Huntington, WV: named America’s Best Community for so many reasons
Life in Huntington
More than 350 cities and towns from coast to coast competed for the title of America’s Best Community. Only one could win the top award, and that one is Huntington, West Virginia. That might surprise you, but it doesn’t surprise the people who call the Huntington area home.
Nestled along the scenic Ohio River on the Western Allegheny Plateau, the onetime steam railroad hub has been transformed into a thriving modern metropolis drawing both residents and businesses for its quality of life and extensive resources. Today you’ll find buildings from past centuries bringing fresh innovations to our nation, schools where tomorrow is already taking shape, natural beauty that’s been celebrated in song, and more than just a touch of southern hospitality.
It’s a community of people raised on a storied tradition of pride in a hard day’s work, along with newcomers who have sought the kind of place where people stop and talk to each other. If you’re seeking a location where your company can count on finding people who will embrace your goals, you belong in Huntington.
Ask parents what they appreciate most about living in Huntington, and you’ll get answers about the educational opportunities available to their children. Local K-12 school districts work hard to educate the whole child, with rigorous and relevant curriculum, along with rich arts and extracurricular experiences at all grade levels.
Educators also understand that parents want their kids to become independent and economically secure. That’s why Cabell County Schools invests significant time and effort into career education and making sure the area’s young people develop those all-important “soft” workplace skills as their academic knowledge grows. Career literacy begins in the elementary grades, expanding at the middle school level to build student interest in 16 key career clusters, along with Project Lead the Way programs. Local high schools and career centers enhance instruction by giving students a deeper understanding of how to obtain the skills they need to become successful adults.
Today’s jobs generally require additional education, and Huntington excels there, too. We’re proud to be the home of Marshall University and its 10,000 students enrolled in 80 programs. We’re also home to innovative Mountwest Community and Technical College, delivering critically needed workforce skills in more than 50 certificate and degree programs.
Whatever your preferred mode of travel, it’s easy from Huntington. Highways provide fast connections to key routes across the region. Start with I-64, which provides direct routes to St. Louis, Louisville, Lexington, and the Virginia coast. NYC, St. Louis, Jacksonville, Toronto — and everything in between — is within a day’s drive. Want to sit back and let Amtrak do the driving? Their New York-to-Chicago Cardinal stops here. Need to get there even faster? Tri-State Airport has nonstop passenger service to Orlando, Tampa/St. Pete, Fort Myers, Myrtle Beach, and Charlotte.
Local residents are well cared for by our area’s healthcare providers, chief among them the Marshall Health Network. A key part of having good health is being able to enjoy Huntington’s rich menu of dining, retail, and entertainment options. Maybe a microbrewery on Thursday evening and a unique take on Italian for Friday? You’ll have plenty of choices. Plenty of opportunities for outdoor fun, too.