2019 Best Places to Retire in West VirginiaAbout this List

Lewisburg

• Town in West Virginia
• 12

Current Resident: As a current resident of Lewisburg WV, I would say that this small town has earned a sweet spot in my heart. Lewisburg settles in Greenbrier County located on the south eastern part of West Virginia and is known for being the coolest small town in America. Lewisburg is an area rich in history and natural beauty with it's vast mountains and popular attractions within the city. Lewisburg is home to many historical districts and landmarks that have become part of the modern city itself, it's historical uniqueness brings the city to life by attracting many travelers and visitors from different states and different countries .
Read 12 Reviews

• A-

• B-

• A+

• 3,923 Population

Bridgeport

• Town in West Virginia
• 29

Current Resident: I moved to Bridgeport approximately ten years ago. We picked to live in Bridgeport because the academics for our children are top notch and so are the sports programs. Bridgeport may be a pricey location when purchasing a home, but the location is wonderful. It is close to the interstate, hospital, churches, mall, etc. On top of all of that, Bridgeport is a great place to raise a family. It is a very family oriented place!
Read 29 Reviews

• A

• A-

• A

• 8,382 Population

Star City

• Town in West Virginia
• 8

Current Resident: Star City is the easiest place to live in comparison to the numerous locations I've called home. Friendly people, close proximity to amenities, business development and revitalization of the area. Love this place.
Read 8 Reviews

• A+

• A

• A

• 2,256 Population

Marmet

• Town in West Virginia
• 4

Current Resident: I moved to Marmet, West Virginia, almost three years ago. I knew nothing about it but that it was about five miles from the city of Charleston. The town is quite small but the people are friendly and welcoming. There are a couple gas stations, convenience stores, food chains and even a grocery store! My friend recently bought some property in Marmet. They were some old buildings that had been condemned and deemed unsafe. He tore it all out and redid everything from the ground to the ceilings. I now live in those apartments and absolutely love it. I have a great view of the river and the mountains across the river. The only thing I would change about this little town would be some of the older property that would maybe bring the real estate down, such as old abandoned buildings or trailers. Other than that, Marmet is a great town to live in and I would certainly raise my family there. Highly recommend living in this small yet welcoming town.
Read 4 Reviews

• C+

• C-

• A

• 1,381 Population

New Martinsville

• Town in West Virginia
• 3

• B-

• C

• A

• 5,222 Population

Fairlea

• Town in West Virginia
• 2

Niche User: This is a great area to grow up and be raised, there are many opportunities to learn basic life skills. The independence this area demands from it's residents will teach and impact their lives for the better. This is not a big city what so ever, people need a sense of self being and independence that will benefit them in their ongoing life.
Read 2 Reviews

• C+

• B-

• A

• 1,743 Population

Summersville

• Town in West Virginia
• 7

Current Resident: Very friendly and caring people in summersville. Multiple restaurants to choose from. several summer activities with Summersville lake, hiking, biking, swimming, and camping. very good school board with well maintained grade school, middle school and high school. Private school is also an option with New Life Christian academy. I am a current resident of summersville as this is where i grew up, and i plan to stay here and raise my family.
Read 7 Reviews

• B-

• C

• A

• 3,433 Population

Teays Valley

• Town in West Virginia
• 28

Niche User: I believe Scott Depot, West Virginia is a great place to live. It is a small town, but it's growing at a steady pace, everyone knows everyone. It has a very low crime rate, there are a lot of job opportunities to come in the future too, because this city is growing at a steady pace. Each class that graduates from my school gets bigger and bigger each year. Being in Scott Depot, West Virginia, you get to experience all four seasons as if you were up north, but you also get to experience some southern hospitality as if you were in the south. It's right in the middle, it's awesome! You are surrounded by beautiful mountains and trees, but you are also only six to eight hours away from the beach.
Read 28 Reviews

• A-

• B+

• A

• 13,805 Population

Ronceverte

• Town in West Virginia
• 2

Current Resident: I live and work in Ronceverte, WV and it is a safe, quiet town with a great community park on the Greenbrier River. It is close to shopping and has a great corner diner and a nice little bakery. There is a flea market on Thursdays and the people are friendly. They are trying to revive the downtown and are working hard to bring this little town back to life.
Read 2 Reviews

• B

• B-

• A

• 1,808 Population

Hinton

• Town in West Virginia
• 7

Former Resident: I absolutely loved little Hinton! It's tucked away in the rural hills of southern West Virginia and obscured by the vast mountains that surround it. There's nothing like floating on the unique rivers in a kayak and taking in the beauty of the Mountain State! Fishing, hiking, biking, hunting, etc. are a few among a countless number of activities to do. Great little shops are located in a quaint downtown area for those with less adventurous tendencies. Food is excellent. The people are gems, one of kind and charismatic with their southern charm and hospitality. Another standard of living truly cannot surpass this one.
Read 7 Reviews

• C+

• D

• A

• 2,713 Population

Petersburg

• Town in West Virginia
• 3

Current Resident: It is a small town but everyone knows everyone. Job selection is fairly poor unless you want to work factory or Walmart, but otherwise, you can feel for the most part safe. The kids have a decent school and small classrooms with teachers that do care.
Read 3 Reviews

• C+

• C

• A

• 2,495 Population

Belmont

• Town in West Virginia

• C+

• C

• A-

• 1,119 Population

Dunbar

• Town in West Virginia
• 16

Current Resident: Where I live in dunbar I'm close to grocery stores, small businesses, food, and the interstate. I have lived here for a few years now and I do love it. I'm just out side of Charleston, by a ten minute drive. Close to South and North Charleston just a few minutes away from them. The area is friendly and we have many people that live around us because we live in apartments. We have everything we need pool, gym, and family evenings. A lot of stuff for kids a few parks for them to play.
Read 16 Reviews

• B

• B-

• A-

• 7,571 Population

Vienna

• Town in West Virginia
• 7

Current Resident: Vienna is the closest residential town to the big city of Parkersburg, WV. Consisting of coffee shops, swimming pools, and many side streets, this is a nice place for children to grow up. Vienna contains the closest mall for Parkersburg and Vienna residents, which holds jewellery shops, sports shops, clothing stores, and a great food court.
Read 7 Reviews

• A-

• B

• A-

• 10,547 Population

Glen Dale

• Town in West Virginia
• 1

• B

• C+

• A-

• 1,459 Population

Weston

• Town in West Virginia
• 14

Current Resident: Overall, Weston is a quiet little town that is conveniently located near several food establishments, healthcare facilities, and stores. The only thing I would change about the town is the recent addition of pipeline.
Read 14 Reviews

• C+

• C-

• A-

• 4,040 Population

Grafton

• Town in West Virginia
• 17

Current Resident: Grafton is a small town in West Virginia that offers all sorts of exciting adventures for anyone! I absolutely love living here and being only a few minutes away from one of the most beautiful lakes makes it even better. Tygart Lake State Park is an amazing family oriented getaway. Grafton is also home to the West Virginia National Cemetery where families from fallen soldiers can come together and support each other. It is truly a moving experience to see loved ones join one another. There are so many historic adventures in Grafton and I recommend everyone to put this beautiful small town on their list!
Read 17 Reviews

• B-

• C-

• A-

• 5,118 Population

Oak Hill

• Town in West Virginia
• 6

• C+

• C-

• A-

• 8,565 Population

Bluefield

• Town in West Virginia
• 20

Nearby Resident: Bluefield is a nice area overall. There is a large area where several large stores and restaurants visitors can visit. Located in the main city itself are smaller shops in the older buildings. It has a nice, vintage feel to it. The area is easy to get to and drive through. During the holidays the Festival of Lights is very fun to drive through and I always look forward to it every year. All in all, the area is very peaceful and I would definitely visit again.
Read 20 Reviews

• B

• B-

• A-

• 10,144 Population

Elkins

• Town in West Virginia
• 23

Current Resident: Elkins is a lovely town that offers nearly everything a larger city would provide. The area is very scenically beautiful and is a very eclectic. The arts, music, theater, and dance can be found throughout Elkins. The downtown area is also seeing a resurgence of new businesses in the historically remodeled buildings. Very proud to call this town my home.
Read 23 Reviews

• B+

• C

• A-

• 7,154 Population

Spencer

• Town in West Virginia
• 5

Works Here: I have lived in and around the Spencer area for several years. It is a small, rural west central West Virginia town. Opportunities for work are slim here, commutes are 20 minutes or more and nightlife is not very well represented. There are a couple of good restaurant, La Finca Mexican and Peking Chinese. The major employer in the area is WalMart which employs 150+ people, mostly part time. All in all a pretty good place to live.
Read 5 Reviews

• C+

• C

• A-

• 1,994 Population

Ripley

• Town in West Virginia
• 12

Current Resident: I have lived in Ripley since I was born; I would say there is nowhere else I would rather live. With a loving community, my time here has taught me how to be a better human, teaching me life lessons that I will carry with me for the rest of my life. I am headed to college soon so Ripley will forever be my home. To say Ripley is the perfect place to live is a stretch, but I can’t say there is any better place. Whether you live in the middle of the woods or in a metropolis, home is where your heart is. Ripley is inviting to whoever comes. Through the many activities the city provides for its people, the mayor makes sure that everyone is involved. Whether it is the 4th of July parade or a rally at the courthouse, our mayor captures everyone's attention with her positive attitude and high-energy. Recently, she has been making changes throughout the town; I believe these improvements will help our city grow and succeed with our increasing population. There is no place I'd rather live.
Read 12 Reviews

• B-

• B-

• A-

• 3,220 Population

Eleanor

• Town in West Virginia
• 4

Current Resident: Eleanor is a beautiful place to be. The slogan for the town is "the cleanest town in West Virginia" and it definitely stands up to that name. I never see trash on the roads, as far as drugs go, it's clean. This town is so quite and nice. Right across the bridge is Winfield, WV and there is plenty of attractions there that are at easy access. Walmart is close by as well. The best part about Eleanor is that it is a little town by its self but it's also not far from great stores. There's cute little places to eat, locally owned restaurants and the people are so nice here too!
Read 4 Reviews

• B

• B+

• A-

• 1,559 Population

Williamson

• Town in West Virginia
• 4

Current Resident: I worked in the coal mines for 18 years. I am now attending Southern West Virginia Community and Technical College. . I'm learning more than I thought possible I work for a company named Coal Field Development where I work on the 33-6-3 model which means I go to work 33 hours a week I go to school 6 hours a week then we have 3 hours special training I'm working on an applied science degree and farming and Technology where we take abandoned coal mines and turn them back into agricultural sub stainable properties. These are all new techniques that I am very proud to be on the ground ground floor of. This time next year we should be excelling in all of our endeavors. I just hope to be financially stable enough to stay with the company and to stay in school thank you for the opportunity sincerely yours wilburnjude
Read 4 Reviews

• C

• C+

• A-

• 2,944 Population

Pea Ridge

• Town in West Virginia
• 1

Current Resident: I have just moved here, but it seems to be a nice neighborhood. I wouldn't change anything right now.
Read 1 Review

• B+

• C+

• A-

• 6,345 Population