Great Rural Towns in West Virginia to Retire or Buy Real Estate.

Want to buy some rural real estate in West Virginia? Lookin to get out of the city and own some mountain real estate? If you said yes, this video has someplace that might be worth a look.
Today we are looking at great rural towns in the Mountain State for retirement and the Zoom Boom.
West Virginia is a great state that has had some issues in the last couple of decades which they are in the middle of recovering from. The good news about that is West Virginia is an incredibly affordable place to live. Just don’t go there looking for a job. They don’t have many.
This series has been focusing on Rural towns that retirees and remote workers are on the hunt for. This is a trend that has been growing in recent years.
Like I said in the other videos, I normally do Top 10 lists, but not all states have 10 good rural towns and I don’t want to waste your time with some places that are a reach just to get to 10.
Like I said the focus of this series is rural towns. That normally implies a good distance outside a metro area.
With the towns in this video, we are looking for that sweet spot. A decent place to live that isn’t too close to any major cities, easy on the crime rate, not 5 hours away from a hospital or so far out in the sticks they have horrible internet. Those things knocked a lot of small towns off this list.
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[@beserkergang]

If you are seriously looking at WV here is a tip from a local. Don't live next to a river. Dont live next to a creek. As a matter of fact dont live next to a small trickle of water. You will get flooded. Check to make sure that you have at least one way of driving to a town without crossing a waterway. Always keep gas for your car and generator. Have a source of heat that doesn't require electricity. Some winter storms knock out power and block roads. Some storms in the summer knock out power and wash out bridges and roads. Don't have large trees next to your house. They can fall on it. How do I know? All of this happened to me. Other than that, it's a great place to live.

[@skytrip5273]

Thanks for the information. It was more informative than the video.😁👍

[@larrybuckner8619]

It’s so tempting to live near that water.

[@kimsmith6469]

You can live near a creek..just Build HIGH!! ..like they when you have a house on or Near the beach!! .. Build UP!!😊😊

[@kimsmith6469]

I'm looking at housing now in WVa..but I want one level..1 or 2 bed rooms 1 full size bath..

[@donnaburkett7854]

Sounds like Vermont

[@bellaeden6551]

After a career in military service, I choose to buy a home in West Virginia last September. Life is good and I'm happy I did. Thank you West Virginia.

[@lanetteprice7508]

Welcome

[@bellaeden6551]

@@lanetteprice7508 Thank you. I have been more than welcomed here. People, new neighbours have been great here.

[@heygetoffmylawn1572]

Thank you for your service. We spent 2 weeks last year on vacation in WV. Explored parts of the Monoghela National Forest and went as far south as Lewisburg. Which part did you choose to settle? Such a beautiful state. We did a lot of driving where we were staying.

[@bellaeden6551]

@@heygetoffmylawn1572 Mill Creek, WV (pop. 700) It's located about twenty miles S/SW of Elkins in Randolph county.

[@monmixer]

Quiet in the hills for sure. Great place to retire. There are bob cats, mountain lions and bears though. Also tons of other critters you learn to live with.

[@queen_of_swords7671]

I am just visiting West Virginia right now, they might not have many jobs here but people are awesome, they will always have a place in my heart 💜 Thank you West Virginia!! ❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@WorldAccordingToBriggs]

So true!

[@lanetteprice7508]

Thank you all my life in West Virginia

[@justintyree6242]

Ty we are glad to have ya, enjoy your stay and cmon back

[@dicarroll]

Thank you! Love my home

[@TheToxicTank]

We actually have a lot of good jobs but 95% of the population either doesn't pursue the required education or get the education and move out of state. I work with people who get paid well above the median salary but we only get applicants from out of state. Even for a job as common has Human Resources, we had to hire someone to travel in from Ohio every couple weeks. We blame jobs but the majority don't put in the work to be qualified for said jobs. Doesn't even have to be college in some cases. It can be technical schools, or certification programs. We would love to hire local and rarely can.

[@ricgoss817]

My daughter went to medical school in WV & now she is a resident doctor in the state. This Floridian has decided to stay in WV at end of residency. Why? She said the state is beautiful, a lot of outdoor activity, affordable living & most important the people are authentic, friendly, & are givers rather than takers.

[@jannoyes6248]

Sad people of the world that for the better of society lets all take a needle from dr fauci. Hope you all get better.

[@jannoyes6248]

Wonder where all those coal mines are these days.

[@jamesstone9213]

​@jannoyes6248 retired and living the dream

[@scottp6761]

Its where I grew up. Im looking to buy a home in the woods so I can get back to my roots. Quiet and no noise and people sounds great to me. Affordability is huge there

[@warrior4JC]

This former West Virginian now Floridian has been thinking about moving back because Florida is getting filled with NY folks running from the lousy politics yet bringing the same idiocy with them, has been thinking about moving back. With our income in WV we'll live like kings

[@KanawhaCountyWX]

Other than the mispronunciations of summersville and Morgantown, you just mixed up which one has the S, as a native West Virginian I approve of this video. We're a great state on the turnaround

[@theepicgamer9476]

Not great yet but getting there

[@valerief1231]

I love WV so much, my step dad moved from Texas to Point Pleasant WV where he retired and later passed away. I still go see his wife, and if I ever get my finances in order I WILL have a summer place there!

[@russellcheng8992]

Always have been just need to keep MD people from bringing their bs as well as PA and Va.( sorry I live I'm the eastern panhandle)

[@JReed7560]

Lincoln county here

[@jennaguzek]

Same I'm from Wheeling way up in the tri-state area 👋😊

[@markdepriest418]

I live in the eastern panhandle of West Virginia. I commute to northern Virginia for work, make 6 figures then return to live in a community where the average living wage is a 1/4 of that. It's very low crime rate, gorgeous scenery and a laid back attitude of life which I wouldn't trade for anywhere else. Hopefully this state stays a secret from the hustle and misery I see daily where I spend my work day....almost heaven is a fact.

[@rodneysnextchapter615]

I live here on the Eastern panhandle as well and love it but have noticed the population going up and up so we may try to move down around Greenbrier county or Summers county WV. Really love the Lewisburg area.

[@andrewbrock3675]

Thanks for stealing from those shitty Virginians and spending your income here!

[@wvmom2727]

My son pays 1500.00 for rent in Arlington. Here in Martinsburg a decent apartment is 1600. Cost of living really isn’t cheaper here, unless you bought a house quite a while ago. The wages here certainly have not kept up with the prices of housing around here. You are correct though, people move here from the surrounding areas, because a 300- 400 thousand dollar house is cheap to them, so it drives up the cost of housing, and the people from here, can’t afford it.

[@goodgreen4616]

​@@rodneysnextchapter615 no work down here. Few mine is all. Drugs ten times worse than when "oxyana" was filmed. Heroin, fentynal, meth, because they shut the pain docs down. Unless retired and already have some cash, pretty quiet place

[@rodneysnextchapter615]

@@goodgreen4616 I'm retiring in 5 and 1/2 years. Would be nice to start getting property ready. Sad to hear about the drug issues though.

[@barttfisher]

I remember in 2007 when I was temping in real estate seeing people buy homes new from builders with the intention of selling before close of escrow to a new buyer for profit. The crash was so brutal and fast that I remember seeing a lot of these units foreclosed on with the builder plastic still on the carpet.

[@HildaBennet]

Most people find it difficult to handle a fall since they are used to bull markets, but if you know where to look and how to maneuver, you can make a size-able profit. Depending on how you intend to enter and exit, yes.

[@FinnBraylon]

The enduring US stock market bull run evokes a mix of fear and excitement, presenting opportunities with insight, resulting in $780k gains in the past ten months, utilizing a portfolio advisor for a well-defined strategy.

[@PennyBergeron-os4ch]

How do I reach out to one? my assets have been struggling since 2022 and I’ve been holding on by the skin of my teeth.

[@FinnBraylon]

Don't be hesitant to contact Sonya Lee Mitchell and follow her directions.

[@PennyBergeron-os4ch]

Just ran an online search on her name and came across her websiite; pretty well educated. thank you for sharing.

[@ae2yosemitesamvp48]

If your house is at an elevation of 2000’ then you don’t have to worry about your creek. Our home is at 1200’ and we have a nice little creek. It’s very peaceful

[@darladeibler8413]

My sister has lived in Shepherdstown, WV for over a decade now. I love visiting her there. One of my favorite towns ever.

[@dereks8930]

We just moved here. Been close, a long time resident of the panhandle. Shepherdstown is GREAT!

[@elizabethjones3484]

I’ve lived in Shepherdstown for almost 20 and there’s nowhere else in the state like it. My mom liked it so much she moved here too, getting the hell out of Maryland.

[@jimc.goodfellas]

I can tell you that a LOT of people are moving to West Virginia from around the country, I've never really seen that in my life but I guess as things get worse in the big cities people are starting to gravitate to more rural places like WV

[@buggyridge]

Started over 20 years ago. Bedroom communities for D.C. and retirees. I chose Michigan instead. More water.

[@ancomdenley9443]

I've lived there for 4 years I just moved out for a big city. Also I never saw any big city people there. WV population is declining just so you know.

[@cynthia8343]

I read from several sources that WVs water quality is bad, from decades of mining.

[@michelleparsons8775]

@@cynthia8343 The water is terrible here. I buy bottled water for consumption

[@cynthia8343]

@@michelleparsons8775 I wouldn't even want to fish from it's rivers or lakes. I've also read that healthcare is not top notch in WV, seems to me more cons than pros, not to mention the gloominess.

[@TheRidgerunner1959]

Good list! Thank you for being aware that we aren’t part of Virginia. I might have included Ripley and Fayetteville, but fully agree with the ones that you picked.

[@DanielFernandez-jv7jx]

Very helpful sir, thank you! I'm thinking of WV as a retirement destination. Your coverage of available medical care was especially encouraging.

[@t.a.k.palfrey3882]

West Virginia is one of the most undeservedly vilified states. I lived in NW Virginia for several years, and my family and I would spend many highly enjoyable holidays in the state, and had access to friends' holiday cabin on Summersville Lake, so I can endorse your positive review of this very pleasant little town.

[@skytrip5273]

Got a good laugh out of the Sandwich Bleeping conversation.

[@BobRooney290]

what about the health and environmental hazards that plagues WV from fracking? the fracktracker website shows more than half the state being polluted with water contamination and air pollution. not somewhere i would fish or drink tap water from, or raise my kids, as the sites are known for causing cancer to children. think i'll choose to buy in Bernie Sander's state instead. he passed laws that ban fracking in Vermont.

[@alexandru5369]

Yeah it gets a bad rap cause people are ignorant and hate on rural places cause they think everyone there are stupid. West Virginia is a hidden gem

[@robertcheslock9636]

You lived in NW Virginia? Is that North Western Virginia or Northern West Virginia. Many people do not know they are two separate states.

[@LisaAnnRowan]

😂well i am from morgantown my dad an cuz uncles an etc are from there its time to visit family in morgantown plus i got to visit cemetary since i loss my father its been difficult an my little sister so i am going probably next month we will see what happens

[@robfigulski1139]

Just don't go 1 mph over the speed limit in Summerville... They will get you all the time!

[@jasonmcclung9701]

As a Summersville native, I can confirm. Route 19 through Summersville is a notorious speed trap.

[@fredholley6248]

100% accurate, has been that way for a long time

[@justintyree6242]

Don't speed anywhere with a Hill, or a Ville at the end of the name cause they are all speed traps, only way most town make they're money sadly

[@terry94131]

And be aware the these hillbillies have speed limits that change, often several times, in a mile's distance. And of course, the traffic lights change faster than anywhere in the country.

[@shawnlucas1769]

Summersville is a good place for the meth heads too you can buy a lot of meth there good place for all the alcoholics too more of those there than I've ever seen in my entire life

[@kellyc2425]

I can't believe Harpers Ferry didn't make the list at all!! It's a beautiful town... I love it here.

[@TomHoffman-uw7pf]

But it's too close to Washington and Baltimore,which makes it expensive.

[@zickafoose]

Lewisburg WV was named the Coolest Small Town in America in 2011. Fayetteville, WV also another year. What kept them off the list? Folks love these towns.

[@stevepenney2073]

Fayetteville is corrupt. Real estate taxes double what they are anywhere else.Lewisburg is a cut above.

[@benjaminwagner8141]

For real though

[@schecterc1exotic]

People flooding there from DC…

[@kmccormack2490]

I agree. I thought this town would be on the list especially with its proximity to the Greenbriar and the Med School in town.

[@heygetoffmylawn1572]

We spent 2 weeks on Vacation in WV last year. We visited Lewisburg. It is a cool town. We went to the WV State Fair. Mainly stayed to the southern part of the State. Lots of hills and windy roads just to get any where. Great state parks and mountain vistas.

[@the_gilded_age_phoenix8717]

In general, this video is talking about the greater Beckley area. You get into the higher elevations and rise above the places that get that incessant dreary weather that Charleston and other WV towns get. Beckley - Summersville is pretty nice and fairly cheap. Heck, if you go out there and talk to the locals you could even find landed homesteads/shacks for like $10,000.

[@larrytennant7476]

Jake's Run area?

[@the_gilded_age_phoenix8717]

@@larrytennant7476 Not familiar with that particular area. With that said, in general, the Beckley area is becoming popular with northeastern retirees these days...so prices have been going up around there.

[@jaiymees2214]

You named my hometown and it was accurate. I will say if you're planning on moving here, buying a home is pretty much a must. There are next to no rentals so plan properly. I seen someone mention cell service, I have rarely encountered no service. I have service about everywhere. When I don't have it, it's because I'm going out to the middle of no where on purpose and could care less about a phone anyways.

[@LIBREPUB]

I spent a few years in Grafton WV and I always thought it was super chill and a good place to retire. You can get a house for nothing and it’s close enough to Morgantown, fairmont and clarksburg if you want to go into town lol.

[@stevepenney2073]

not a bad little town

[@lanetteprice7508]

I was born in Grafton and live 20 minutes from it how.

[@LIBREPUB]

@@lanetteprice7508 my mom is from Grafton and that side of the family is all from Taylor and Barbour counties. Such a neat area. Go Bearcats!

[@kmccormack2490]

I use to drive through Grafton frequently in the 1980's. I looked very depressing.

[@paulalane8638]

😁 Briggs, you just have a way of making important though mundane facts fun! West Virginia is beautiful and the people are some of the best in the US. Stay our of DC and MD....

[@tjharbert6900]

I have lived in West Virginia for over 50 years. I have lived several other places in my life but i prefer WV the most. I suggest that people try the areas about after an hour to fourty five minutes outside of Charleston. You have both the Kanawha river and the coal river and the elk river all are great for fishing and 5 hospital in the area two colleges and three types of internet.

[@joneshank1]

This is where I was raised . clendenan wv

[@ROCKINWV]

Welcome to WV. Born and raised here and expect more and more folks to migrate. Retirees and remote workers are a no-brainer. I love this place.

[@mountaineer5267]

Got out of the marine corps and bought a cabin in the woods of WV to get some of that freedom I fought for. I’ve never been happier! This state is awesome with great people and small govt. So don’t come here looking for Starbucks and other BS, leave that crap in the city. Buckhannon,WV.

[@jeanmiller1142]

Strawberry Festival

[@AsphaltMan11]

Semper Fi ! Born and raised here, and Buckhannon is very beautiful.

[@4Marktk]

You fought for the profits of the US Military Industrial Complex not for "freedom"

[@diggingmary129]

Thank you so much for your service!!! ❤ Do you still live happily in WV? I really want to move there but my husband does not, been trying to convince him for two years now 😂

[@warrior4JC]

Semper Fi

[@soapaddictOH]

Cabins, WV- just outside of Petersburg and close to everything in the area like Dolly Sods, Spruce Knob, Seneca Rocks, the caverns. The Smoke Hole and North Mountain areas are gorgeous!

[@danielintheantipodes6741]

I would never live on a river or ocean front. These days, it is only a matter of time. But I liked the look of all those towns. I could very happily live in any of them. Thank you for the video!

[@valerief1231]

My folks moved to a town near the Mighty Ohio River as my dad always stated as we crossed over the river to go into Gallipolis Ohio, then back again. They have great flood gates etc, but also their home sits way up on a hill, so they had an eagle eye view of the neighbors. I wish I could show you a picture!

[@HillFire420]

Bluewell WV is a great lil town. Close to all the four wheelers trails. Hospitals within 15 miles. Interstate very close by also.

[@loftyjones675]

yay WV! I'd love to see you do Pennsylvania next! as a Baltimoron that's fond of Appalachia, these are definitely contender states for eventual retirement.

[@warrior4JC]

Hahahah 🤣🤣🤣 baltimoron lol that's a good one 😅😅

[@davidhall8874]

Well, having lived in Summersville, I can tell you that unless you were born there, you will be an outsider forever. People will look at and treat you like an alien (from outerspace.) Richwood is so depressing I don't even like driving through it. Also, it was totaled a few years ago by the great flood. Elkins is a great place to live, but remember it is winter there six months of the year. Hinton is is very nice, particularly being on the river. It also has great railroad history. Sutton is OK. But I can't imagine why anyone would live there except for a very small lake. Shepherdstown, like every other part of the panhandle is really a other state. They are within the state border but are really more like Maryland or Virginia.

[@justintyree6242]

I definitely agree I'm from Beckley, and every time I go to Summersville Lake to fish people from Summersville act like their s*** don't stink, for sure

[@tatsumaru12345]

Summersville is a good place to visit, but definitely not live. More worried about speed trapping, than someone on a boat drinking and firing guns off. Even worse the known drug runners around there/mt nebo. Expensive too. Elkins is fantastic. Towards Fayette in say Hico is nice. Richwood/rainelle is cheap, but god awful. Rainelle used to be nice, but the drug running Pendleton's ran most of the honest businesses and people away.

[@btmountaineer93]

I’m from Beckley and agree. Summersville is definitely a speed trap. I have seen the locals pull over the state police. Also, Hinton is almost a ghost town now.

[@russellcheng8992]

Shepherdstown is over ran with liberal MD and VA transplants who are confused about their gender thanks but no thanks

[@BlueTam]

This is true wherever you go. I'm a former WV native. I've been living in Australia since 1995. Believe me I will never be fully accepted.

[@timothybockhoff1075]

Elkins, WV is a beautiful town. Been going there for years on my way to camping in the Monongahela National Forest.

[@65stang98]

something a lot of you if you decide to look into wv it is very cheap but many of the homes are old and outdated bc many locals havent had money since the coal stopped. So if youre looking to buy a home finding a brand new one is possible but not easy. Best off buying land and building your own house in my opinion being from wv otherwise youll end up with an older style that needs remodeled heavily. which some people love doing! but something to think about considering the land is so cheap.

[@caspks16moo]

If anyone is in shepherds town WV, you must try the green pineapple cafe! They make the best Korean style sushi rolls and ramen ever! They make drinks that will blow you away as well!

[@elizabethjones3484]

Love them. Manager’s Special FTW!

[@cheryldaymont9770]

I live in Mill Creek WV a sweet little town Have been here 11 years and love it

[@rebekahcessna5768]

I wish you’d put up a map of WV and pinpoint the town as you introduce each one. For people who aren’t familiar with where Morganville and Beckley are exactly much less 1 hour east . Maybe even name the county? I had to stop video to look up each place. Beautiful photography and internet info is something most forget to mention. Thanks for info though!

[@CoachBanjo]

Morgantown not Morganville. :) Go Mountaineers !

[@janenazelrod8145]

Romney, WV is one to also keep an eye on! Multiple internet providers including Hardy Net which is excellent! The location is ideal and close to Winchester Va and Washington D.C. There are multiple new small businesses opening in town and in Hampshire County. Lots of history. Real Estate offers a variety of inventory. The hospital is already very good, but is now with Valley Health with more updates in the works. There are multiple rivers to enjoy (South Branch of the Potomac and Cacapon River to name a few). The county is in the process of building new schools. I believe the crime rate is average and improving. Romney really is a hidden gem. I moved here 5 yrs ago from Virginia and sell real estate now… and I’m loving it. - Kate

[@dereks8930]

Romney is on the rise. Corridor H is going to open it up. Vote smart and try to keep some trees up, the next 10-20 years I'm betting will be massive growth up there.

[@RichWhiteUM]

I'm not far from you. I'm up in Keyser and Romney is a nice town. It's a shame what happened at the School for the Blind and Deaf there.

[@dereks8930]

@@RichWhiteUM it is, my good friends daughter goes there. He spoke very highly of the work they do with her

[@janenazelrod8145]

@@dereks8930 Everyone that I have met from the school has been very kind.

[@janenazelrod8145]

@@RichWhiteUM It is shame! It breaks my heart every time I drive through town.

[@heygetoffmylawn1572]

Great vid, Briggs. We spent 2 weeks vacation in the southern part of the state last summer. Very, very rural. Lots of hills and dales and windy roads to get anywhere. Surprised no mention of Lewisburg WV. We spent a little time there at the State fair.

[@juliatucker9569]

My family on my Dad’s side are from West Virginia… love the country living…😊❤️

[@highphi2266]

travel nurse here from the sunshine state and just took started a contract in Huntington… definitely not big on Huntington but listening to this video you’ve been able to show that there’s more places to consider.

[@svenrabel2650]

Huntington is a college town. You have to go around the Beckley area to see some beautiful sights

[@blueoval250]

Huntington is definitely the worst of the worst when it comes to WV.

[@highphi2266]

some of the local nurses told me to check out New River Gorge

[@blueoval250]

@@highphi2266 that’s a nice area, the zip lines are great. The state museum in Charleston is excellent and it’s free. The Greenbrier is amazing but expensive. There is lots to do if you like being outside.

[@stoneyharpa4512]

Lol, that place is ghetto

[@missrita1826]

We here in West Virginia have a great amount of little towns that are great and the people are spectacular.

[@michelleparsons8775]

Briggs check out Buckhannon and Greenbank WV. They are my two favorite places here. They are unique for different reasons. Also , thank you for respecting my state. 😊

[@scientific_baller]

Elkins is great. Moved there 8 years ago and it is a small town with plenty keep you from having to travel out of town to often.

[@susanidepatton9338]

Check out Franklin, WV - an hour from two hospitals, home to tallest peak in WV and so much more!

[@MountainRancher]

I have 184 acres near Franklin. Pendleton County is awesome.

[@SuzanMiller-ou5kq]

Good caving too

[@justintyree6242]

Fun fact about SummerSville. They have a large dam there, and it's just outside the town. Kn unincorporated area of Ghad, and there was a big fuss, because when it was finished the ppl that lived there and would benefit, off of tourism and fishing really wanted the dam to be named the Ghad Dam. Ty for making WV look good, as life long resident we get a bad reputation, but I am from Beckley, and uour list is great, and places areCHEAP, so its a great place to retire. In my opinion THE best top 10 WV video made, all your top 10's are. Big fan Briggs, Ty again

[@MarkM58]

My grandmother was born in Gad in 1901. My mother was born in Jody in 1928. Both towns are now on the bottom of the SummerSville Lake.

[@justintyree6242]

@@MarkM58 that id cool. I didn't think anyone would believe me

[@31BCooter]

It was just Gad no Ghad.

[@3ch1dna07]

Thank you for this! My son is getting into forestry and West Virginia is a likely location for him. This could really help him.

[@svenrabel2650]

If he loves forestry he'll love it here.

[@3ch1dna07]

@@svenrabel2650 He absolutely loves forestry and being outside. I think you are right.

[@davelowe8105]

Mention Logan county to him. Currently there's 1 game Warden for a huge 5 county area! They're begging for help!

[@3ch1dna07]

@@davelowe8105 I will. Thank you!!

[@suzybailey-koubti8342]

@@davelowe8105, do you remember in the 1970’s when the Browning guys from Cow Creek were forest rangers? I grew up at Omar and we respected these brothers like we did the police.

[@margiewood3349]

My brother lives in Summerville. Very beautiful, I used to lived in WV a few areas Buckhannon and Volga both places i lived at was not inside of the towns. The holler is where i liked. Love WV but we moved to MI for family but definitely looking to buying a vacation home in WV

[@sandyw3894]

My mother-in-law was hoping you'd mention Parkersburg or Vienna where she's from. Of course, she hasn't lived in either place in almost 70 years, so they may no longer be small and rural. Good video Briggs. Thank you. ❤️

[@vancejones7698]

Parkersburg has never been a small rural town in terms of WV. 30k in population used to be the third largest city in wv

[@lilredexptsc]

Parkersburg isn’t that great of a city. They call it the Dirtyberg. It’s not a bad place though. It does have its problems with drugs, however.

[@BlueTam]

I'm originally from there. Last time I went home was in 2017. Lots of crime, drugs, and homeless now. I was shocked.

[@vancejones7698]

@@BlueTam I'll be there at the end of the month. Mr. Bees and pizza place pizza for me

[@BlueTam]

@@vancejones7698 jealous

[@michaelfarmer4932]

My dad lives in Lerona WV which is near Pipestem State park. And only 30 minute from Princeton and 30 min from Princeton, which would be the nearest bigger city. Very beautiful, far enough out but close enough to town. If I could make a living there I would be there in a heartbeat.

[@supertal6074]

I think WV is one of the most beautiful states in the US. Just a gem but as I look at so much information about the state it seems the so much of it looks dilapidated. So many buildings and houses look like they are about to fall over - seems like such a shame. I wish the cities and towns looked a little more modern and not so run down.

[@grimeybeast1465]

Summersville is also 45 minutes away from some great skiing, and, some of the best white water rafting, and outdoor activities you'll find on the East coast.

[@bah5310]

Eastern panhandle is full of DC workers. I good friend of mine lives in Charlestown and rides the train to DC. That's what drives up the cost of real estate.

[@jennaguzek]

I know we are a big state but you need to come up to Northern WV.. I've always loved my home state!! It's beautiful!!

[@fwilliamcony28]

There is a very small town in the Northern Panhandle in Brooke County and not far from Wheeling on the back roads. It is Bethany, WV and home of Bethany College. In addition to being close to Wheeling, it is also near Wellsburg, WV. and not far from Washington, PA on the back roads. Bethany is nestled in the hills and surrounded by clean water creeks.

[@teacher_of_the_arcane5399]

Next time you're in the Mountain State, stop in Kingwood (pop ~4000) which is right on the Cheat River (whitewater and trout fishing). We have a relatively new hospital facility, a fairly lively real-estate market, the annual Cheat River Festival (May - whitewater and music - drawing 3-4000 people), and the annual Buckwheat Festival (September - drawing 40,000 people). We have West Virginia's Number One small craft brewery within a few miles (Screech Owl), a high school/vo-tech facility that produces journeymen electricians ready to go to work, computer literate job candidates, and college-prep young people ready to pursue, medicine, engineering, or Annapolis. Stop by for a cup of coffee!!

[@jatraveler1277]

sounds delightful. any places for rent?

[@carolyn9andthecats653]

.....and don't forget Mountaineer Challenge Academy for the kiddos lol I graduated there in 96 n was a great start in life.

[@wvmom2727]

@@jatraveler1277 are you retired or work from home?

[@wvmom2727]

There’s no jobs there.

[@jatraveler1277]

@@wvmom2727 retired

[@markfletcher8084]

I agree with Hinton, beautiful town that I have visited several times. Born in Princeton WV.

[@NinjaCat121]

Take it from someone who lives in the areas, Hinton may look beautiful, but it has some major issues with crime and drugs. Its a hot spot for tourism and outdoor activities, but living there is a nightmare. Lots of theft and petty crimes, not to mention the drugs (but to be fair a lot of the state struggles with that sadly). Hinton is beautiful, like out of a Hallmark movie, but isn't the best place to live. Moving back towards Beckley theres Nimitz, Jumping Branch, Shady Springs, Daniels, and Beaver, all of which are small towns that are quiet, spread out, but not too far from modern needs.

[@carolyn9andthecats653]

Hey, all in all, really cool that ya did that survey n now Ima just help ya realize the truth on our WV. Been all over my state, gorgeous n love it, yet we got hit hard years ago due to the #1 income mines getting shut down at 70%.....so good men had to go elsewhere into construction, retail, etc, n take a notch off of that manhood to do so just to provide for the family. N here in WV, when it did get hard w all that, we went back to our roots.....yes, some turned to the pills....yet that mess is old,, n back to the homestead, (not the youtube bs) but what me n my family has done for 200 years. You've mentioned that you've been here, n I don't have to tell ya that it did get bad.....but we all didn't faulter, we just realized the world was changing for the worst.......N WENT BACK HOME. Ain't no covid out here in these woods, so our "numbers" remained low, we stuck around everybody the same, n not a dam thing happened w my family. Were from ghost town nesterville....n raised stock,, cropped n farmed since then. Right now jobs are a plenty, for the ones that wanna get up off their horizontal ass, anyhow! (So what ya said that was a bit farfetched) Better research should spoke louder words to ya in order to produce this kinda video as to THE NEW CUMBERLAND, WV! we're surrounded by yuppies n guys that play that city card, but we have NOT faulted, n maintain as this is cumming up to be "the new way of life"....unless you're a blind millionaire.....all this I ONLY say bc I've left WV for the USMC, n seen the world all over, (so maybe yall should be introduced to me n my company,) n our whole plans to replace coal n get our men back to it! Gonna get WV back on its feet......yet I don't handle tourism, but that is most certainly another angle,( as I can provide some GPS coordinates to experience every bit of nature n mountainside to impress both YOU and your family! Briggs, I've served too....been thru alot to where Ima just leave it at that.....America has amazing shit that WE ALL NEED TO PRESERVE......east to west......ain't no reason to even visit another country(which I'm sure we both have) so my brother, my only ploy n my ONLY advice is that WV should be on MANY bucket lists! These mountains make ya fight for what is right....is why we're all so inviting, open, friendly, n tough enough to survive. HMU personally, n as a fellow vet, as I respect what you're doing, would wanna do nothing but spread the love n increase maybe your views, n maybe both our knowledge......I've always wanted to live in the dirt n all that is the Rocky Mtn range lol......yet in another 1-3000 years, those babies will age n resemble our old tree top mtns!!!! Facts. Love the videos, yet we're ripe w/ jobs n opportunities here, I can provide proof. Can only bounce back if all will participate, ya know?! Sorry such a long response, but hope you n your viewers can respect, understand n come on down to check us out, as yall won't be harmed nor underminded. Check out WV.....well make it worth you time n effort. Thank Yall for your time n May GOD be w/ yall! Love the videos.

[@sabinadonofrio8863]

What do you think about the hillsville area? Princeton? Fancy gap? Just sold my home in Florida, lived in pa., leaving this weekend to home shop.

[@kevinharper7037]

Shout out for Weston WV, It is midway between Summersville and Morgantown. Low Crime rate, affordable housing, internet and health care are available. Great driving roads, close to river and outdoor activities, even a local resort with a golf course, it even has an insane asylum to make things interesting, though it has long been closed. I have always enjoyed my time there.

[@angelagorshe1264]

Thank you. I'm going to check it out right after the video ☺️. Colorado is becoming another California so sad

[@gmoneysobroke]

@@angelagorshe1264 I'm renting in Denver area right now. Going to Charleston, WV next week to look for a new place to live LOL

[@skillzondamand]

I stay in Buckhannon, and weston, and Elkins have a horrendous drug problem...you'd be surprised.

[@elizabethjones3484]

Home to one of THE most awesome Halloween parties, the Trans Allegheny Lunatic Asylum Ball. 😁

[@amirreza354]

I am accepted in the West Virginia state university and I am from Iran I just nervous about job, but I love west Virginia's nature

[@pamelamckenney8216]

Go back to Iran please

[@annhowcroft9493]

Thank you for the info, WV is one of the few states I can afford in retirement.

[@michaelmorrison8846]

I’m currently in Richwood West Virginia. It’s an old mining town, it’s not what it used to be but it’s a good town. My cousin owns the sporting good store in town and I’m related to a bunch of people in the area.

[@joshlewis5486]

So many people from Pennsylvania went to Shepherdstown in may of 2020. WV was open.

[@darladeibler8413]

My sister has lived in Shepherdstown for over 10 years now. I absolutely love visiting her there and would consider moving there myself from PA.

[@elizabethjones3484]

We know. They can’t drive. 😂

[@brandoncraiglowe9521]

Ceredo kenova is a wonderful little area... lived there my whole life until recently

[@jabronijoestar5581]

I (26M) have lived in WV my entire life and am now moving. This state may be a good retirement destination for you, but let me run down the reasons why WV is not a good option for most people. - Local/state government is completely broken and does not work for the average citizen. Roads are crumbling and cratered from years of neglect and internet service providers have predatorily monopolized these small communities. 25 Mbps speeds (or slower!) is still the standard even in larger cities like Morgantown. 5G service is also nonexistent. West Virginia ranks 49th or 50th out of all states in infrastructure. - All these community hospitals that were mentioned in the video are nothing more than band-aid stations. There are only two level 1 trauma hospitals in the entire state (located in Morgantown and Charleston). You'd be lucky to find a neurologist on staff at any hospital besides those two. The nearest burn center is in Pittsburgh, PA. If you're a veteran, the only VA hospital is in Clarksburg, but they are ill-equipped and if you need to see any type of specialist, you'll be referred to the VA hospital in Pittsburgh. - The winter months can be especially brutal. The higher elevations and lack of road maintenance can lead to some deadly situations whenever snow accumulates. Fall is the prettiest season, but also the shortest. Those beautiful bright leaves you see in the postcards give way quickly to barren trees, freezing winds, and grey skies. In fact, seasonal affective disorder is very real here, because WV experiences some of the most cloudy days and extreme overcast in the country. It's very disappointing for a state that bills itself as an outdoor paradise. Anyway, these are just a few of the things that I think are worth mentioning. I haven't mentioned the housing bubble or opioid crisis, because those are basically nationwide events now. These are the things I think will impact the most retirees or prospective transplants.

[@jabronijoestar5581]

@N. S. Glad you found it helpful. I’m moving to DC this August since I’m a security contractor and the pay/amenities are more in line with what I’m looking for in the city.

[@jabronijoestar5581]

@N. S. If you want in on a little well-kept secret, you can get some of the cheapest waterfront property in the entire country in Virginia’s Delmarva Peninsula near Chincoteague Island. It’s about 3 hours outside of Baltimore! It’s not really for me personally because I don’t like the beach very much, and it’s a very rural location, but I could see it being an insanely cheap and great remote work option with natural beauty and infrastructure.

[@mw-ny7gq]

I moved out long time ago, but my family is still there. I agree with your assessment, however there is a VA Hospital in Beckley as well. Also, good luck. DC is awesome but can be super expensive. Was a culture shock when I moved to DC years ago.

[@jabronijoestar5581]

@@mw-ny7gq Forgot about the one in Beckley! Thanks for the correction.

[@rodneyjordan6745]

Many towns in WV just as nice as what you mentioned. But you did pick some pretty nice ones. I'm a big Richwood fan. Richwood puts you within easy reach of the best outdoor beauty WV can offer. Hinton is VERY close to the New River Gorge.

[@jacqueline1099]

In my opinion, Lewisburg, WV should have been on this list

[@connie4937]

I live in Richwood and it is an awesome little town. But I have to say some of the pics you showed of Summersville were actually in Richwood

[@David_Quinn1995]

I think Starlink is going to be a really competitive alternative once it is in full boar, I just hope the price comes down even if it matches Verizon's prices $100 a month for 1 gb speeds.

[@user-gw6gj3is1j]

So both Richwood and Summersville are close to Summersville Lake. Which drains in the Fall feeding some of the world's most impressive whitewater on the Gauley River. The New River is also close and has great whitewater, as well. Lots of climbing , hiking and biking trails.. Both are National Parks, I might add. And, it's not far from Winterplace Ski resort. Peace

[@mickvogt7977]

Harper's Ferry, not Shepherdstown, is where the Potomac and Shenandoah meet. Shepherdstown is on the Potomac.

[@michaelmorrison8846]

All my family is from Richwood and Fenwick which is the next city over. My cousin owns the four seasons outfitters in town. Not a lot to do but there are several mom and pop places to eat. Mostly you will have to go to summersville for shopping though. Also a couple years ago there was a massive flood which destroyed the school and they are still teaching out of portable trailers

[@georgiancrossroads]

Hey Briggs just some thoughts for a version of Rural Towns in Southeast Alaska. Haines (where I lived for 22 years) fairly well stocked clinic w/dentist, hardly any crime, affordable, medevacs for big stuff covered by insurance, three grocery stores. two hardware stores, build your own home. Oh and the most spectacular place imaginable. Drive to Canada. Petersburg similar, on an island, it helps to have Norwegian ancestry. Sitka, about 8 or 9 thousand people, full service hospital, acts like a larger city, lots of traffic because it's on an island. (Juneau and Ketchikan are not rural towns.) These are excellent places to live. All served by a ferry system to the airport in Juneau. Think about it.

[@justbigjoe]

Briggs you should do videos on great rural towns period. Some of us don't care about internet and amenities. We just want to get away from all that stuff and here quiet.... Just quiet and inexpensive.

[@brucehampton3691]

Loved the video. You covered all the things I'm looking for in retirement .... except one. You should add cell phone service availability. I've heard it's spotty in some parts of the state.

[@emeralctygrl]

The cell service can be spotty, but if have access to WiFi your phone should connect and give you access to your cell phone.

[@casualeann]

Credibility takes a hit when almost everything is an hour east of Charleston, and MORGANTOWN and SummerSville are named incorrectly, but some of the places on this list are nice. Hinton is great just for being on the river and having the Amtrak station

[@Phage116]

I mean Summersville and Richwood are right beside each other, same county, and Beckley is just south of Summersville so like an hour east of Charleston lol.

[@stanbark007]

Yeah, to a local, the mispronunciations were pretty glaring. Adding and subtracting S's to the town names. However, for me, this is a pretty minor quibble when compared to the larger video, which was pretty good and informative. Also, big props for including my hometown of Elkin(s)!!! (now living in MorganStown. lol. ).

[@miken5413]

I only heard of one of these, plus they are deep in West Virginia. I don’t see how Berkeley springs did not make the list

[@Blu-el3je]

West By God Virginia! I was born and raised in the state. I spent many summers on/around Summersville Lake camping, fishing and water skiing.

[@GreggBB]

Wow, really great places!! Loved these. Thanks for this one. If I move ever again, I'm thinking it's to one of these places.

[@jstanovic]

Caution if you have a health condition. We were traveling on Rt 33. I was told they had a customer who had a heart attack the previous weekend. They called for an ambulance. The dispatcher to them to load him into a car and try to make it to the hospital. The other ambulance was engaged on the other side of the county!

[@richardfowler3254]

Back in the 1990's I worked in West Virginia at The Greenbriar before they opened up the bunker under the West Virginia Wing. I truly loved it there, the people I met were the most welcoming and nice to me. I have always wanted to go back now that I am retired and have a good look around. If I could have all of my family (adult children) move there (but no work in their chosen fields) we could be a very happy bunch...

[@FINNYRAWR]

But good video btw, im glad Richwood made it to #5.

[@jiridax2]

A lot of people are moving to WV, I’ve lost 6 clients looking for homes in the past year. It’s way more affordable then Maryland, but still a doable commute to the Baltimore/DC metro.

[@carolyn9andthecats653]

No shit!!!? You are the man....actually respected that survey that ya posted! Thank you my brother! Semper Fi! - Corporal Brent Arbogast, USMC, 3/5 96-01.....OH, and a proud WV man! Thanx again!

[@thelibertariantrucker1528]

I lived and worked in Athens, WV between tours in Afghanistan and Iraq... I miss West Virginia!

[@gokulink11]

I've been to hinton and summersville a lot, and what I can say is that summersville is good but the party scene there is kinda livid and can get rowdy sometimes. Hinton on the other hand is full of the nicest people I've ever met, yet they are so incredibly weird. It's like they were cut off from the rest of west virginia and grew their own community.

[@gokulink11]

Also the flooding of the greenbrier isnt too bad, I will say if you like catching red-eye bass the river is completely stuffed with them, my record was 13 in one night.

[@masonbeall3216]

I was waiting for you to mention one of our wonderful towns in the eastern panhandle

[@elizabethjones3484]

When the Eastern Panhandle accepts that it’s part of WV, maybe.?

[@wesspinks2719]

As a Summersville wv native this video is very accurate. Come on down home where we treat ya like family.

[@angelgirl7832]

Love your videos. I watched this one with great interest because I lived there with my husband and son for 12 years. Great place to live if you can handle crazy jokes about living in WV. State withholding taxes and property taxes are low, however they do have car taxes and pools and dogs are taxed as well. I did want to give you a heads up about Shepherds Town. Beautiful and rich with history there is a lot of places that are supposed to be haunted. I saw a documentary on it awhile ago. They also have regular ghost tours. Just thought I would let you know.

[@Trainwreck144]

Thank you, WV Dept. Of Commerce.

[@thomassears1432]

I’m from just outside of Sutton, I haven’t lived there since 1975, but it was a great place to grow up.

[@lewisbaxter9036]

Can definitely vouch for Elkins wv. Great little town. Had a couple of decent bars when I was there a few years ago.

[@kmccormack2490]

A couple of observation - you should have mention Davis and Elkin's College in Elkin of Shephard College in Shephardstown. Shephardstown is an exurb of Balto/DC which accounts for the high real estates costs. And I'm really surprised that Philippi didn't make you list.

[@13foxtrot34]

Great video as usual, but I was wondering if you could make a video about either the best states or small towns with good veteran health care?

[@susancampbell2112]

Frontier internet is basically the only internet available for 90% of rural WV. It is a very sad internet experience. Ours has been ok lately, but we are not big on gaming online so not as much problems. It does go down occasionally.

[@elizabethjones3484]

Wind blows hard, Frontier goes down. So glad to have Xfinity here in town.

[@larrybragg4898]

Point pleasant wva is starting to grow new industry coming in great rivers very affordable 2 hospitals easy drive to Charleston Huntington and Parkersburg it's the trip angle of wva point is in the center

[@jeanwalker4011]

I live in Richwood and love it here. There’s no grocery store, fast food or anything like that. Summersville is the big city we go to if we need anything from Walmart or a doctor or something.

[@josephdurnal]

Great video. I lived in Elkins for a short time in the early 80's when I was a little kid and that's where my sister was born. Fun fact that is where I saw the original theatrical release of The Return of the Jedi. They used to have two hospitals. Can't remember the name of the one where my sister was born, but it was across the street from the Davis Medical Center, it was later converted to a Days Inn, now it is Wingate by Wyndham. I live in Maryland now but I own some property between Elkins and Clarksburg. Shepherdstown isn't too far from where I live in Maryland and I know some folks that live over there. You can catch a commuter train to DC just down the road.

[@susan3200]

Idk 🤷‍♀️ if anyone else is interested, but we would love to see you do a video on Cranmore Meadows tiny house community or any other similar community in North Carolina. Seems more and more like buying a real house just won't be in the cards. Thanks for considering the idea!

[@ritadevins2264]

The information is well done, but Summerville is actually Summersville, and Morganstown is actually Morgantown! We love our beautiful West Virginia!!!

[@BarbCadyTalkOutLoud]

Nice review. WV appreciates the increased awareness. You did get some of the towns' names incorrect but not that badly.

[@smarterthanyou5273]

Summers county native here born and raised in Talcott WV Hinton is the country seat. You had a normal Hinton experience. That place is hell on earth full of drug addicts, thieves crooked cops and politicians. Damn near everyone there is on the government dole. There's still a few good folks around and you can't beat living in these mountains.

[@walnutcreekwoodworksofjack3520]

Other Great Rural town in West Virginia is Ripley WV.

[@kcculp6430]

Union WV - you missed one of the nicest small towns in West Virginia. It's located in Monroe County in the southern part of the state.