In the event you’re serious about transferring to West Virginia, bustling cities like Charleston or Huntington may come to thoughts. Nevertheless, this state has rather more to supply. From quaint downtowns to festivals that convey the neighborhood collectively, West Virginia’s small cities are excellent for anybody trying to expertise what life is like in its quieter corners. On this Redfin article, we’ll focus on 8 charming small cities in West Virginia, every with their very own distinctive character and loads of causes to name residence.
1. Elkins, WV
Median sale worth: $226,000Homes on the market in Elkins | Residences for lease in Elkins
Elkins, situated within the coronary heart of the Monongahela Nationwide Forest, is surrounded by pure magnificence and famend for its music and Appalachian tradition. The city is legendary for the Mountain State Forest Competition, one of many largest and oldest festivals within the state. The occasion celebrates the area’s forestry trade with craft gala’s, parades, and out of doors actions. Elkins can also be residence to the American Mountain Theater, the place guests can get pleasure from stay performances of bluegrass, nation, and folks music—a real nod to the city’s Appalachian roots.
2. Kingwood, WV
Median sale worth: $180,000Homes on the market in Kingwood | Residences for lease in Kingwood
Kingwood is a quiet city in northern West Virginia. The city is residence to the annual Preston County Buckwheat Competition, which has been celebrated since 1938 and attracts guests with its buckwheat muffins, arts and crafts, and livestock reveals. Kingwood’s downtown is crammed with well-preserved Nineteenth-century buildings, reflecting its roots as a bustling heart for native farmers and artisans. For historical past buffs, the James Clark McGrew Home, a Victorian-style mansion and museum, gives a glimpse into the lifetime of one of many city’s outstanding early residents.
3. Buckhannon, WV
Median sale worth: $205,000Homes on the market in Buckhannon | Residences for lease in Buckhannon
Buckhannon is situated in central West Virginia with a energetic arts scene and enjoyable annual festivals. Every spring, the city hosts the well-known West Virginia Strawberry Competition, celebrating the state’s agricultural heritage with parades, stay music, and scrumptious strawberry treats. As the house of West Virginia Wesleyan Faculty, Buckhannon buzzes with student-led occasions, artwork reveals, and sports activities. The downtown space is lined with distinctive retailers and galleries, like Artistry on Most important, the place native artists showcase their work.
4. Marmet, WV
Median sale worth: $115,000Homes on the market in Marmet | Residences for lease in Marmet
Marmet, a small city alongside the Kanawha River. The world has an attention-grabbing historical past tied to West Virginia’s coal mining and river transportation industries. The city’s location alongside the river made it a significant spot for transporting coal, and it nonetheless holds traces of its industrial heritage. Close by you’ll be able to see the Marmet Lock and Dam, one of many main river locks on the Kanawha. It’s a novel native web site the place guests can watch barges go via and get a really feel for the city’s historical past in transport and commerce. The close by Coal River is standard with paddlers, providing kayaking trails that permit individuals discover the gorgeous panorama.
5. Bridgeport, WV
Median sale worth: $280,000Homes on the market in Bridgeport | Residences for lease in Bridgeport
Bridgeport is a rising city in northern West Virginia. For these inquisitive about aviation, the close by Mid-Atlantic Aerospace Complicated can provide you a glance into the city’s position in aerospace improvement. Bridgeport’s Charles Pointe space options procuring, eating, and occasions all year long. This provides residents and guests loads of leisure choices. The city’s Benedum Civic Middle hosts native theater productions, artwork courses, and neighborhood occasions, enriching Bridgeport’s cultural scene.
6. New Martinsville, WV
Median sale worth: $158,000Homes on the market in New Martinsville | Residences for lease in New Martinsville
New Martinsville sits alongside the Ohio River and is cherished for its scenic river views. The city’s riverfront space is a well-liked spot for neighborhood occasions, together with the New Martinsville Regatta, the place high-speed powerboats race alongside the river. Historical past lovers can discover the downtown space, crammed with historic buildings just like the Wetzel County Courthouse, a ravishing instance of Romanesque structure. Moreover, New Martinsville’s proximity to the Ohio River additionally makes it ideally suited for fishing and boating.
7. Ravenswood, WV
Median sale worth: $250,000Homes on the market in Ravenswood | Residences for lease in Ravenswood
Ravenswood is one other city situated on the banks of the Ohio River. The city’s riverfront park has a ravishing spot to loosen up and is a favourite for occasions just like the Ohio River Competition, which incorporates boat races, stay music, and native meals distributors. Ravenswood’s historic district showcases well-preserved buildings from the Nineteenth century, reflecting its position as an early river commerce hub. In search of extra to to? Head to the middle of city the place you’ll be able to see the Ravenswood’s Group Clock. The clock stands as a beloved native landmark value seeing.
8. Moundsville, WV
Median sale worth: $122,500Homes on the market in Moundsville | Residences for lease in Moundsville
Moundsville is thought for its historic burial mounds and distinctive cultural landmarks. The city’s namesake, the Grave Creek Mound, is among the largest conical burial mounds in the US. Relationship again over 2,000 years, the location provides individuals a captivating glimpse into prehistoric Native American tradition. Moundsville can also be residence to the previous West Virginia State Penitentiary, an imposing Gothic-style jail turned museum that hosts excursions and ghost hunts, drawing guests within the paranormal. With its mixture of historic historical past, haunted websites, and neighborhood occasions, Moundsville gives an unforgettable expertise for historical past buffs and thrill-seekers alike.
Methodology: The median residence sale worth is from the Redfin Knowledge Middle.
