Best Cities

West Virginia’s Best Cities for a Fresh Start

Compare the West Virginia cities we cover, from Morgantown to Beckley, and find a practical starting point for your move.

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Hannah Wyatt

West Virginia Local Expert

Hannah, Our Local Expert Guiding Your Move

Hannah is a born and raised West Virginian who briefly tested life across state lines before realizing the pull of the hills is undefeated. She has lived in both northern and south central West Virginia, moved more times than she can count during college, and knows Charleston well enough to give directions using landmarks instead of street names. She writes fiction, spins yarn into sweaters, drinks Charleston coffee like its a personality trait, and somehow keeps four pets fed. Editing West Virginia guides comes naturally when you know the people shine... even when the sun does not.

Written with local insight from Snappy Scout relocation experts

Which West Virginia City Fits You?

The inside scoop on each city's vibe, housing, and the stuff locals swear by.

Charleston

Charleston is perfect for: capital vibes with small town front porch energy

Best known for: state government jobs, live music on the levee with river sunsets, summer arts at FestivALL

If Charleston were a person, it'd be: warm and friendly, with a storied past

Locals live here because: government paychecks, family pace, Kanawha trail jogs

Locals swear by: Capitol Market Saturdays and the recently re-introduced Sternwheel Regatta

Read Charleston Guide

Morgantown

Morgantown, perfect for: college town buzz and suburbs

Well known for: WVU pride, research labs, traffic on game days

City as a personality: caffeinated grad student shouting "Let's go... Mountaineers!"

Move here if you want: career ladders, outdoor weekends at Coopers Rock State Forest, a quick drive up I-79 to Pittsburgh

Locals know best: thriving arts and music culture in south Park, recreational running on rail trails, and Sunnyside hills that may not be drivable when the first winter storm hits

Read Morgantown Guide

Huntington

Huntington is perfect for: riverfront fun, big-hearted neighbors, a surprisingly good food scene

Best known for: Marshall University spirit, healthcare jobs, local music

Huntington in human form is: a down-to-earth friend

Move here for: affordable mortgages, hospital careers with Marshall Health, quick Ohio commutes

Locals swear by: Herd game days and Ritter Park strolls

Read Huntington Guide

Wheeling

Wheeling, perfect for: river views, history buffs, newer breweries downtown

Widely recognized as the place for: Original West Virginia history and hockey nights

If Wheeling were a person, it'd be: retired steelworker turned craft beer snob

Move here if you want: easy Pittsburgh access and grand homes priced reasonably

Locals know best: Coleman's Fish Market, Center Market, Suspension Bridge

Parkersburg

Parkersburg is perfect for: modest budgets and those looking for Ohio border convenience

Well known for: chemical plants, industry, Mid-Ohio Valley pride

City as a personality: meticulous couponer with a fishing boat

Move here if you want: easy commutes, unique history, neighborly streets

Locals swear by: Friday fish fries and high school rivalries

Read Parkersburg Guide

Martinsburg

Martinsburg is perfect for: DC paycheck, WV mortgage, commuter rail convenience with MARC

Best known for: the Eastern Panhandle boom and weekend getaways to nature trails

City in human form is: federal contractor gardening tomatoes at dawn

Locals live here because: affordable property, train access, suburban schools

Locals know best: geocaching, history, Sheetz runs

Beckley

Beckley is perfect for: fans of art, history, and the great outdoors

Well known for: the Tamarack, coal mining heritage, highway crossroads

If Beckley were a person, it'd be: resilient and proud outdoorsman

Locals live here because: central to everything, reasonable mortgages, quiet evenings, simpler way of life, close to the New River Gorge National Park

Nothing's more Beckley than: Friday night football and church parking lot chatter

Read Beckley Guide

Local's Q&AReal answers from someone who lives here

Eating Like a Local in West Virginia

Everybody talks about pepperoni rolls when the topic of West Virginia food comes up. But there's so much more to enjoy - from springtime ramps to autumn pawpaw fruit, apple butter festivals, and more! In Helvetia - a Swiss-settled town in Randolph County - you can enjoy Swiss Appalachian cuisine in The Hütte.