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Runner-Up: Morgantown, West Virginia

Published: Oct 23, 2014
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Morgantown’s Coopers Rock State Forest
Martin D. McReynolds/Flickr RF

Key Stats:

  • Population: 30,700
  • Over 50: 19%
  • Cost-of-living index: 102

Pros: Home to West Virginia University, Morgantown offers budget-friendly restaurants, entertainment, and plenty of continuing-education opportunities. The city is also notable for its robust job market and low property taxes.

Morgantown has excellent public transportation and lots of walkable areas. The historic downtown is a particularly pleasant spot to explore on foot; the Metropolitan Theater, which has played host to legends like Bob Hope and Bing Crosby, is a standout. For a more bucolic day, residents may head to the WVU Core Arboretum, which spans 91 acres, or to Cheat Lake for boating, fishing, or a leisurely swim.

Cons: At nearly $200,000, median home prices are affordable but higher than the state average. As in many college towns, some neighborhoods surrounding WVU’s campus are known for being noisy.