08/20/2026
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Jennifer Hagerty- Realtor writes a weekly column for the The Dominion Post.
If You Live Here, You Know
Living in Morgantown means sharing your hometown with West Virginia University. Whether you attended WVU, have a family member who did, or have simply lived here long enough to know the rhythm of the academic calendar, there are some experiences that are uniquely ours. Here are ten things that make living in a university town a little different, and a lot of fun.
1. You Know the Seasons by the Student Move-In Calendar
For most places, August means back-to-school shopping. In Morgantown, it means moving trucks, mattresses strapped to car roofs, parents navigating unfamiliar streets, perhaps a confused visitor going the wrong way on a one way street, and every elevator in town getting a workout. Experienced locals know to plan accordingly.
2. Game Day Is Practically a Local Holiday
Even if you don't have tickets, you know when the Mountaineers are playing. The city fills with blue and gold, tailgates pop up everywhere, and strangers become instant friends after a touchdown, counting push-ups with the Mountaineer in his coonskin cap. You also know exactly which roads to avoid for a few hours. And if the Mountaineers win, you know the evening will certainly end with thousands of fans linking arms and singing Take Me Home, Country Roads at the top of their lungs.
3. You Give Directions Using Landmarks That Have Nothing
to Do with Street Names
"Turn by the Coliseum." "Go past Ruby." "It's just behind the stadium." "Next to the Lair." Visitors may rely on GPS, but locals navigate by landmarks that have become part of everyday conversation.
4. Every Fall Feels Like a Fresh Start
There is something contagious about the excitement of a new academic year. New students arrive with big dreams, longtime residents reconnect after summer vacations, and the entire community seems to hit the reset button.
5. Coffee Shops Are More Than Coffee Shops
Some people stop in for a latte. Others are writing dissertations, meeting clients, tutoring students, catching up with friends, or launching a new business. In a university town, coffee shops often become community gathering places.
6. You Never Stop Learning
One of the hidden benefits of living near WVU is access to lectures, performances, sporting events, museums, continuing education classes, and cultural experiences. You don't have to be enrolled to enjoy the opportunities that come with a major university.
7. You Meet People from Everywhere
Strike up a conversation at the grocery store or farmers market, and you may meet someone from another state—or another country. The university brings together people from all walks of life, giving Morgantown a unique blend of small-town friendliness and global perspectives.
8. Traffic Can Be... Predictable
Move-in weekend. Graduation. Football Saturdays. Parents' Weekend. Longtime residents know these dates aren't inconveniences, they're simply part of living in a vibrant community. With a little planning and a little patience, they're easy to navigate.
9. Every Neighborhood Has Its Own Personality
From the convenient locations of Woodburn and Wiles Hill to the historic homes of Greenmont and South Park, every neighborhood has its own character. Suncrest continues to attract healthcare professionals, university employees, and families, while the communities surrounding Morgantown offer quieter settings just minutes from campus. Living in a university town creates housing options for students, professors, healthcare professionals, young families, retirees, and everyone in between. That diversity helps make Morgantown's neighborhoods unique.
10. You Realize You're Living Somewhere Special
Sometimes it takes hearing a visitor say, "I wish we had something like this where I live," to appreciate what we have: a nationally recognized university, outstanding healthcare, beautiful parks and trails, opportunities for arts and entertainment, locally owned restaurants and shops, a strong sense of community, and a city that continues to grow while holding onto its character.
As a Realtor, I often hear people say they came to Morgantown for college, a job, or a residency and never planned to stay. Years later, they're raising families, starting businesses, volunteering throughout the community, and cheering for the Mountaineers alongside neighbors who have called Morgantown home for generations.
That's the magic of a university town. It welcomes newcomers, creates lifelong connections, and offers opportunities that reach far beyond the classroom.
Whether you've called Morgantown home your entire life or just arrived, chances are you've experienced at least a few of these moments. And if you smiled while reading them, congratulations, you’ve officially embraced life in a university town.
Stephanie K. Lemley, Broker
