Watch The Living in Morgantown - Quality of Life Video
Morgantown, with 55,000 residents, was recently named
one of the top small cities in the nation, based on
access to healthcare, support for schools, good jobs,
low cost of living, and other measures of livability.
The ever-changing university population keeps Morgantown
lively and diverse, with a wide range of ethnic restaurants,
and social, cultural, athletic, and recreational activities
for people of all ages. Recreational trails line the
banks of the Monongahela River for the enjoyment of
rollerbladers, bikers, and walkers.
Athletic events are popular community activities. WVU
is one of the top schools in the Big East Conference,
a Division I NCAA school. Thousands of enthusiastic
alumni and fans return several times a year for football
and basketball home games. For those who like to play,
community sports leagues offer many opportunities for
adults and kids to have fun. WVU faculty can join the
university's new state-of-the-art recreation center,
with two pools, a jogging/walking track, a climbing
wall, and a wide array of fitness equipment.
The public school system is excellent; students consistently
score among the highest in the region on standardized
tests. Property taxes are 72 percent below the national
average and housing costs are 20 percent below the national
average. Residents enjoy an uncommonly high level of
public safety, with a very low crime rate.