachians. The schools in this town are some of the best, and offer lots of resources to higher education. 4. Rent is way overpriced. Charleston is the capital and largest city with about 51,000 residents living within city limits and over 200,000 living in the metro area. It is a growing city with increasing potential. Still, I have distinct memories and the reviews I've read here are terribly depressing. The traffic is this town is very good. There is also either a Walmart or Kroger in at each end- Hurricane or Teays Valley. I would love to raise my kids here and start a future for them! Everything else is pretty good! Accommodating to businesses and residents are Interstate 68, Interstate 79 and Morgantown Municipal Airport. Best places to live in West Virginia include Charleston, Huntington, Wheeling and Morgantown, and the state's strong economy is led by aerospace, chemical research, plastics, biometrics and medicine. Every Friday night, majority of the town would be at the football a game. The Chamber of Commerce released a report on the best cities to live in each state. I would recommend this town to any family or close friend. If you are seeking a larger town, those are the best places in West Virginia to live. With its low cost of living, beautiful scenery, and proximity to major metropolitan areas, West Virginia is an excellent place to live. Finding the safest places to live in West Virginia can be challenging, especially in larger cities which tend to have more crime. Living in the highest rated city in West Virginia has been nothing short of a pleasant experience. This town is a very safe environment and is a great place to raise kids. The city is on the smaller side so everyone knows everyone which makes things like going to the store enjoyable. Citizens have several interesting neighborhoods to live, and a popular recreation spot is Hazel Ruby McQuain Riverfront Park. Aside from being the seat of West Virginia University, Morgantown also has the PRT, a state-of-the-art transit system unique in all the world. I use to live in Morgantown WV and I absolutely loved it here, everything is so close and the stores aren’t expensive! This town is extremely friendly and the people in it are always helping each other out! Morgantown is not located in the center of our state, but it is the heart of it. Sounds like…, Villas, Florida is one of those places that I'm sad to say has absolutely nothing to recommend it. Known as the Pride of the Valley, Vienna is an idyllic city located in the heart of West Virginia in the Mid-Ohio Valley. There are cute little shops and restaurants you can visit in either direction. I was born in Charleston and moved away around 40 years ago after completing 6th grade. We have many parks and centers you can visit such as New River Gorge, Harper's Ferry, Blackwater Falls, and Seneca Rocks are just a few! After living in Villas for three years I couldn't take it anymore. I absolutely love living in Morgantown.…, As a former resident, living in Wierton, West Virginia had its perks as well as some things that were not so good. Best Places to Live in Coal City, West Virginia Small town - In southern West Virginia, 200 miles west of Charlottesville, VA. August, June and July are the most pleasant months in Coal City, while January and February are the least comfortable months. Great small town life, the only downside is the drug/homeless people problem, but that is only really an issue in the downtown area. First on the list is Wheeling, W.Va , situated along the Ohio River, is historically known as the original state capital and its Victorian architecture. 3. I have just moved here, but it seems to be a nice neighborhood. Friendly people, close proximity to amenities, business development and revitalization of the area. One city stands out above the rest for several reasons, and is not only a great city in West Virginia, but possibly the best city in America. You are surrounded by beautiful mountains and trees, but you are also only six to eight hours away from the beach.Read 30 Reviews, Current Resident: This town is extremely friendly and the people in it are always helping each other out! And if you already knew these places were conservative, check out some more reading about West Virginia and the most conservative places in the country: These Are The 10 Best Places To Live In West Virginia Nice places to go out to and enjoy your time. Love this place.Read 8 Reviews, Current Resident: Bridgeport is a very safe, clean, friendly town. The cost of living in West Virginia is one of the lowest in the country. There is no keeping things private. 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