Known for its stunning mountains and many state parks, West Virginia offers plenty of activities for outdoor enthusiasts, such as skiing, fishing, hunting, whitewater rafting, mountain biking and rock climbing. For those who enjoy more of the indoor life, West Virginia is full of unique galleries and boutiques offering everything from antiques, art, original photographs, handmade crafts, craft spirits, beer, wine and much more.

Moving Advice

• Moving permits aren’t required when moving to West Virginia. In general, streets are accessible, but check local parking restrictions and street cleaning schedules with your municipality ahead of time.
• Winters are harsh, with heavy precipitation, fog and storms, which make navigating roads hazardous. If possible, schedule your move during the milder months between April and October.
• If you are driving the moving truck yourself, stick to the main highways and major service areas. Side roads can run for miles without service areas.
• Avoid traffic and save on gasby planning your move on a weekend when roads are quieter.
• Pay strict attention to speed limits, especially on mountain roads, and check your brakes frequently on down-hills.

Change your address online. To make your move from California to Colorado easier, consider changing your address online. It is easy to do, inexpensive, and will ensure that your mail arrives to your new home with you.

Cities and Metro Areas

When it comes to finding a place to live there are certain factors that must be taken into consideration. Factors like access to high-achieving public schools, infrastructure, and commuting options, as well as the quality and cost of housing.

Although a relatively large town, Morgantown proudly retains its small-town atmosphere and is relatively affordable. Star City boasts outstanding public schools, low crime rates and a reasonable amount of socializing activities. Although it is technically a small town, Bridgeport is home to a wide variety of shops, entertainment outlets, working opportunities and churches to provide residents with a fulfilled and active lifestyle.

Other notable cities/towns include Bethlehem, Teays Valley, Brookhaven and Charleston.

Cost of Living

The state’s strong economy is led by aerospace, chemical research, plastics, biometrics and medicine. The cost of living in West Virginia is approximately 16.6 percent lower than the country’s median. Playing a big part are the low energy costs, resulting from the use of locally mined resources, and the relatively low costs of land.

West Virginia has long been one of the country’s most affordable states for real estate and features one the lowest cost of living. However, the West Virginia housing market has been heating up significantly in the past decade, and particularly since the COVID-19 pandemic, following similar trends to the ones observed nationwide. West Virginia home prices skyrocketed to new heights in the months following the pandemic, with increases in the double digits in a year-over-year comparison. However, this situation could soon come to a stop.

After sitting near historic lows in the past couple of years, mortgage rates have been rapidly increasing as the Federal Reserve Bank initiated an aggressive monetary policy destined to slow down the fast-paced inflation. As a result, the demand is quickly decreasing as would-be buyers have found themselves priced out of the market or are considering putting their homebuying plans on the back burner until the interest rates return to more reasonable levels.

According to data collected in October 2022, the latest available at the time of writing, the median sale price in West Virginia has started to decline in year-over-year comparisons, falling to $279,700, 2.1% lower than the year before. The number of transactions is also decreasing sharply, with 382 houses sold in October 2022, 24.2% less than the previous year.

Climate

West Virginia experiences a predominantly humid climate. Elevation plays a large role in determining the different climates across the state. The southwest, including Charleston and Huntington areas, have a subtropical climate, with humid, warm summers and mild, often overcast winters. However, the rest of the state has a continental climate, which means winters are cold and often severe.

Temperatures in the mountain areas are cooler the higher you get and winter snowfalls can be heavy. Summers are warm but are also the time of year when most of the rainfall occurs. Fortunately, tornados are less likely than in most other states east of the Rockies.

With this humid continental climate, West Virginia has its share of pollen-producing plants. Those with allergies should take precautions during the spring, summer and fall.

Education

If you are moving to West Virginia with children, you will be happy to hear this state prides itself on its educational institutions. Current school rankings (elementary, middle and high schools), campus and district zoning/location maps, information and reviews are available online for parents moving to West Virginia.

Here are some of the highest-ranked schools and most notable universities in West Virginia:

• Elementary Schools: Three of the top 10 elementary schools are in Charleston, Kanawha County. They are Kenna Elementary School, Weberwood Elementary School and Chamberlain Elementary School.
• High Schools: The top-ranked high schools in West Virginia are Bridgeport High School in Bridgeport, George Washington High School in Charleston and Hurricane High School in Hurricane.
• Higher Education: Moving to West Virginia allows you access to a number of excellent higher educational institutions, such as Marshall University in Huntington, University of Charleston in Charleston and West Virginia University in Morgantown.

Government

The government of West Virginia has a comprehensive website with clear information about living in and moving to West Virginia. Here you’ll find out about taxes, state mortgages, employment opportunities and more.

• Excise taxes are assessed through each County Assessor’s Office.
• All new residents are required to have vehicles registered and titled within 30 days of moving to West Virginia.  Visit the West Virginia DMV for more information.
• Paying tolls can be done on the West Virginia Turnpike or at the Department of Transportation.
• Check with the West Virginia Department of Transportation to see if any road construction is planned along your route.
• To register to vote, simply fill out the online form at Secretary of State’s website or register at your county courthouse.
• Find your local United States Post Office online.
• Trash & recycling are determined by the municipality, which will have information on all waste management issues.