Morgantown is a relatively isolated community with a population of around 30,000 people. The nearest metropolitan area is Pittsburgh, found approximately 75 miles to the north across the Pennsylvania border. Washington, D.C. is 209 miles to the east. Marietta, OH and Charleston, WV are the nearest cities to the west and south, respectively.

Despite being more than an hour from Pittsburgh, this small city – best known as the home of the storied West Virginia University (WVU) – doesn’t lack for an influx of people from all over America and across the globe. Nationwide, there are only 392 college and university towns with less than 100,000 people, so the city has a rare blend of youth and a bucolic setting that makes it intriguing and full of life.

People aged 20-29 make up a third of the city’s entire population, more than double the rate for the whole state of West Virginia. Because a large part of the community is composed of university students and young professionals, many businesses in the area appeal to that

• Property options: Detached single-family homes are the most common structure in the area. These properties come with spacious living areas that can accommodate a sizable backyard, as well as multiple beds and baths.

  Morgantown homes for sale come in a wide range of prices and sizes. You can find smaller, affordable properties that make great starter homes. On the other end of the spectrum are fabulous mansions and estates, as well as expansive one to two storey homes with distinctive architecture in charming traditional styles. These homes sit on large lots, some over two acres in breadth.

  Wherever you live in the city, you can expect refreshing views of woodland, ridges, lakes, and green open spaces. Ranch, colonial, Tudor, and log cabin are some of the most popular

  

  home styles in the city, blending seamlessly with the unspoiled surroundings. A number of homes are about 100 years old or older, capturing the charm of a gentler era. The majority of homes are at least 50 years old, but there’s also a large number of homes built fairly recently, some no more than five years ago.

  Townhomes and condos are also prevalent in the city. Many are luxury properties that offer the comforts and amenities of single family homes but at less the price.

• A big renting market: Many prospective renters come to Morgantown for education and employment in the area’s technology hub and hospitals, joining the roughly 58% of people in the community who rent out. This provides excellent opportunities for rental property investors, particularly those catering to younger families and professionals, as well as to the student population.

The city’s diverse neighborhoods offer prospective homebuyers with a wide range of budget and lifestyle options for real estate in Morgantown, WV. Some might not prefer living around an even mix of students, renters, and homeowners, instead preferring privacy and quietness. Others want to be as close to the center of activity as possible where there is bound to be a wide selection of bars, parks, and restaurants. A few might prioritize walkability and access to green spaces and trails by the scenic Monongahela River (locals just call it the Mon River).

Check out these neighborhoods to get an idea of where you might want to acquire real estate in Morgantown, WV:

• Evansdale, Wiles Hill, and Highland Park: These three small residential areas are close to the WVU campus. In fact, three residential buildings for university students – Oakland Hall, Lincoln Hall, and the Towers – are all part of Evansdale. This neighborhood features many top-end residences including Blaney House where the WVU president lives. Wedged between Evansdale and downtown Morgantown is the Wiles Hill-Highland Park area, a small, quiet community built on an incline on the eastern side of University Avenue. Due to proximity to the school, median listing prices in these neighborhoods are relatively steeper

• Suncrest: This neighborhood whose streets are named after Ivy League schools abuts the WVU campus on the north. Suncrest’s primary selling point is its proximity to the university and community amenities such as local restaurants, supermarkets, and hospitals. Many people bike and walk their dogs around the streets and the area’s many green spaces. Suncrest is also just a few minutes away from WVU football and basketball.

• Star City: Just west of Suncrest next to the meandering Mon River, this middle income neighborhood is primarily composed of medium to small single-family homes and apartment buildings, many of which were built between 1970 and 2000. Occupied by a mix of renters and owners, the WVU Coliseum and other sporting venues are walkable from the southern end of this community.

• Sabraton: This hilly neighborhood on the east side of the city is close to transport hubs and a major thoroughfare. Morgantown Municipal Airport and I-68 are just a 5-minute drive away in opposite directions from Sabraton. Many properties in this area are small to medium single-family homes.

• Cheat Lake: Synonymous with exclusivity and boating, this neighborhood in the outskirts of Morgantown is farthest from the university and the downtown area, catering to those who want to live amid a more laid-back environment. It’s not necessarily isolated, and is definitely not lacking for amenities. The Lake House is a treasured seafood place on Sunset Beach Marina where the boating community congregates. Even non enthusiasts will fall in love with the birdsong accompanying the lake’s picturesque waters and dense foliage that explode in hues of orange come autumn.