There’s speculation that Charleston is located within a 500-mile radius of half of the U.S. population. Whether that’s true or not, it’s not a bad location by a long shot. This town is ideally situated in what’s being called “Advantage Valley,” a region in West Virginia that encompasses the stretch of industry-ready land that’s located along the I-64 corridor. Businesses, universities, and major transportation hubs all help to make this the center of industry in West Virginia.

As the capital of West Virginia and the largest city in the state, Charleston is the main center for politics, business, and culture. It might not be a major metropolis like New York or San Francisco, but what it doesn’t have in terms of skyscrapers and concrete jungles, it more than makes up for in history, not to mention the beatify of the surrounding Appalachian Mountain region.

Much of the region around Charleston is surrounded by forests. In fact, the state of West Virginia is nearly 80% covered by forests, meaning that in many ways, being in the mountains here has the same feel that it did back in Daniel Boone’s day. It’s a tremendously well-preserved treasure, a secret gem that’s managed to hold onto a great deal of its history, which can be seen in many historical sites across the state.

This region has a cost of living that’s low compared to the national average, which means if you’re planning to relocate for work and looking to buy land, Charleston, WV is an ideal location. If you’d like to own a second home that’s an escape from the stress and pressures of the city, or just looking for a new place to relocate that’ll give you more time to spend outdoors and in nature, Charleston WV is for you.

This state has also been the site of a number of pivotal civil rights movements. This includes an 1859 attempted raid by a group of slaves on an arsenal at the town of Harpers Ferry that ended up being one of the sparks to light the American Civil War. While the attempt at freedom failed, the tensions escalated between the North and South until the start of the Civil War just 16 months later. West Virginia also has the distinction of electing the very first African-American woman as a legislator in 1928.