Hurricane is a suburban haven between Charleston and Huntington
Hurricane is a small West Virginia city along Interstate 64. It's about halfway between Charleston and Huntington, so it has become popular among commuters looking for a suburban environment to plant roots. "Hurricane gives you this welcoming old-fashioned community feeling," says Realtor Lisa Eden with Old Colony Realtors, who has been selling here for almost 30 years. "It's got so much to offer for families and kids. We have an amazing school district and amazing parks." In recent years, local leaders have made an effort to expand the offerings of Hurricane’s parks and schools, and to revitalize the town's Main Street District. Still, Hurricane's prices remain consistent with neighboring areas. "The prices are on par with surrounding towns," Eden says. "But you get more house for your money in Hurricane."
Homes in the suburbs or in the hills with acreage
Between suburbs in town and homes in the hills, Hurricane has many housing options. "We have lots of subdivisions," Eden says. "But you can also find something with a few acres outside town." The median single-family home price is $250,000. Around the median, buyers can find 1920s Craftsman on the older blocks around Main Street, brick ranch-style and bi-level homes in suburban communities with driveways and grassy lawns and 2000s suburban new traditional homes. However, prices range from $50,000 to $200,000 for manufactured homes and small ranch-style homes. At the higher end, large colonial-style builds in the suburbs can cost $350,000 to $550,000. Ranch-style and midsize split-level homes on an acre in the hills go for $65,000 to $270,000. Meanwhile, large mountain homes and mansions on multiacre lots can range from $470,000 to $1 million.
Hurricane's city parks offer fields, wave pools and mountain trails
There are multiple large recreation spaces in Hurricane. The most popular is Valley Park on the east end. "Valley Park is one of the best amenities. It's an amazing space for kids," Eden says. "It has athletic fields, tennis courts, a beautiful pond and a wave pool." The park is known for the wave pool, and people can lounge in it for a small entry fee. Valley Park also has an inclusive playground for children of all abilities. Next to it, there's an indoor conference center, home to the Zoology Zone Science Center, which promotes conservation. Hurricane City Park is down the road. Along with courts and fields, it provides trailheads to Meeks Mountain, a hiking area in the hills to the south. Finally, Bridge Park is just south of Main Street. Its football field and pickleball courts are across the creek from the Putnam County Bank Sports Complex, a baseball and softball facility that hosts local games and larger tournaments.
West Virginia's second-best school district
Hurricane is served by Putnam County Schools, rated an A-minus and ranked the second-best school district in West Virginia by Niche. The district has a 13-to-1 student-teacher ratio, partly due to its number of schools. For example, there are three elementary schools within Hurricane. Hurricane Town Elementary earns an A-minus and is in the center of town. Conner Street Elementary is to the east and gets a B. Third is Lakeside Elementary, located south of town and graded a B. Students of any of these schools will likely continue at Hurricane Middle, rated an A-minus. They finish at Hurricane High, given a B-plus.
Local businesses are bringing life to Hurricane's Main Street District
Main Street is once again the heart of Hurricane, due to efforts from local politicians and entrepreneurs. "We've got several cute little shops downtown now," Eden says. "The mayor has been instrumental in revitalizing Main Street and growing Hurricane." Murals done by local artists now decorate the facades of businesses on the main strip, like pizza spot Belknap Dough Company. A few doors down, Bear Wood Company makes rustic furniture using reclaimed wood from around town, giving pieces of Hurricane new life. Chains are found around Hurricane Plaza Shopping Center, at the interchange of I-64 and Hurricane Creek Road. The plaza has a Walmart and smaller shops like Yoyogi Market, an Asian grocer, and The Board Room, a store specializing in board games and brews. Stores like Target and Kroger are in Teays Valley, 4 miles east.
Less than 30 miles to Charleston and Huntington
Most commuters are within minutes of I-64. They can take it 25 miles east to Charleston or less than 30 miles west to Huntington. These are two of West Virginia's larger cities. Charleston is the state capital, and it's home to West Virginia International Yeager Airport. Hurricane's eastern neighbor, Teays Valley, has the nearest major hospital, CAMC Teays Valley Hospital. From Hurricane's Main Street District, the hospital is about 4 miles away on Teays Valley Road and 7 miles on I-64.
