Top Neighborhoods
Morgantown isn't one city—it's four distinct worlds stitched together by a river, a mountain, and the WVU campus. Choosing wrong means a 45-minute commute on I-79 or living next to a student party house; choosing right means a 10-minute walk to world-class beer and trail access.
Quick Compare: Top Neighborhoods in Morgantown
| Neighborhood | Vibe | Rent Range | Best For | Walk Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Suncrest | Family academic | $900-$1,400 | WVU faculty, medical residents | ~72 |
| South Park | Historic charm | $850-$1,200 | First-time buyers, walkability fans | ~68 |
| Evansdale | Student residential | $700-$1,100 | Undergrads, budget-conscious | ~58 |
| Cheat Lake | Suburban luxury | $1,200-$1,800 | Remote workers, boaters | ~35 |
| Downtown | Urban core | $950-$1,500 | Young professionals, nightlife | ~85 |
| Sabraton | Blue-collar quiet | $700-$950 | Families, commuters to I-79 | ~42 |
Suncrest
Overview: WVU's faculty housing hill with actual trees and sidewalks. Centered around the iconic WVU Coliseum and the Suncrest Town Centre, this is where professors and medical residents put down roots.
The Numbers:
- 🏠 Rent: $900 - $1,400/mo (1BR) | $1,200 - $1,800/mo (2BR)
- 🏡 Buy: Median home $280k - $350k
- 🚗 Commute: 8 min to downtown WVU | 15 min to Ruby Memorial Hospital
- 🚶 Walk Score: ~72 (Very walkable, hill-assisted)
Local Intel: The traffic hack is avoiding Stewartstown Road between 4:45-5:30pm when hospital shifts change. Hidden gem: The 50-yard walk from Suncrest Town Centre to the WVU Arboretum trails. Avoid the student-heavy pockets near University Ave's western edge.
Who Thrives Here: Medical residents who need quick hospital access but want to live like adults, and WVU professors who refuse to live in student-land.
Pros & Cons:
- ✅ Median crime 40% below city average (2023 WVU PD data)
- ✅ Immediate access to the Arboretum's 3+ miles of interpretive trails
- ❌ Steep hills make winter walking treacherous; you'll need all-wheel drive
- ❌ Premium pricing—paying 20-30% over city median rent
Schools: Monongalia County Schools (above average). Suncrest Elementary is a top performer (8/10 GreatSchools).
The Verdict: Move here if you're a medical professional or academic who values walkability and safety. Avoid if you're on a tight budget or hate hills.
South Park
Overview: Morgantown's Victorian historic district with actual character. Centered around the 1920s-era South Park School and the Hazel Ruby McQuain Park riverfront access, this is where old-house restorers and young families coexist.
The Numbers:
- 🏠 Rent: $850 - $1,200/mo (1BR) | $1,100 - $1,500/mo (2BR)
- 🏡 Buy: Median home $180k - $250k (fixer-uppers start at $140k)
- 🚗 Commute: 5 min to downtown | 12 min to Suncrest
- 🚶 Walk Score: ~68 (Walkable, but spotty in some blocks)
Local Intel: The best coffee within walking distance is at The Cupcakery on High Street (not technically South Park but a 7-min walk). The riverfront trail connects directly to Hazel Ruby McQuain Park for cycling. Street parking is a nightmare during WVU home games—plan accordingly.
Who Thrives Here: First-time homebuyers who want historic charm without Suncrest prices, and WVU grad students who don't mind older apartments.
Pros & Cons:
- ✅ 15% below city median rent for comparable units
- ✅ True four-season walkability (flat compared to Suncrest)
- ❌ Older housing stock means lead pipes and drafty windows are common
- ❌ Some blocks see property crime (bike thefts are the #1 issue)
Schools: Monongalia County Schools (above average). South Park Elementary is solid (7/10 GreatSchools).
The Verdict: Perfect for restoration enthusiasts and budget-conscious professionals who want character. Skip if you need modern amenities or fear old-home maintenance.
Evansdale
Overview: WVU's student residential engine, anchored by the Evansdale Library and the WVU Coliseum. This is where the majority of upperclassmen live, and it shows in the rental market.
The Numbers:
- 🏠 Rent: $700 - $1,100/mo (1BR) | $900 - $1,300/mo (2BR)
- 🏡 Buy: Median home $160k - $220k (mostly student rentals)
- 🚗 Commute: 12 min to downtown | 18 min to Suncrest via University Ave
- 🚶 Walk Score: ~58 (Car-dependent, but campus shuttle available)
Local Intel: The PRT (Personal Rapid Transit) station at Evansdale is your lifeline to downtown—runs every 5 minutes during class days. The best cheap eats are at T&T Pizza on University Ave (open until 3am). Avoid renting on Patteson Drive directly behind the Coliseum—game night noise is brutal.
Who Thrives Here: WVU undergrads, grad students on tight budgets, and anyone who needs the PRT system.
Pros & Cons:
- ✅ Lowest rent in Morgantown's core neighborhoods
- ✅ Direct PRT access eliminates car need for campus commuters
- ❌ Party atmosphere—expect noise, especially Thursday-Saturday
- ❌ Parking is virtually non-existent near campus; $400+/semester for a pass
Schools: Not applicable (primarily student housing).
The Verdict: Move here if you're a student or need ultra-cheap housing with campus access. Avoid if you're a professional who values quiet or parking.
Cheat Lake
Overview: Morgantown's suburban escape, built around the actual Cheat Lake and the I-79 corridor. This is where you live if you want a house with a yard and boat access, but still work in the city.
The Numbers:
- 🏠 Rent: $1,200 - $1,800/mo (1BR) | $1,500 - $2,200/mo (2BR)
- 🏡 Buy: Median home $320k - $450k (lakefront starts at $500k)
- 🚗 Commute: 12 min to downtown via I-79 | 15 min to Suncrest
- 🚶 Walk Score: ~35 (Car-dependent, suburban sprawl)
Local Intel: The Cheat Lake Bridge is the chokepoint—avoid 7-9am and 5-6pm weekdays. The best spot is the Cheat Lake Marina for weekend boating. For groceries, it's a 10-minute drive to the Evansdale Kroger. No Uber/Lyft reliability after 10pm.
Who Thrives Here: Remote workers who want space, boaters, and families who need yard space without being too far from city amenities.
Pros & Cons:
- ✅ Direct I-79 access means easy escapes to Pittsburgh or Charleston
- ✅ Lakefront living without the price tag of Coeur d'Alene
- ❌ Zero walkability—car is mandatory for everything
- ❌ Bridge traffic can turn a 12-min commute into 30+ minutes during peak times
Schools: Monongalia County Schools (above average). Westwood Middle and University High are strong performers.
The Verdict: Move here if you want suburban life with lake access and easy highway commuting. Avoid if you want walkability or hate traffic patterns.
Downtown
The Numbers:
- 🏠 Rent: $950 - $1,500/mo (1BR) | $1,300 - $1,800/mo (2BR)
- 🏡 Buy: Median home $250k - $350k (condos only, mostly)
- 🚗 Commute: 0 min to downtown (obviously) | 10 min to Suncrest
- 🚶 Walk Score: ~85 (Walker's paradise)
Local Intel: The easiest parking hack for visitors: use the Pratt Street garage (free after 6pm and weekends). The best coffee is at The Coffee Shop on High Street (not a chain, actual local). Friday nights during football season: avoid High Street entirely—traffic is gridlocked from 6-11pm.
Who Thrives Here: Young professionals, WVU grad students who don't mind older buildings, and anyone who wants to live without a car.
Pros & Cons:
- ✅ Highest walk score in Morgantown—groceries, bars, and gyms all on foot
- ✅ Strong rental market for 1BR units with character (brick walls, high ceilings)
- ❌ WVU student presence means noise and partying, especially near campus fringe
- ❌ Street parking is permit-only in most zones; guest parking is expensive
Schools: Monongalia County Schools (above average). Near downtown but most families use the Suncrest or South Park zones.
The Verdict: Move here if you're a young professional who wants urban living and walkability. Avoid if you need quiet, parking, or have a family.
Sabraton
Overview: The quiet blue-collar neighborhood on the city's western edge, anchored by the Sabraton Shopping Plaza and the I-79 corridor. This is where you live when you want to be left alone but still have a 15-minute commute.
The Numbers:
- 🏠 Rent: $700 - $950/mo (1BR) | $900 - $1,200/mo (2BR)
- 🏡 Buy: Median home $150k - $210k
- 🚗 Commute: 15 min to downtown | 8 min to I-79
- 🚶 Walk Score: ~42 (Car-dependent, but flat)
Local Intel: The hidden gem is the Sabraton Trailhead for the Deckers Creek rail-to-trail—great for cycling without the downtown crowds. Traffic hack: Use the I-79 interchange at 68 (Star City exit) to avoid downtown entirely. The Sabraton Post Office is the only one open on Saturdays in the area.
Who Thrives Here: Commuters who work along I-79, families on tight budgets, and anyone who wants quiet suburban living without the Cheat Lake price tag.
Pros & Cons:
- ✅ 30% below city median rent for 2BR units
- ✅ Quick I-79 access for regional commuting
- ❌ Limited dining options—most restaurants are chains in the plaza
- ❌ Crime is slightly elevated near the I-79 interchange (property theft, not violent)
Schools: Monongalia County Schools (above average). Sabraton Elementary is average (6/10 GreatSchools).
The Verdict: Move here if you need budget-friendly housing with easy highway access. Avoid if you want walkability, nightlife, or top-tier schools.
Final Advice
For young professionals, downtown is your winner—walkability and nightlife outweigh the student noise. For families, Suncrest is the premium choice (safety, schools, walkability) but South Park offers 80% of the benefits at 70% of the cost. For medical residents, Suncrest's proximity to Ruby Memorial is unbeatable, but South Park offers cheaper alternatives if you don't mind a 12-minute drive.
Traffic pattern reality: The I-79 corridor between Bridgeport and Morgantown is a nightmare at 5pm on weekdays—plan commutes before 4pm or after 6pm. The Suncrest Bridge (University Ave) is the city's biggest chokepoint; if you live east of it, you'll fight it daily.
Counterintuitive pick: South Park is the best investment for buyers who can handle maintenance. The historic district is gaining value faster than Suncrest because young professionals are priced out of the latter and want walkability without the Suncrest premium.