9 Best West Virginia Towns For Retirees
A retiree in Lewisburg can walk to the West Virginia State Fair each August. Summersville puts 2,800 acres of open lake within a short drive of downtown. Oak Hill keeps a nearly 8-mile paved rail trail running straight through its old center. Elkins sits at the doorstep of the Monongahela National Forest. A dollar stretches further in these towns than in most of the country. Property taxes stay low and the mountains stay close. Here are nine West Virginia towns that reward a slower pace.
Oak Hill
Southern West Virginia's town of Oak Hill in Fayette County sits 2,000 feet high in the Appalachian Mountains. Retirees in Oak Hill are surrounded by nature, including the White Oak Rail Trail, an almost 8-mile-long paved trail winding through the historic downtown area. The small town also has its own senior center, Oak Hill Senior Center, giving retirees a place to socialize and remain active, both physically and mentally.
Oak Hill embraces its small-town status with events that bring the community together, like the Rail Trail Expo held in June and free movie nights throughout the summer. Visitors return to Oak Hill year after year to attend Bears and Brews, held in Oak Hill's downtown area. The event, held at Lively Family Amphitheater, features live music, beer and wine tasting, and a variety of activities for all ages.
Morgantown
Found along the Monongahela River in Monongalia County, Morgantown is home to West Virginia University. This may be of interest to retirees who may be eligible to take courses there at reduced rates. The Wiles Hill Community Center offers fitness programs and activities for area senior citizens.
If sitting behind a desk or exercising indoors isn't your idea of retirement fun, instead, hike the Caperton Trail, which runs through downtown Morgantown. Outdoor enthusiasts may also want to head to Cheat Lake, just 10 miles from Morgantown's downtown area. This 1,730-acre human-made reservoir has opportunities for swimming, fishing, and boating.
Beckley
Beckley sits near the borders of Virginia and Kentucky in the Appalachian Mountains of Raleigh County. There is much for retirees to do in Beckley, with outdoor and indoor activities possible. The Raleigh County Commission on Aging provides health, fitness, activities, and support for seniors in Beckley. Those who want to get outdoors can hit the Lewis McManus Memorial Honor Trail, a 4.5-mile-long paved trail running along the former Piney River & Paint Creek Railroad, for exercise and sightseeing.
Grandview is another outdoor paradise just 10 miles from Beckley, and it contains Theatre West Virginia, which hosts live outdoor performances during the summer months. The Appalachian Arts and Crafts Fair, a celebration of mountain culture, is held in Beckley each August. While downtown Beckley is currently undergoing a revitalization, the Beckley Downtown Market, a year-round farmer's market, is one place where retirees and others gather downtown.
Elkins
Located in Randolph County at the entrance to the Monongahela National Forest, the town of Elkins is in the Allegheny Mountains. The Tygart Valley River flows through the town. Retirees in Elkins can enjoy both mountain and river activities as well as the natural beauty surrounding them.
The Arts Center in Elkins dates to 1928 and today hosts live performances and art exhibits. The Randolph County Senior Center downtown serves daily lunches, activities, and services to seniors aged 60 and above. Retirees may also appreciate the availability of Elkins' scenic train excursion by riding the New Tygart Flyer, a roughly four-hour round trip with spectacular mountain views.
Wheeling
Sitting at the foot of the Appalachian Mountains in Ohio County, Wheeling is in West Virginia's northern panhandle on the Ohio River. It is filled with activities for retirees, such as the Pepperoni Roll Festival held at Wheeling Park each spring. Art-loving retirees can gaze at the works along the Wheeling Public Arts Trail in the downtown area. This trail includes more than 70 public works of art that are free to explore.
Family Service of the Upper Ohio Valley is Wheeling's senior center, offering meals, programs, and activities for seniors. Wheeling's long history is showcased at the Wheeling Historical Society & Museum in the town's downtown area. On Saturdays during the summer months, free Live Music at the Centre Market is played downtown at lunchtime.
Buckhannon
North-central West Virginia's town of Buckhannon, along the Buckhannon River in Upshur County, appeals to retirees who are searching for a sense of community. The tightly-knit town hosts the West Virginia Strawberry Festival each May. Festival Fridays are held throughout the summer and fall at Jawbone Park and showcase live musical performances.
The Upshur County Senior Center in Buckhannon promotes opportunities for retirees to engage with their peers. More active pursuits can be followed at Upshur County Recreational Park, with sports courts, an Olympic-sized swimming pool, and hiking and biking trails available. Buckhannon is just 15 miles from Audra State Park, for even more trails and outdoor fun.
Lewisburg
In southeastern West Virginia's Greenbrier County, the town of Lewisburg sits among the Allegheny Mountains and the Greenbrier Valley. The nearby Greenbrier River offers retirees prospects for hiking, fishing, and paddle-boating. The State Fair of West Virginia is held in Lewisburg every August. This well-attended event features live performances, food, rides, and fun.
Shepherd's Center of Greenbrier Valley provides activities, events, and programs for area senior citizens. Downtown Lewisburg is famous for its historic buildings and the Greenbrier Valley Theatre, which accommodates live performances, including theater, music, comedy, and dance, year-round. Also found downtown is the Lewisburg Farmers Market, open seasonally on Saturdays.
Summersville
Summersville Lake, 2,800 acres of water with 60 miles of shoreline, is what the town of Summersville is primarily known for. This Nicholas County town in the south-central part of the state appeals to retirees looking for a water-oriented way of life. Fishing, boating, and simply enjoying the beauty of the water are popular activities here.
More outdoor fun can be had at Nicholas Memorial Golf Course, a 9-hole course that is popular with retirees. The Nicholas County Senior Citizens Center provides hours of indoor entertainment, socialization, and meals for members. Each September, thousands flock to Summersville for the Nicholas County Potato Festival. This annual celebration contains food, live entertainment, and pageants, and is something retirees and residents look forward to attending each year.
Parkersburg
Marking the spot in Wood County where the Ohio River and Little Kanawha River meet, the town of Parkersburg holds Johnson T. Janes Park, with a large nature preserve. The Wood County Senior Citizens Association provides meals, transportation, services, and activities for those aged 60 and over who are interested.
Parkersburg's townsfolk come together during the summer at the Point Park Concert Series, where musicians perform for free along the river. Each August, Parkersburg hosts the Parkersburg Homecoming Festival, an annual celebration of the town's family-friendly spirit that attracts visitors, residents, and former residents. A parade, arts and crafts, activities, and food are all available.
Settling In For The Long Haul
These nine towns share the things that matter most on a fixed income. Home prices and property taxes run well below the national average across the state. Each town keeps a senior center that serves daily meals and runs regular programs. Parkersburg pairs riverfront concerts with a downtown that residents return to year after year. Wheeling folds a working waterfront and a public art trail into everyday life. Buckhannon builds its calendar around a strawberry festival that has drawn crowds for generations. A retiree here trades traffic and cost for mountains, rivers, and a community that knows its neighbors.
