City life is exciting and all, but living in the country has its advantages too. Luckily for West Virginians, there are a number of rural West Virginia towns where we can enjoy a slower pace.
Check out some of the best rural places to live in West Virginia if you're looking to get away from it all:
1. Bramwell
This Mercer County rural West Virginia town is located on the Bluestone River. It had a population of 274 at the last census. Learn more about what's in store for a visit to Bramwell.
2. Union
Union in Monroe County, with a population of 425, is a small but beautiful town and one of the best rural places to live in West Virginia. And if you're interested in birds, check out the nearby Hanging Rock Raptor Observatory on Peters Mountain, where you can see hawks, eagles, and falcons. Get more details on Union.
3. Green Bank
With a population of 74, Green Bank is sure to be one of the most rural areas in West Virginia. But that’s not the only reason it’s quiet. It’s also home to the Green Bank Telescope, the world's largest fully steerable radio telescope. As such, it's within the National Radio Quiet Zone, which means that radio transmissions are heavily restricted by law. That means no Wi-Fi, microwave ovens, or even gasoline engines within a certain distance of the telescope. It’s becoming a popular place for people with electromagnetic hypersensitivity. Many even move here for that reason.
Discover more about the Green Bank Observatory.
4. Ansted
Ansted in Fayette County is located on the Midland Trail, a National Scenic Byway. It has a population of 1,290 people. If you are ever near this rural West Virginia town, check out these roadside attractions in Ansted.
5. Dryfork
Rural West Virginia's Dryfork is located along W.Va. 32 in beautiful Randolph and Tucker counties. Consider hiking out to these waterfalls in Dryfork when you are in the area.
6. Paw Paw
Paw Paw in Morgan County has about 413 people and is named for West Virginia's wild fruit, the pawpaw. Learn more about Paw Paw and its characteristics.
7. Sistersville
This town in Tyler County along the Ohio River has about 1,381 people living there. Its claim to fame is having the oldest ferry in West Virginia; it has been in continuous operation since 1817.
Stay the night (if you dare) at the haunted Wells Inn in Sistersville.
8. Romney
Romney has about 1,717 people. This rural area in West Virginia consists of about .96 square miles of land and is the oldest city in the state. August is a great month to visit Romney's Peach Festival.
9. Seneca Rocks
One of the best rural places to live in West Virginia, the community of Seneca Rocks is located on W.Va. 28/W.Va. 55 near the confluence of Seneca Creek and the North Fork South Branch of the Potomac River. It is a quiet town with some resorts and cabins and great views of the rock formation with which it shares a name. It’s perfect for anyone who likes to rock climb or be outside. Minimal light pollution also means it’s an ideal place to see the stars, too. Read more about why Seneca Rocks is so special.
10. Davis
Another rural West Virginia town, Davis has around 588 people. It’s near Blackwater State Park, full of beautiful scenery and outdoor opportunities. Get more details about Davis.
Have you ever been to these rural areas in West Virginia? What do you like about life in rural West Virginia? Tell us in the comments!
Now that you've learned about some of the best rural places to live in West Virginia, what about places to eat? Check out these awesome West Virginia restaurants.
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