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West Virginia has become a popular retirement destination because of its low cost of living, tax benefits for retirees, and natural beauty. The state is known for its tightly-knit communities and welcoming atmosphere, especially within its small towns. According to the US Census Bureau, 21.5% of West Virginians are over the age of 65, the second-highest percentage of seniors in any state. By 2035, the West Virginia Center on Budget and Policy projects that a quarter of the state's residents will be age 65 and over. The charming small towns described here are all within two hours of Charleston and are quite hospitable to those who wish to retire there. Some of these towns house a higher-than-average percentage of seniors, while others are notably welcoming to retirees for different reasons. Read on to discover some of the best small towns around Charleston, West Virginia, where you can retire.

Hinton

Situated on the Greenbrier and New River and Bluestone Lake in Summers County, an hour from the state's southern border with Virginia, the town of Hinton is home to just over 2,100 people, 21% of whom are over the age of 65. It is best known for its proximity to New River Gorge National Park. Outdoor activities, water recreation, and smallmouth bass fishing are all popular pastimes here. Hinton provides the perfect environment for retirees who want to spend time enjoying natural beauty.

One of the attractions of Hinton for retirees is its low average home price of $172,300 (per Realtor.com). This keeps money in retirees' pockets to spend on the quaint shops in Hinton's historic district, such as Grandma's House and Otter and Oak. Transportation to other parts of the state is made easier with the town's Amtrak station conveniently located at the intersection of Second and Maple Avenues. Also important to note is the Summers County ARH Hospital, a 25-bed acute-care facility in Hinton. This regional hospital serves many retirees' medical needs. Charleston is just an hour and a half's drive away if larger city amenities are desired.

Oak Hill

With a population of just under 8,000, and 20% of its residents over age 65, Oak Hill is an ideal spot to which many retirees relocate. Just an hour's drive south of Charleston, in Fayette County, Oak Hill is the perfect suburban town that is still close enough to the big city lights. Outdoor enthusiasts may enjoy the White Oak Rail Trail, an almost eight-mile-long paved hiking, biking, and jogging trail running from Carlisle to Summerlee right through Oak Hill. The spectacular Appalachian Mountains surround the town, and the town itself sits at 1,961 feet elevation.

Home prices are affordable in Oak Hill, averaging $179,900, another enticement to retirees to move there. Skyline Shopping Center on Main Street, with antique stores and art galleries, is well-known for its many eateries, including Skyline Drive-In, serving the best barbecue in the area. CAMC Plateau Medical Center is conveniently located in Oak Hill and provides emergency care and imaging services. Central West Virginia Aging Services has an office in Oak Hill and can refer seniors to homemaker services and home care assessments to help fulfill other needs.

Point Pleasant

The small town of Point Pleasant sits at the junction of the Ohio and Kanawha Rivers in Mason County, just 100 miles from the Ohio border and an hour northwest of Charleston. A full quarter of its roughly 4,000 residents are over age 65, indicating that the town has many attractions for retirees. They include Riverfront Park, which houses historical murals and statues depicting the Battle of Point Pleasant from the Revolutionary War. Another popular town attraction is the Mothman Museum, telling the extraordinary story of a cryptic legend.

Median home prices in Point Pleasant are $167,000, which is another draw for retirees. The Mason County Action Group is also based in Point Pleasant, providing transportation, nutrition, and other services to seniors. Main Street in town offers unique shops such as The Boutique Basket and Happy Daze Apparel, as well as eateries like The Lowe Hotel and Coffee Grinder. When it comes to medical needs, Point Pleasant has that covered, too, with Rivers Health, a regional general hospital found in town.

Buckhannon

In Upshur County, along the Buckhannon River, lies the town of Buckhannon, with just over 5,000 residents, 14% of whom are over age 65. If you drive for an hour and a half southwest, you will come to Charleston. Morgantown is an hour north, and Pittsburgh is about two hours north of Buckhannon. Buckhannon's Mayor describes the town as "a modern-day Mayberry," with a downtown area full of shops such as Artistry on Main, eateries like 麻豆AV's End Restaurant, and murals designed by local artists.

Homes average $209,000 in Buckhannon, but retirees may feel that it is worth spending a bit more to live in such a charming town. The town celebrates Festival Fridays in the summer months, involving music, food, and neighborliness. The 10-day Strawberry Festival each May also draws townsfolk and visitors to Buckhannon. St. Joseph's Hospital, a critical access hospital that is part of WVU Medicine, provides 24-hour emergency care seven days a week, providing retirees who move to the town with peace of mind. Country Roads Transit offers public transportation via scheduled routes throughout Upshur County.

Beckley

The county seat of Raleigh County, in southern West Virginia, Beckley is home to just over 17,000 people, 22% over the age of 65. It is about 55 miles southeast of Charleston, 60 miles west of the border with Virginia, and 100 miles east of the border with Kentucky. Along with its prime location, median home prices of $152,500 attract many retirees to the town. They also appreciate Beckley's natural beauty, with 12 community parks in town and the Lewis McManus Memorial Honor Trail running 4.1 miles through the town.

Known as an arts hub, the Beckley Arts Center showcases programs, classes, and exhibits of local artwork. The Appalachian Art and Crafts Fair is held in town each August. Theatre West Virginia, in Grandview State Park, thrills audiences with outdoor performances in the summer. Raleigh General Hospital is available to fulfill most medical needs. The Raleigh County Senior Center is also in Beckley and serves seniors requiring transportation, home care, and other services. The New River Transit Authority fulfills Raleigh and Fayette Counties residents' public transportation demands.

Parkersburg

Sitting where the Ohio and Kanawha Rivers meet in Wood County, Parkersburg, the county seat is home to just under 30,000 people, 21% of whom are over the age of 65. Just two hours from Columbus, Ohio, and an hour north of Charleston, Parkersburg is the perfect small town with easy access to larger city amenities. With affordable median home prices of $179,000, ample outdoor space, and a lively art scene, Parkersburg is an ideal spot for retirees. More than 130 acres of recreation areas exist within the town, including Johnson T. Janes Park, a nature preserve located within the city limits.

The Parkersburg Art Center holds art classes and showcases the work of local artists. Live theater is performed at the Historic Smoot Theater. Each year, Parkersburg celebrates with summer concerts and annual events such as the Mid-Ohio Valley Multi-Cultural Festival in June and Parkersburg Homecoming in August. Retirees can find quality medical care at the WVU Camden Clark Medical Center in town. The Wood County Senior Citizens Association also offers services to those over the age of 60. The Mid-Ohio Valley Transit Authority operates the Easy Rider public transit bus service for Parkersburg and nearby Vienna, providing public transportation for those in need.

Summersville

A whopping 41% of Summersville's 3,431 residents are over the age of 65. Summersville, the county seat of Nicholas County, is about an hour and a half east of Charleston. In addition to housing many others in the same age group, retirees come to Summerville to enjoy the outdoors. Summersville Lake, the largest lake in West Virginia, contains 2,800 acres of water and 60 miles of shoreline and provides many recreational opportunities. Although median home prices average $328,700, many retirees think that the benefits of Summersville outweigh the costs.

Summersville's small-town atmosphere is exemplified through its quaint annual events, such as the Nicholas County Potato Festival each September. Many fairs and events are also held in the historic Old Main Arts and Heritage Center, built in 1913. Summersville Regional Medical Center can treat basic medical needs. The Nicholas Community Action Partnership offers services to seniors requiring nutrition, transportation, and home health care. Mountain Transit Authority supplies public transportation to the area.

Barboursville

Just 45 minutes west of Charleston, in Cabell County, sits the town of Barboursville, home to just under 4,500 people, 18% of whom are over the age of 65. It is also only five miles from the larger city of Huntington and its amenities. The median home price of $255,000, its proximity to big city amenities, and its ample outdoor recreational space are just a few of the reasons why retirees are relocating to Barboursville. The town is home to the 750-acre Barboursville Park, the largest municipal park in the state, providing ample recreational opportunities for seniors and others.

Merrit Creek Farm, a shopping center, is also found in Barboursville and contains shops with recognizable names, such as Ross Dress for Less and Target. Eateries in the plaza include O'Charleys Restaurant. The best medical care in the area is just five miles away in Huntington at St. Mary's Medical Center and Cabell Huntington Hospital. The Barboursville Senior Center in town offers a slate of events and activities for active retirees. Tri-State Transit Authority bus service provides public transportation for Barboursville residents.

Glenville

The small college town of Glenville in Gilmer County, on the Little Kanawha River, is home to just over 1,000 people, 19% of whom are over age 65. Many retirees love the area for its young, hip atmosphere. Even better, seniors who want to further their education can attend Glenville State University at a discounted rate through the West Virginia Promise Scholarship. Its location, just an hour and a half northeast of Charleston, and affordable median home prices of $212,300 are all appealing reasons for retirees to move to Glenville.

The West Virginia State Folk Festival, held each June in Glenville, is a popular celebration of Appalachian music, culture, and heritage. Cedar Creek State Park, also in town, consists of 2,588 wooded acres for recreational activities such as hiking, miniature golf, and wildlife spotting. The Glenville Clinic of the Minnie Hamilton Health System provides basic medical services to the community. Just 20 miles to the west is the Minnie Hamilton Health System Hospital, with acute and specialty care available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The Gilmer County Senior Center in Glenville also serves seniors in need with activities and assistance. Little Kanawha Transit Authority serves Gilmer County's public transportation needs.

West Virginia's small towns offer retirees the best of both 麻豆AVs. All of the towns described here are within a two-hour drive of Charleston and maintain their own unique identities. Whether you are interested in retiring to a college town such as Glenville, a mountain community like Oak Hill, or a water-oriented community like Hinton, each of these towns in West Virginia is welcoming to retirees who wish to relocate there.