Retirement should be peaceful, affordable, and full of options—but not every town in West Virginia fits the bill. While the Mountain State offers breathtaking landscapes and a slower pace of life, many smaller communities are falling short when it comes to what today’s retirees actually need. Using our Overall Retirement Score (ORS), which weighs key factors like walkability, cultural amenities, transit access, and vibrancy, we’ve identified 15 towns where retirees might face more challenges than comfort. Whether it’s lack of healthcare options, long drives for daily essentials, or simply not enough to do, these towns are better suited to folks in different life stages.
15. Yawkey – Little to Do and Hard to Get Around
Yawkey is an unincorporated community in Lincoln County, nestled in the southern part of West Virginia. It’s surrounded by dense woods and quiet country roads, offering plenty of peace—but not much else. There are no grocery stores, pharmacies, or healthcare clinics within the community, and basic amenities require a drive to larger towns like Hamlin or Charleston.
For retirees, Yawkey’s low vibrancy score reflects just how little there is to do. Walkability is also poor, meaning driving is a must for nearly everything. It may appeal to those seeking solitude, but it’s not ideal for aging in place.
Yawkey – ORS 50.02
- Overall Retirement Score: 50.02
- Quietness: 92.44
- Walkability: 23.15
- Cultural amenities: 24.1
- Vibrancy: 3.65
- Car-Friendliness: 87.45
- Transit-Friendliness: N/A
Yawkey ranks high on peace and car-friendliness, but everything else paints a tough picture for retirement. The low vibrancy and near-total reliance on a car could be limiting as residents age.
14. Gallipolis Ferry – Lacking Basic Amenities
Located in Mason County along the Ohio River, Gallipolis Ferry is more of a wide spot on Route 2 than a full-service town. It’s rural and residential with little in the way of retail, healthcare, or community infrastructure. The closest full-service hospital is nearly 30 minutes away in Gallipolis, Ohio.
For retirees, this kind of isolation can become a problem quickly. The town has among the lowest scores for cultural amenities and walkability in the state, and there are no transit options at all.
Gallipolis Ferry – ORS 48.71
- Overall Retirement Score: 48.71
- Quietness: 79.62
- Walkability: 15.07
- Cultural amenities: 8.35
- Vibrancy: 11.35
- Car-Friendliness: 80.36
- Transit-Friendliness: N/A
With no cultural scene and few local conveniences, Gallipolis Ferry may work for self-sufficient residents—but retirees looking for support services and activities will likely struggle.
13. Comfort – Scenic But Isolated
Comfort sits in Boone County, a rural part of southern West Virginia that lives up to its name—if you’re looking for quiet and space. However, its appeal fades when it comes to accessibility and entertainment. Services are sparse, and it’s a long drive to reach anything resembling a town center.
For retirees who don’t want to be stuck at home or constantly driving, Comfort lacks appeal. Healthcare access, walkability, and vibrancy are all well below average.
Comfort – ORS 48.33
- Overall Retirement Score: 48.33
- Quietness: 88.57
- Walkability: 8.42
- Cultural amenities: 15.29
- Vibrancy: 11.96
- Car-Friendliness: 63.68
- Transit-Friendliness: N/A
Comfort delivers on peace and quiet, but little else. Its low walkability and car-dependent infrastructure make daily living difficult for seniors without strong transportation options.
12. Inwood – Suburban Growth Without Senior Focus
Inwood is in Berkeley County, part of West Virginia’s rapidly expanding Eastern Panhandle. While the area is seeing residential growth due to its proximity to Northern Virginia and D.C., that growth hasn’t come with infrastructure tailored to retirees. The town is more suburban sprawl than walkable village.
Inwood has decent cultural amenities and vibrancy, but it’s heavily car-dependent and lacks meaningful public transit. Retirees here may find themselves overwhelmed by traffic and underwhelmed by senior services.
Inwood – ORS 48.26
- Overall Retirement Score: 48.26
- Quietness: 74.09
- Walkability: 29.98
- Cultural amenities: 46.29
- Vibrancy: 32.24
- Car-Friendliness: 84.85
- Transit-Friendliness: N/A
Though not the worst, Inwood is better suited to commuters and young families than retirees. Seniors without reliable transportation may find it isolating.
11. Fort Gay – Scenic Location, Minimal Services
Tucked into Wayne County, Fort Gay sits along the Tug Fork River across from Louisa, Kentucky. It’s a beautiful part of the state, but its small size and lack of services can be challenging. There are very limited cultural opportunities and minimal walkability.
Fort Gay offers peace and strong car-friendliness, but retirees will struggle with the extremely low transit score and minimal vibrancy.
Fort Gay – ORS 47.81
- Overall Retirement Score: 47.81
- Quietness: 83.55
- Walkability: 19.3
- Cultural amenities: 6.1
- Vibrancy: 3.63
- Car-Friendliness: 95.1
- Transit-Friendliness: 10.16
Despite the quiet and driveable roads, Fort Gay’s lack of things to do and senior services makes it a difficult place to age comfortably.
10. Glenville – Quiet College Town with Limited Healthcare
Glenville is the seat of Gilmer County and home to Glenville State University. It’s a college town in name but doesn’t have the energy or infrastructure of a thriving campus community. The town is relatively walkable but still lacks diverse amenities.
For retirees, Glenville doesn’t have a hospital, and the local healthcare options are limited. The vibrancy and cultural options aren’t enough to make up for that gap.
Glenville – ORS 46.56
- Overall Retirement Score: 46.56
- Quietness: 70.12
- Walkability: 58.14
- Cultural amenities: 18.27
- Vibrancy: 21.09
- Car-Friendliness: 37.7
- Transit-Friendliness: N/A
Though more walkable than many rural towns, Glenville’s weak car-friendliness and healthcare limitations hurt its retirement potential.
9. Durbin – Secluded and Difficult to Reach
Durbin lies in Pocahontas County, in one of the most remote and mountainous parts of West Virginia. It’s a gateway to outdoor recreation but lacks year-round accessibility and consistent services. Winters can be especially challenging.
With some of the lowest walkability and cultural scores on the list, Durbin can feel isolated even by rural standards. It’s ideal for vacationers—not year-round retirees.
Durbin – ORS 44.13
- Overall Retirement Score: 44.13
- Quietness: 86.85
- Walkability: 8.64
- Cultural amenities: 11.67
- Vibrancy: 20.26
- Car-Friendliness: 67.68
- Transit-Friendliness: N/A
While scenic, Durbin doesn’t offer enough convenience or care access to support long-term senior living.
8. Ranson – Growing But Not Yet Retiree-Friendly
Located in Jefferson County near Charles Town, Ranson is experiencing growth, but not the kind that benefits retirees. The area is bustling with development but still struggles with noise, uneven walkability, and a lack of transit.
Ranson offers decent vibrancy, but many essentials—including healthcare—are more accessible in neighboring cities. The town’s noisy, car-heavy layout is a mismatch for quieter retirement needs.
Ranson – ORS 43.3
- Overall Retirement Score: 43.3
- Quietness: 42.97
- Walkability: 47.05
- Cultural amenities: 36.71
- Vibrancy: 56.43
- Car-Friendliness: 82.09
- Transit-Friendliness: N/A
Ranson may be more suited to young professionals than retirees seeking calm and convenience.
7. Rachel – Peaceful but Out of the Way
Rachel, located in Marion County, is a quiet unincorporated community with very little going on. It lacks businesses, medical facilities, and cultural outlets. While the setting is tranquil, that calm comes at the cost of access.
Its vibrancy and cultural scores are low, and almost everything requires driving. With no senior-focused infrastructure, Rachel is not a great choice for aging in place.
Rachel – ORS 41.7
- Overall Retirement Score: 41.7
- Quietness: 94.36
- Walkability: 38.09
- Cultural amenities: 29.05
- Vibrancy: 16.78
- Car-Friendliness: 79.95
- Transit-Friendliness: N/A
Rachel might appeal to those seeking peace and privacy, but it’s a challenging place to retire without robust personal transportation.
6. Crum – Extremely Quiet, But That’s About It
Crum sits deep in Wayne County and has some of the highest quietness scores in the state. But this peaceful setting lacks services of all kinds. There are no grocery stores, no healthcare providers, and almost no walkable destinations.
Retirees here will find themselves driving for even basic needs, and there’s no public transit to fall back on. It’s scenic but not set up for retirement.
Crum – ORS 38.62
- Overall Retirement Score: 38.62
- Quietness: 97.3
- Walkability: 6.44
- Cultural amenities: 4.17
- Vibrancy: 9.34
- Car-Friendliness: 89.75
- Transit-Friendliness: N/A
Crum may be restful, but the total lack of services makes it unsuitable for senior residents long-term.
5. Davy – Isolated with No Local Support
Tucked into the hills of McDowell County, Davy is another example of a once-industrial town left behind by modern development. There’s little in terms of healthcare or entertainment, and infrastructure is crumbling.
Retirees without family nearby or strong support networks may find it hard to get what they need. Even the grocery store is a significant drive away.
Davy – ORS 37.6
- Overall Retirement Score: 37.6
- Quietness: 84.94
- Walkability: 24.85
- Cultural amenities: 13.09
- Vibrancy: 7.04
- Car-Friendliness: 91.42
- Transit-Friendliness: N/A
While it’s calm and easy to drive through, Davy lacks the essentials that older adults typically need as they age.
4. Lizemores – Bare Bones in the Mountains
Lizemores is a tiny community in Clay County tucked along West Virginia Route 16. While it offers stunning mountain views and deep seclusion, it comes at the cost of almost everything else. There are no local clinics, grocery stores, or community centers—and even cell service can be unreliable.
Retirees here would need to travel long distances for daily needs, let alone medical care. Despite being incredibly quiet and relatively car-friendly, the infrastructure just doesn’t support senior living.
Lizemores – ORS 36.66
- Overall Retirement Score: 36.66
- Quietness: 95.03
- Walkability: 7.08
- Cultural amenities: 9.6
- Vibrancy: 3.93
- Car-Friendliness: 82.4
- Transit-Friendliness: N/A
Lizemores may appeal to wilderness lovers, but the lack of amenities and support systems makes retirement here difficult at best.
3. Ashford – Quiet but Culturally Sparse
Ashford is a small community along the Big Coal River in Boone County. It offers scenic views and a peaceful atmosphere, but retirees won’t find much in terms of entertainment, healthcare, or walkability. It’s primarily a residential area with no real town center.
The nearest resources are a long drive away, and with poor walkability and minimal vibrancy, Ashford is unlikely to keep retirees engaged or connected.
Ashford – ORS 35.4
- Overall Retirement Score: 35.4
- Quietness: 89.23
- Walkability: 16.22
- Cultural amenities: 27.61
- Vibrancy: 8.16
- Car-Friendliness: 81.31
- Transit-Friendliness: N/A
Ashford has the charm of rural West Virginia, but little else to support daily retired life. Even a quick errand requires a trip down the highway.
2. Eskdale – A Town in Decline
Eskdale, located in Kanawha County, is a shrinking coal town with limited resources and few signs of economic rebound. Its lower quietness score reflects nearby industrial activity, and the town has almost no cultural institutions or senior services.
The few remaining amenities are not easily accessed on foot, and public transportation is nearly nonexistent. Retirees here would be heavily reliant on personal vehicles and might feel cut off from support networks.
Eskdale – ORS 29.41
- Overall Retirement Score: 29.41
- Quietness: 64.8
- Walkability: 21.54
- Cultural amenities: 13.27
- Vibrancy: 12.45
- Car-Friendliness: 92.59
- Transit-Friendliness: 3.28
Eskdale’s fading infrastructure and minimal livability features make it one of the hardest places in the state to retire comfortably.
1. Hamlin – Few Amenities, Little Support
Hamlin tops the list for the worst place to retire in West Virginia. As the county seat of Lincoln County, you might expect more in terms of services—but this small town offers almost none. It scores poorly across the board, from quietness to vibrancy to cultural access.
Medical services are limited, walkability is low, and there’s no transit system in place. Even basic leisure activities are hard to come by, making it particularly tough for retirees hoping for an active or connected lifestyle.
Hamlin – ORS 21.56
- Overall Retirement Score: 21.56
- Quietness: 60.65
- Walkability: 17.91
- Cultural amenities: 6.12
- Vibrancy: 26.67
- Car-Friendliness: 94.12
- Transit-Friendliness: N/A
Hamlin is car-friendly, but that’s about it. With no strong draws for retirees and lots of drawbacks, it lands squarely at the bottom of our list.
