A residential pocket between West Virginia University campuses
Morgantown’s Sunnyside neighborhood is sandwiched between the main and downtown campuses of West Virginia University (WVU). Accordingly, the neighborhood hosts a high density of student rentals, and buyers here are most often investors or parents of college kids. Locals associate the area with boisterous Halloween parties and new high-rise apartments, though it’s the neighborhood's convenient access to WVU and downtown that ultimately defines life in Sunnyside.
Sunnyside is busy little neighborhood with views of the Monongahela River.
A man rides his bicycle around the Sunnyside neighborhood.
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Mountaineer pride in lively Sunnyside
WVU enrolls more than 25,000 students who infuse Morgantown with energy — and traffic — each school year. Sunnyside is predictably quieter during the summer, though students make up for lost time, throwing weekend block parties and going all out for holiday celebrations. “I drive through Sunnyside during Halloween just to see their costumes,” says Jan Eddy, a longtime Morgantown resident.
WVU pride is on full display during college football season, and Mountaineer Field is less than a mile from the neighborhood. On game days, “the town in that area shuts down in a lot of ways,” says Samantha Knight Hansen, a lifelong local and Realtor with J.S. Walker Associates. “People tailgate, and they come and they bring their campers, and it’s an all-day affair. It’s a big party. I’ve been to other schools to tailgate, and it’s not anything like our tailgates; We’re so spoiled with them.”
WVU students can use the walking bridge to cross over Beechurst Avenue in Sunnyside.
The West Virginia University downtown campus is somewhat walkable from Sunnyside.
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Renting out single-family homes in Sunnyside
Sunnyside’s housing landscape is changing, says Wesley Haynes, a Realtor with Blue Sky Realty and a former Sunnyside resident. “Before, you just had rows and rows of single-family detached houses that had been converted into rental properties. And that was what made Sunnyside Sunnyside,” he says. “Sunnyside has gone through a transition to more of a high-rise kind of community. That’s not to say that the single-families don’t exist, there’s plenty of them still, but we’re seeing lots of big, multiple-level, mini-unit kind of places going in.” Built in the past 10 years, these towering apartments serve the neighborhood’s student population.
The market here largely attracts investors and WVU parents looking to purchase, rather than rent a home for their students. The landscape includes Foursquares from the early 1900s, as well as split-levels and raised ranch-style homes from the 1960s. Prices typically range from $125,000 to $400,000, though most homes fall between $200,000 and $300,000. Since these properties have historically housed students, conditions vary, though homes are generally priced accordingly.
Many homes in Sunnyside are converted into college student living space.
Walk along the streets of Sunnyside and you will come across the occaisonal Ranch style home.
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Downtown Morgantown dining a short walk away
Sunnyside has a small handful of casual restaurants along Beechurst Avenue, including Papa John’s, and the locally owned China Station or Jamaican Spice WV, which both offer takeout. Across the street, Seneca Center shopping complex has an eclectic mix of artisan shops and sporting goods stores.
For the most part, residents head outside the neighborhood for shopping and dining, walking a half-mile into downtown for study sessions at The Grind coffee shop or dinner out at Chaang Thai, where the drunken noodles are a popular go-to. The main campus of WVU has several surrounding chains and local options on University Avenue and Patteson Drive, as well as a Kroger.
Residents of Sunnyside have easy access to Downtown Morgantown.
Level sidewalks in Sunnyside are great for those looking to get their steps in.
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Stops for Mountain Line Transit and Personal Rapid Transit
The neighborhood is hilly, but has a Walk Score of 69/100. The topography levels out on Beechurst Avenue, where sidewalks connect to the downtown campus, and residents can grab a RT 38 or RT 39 bus. WVU’s Personal Rapid Transit system picks up a half-mile down the road, offering direct access to the main campus. WVU's Ruby Memorial Hospital is just over a mile away.
An evening view looking toward the city from Sunnyside shows the hustle and bustle.
West Virginia University campus is accessible for students by jumping on the PRT in Sunnyside.
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Getting outside on the Caperton Rail Trail
Residents can spend their time off campus enjoying the wealth of outdoor recreation Morgantown has to offer. The Caperton Rail Trail runs through the neighborhood along the Monongahela River. The mixed-use path starts in Star City and leads downtown to Hazel Ruby McQuain Park and beyond. Sunnyside is also less than a mile from the Wiles Hill Community Center, which hosts pottery workshops, local art exhibits, fitness classes and a playground.
The Caperton Trail is a popular place for folks to ride their bicycles.
Bike riders all around Sunnyside and Downtown Morgantown have clear paths to ride.
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Summertime events in downtown Morgantown
Sunnyside residents who do stay over the summer are well-positioned to enjoy a full roster of downtown events. The riverside amphitheater at Hazel Ruby McQuain Park hosts free weekly movie screenings and concerts. The 2024 lineup included the Steep Canyon Rangers and the Plain White Ts.
Sunnyside residents can head to Downtown Morgantown for events like car shows on High Street.
With Sunnyside being mainly residential, people take advantage of the Downtown Morgantown area.
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Highly rated Monongalia County schools
Families who choose to settle in Sunnyside can send children to Suncrest Elementary, which opened in 2017. Students at Suncrest Middle won the 2024 West Virginia Science Bowl. Teens attend Morgantown High School 1.5 miles away. All three schools earn an A from Niche.
Morgantown High School has 1859 students in grades 9-12.
Suncrest Elementary School has 567 students in grades K-5.
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
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an experienced agent in this area.
Parks in this Area
Wiles Hill Park
Transit
Airport
North Central West Virginia
43 min drive
Bus
Grant & 1st
Bus
Beechurst & 8th
Bus
Beechurst & 6th
Bus
Grant & 6th
Bus
Stewart & University
Bus
Life Sciences
Bus
Beechurst & 3rd
Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime
Sunnyside
US
Homicide
4
4
Sexual Assault
5
4
Assault with Weapon
3
4
Robbery
3
4
Burglary
4
4
Motor Vehicle Theft
3
4
Larceny
4
4
Crime Score
4
4
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Sunnyside, Morgantown sell after 6 days on the market compared to the national average of 47 days. The average sale price for homes in Sunnyside, Morgantown over the last 12 months is $125,500, down 51% from the average home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Exceptional investment opportunity in a prime location adjacent to West Virginia University! This mixed-use property features two long-term commercial tenants: a well established restaurant and a smoke shop. The four apartments are four-bedroom, one-bathroom units, which have been highly desirable as student rentals. Recent upgrades include a new roof, new boiler system, and windows, reducing
State on Campus is Morgantown's premiere pet-friendly student living community. State on Campus is centered on customer service and ensures a great living experience. State on Campus offers a state-of-the-art fitness center with a private yoga studio, private study rooms, tanning bed, sauna, business center, lounge areas, and a seasonal over-sized hot tub! State on Campus offers individual
Convenient location! THREE bedroom, 1 bath apartment, with 2 dedicated off street parking spaces. Perfect Sunnyside location convenient to WVU downtown campus, Hospitals, etc. Spacious living room and kitchen and offers deck space. Landlord pays for gas and garbage bill. Tenant pays for water/sewer and electric bill. Available 6/1/2025. Pets allowed with management approval, fee and deposit. One
Quality, spacious, and affordable apartments for rent, conveniently located between both Downtown and Evansdale WVU campuses. Enjoy the ease of living near major hospitals, WVU Medicine, and Mon General. Ideal for professionals and students seeking comfort and convenience in a prime Morgantown location.
Interested in learning more about homes in this neighborhood?
Reach out to
Josh Miller,
an experienced agent in this area.
Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Renters
Demographics
Total Population
5,052
Median Age
24
Population under 18
24%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
1.9%
Below the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$8,929
Significantly below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$33,156
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
86.8%
College Graduates
43.9%
Advanced Degrees
27.2%
Above the national average
13.3%
% Population in Labor Force
50.7%
Below the national average
65.1%
Area Factors
Somewhat Bikeable
Bike Score®
47/ 100
Somewhat Walkable
Walk Score®
69/ 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score
Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.
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.
