Cheapest Home of the Day! c.1910 West Virginia Home With Hardwoods and French Doors $20K

Investment opportunity!

If interested in a property, please contact the realtor whose link is provided in the post below, or contact an agent of your own choosing. Independent verification of details and status is recommended. 

Contact Realtor: Sarah Ratliff

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The Pros of Living in Bluefield

1. Incredibly Pleasant Summers (with Free Lemonade!)

Because of its high elevation, Bluefield stays remarkably cool and comfortable when the rest of the East Coast is sweltering in July and August.

• The Lemonade Tradition: Summer heat waves are so rare that the Chamber of Commerce has a legendary tradition dating back to 1939: if the temperature hits 90∘F or higher, they hand out free lemonade to the entire town. It is a rare occurrence, keeping the tradition a fun and beloved novelty.

   

2. Outstanding Housing Affordability

If your priority is keeping your living costs as low as possible, Bluefield is a haven.

• The median home value hovers around $94,000 to $97,000.

   

• You can find beautifully built, historic early-20th-century homes with incredible craftsmanship for a fraction of what a starter home costs nationally. Property taxes are also exceptionally low.

   

3. Quick Access to World-Class Outdoor Recreation

Nestled right in the Ridge and Valley region of the Appalachians, Bluefield is an outdoor lover’s paradise.

• You are minutes away from hiking, mountain biking, and exploring breathtaking geological formations at Pinnacle Rock State Park.

• The region is incredibly popular for ATV riding, with direct access to the world-famous Hatfield-McCoy Trail System.

• Winter sports enthusiasts are within driving distance of major West Virginia ski resorts like Winterplace.

4. High-Quality Local Education Options

For a small mountain community, Bluefield offers solid educational roots. It is home to Bluefield State University (a historically Black university founded in 1895). Additionally, just across the state line is its sister town, Bluefield, Virginia, which houses Bluefield University.

The Cons of Living in Bluefield

1. Challenging Local Economy

Like much of the surrounding region, Bluefield’s economy was historically built entirely on the coal boom and rail transport. As those industries declined, the city’s population shrunk from its 1950 peak of 25,000 down to under 10,000 today.

• While the city is working hard on revitalization, the job market is limited, with a median household income of around $45,000.

   

• Careers are heavily concentrated in healthcare, education, and retail, meaning professionals in tech or corporate sectors will likely need to rely on remote work.

2. The “Double-Sided” Crime Dynamic

Crime in Bluefield presents an unusual statistical anomaly that requires a closer look:

• The High: Statewide data frequently points to Bluefield as having elevated violent crime rates per capita compared to other West Virginia cities. This is deeply tied to regional poverty and substance-use challenges.

   

• The Low: On the flip side, Bluefield consistently boasts one of the lowest property crime rates in the state.

   

• The Reality: While those statistics can sound alarming, most long-time residents will tell you that crime is highly localized to specific, neglected pockets of town, and the day-to-day suburban neighborhoods feel very quiet and safe.

   

3. Bitter, Snowy Winters

While the high elevation makes summers a dream, it turns winters into a serious job. Bluefield averages over 34 inches of snow annually (with some high-altitude areas seeing far more). Because the town is built on steep Appalachian hillsides, navigating icy, snow-packed streets and managing winter heating bills can be tough.

4. Limited Shopping & Entertainment

While Bluefield has local favorites, a historic downtown, and some basic shopping, it lacks the variety of a larger metro area. There are no major shopping malls or massive concert venues. For specialized medical care, major commercial flights, or high-end shopping, you will need to commute to larger regional hubs like Roanoke, Virginia (about a 1.5- to 2-hour drive east).