Best counties to retire to in West Virginia

Written by:
July 31, 2022
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Best counties to retire to in West Virginia

Buyers and sellers of real estate alike—when asked what are the three most essential considerations about a property—will nearly always reply "location, location, location." While this answer is sometimes tongue-in-cheek, it is often quite accurate, and this reply perhaps applies to retirees more than any other demographic. Settling down after a lifetime of working and perhaps raising a family calls for the perfect location: a spot where you can enjoy life with as few concerns as possible.

When seniors aged 65 years or older decide on where they want to live out their golden years, they consider very specific factors, such as the cost of living, government services, health care facilities, weather and overall climate, crime rate, outdoor recreational activities, eating establishments, cultural and entertainment opportunities, and more.

Stacker compiled a list of the best counties to retire in West Virginia using data from Niche. Niche ranks counties based on a variety of factors including cost of living, healthcare, recreation and weather. Read more about Niche's methodology here.

Location is critical as retirees determine where to spend their senior years enjoying favorite activities; however, it's a very unique decision based on a multitude of preferences and needs. Whether it be bustling downtowns or access to parks, affordable home prices or cultural amenities like museums, retirees seeking to settle in a permanent spot are sure to find a private paradise in any of these counties recommended by Niche because, in the end, there is no place like home—no matter the location.

Read on to discover the best counties to retire to in West Virginia.

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#25. Jackson County

- Niche grades: good for retirees (B+), cost of living (A-), weather (not available), outdoor activities (A-)
- Top places to live: Ripley (B)

#24. Monroe County

- Niche grades: good for retirees (B+), cost of living (A-), weather (not available), outdoor activities (A-)
- Top places to live: Peterstown (C+)

#23. Wayne County

- Niche grades: good for retirees (B+), cost of living (A-), weather (not available), outdoor activities (B+)
- Top places to live: Lavalette (B+), Kenova (B-), Ceredo (B-)

#22. Randolph County

- Niche grades: good for retirees (B+), cost of living (A-), weather (not available), outdoor activities (A-)
- Top places to live: Elkins (B), Womelsdorf (Coalton) (C), Valley Head (C)

#21. Fayette County

- Niche grades: good for retirees (B+), cost of living (A), weather (not available), outdoor activities (A-)
- Top places to live: Fayetteville (B), Oak Hill (B-), Smithers (C+)
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#20. Lewis County

- Niche grades: good for retirees (B+), cost of living (A), weather (not available), outdoor activities (B)
- Top places to live: Weston (C+)

#19. Doddridge County

- Niche grades: good for retirees (B+), cost of living (A), weather (not available), outdoor activities (C+)
- Top places to live: West Union (B)

#18. Mason County

- Niche grades: good for retirees (B+), cost of living (A), weather (not available), outdoor activities (B+)
- Top places to live: Point Pleasant (B-), New Haven (B-), Hartford City (C+)

#17. Cabell County

- Niche grades: good for retirees (B+), cost of living (B+), weather (B), outdoor activities (B+)
- Top places to live: Pea Ridge (B+), Barboursville (B+), Culloden (B)

#16. Kanawha County

- Niche grades: good for retirees (B+), cost of living (A-), weather (B-), outdoor activities (B+)
- Top places to live: South Charleston (A-), Charleston (A-), Cross Lanes (B+)
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#15. Brooke County

- Niche grades: good for retirees (B+), cost of living (A), weather (C), outdoor activities (C+)
- Top places to live: Follansbee (B), Wellsburg (B-), Hooverson Heights (B-)

#14. Raleigh County

- Niche grades: good for retirees (B+), cost of living (A-), weather (C+), outdoor activities (B+)
- Top places to live: Shady Spring (B), Beckley (B), Mabscott (B-)

#13. Putnam County

- Niche grades: good for retirees (B+), cost of living (B+), weather (B+), outdoor activities (B-)
- Top places to live: Winfield (A), Teays Valley (A-), Hurricane (A-)

#12. Taylor County

- Niche grades: good for retirees (A-), cost of living (A), weather (C+), outdoor activities (B+)
- Top places to live: Grafton (B)

#11. Nicholas County

- Niche grades: good for retirees (A-), cost of living (A), weather (not available), outdoor activities (B+)
- Top places to live: Summersville (B), Craigsville (C+), Dixie (C)
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#10. Harrison County

- Niche grades: good for retirees (A-), cost of living (A-), weather (B-), outdoor activities (B)
- Top places to live: Bridgeport (A+), Shinnston (B+), Clarksburg (B+)

#9. Summers County

- Niche grades: good for retirees (A-), cost of living (A), weather (not available), outdoor activities (B-)
- Top places to live: Hinton (C+)

#8. Greenbrier County

- Niche grades: good for retirees (A-), cost of living (A-), weather (not available), outdoor activities (A)
- Top places to live: Lewisburg (B), Ronceverte (B), White Sulphur Springs (B-)

#7. Pocahontas County

- Niche grades: good for retirees (A-), cost of living (A), weather (not available), outdoor activities (A-)
- Top places to live: Durbin (C+), Marlinton (C+), Hillsboro (C)

#6. Mercer County

- Niche grades: good for retirees (A-), cost of living (A), weather (B), outdoor activities (B+)
- Top places to live: Athens (A+), Bluefield (B), Princeton (B)
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#5. Tucker County

- Niche grades: good for retirees (A-), cost of living (A), weather (C-), outdoor activities (B+)
- Top places to live: Davis (B-), Parsons (B-), Thomas (C+)

#4. Wood County

- Niche grades: good for retirees (A-), cost of living (A-), weather (B), outdoor activities (B+)
- Top places to live: Williamstown (A), Vienna (A-), Washington (B+)

#3. Ritchie County

- Niche grades: good for retirees (A-), cost of living (A), weather (not available), outdoor activities (C+)
- Top places to live: Pennsboro (B), Ellenboro (C+), Cairo (C+)

#2. Ohio County

- Niche grades: good for retirees (A-), cost of living (A-), weather (C), outdoor activities (B)
- Top places to live: Bethlehem (A-), Wheeling (A-), Clearview (A-)

#1. Hancock County

- Niche grades: good for retirees (A), cost of living (A), weather (C), outdoor activities (B)
- Top places to live: Weirton (B+), Chester (C+), Newell (C)
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