When you’re excited about shifting to West Virginia, bustling cities like Charleston or Huntington may come to thoughts. Nevertheless, this state has far more to supply. From quaint downtowns to festivals that deliver the group 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 talk about 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 value: $226,000
Properties on the market in Elkins | Residences for hire in Elkins
Elkins, positioned 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 known for the Mountain State Forest Pageant, one of many largest and oldest festivals within the state. The occasion celebrates the area’s forestry business with craft festivals, parades, and out of doors actions. Elkins can be residence to the American Mountain Theater, the place guests can get pleasure from stay performances of bluegrass, nation, and people music—a real nod to the city’s Appalachian roots.
2. Kingwood, WV
Median sale value: $180,000
Properties on the market in Kingwood | Residences for hire in Kingwood
Kingwood is a quiet city in northern West Virginia. The city is residence to the annual Preston County Buckwheat Pageant, which has been celebrated since 1938 and attracts guests with its buckwheat muffins, arts and crafts, and livestock exhibits. Kingwood’s downtown is full of 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 value: $205,000
Properties on the market in Buckhannon | Residences for hire in Buckhannon
Buckhannon is positioned in central West Virginia with a vigorous arts scene and enjoyable annual festivals. Every spring, the city hosts the well-known West Virginia Strawberry Pageant, 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 exhibits, and sports activities. The downtown space is lined with distinctive retailers and galleries, like Artistry on Primary, the place native artists showcase their work.
4. Marmet, WV
Median sale value: $115,000
Properties on the market in Marmet | Residences for hire in Marmet
Marmet, a small city alongside the Kanawha River. The realm 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 may 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 move via and get a really feel for the city’s historical past in delivery and commerce. The close by Coal River is fashionable with paddlers, providing kayaking trails that allow individuals discover the attractive panorama.
5. Bridgeport, WV
Median sale value: $280,000
Properties on the market in Bridgeport | Residences for hire in Bridgeport
Bridgeport is a rising city in northern West Virginia. For these all for aviation, the close by Mid-Atlantic Aerospace Advanced may give you a glance into the city’s position in aerospace improvement. Bridgeport’s Charles Pointe space options purchasing, 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 lessons, and group occasions, enriching Bridgeport’s cultural scene.
6. New Martinsville, WV
Median sale value: $158,000
Properties on the market in New Martinsville | Residences for hire 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 group occasions, together with the New Martinsville Regatta, the place high-speed powerboats race alongside the river. Historical past lovers can discover the downtown space, full of historic buildings just like the Wetzel County Courthouse, an attractive instance of Romanesque structure. Moreover, New Martinsville’s proximity to the Ohio River additionally makes it preferrred for fishing and boating.
7. Ravenswood, WV
Median sale value: $250,000
Properties on the market in Ravenswood | Residences for hire in Ravenswood
Ravenswood is one other city positioned on the banks of the Ohio River. The city’s riverfront park has an attractive spot to calm down and is a favourite for occasions just like the Ohio River Pageant, 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 may see the Ravenswood’s Group Clock. The clock stands as a beloved native landmark price seeing.
8. Moundsville, WV
Median sale value: $122,500
Properties on the market in Moundsville | Residences for hire in Moundsville
Moundsville is understood for its historical burial mounds and distinctive cultural landmarks. The city’s namesake, the Grave Creek Mound, is without doubt one of the largest conical burial mounds in the US. Courting again over 2,000 years, the location offers individuals a captivating glimpse into prehistoric Native American tradition. Moundsville can 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 historical historical past, haunted websites, and group occasions, Moundsville gives an unforgettable expertise for historical past buffs and thrill-seekers alike.
Methodology: The median residence sale value is from the Redfin Knowledge Middle.
