West Virginia is a state of extreme beauty, including 2,032 miles of whitewater (the greatest density of whitewater in the country), 1.5 million acres of public land (state parks and forests and the New River Gorge National Park and Preserve), and 4000+ roped and bouldering routes.  There may be no better place for an outdoor enthusiast than West Virginia.  Beyond the natural beauty of the state, you’ll find amenities and institutions usually identified with larger metropolitan areas.  The state boasts historic resorts like the Greenbrier and is home to a variety of arts and culture (local galleries, museums, and performing arts venues).  It is known for authentic mountain music with a distinct Appalachian sound that owes to influences from folk, bluegrass, gospel and more.  There are one-of-a-kind historical destinations and 44 colleges and universities of varying sizes and types.

The state of West Virginia is leading the way in recruiting remote workers seeking a lifestyle steeped in outdoor recreation and adventure with a sense of community connection and shared purpose.  If this sounds appealing to you, look no further.  The program is described below and in the individual offer pages for specific regional areas.

“Ascend WV is a talent attraction and retention program designed to support remote professionals and their families as they relocate to West Virginia in pursuit of high quality of life and an outdoor-driven lifestyle. Experience work-life balance through community, purpose, and the outdoors in the mountains of West Virginia.”

Ascend WV was founded with a “shared vision for innovation and a deep love for the mountains of West Virginia.”  In 2022, Brad D. Smith returned to his mountain home after a very successful career in Silicon Valley.  He became the 38th president of Marshall University while he and his wife Alys, an accomplished attorney, undertook significant philanthropic work that includes this recognized talent attraction and retention program.  Mr. Smith credits West Virginia as the foundation for his own success and wants to share the place he loves with others.  As Ascend WV says, “let our country roads take you home to the place you belong.”


Charleston


West Virginia is a state of extreme beauty, including 2,032 miles of whitewater (the greatest density of whitewater in the country), 1.5 million acres of public land (state parks and forests and the New River Gorge National Park and Preserve), and 4000+ roped and bouldering routes.  There may be no better place for an outdoor enthusiast than West Virginia.  Beyond the natural beauty of the state, you’ll find amenities and institutions usually identified with larger metropolitan areas.  The state boasts historic resorts like the Greenbrier and is home to a variety of arts and culture (local galleries, museums, and performing arts venues).  It is known for authentic mountain music with a distinct Appalachian sound that owes to influences from folk, bluegrass, gospel and more.  There are one-of-a-kind historical destinations and 44 colleges and universities of varying sizes and types.

The state of West Virginia is leading the way in recruiting remote workers seeking a lifestyle steeped in outdoor recreation and adventure with a sense of community connection and shared purpose.  If this sounds appealing to you, look no further.  The program is described below and in the individual offer pages for specific regional areas.

“Ascend WV is a talent attraction and retention program designed to support remote professionals and their families as they relocate to West Virginia in pursuit of high quality of life and an outdoor-driven lifestyle. Experience work-life balance through community, purpose, and the outdoors in the mountains of West Virginia.”

Ascend WV was founded with a “shared vision for innovation and a deep love for the mountains of West Virginia.”  In 2022, Brad D. Smith returned to his mountain home after a very successful career in Silicon Valley.  He became the 38th president of Marshall University while he and his wife Alys, an accomplished attorney, undertook significant philanthropic work that includes this recognized talent attraction and retention program.  Mr. Smith credits West Virginia as the foundation for his own success and wants to share the place he loves with others.  As Ascend WV says, “let our country roads take you home to the place you belong.”


Martinsburg

Picture a mountain retreat with proximity to Washington, D.C. and Baltimore, Maryland.  Nestled along the Potomac River, the Eastern Panhandle offers an array of outdoor activities, including a chance to hike the Appalachian Trail as it passes through Harpers Ferry, to ski in one of seven ski areas, to paddle down the river on over 100 paddling runs, or to mountain bike the many trails.  The area boasts international cuisine and local favorites including craft breweries and artisan pizza.  There are several long standing farmers markets and the Mountain State Apple Harvest Festival that has taken place every October for decades in celebration of the apple harvest.  The Eastern Panhandle also has a rich mix of cultural assets and activities, including Civil War history and arts of all kinds (music, dance, film).  So much to do and to see – it would be hard not to settle right in.

You’ll be welcomed by local ambassadors who can point you to the best places to work remotely (coworking spaces and other public areas with internet access) and connect you to established professional development and entrepreneurial assistance opportunities.  The Eastern Panhandle puts you right in the heart of beautiful surroundings with welcoming neighbors, yet close enough to metropolitan areas that you won’t ever feel you’re lacking for anything.


Move to the Eastern Panhandle

Free Outdoor Recreation Experiences and Gear Rentals

Professional Development and Entrepreneurial Assistance

Greenbrier Junction

Beauty abounds in Greenbrier Valley.  There’s no better place for the outdoor enthusiast than one with a free-flowing river, one of the largest cave systems in North America, hiking and biking trails galore, rolling farmland, and mountain slopes.  The New River Gorge National Park and Preserve, the Greenbrier State Forest, and the one-million-acre Monongahela National Forest each offer opportunities for any outdoor adventure one might conjure up.  Couple the beauty of the great outdoors with small town charm and a premier resort that draws people from around the world, and you have found a home in Greenbrier Valley.  

You’ll be welcomed by local ambassadors who know the food scene that includes special farm-to-table dinners, can point you to the best places to work remotely (coworking spaces and other public areas with internet access), and connect you to established professional development and entrepreneurial assistance opportunities.  The communities of Greenbrier Valley are close-knit places with loads to offer and a desire to share what makes this such a special area to put down roots.


Greenbrier Valley

Morgantown

The Morgantown Area really has it all.  Enjoy all the positives of a college town, with the energy and activities of the West Virginia University campus in Morgantown, located in one of the fastest growing counties in the state.  The Monongahela River and Cheat Lake offer fishing, water sports, and beaches for relaxing.  Hiking opportunities are everywhere with hundreds of miles of trails.  You can walk, run, bike, or even in-line skate for 48 miles on Morgantown’s acclaimed “Rail Trail.”  The area has a great education system, highly rated healthcare, and scores of different housing options, from single family homes with acreage to more urban spaces.  Everything you need is right here in the Morgantown Area, with a high quality of life for a low cost of living, and yet it is a quick hop to five major metros when you yearn for the big city.

If you choose the Morgantown Area, you’ll be welcomed by local ambassadors who know the local food scene, can point you to the best places to work remotely (coworking spaces and other public areas with internet access), and connect you to established professional development and entrepreneurial assistance opportunities.  It won’t take long to settle in to an area with such warmth and vibrancy to share.


Move to Morgantown

Lewisburg

Beauty abounds in Greenbrier Valley.  There’s no better place for the outdoor enthusiast than one with a free-flowing river, one of the largest cave systems in North America, hiking and biking trails galore, rolling farmland, and mountain slopes.  The New River Gorge National Park and Preserve, the Greenbrier State Forest, and the one-million-acre Monongahela National Forest each offer opportunities for any outdoor adventure one might conjure up.  Couple the beauty of the great outdoors with small town charm and a premier resort that draws people from around the world, and you have found a home in Greenbrier Valley.  

You’ll be welcomed by local ambassadors who know the food scene that includes special farm-to-table dinners, can point you to the best places to work remotely (coworking spaces and other public areas with internet access), and connect you to established professional development and entrepreneurial assistance opportunities.  The communities of Greenbrier Valley are close-knit places with loads to offer and a desire to share what makes this such a special area to put down roots.

Move to Lewisburg

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