Southern West Virginia’s central city of opportunity
Beckley is known as the “Gateway to Southern West Virginia.” The city is in a rural setting atop the Allegheny Plateau, but its location along major roadways has turned it into a commercial hub. It’s the county seat of Raleigh County and has grown from its coal-mining roots to more than 17,000 people, making it the most populous city in the county and ninth-most in the state. It’s close to West Virginia’s vast outdoor recreation, and offers job opportunities in education and healthcare. “I was born and raised here, and I’ve seen the city go through some changes, but it’s a really generous place,” says Councilman Tom Sopher, also the former President of the Raleigh County Historical Society. “Now we are the core of Southern West Virginia.”
Experience the perfect start to your day with breathtaking sunrises on Harper Road in Beckley, WV.
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Competitive housing market in Beckley
Most homes are older single-family properties, including ranch-style houses, farmhouses and Cape Cods. Communities like Grand View, located near the New River Gorge, fetch higher prices and have large floor plans, while Victorian architecture from the 1870s can be found in boom towns like Hinton. Although the median sales price has risen to $159,500 in recent years, the number is still lower than the national median of $420,000. As Beckley continues to grow, homes are moving quickly. "Most homes are only on the market for a day or two,” Sopher says. “When people come to Beckley for a job, they’ll move into an apartment first and then search for a home once they’re here.”
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Exploring the Beckley Exhibition Coal Mine
The Beckley Exhibition Coal Mine is an official stop on the National Coal Heritage Trail and explores the city’s ties to coal mining. “It’s a rarity, and it’s our history. Our economy depended on coal mining for so many years," Sopher says. Similarly, the Historic Thurmond District is a preserved boomtown. "It feels like you really go through some of the boom of early America when you visit these ghost towns," says Randy Burdette, an area local and Realtor with Foxfire Realty.
Tamarack Marketplace is right off Interstate 64 and was established in 1989. The shopping center showcases West Virginia-made handicrafts, fine art and cuisine. The artisan gallery and market has over 20,000 works of art displayed and hosts theater and outdoor concerts in the summer.
The Beckley Exhibition Coal Mine is an official stop on the National Coal Heritage Trail and explores the city’s ties to coal mining.
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Route 19 doubles as a retail center
As a crossroads of nearby highways, Beckley offers plentiful access to the region's shopping and dining. Beckley Plaza Shopping Mall and Beckley Crossing Shopping Center are on Route 19 with big-box stores and national-brand retailers.
The city is also filled with regional and national restaurant chains, sports bars, and casual eateries that specialize in Southern-style cooking. According to Sopher, Beckley is known for being Southern West Virginia's hotspot for brand favorites, but Beckley Crossing also has locally owned restaurants like Padrinos Italian and Rancho Grande Mexican Grill.
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White-water rafting in the New River
Closer to home, Beckley Parks and Recreation operates 12 parks. One of the highlights is the Historic Black Knight, which is was a former country club. The now public space offers two swimming pools and a 9-hole golf course on South Kanawha Street.
However, the city is in prime location to enjoy some of West Virginia’s most expansive park systems. The New River Gorge National Park and Preserve is 8 miles northeast with hiking, mountain biking, rock climbing and hunting. The river is open to fishing and has some of the best white-water rafting on the East Coast. Little Beaver State Park offers similar amenities 10 miles away, while Summit Bechtel Reserve is nearby adventure center for the Boy Scouts of America.
The New River Gorge National Park and Preserve protects the New River Gorge in southern West Virginia’s Appalachian Mountains.
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Raleigh County’s quality education system
Beckley is part of Raleigh County Schools, which rates a B-minus on Niche. The school district has around 11,000 students and 27 schools.
West Virginia University Institute of Technology is a public, four-year college with an enrollment of 1,600 students. The school offers multiple programs, including nursing and engineering and recently added five new engineering lab spaces to its campus.
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Crossroads of Interstates 64 and 77
New River Transit Authority serves both the Fayette and Raleigh counties, providing local and regional bus services with two specific bus routes in Beckley. Interstate 64 runs through the city and connects to Interstate 77 to the south. U.S. Route 19 is on the east side of the city.
Raleigh County Memorial Airport is 6 miles east, with regional commercial flights on Contour Airlines, and opportunities for private aviation.
Important to know
According to the FBI Crime Data Explorer, Beckley's violent and property crime rates are both lower than the national average. Rates for both have decreased in the last decade. “The city has what we call doughnut holes, little pockets of crime-filled areas that the police watch after,” Sopher says.
The climate is considered moderate, but winters are cold, bringing up to 50 inches of snow annually.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
