The Safe Cities in West Virginia

Affordable home prices and low crime rates have made West Virginia a popular destination for relocating families. The Mountain State has the lowest home prices in the United States, which may be surprising considering that the state is known for its natural beauty, abundant outdoor activities, and spectacular fall foliage.

West Virginia has a much lower crime rate than most other states. It has the third-lowest property crime rate in the South Atlantic region. Only 1.4% of the state’s residents reported a burglary, theft, or similar offense in 2022. Western Virginia's ranking for violent crime is even lower, the second lowest in the region.

West Virginia’s economy has traditionally been heavily dependent on coal mining, but much has changed in recent years. The state is now home to a thriving tech sector, and many former coal mines are being repurposed for solar energy production. If you want to work on the cutting edge of technology, enjoy the great outdoors, or just sit back and relax, West Virginia has just what you're looking for.

The safest cities in West Virginia

If you move to West Virginia, you can choose to live in a vibrant metropolitan area or a quaint country town. There are historic sites to visit and interesting museums to explore, and most communities are no more than a couple of miles from an amazing hiking trail. Charleston, Huntington, and Morgantown are popular relocation destinations for families who wish to enjoy a cosmopolitan lifestyle, while country towns like Point Pleasant, Keysar, and Weston are ideal for those who prefer to enjoy life at a slower pace.

Cheat Lake

Cheat Lake is a popular choice for families who move to West Virginia because four of the community’s 10 public schools have an A rating. The town’s estimated 10,187 residents often complain about potholes, but they rarely call 911 to report crimes. The community is named after the 13-mile-long reservoir it overlooks, which is a popular destination for boating and water sports. Other places of interest in Cheat Lake include the West Virginia Botanic Garden, Coopers Rock, and Coopers Rock State Forest, which is the largest state forest in West Virginia.

Morgantown

Nestled beside the Monongahela River in Monongalia County, Morgantown is a bustling community of 29,339 with a metro area with a population of around 150,000. It is also the home of West Virginia University. Morgantown's historic downtown area is packed with quaint shops and eclectic dining options, and, like all college towns, Morgantown has a thriving bar and nightclub scene. The city is close to both Interstate 79 and Interstate 68, which is why many commuters have chosen to move to the area. Morgantown’s attractions include the Metropolitan Theater, Dorsey’s Knob Park, the Monongalia Arts Center, and a 91-acre riverfront green space called Core Arboretum. Laurel Caverns in southwestern Pennsylvania, just 26 miles north of Morgantown, is also worth a visit.

Wheeling

Wheeling residents love making their home in West Virginia because this beautiful city of nearly 26,000 has easy commutes and is surrounded by natural beauty. Close proximity to Interstate 70 has made Wheeling popular with people who commute to Pittsburgh, PA, or Columbus, OH, and an abundance of Victorian architecture draws thousands of visitors to the city each year. Wheeling’s Capitol Theatre is one of the largest entertainment venues in West Virginia, and annual events held in the community include the Heritage Museum Blues Fest and the Mountaineer Brewfest. Families love the area because it has six excellent school districts, more than 20 playgrounds, and 24 miles of biking and walking trails.

Charleston

Charleston is West Virginia’s capital and most populous city, which an estimated 46,692 people call home. Fishing is a popular pastime in Charleston because the city is located close to the place where the Elk and Kanawha rivers converge. The capital district has beautiful tree-lined streets and impressive federal architecture, and the downtown area is known for its shopping and dining options. Outdoor activities to enjoy near Charleston include skiing, rock climbing, and whitewater rafting, and the city is pedestrian- and cyclist-friendly. Fall foliage is particularly impressive in Charleston because of its thousands of deciduous trees.

Keyser

Keyser is one of the best places to live in West Virginia for people who appreciate natural beauty and enjoy the outdoors. One of the safest cities in West Virginia, Keyser is a town of 4,906 within the lower reaches of the Allegheny Mountains on the South Branch Potomac River. The community has five public parks, which works out to a park for every thousand residents. Brooks Park has two covered pavilions and an amphitheater, and the Barnum Whitewater Area offers five miles of trout fishing and whitewater rafting. The nearby Allegheny Wildlife Management Area is home to deer, bears, foxes, bobcats, and turkeys. While it's a great place for fishing and viewing wildlife, camping is not permitted.

The benefits of home security in West Virginia

The rural communities, towns, and cities in West Virginia are generally safe, and installing a state-of-the-art home monitoring and security system can protect your family further if you decide to move to the Mountain State. Vivint’s security technology prevents crime and protects your family from fires and deadly gasses. The benefits of protecting your family and home with a Vivint security system include:

• Peace of mind: Vivint home security systems feature cameras that detect threats and use bright lights and loud sounds to protect packages and scare off lurkers, burglars, and thieves. Our security system also notifies you when you have a visitor or receive a delivery.
• Protection from household hazards: Vivint home security packages can include fire and carbon monoxide detectors that issue alerts and are monitored around the clock by trained professionals. This is important because carbon monoxide is an odorless and tasteless gas that can be deadly.
• Improved comfort and safety: Whether you are home or away, Vivint’s smart thermostat will maintain the temperature in your home. You can turn your air conditioning on or off, or adjust your thermostat using the Vivint app. Your HVAC system will be turned off automatically if a fire breaks out to prevent the flames from spreading.
• Security without keys: Say goodbye to spare keys under your welcome mat with Vivint smart locks. Each lock can support up to 30 access codes for your friends and family members. The system will also let you know when any of the codes are used, so you can always see who is coming and going.
• Intuitive controls: Some advanced home security systems have complex controls, but Vivint makes things easy. The Vivint Smart Hub controls your entire system while you are home, and you can use the Vivint app to adjust your thermostat, speak with visitors, or view security camera footage when you are out.

Keep your home safe and secure with Vivint

Although many West Virginia cities—such as Morgantown and Wheeling—are generally safe, thousands of homes in the Mountain State are broken into each year. A security and monitoring system can prevent crimes and alert first responders in an emergency, and Vivint’s technology is second to none.

To learn more about how Vivint can protect your home and family, contact our team of experienced smart home professionals today at 855.822.1220.