Fairfield Glade
Crossville, Tennessee
Morgantown, West Virginia
What It Is Like to Retire in Morgantown
Morgantown, West Virginia is a unique and understated community for retirement. Home to the West Virginia University, its 28,000 students are a major influence on the community. Cost of living is low and recreational activities in the nearby mountains, the Monongahela River, and Cheat Lake are extraordinary. There is a nice downtown and an emerging high tech business center. Median age is very low - 24 years of age. Chosen as one of West Virginia's Designated Retirement Communities. Morgantown has been ranked with number of other awards from major magazines including best Boomtown City, Smartest Place to Live, Hottest City, etc. Pittsburgh, PA is only 75 miles away.
Watch this short Youtube Video prepared by West Virginia Tourism:
Where to Retire in Morgantown and Home Prices
There appear to be some continuing care communities in the area. There are a number of old neighborhoods in the city such as Suncrest and Sunnyside. The median home value was $270,285 according to Zillow in mid-2024, which is a much lower than in the rest of the U.S. Property taxes are low, much less than $1000 on average.
What Is Special about Morgantown
University of West Virginia - Chosen as a "Designated Retirement Community" by the State of West Virginia - Cheat Lake - Great outdoor recreation - Livable college town - Low crime - Mountaineer Field at Milan Puskar Stadium - Hazel Ruby McQuain Riverfront Park - Pedestrian Walking and Recreational Trails System.
What Is Not Special about Morgantown
A bit isolated and hard to get to.
Who Will Like Retirement in Morgantown
People who like living in a vibrant college town. Also, folks who like living close to plenty of outdoor recreation in the form of mountains, lakes, and rivers. Morgantown is above average in walkability when compared to other towns.
Local Economy Is Driven by
Education, health care, high tech. Unemployment is lower than national average.
Climate and Physical Environment
Morgantown is located in northern West Virginia near the Ohio and Pennsylvania borders. The area is hilly. The average January temperature is about 30 and the average July temperature is in the low 70s.
Restaurants & Cultural Scene
Core Arboretum; Metropolitan Theatre (former vaudeville house); The Warner Theatre; Morgantown Arts Center (MAC); WVU Creative Arts Center.
Crime
The crime rate is lower than the national average.
Medical facilities
West Virginia University Hospital and Monongalia County are both here.
Transportation
The U.S. Department of Transportation built an experimental personal rapid transit system in the city in the 1970's. The Morgantown Personal Rapid Transit (PRT) has been in use since 1975. Morgantown Muni Airport is in town, and Pittsburgh's Allegheny Airport is about 50 miles away. I 79 goes through town.
Valuable Links
City of Morgantown Wikipedia on Morgantown Morgantown City-Data
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