Charleston, WV Homes For Rent

Homes for Rent in Charleston, WV: What You Need to Know

Charleston is the capital of West Virginia. The city is beautifully situated at the confluence of the Kanawha and Elk rivers.

Things to Do in Charleston

The Kanawha State Forest offers excellent hiking, mountain biking, and cross-country skiing. The 9,300-acre forest has 14 hiking trails and nine mountain-biking trails. Nature lovers are drawn to the forest for its diverse wildflowers and bird population. The forest provides a habitat for 19 species of wood warblers. For a change of pace, visit the State Capitol, which boasts of a 293-foot gold dome, five feet higher than the U.S. Capitol’s dome. In case you’re wondering, the Charleston dome is gilded in 23-karat gold leaf.

The Local History

Col. Savannah Clendenin and a company of Virginia Rangers built Fort Lee, the first permanent settlement in the area. The Virginia General Assembly established Charleston in 1794. The city got its name after Clendenin's father, Charles. During the Civil War, Virginia joined the Confederacy, but the western part of the state remained loyal to the Union. Slave-holding plantation owners in eastern Virginia dominated the state’s economy and politics, pushing the independent-minded farmers in western counties to form a state in 1861. They initially called their state Kanawha, but changed the name to West Virginia in 1862.

The Cost of Living in Charleston

Affordability is one of the biggest perks of a small city like Charleston (population: 46,536) whose cost of living is 5.9% lower than the national average. Its food and housing costs are also 30.9% and 40.1% lower than the national average respectively. The median gross rent in Charleston is $727. West Virginia levies 3% to 6.5% in income tax and 6% in statewide sales tax, but some cities charge an additional sales tax of up to 1%.

Know Your Neighborhoods

Charleston residents rave about their hometown’s safety, parks, and access to outdoor recreation. The East End Historic District is one of the most popular neighborhoods in the city. If you’re looking for a suburb with good schools, Nitro and Saint Albans are good choices. They are both less than 15 miles away from Charleston. Nitro is well-known for Ridenour Lake and great fishing, while Saint Albans gets kudos for its safe and friendly environment.

Shopping in Town

The Shops at Kanawha consists of 300,000 square feet of retail and office spaces. You’ll find national, regional, and local retailers there. For a unique shopping experience, visit the eclectic boutiques at the Bridge Road Shops. There’s something for every type of shopper, from clothing and accessories to jewelry and gift items.