Why Morgantown?
Morgantown, home of West Virginia University, is a small town with the accessibility and convenience of a big city. When the university is in session, the population of Morgantown is close to 70,000. The city is considered the medical, cultural, and commercial hub of the region. Morgantown has a low crime rate and excellent local economy.
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: Morgantown is a progressive community that welcomes members of the LGBTQ+ community as well as all races, ethnicities, and socioeconomic backgrounds. The university brings students, faculty, and residents from all over the world together to learn from each other.
Accessibility: Morgantown is located in a central area between major metropolitan cities of the Central and Eastern United States. A small airport has commuter service to Pittsburgh and Baltimore airports.
Pittsburgh, PA: 75 miles
Washington DC: 209 miles
Baltimore, MD: 211 miles
Columbus, OH: 204 miles
Cleveland, OH: 201 miles
Charleston, WV: 156 miles
Dining: Diverse dining options are available with multiple ethnic cuisines represented. Visit some of our restaurants here.
Housing/Cost of Living: The cost of living in Morgantown is much less compared to bigger cities. Many rental units as well as single family homes are available within walking distance to the Medical Center. The average 2 bedroom/2 bath rental is <$1000. The average home price is $219,500.
Schools: Morgantown is home to one of the best public-school systems in the state. There are also multiple options for parochial and private schooling.
Activities in and around Morgantown:
Sporting Events: Home of the West Virginia Mountaineers, Morgantown is bustling with fans on football and basketball game days. Mylan Puskar Field is just across the parking lot from the Medical Center. Basketball takes place at the Coliseum, located just up the road from the Medical Center. Baseball games are played at the Mon County Ballpark. WVU is a major Division-1 school with its home in the Big XII. Residents are eligible to buy tickets at discounted employee rates.
Mylan Park: Mylan park has organized sports, camps, and activities for children of all ages throughout the year. The state-of-the-art Aquatic Center is available all year round with an indoor children’s area, outdoor splashpad, and lap pool. Membership discounts are available for residents. Click here for more information.
Cheat Lake: Cheat Lake is a ten-minute drive from downtown Morgantown. Swimming, kayaking, boating, fishing, tubing, and jet skiing are popular. Cheat Lake is the heart of outdoor recreation during the summer months in Morgantown! Click here to learn more.
Coopers Rock State Forest: A 20-minute drive from downtown Morgantown, Coopers Rock features canyon overlooks, camping, hiking, biking, and rock-climbing. Visit their site for more information on Coopers Rock and other nearby state parks.
Skiing: Morgantown is an ideal location for skiers. There are multiple resorts within driving distance to the city. Wisp Resort in Deep Creek, Maryland is the closest and is approximately 40 minutes away. Timberline and Canaan Valley are approximately 80 minutes away. One of the best East Coast ski resorts is Snowshoe Mountain with 56 total trails located 120 miles from Morgantown.
White Water Rafting: Ohiopyle Statepark offers class II-V rapids. Only 40 minutes from Morgantown, Ohiopyle is a great location for not only rafting but also hiking, biking, camping, fishing, and kayaking. The Gauley River and New River, approximately 2 hours from Morgantown, boast expert level V+ rapids through the beautiful West Virginia landscape.
Cultural Events and Concerts: The WVU Creative Arts Center and The Metropolitan Theatre offer a wide array of concerts, musicals, plays, and entertainers throughout the year.