Moving to Montgomery: Pros, Cons & What to Know
Moving to Montgomery means moving to a small Upper Kanawha Valley city genuinely still working through the economic transition of losing its longtime university, weighed honestly against real, current revitalization investment.
Exploring the idea of moving?
We can connect you with a local real estate professional who knows the area -- no pressure, just a starting point.
Learn moreMontgomery's real history as WVU Tech's 120-year home -- now historical, not current
West Virginia University Institute of Technology called Montgomery home for 120 years until WVU's Board of Governors voted in 2015 to relocate the school to Beckley, a move completed by fall 2017; this record verifies WVU Tech's main campus is NOT currently active in Montgomery, a real, substantial, documented economic setback (base record).
A real, current, smaller postsecondary presence remains
A two-year BridgeValley Community and Technical College campus remains in Montgomery today with nationally accredited engineering-technology, dental-hygiene, respiratory-therapy, and printing-technology programs, alongside Montgomery General Hospital anchoring local healthcare (base record).
Real, current (2026) revitalization efforts underway
The Greater Kanawha Valley Foundation launched a 2026 place-based initiative for Smithers and Montgomery, allocating up to $200,000 per year through 2028 for community economic-development, education, and health projects, including a comprehensive plan to redevelop the former WVU Tech campus buildings (base record).
An above-average property tax rate to weigh directly
Montgomery's own effective property tax rate (approximately 0.98%-0.99%) runs genuinely above West Virginia's already-low statewide average, reflecting the city's dual-county Fayette/Kanawha footprint, even as its housing remains genuinely affordable in dollar terms (base record).
Key takeaways
- WVU Tech's main campus relocated from Montgomery to Beckley in 2017 -- it is NOT currently active in Montgomery.
- A smaller BridgeValley Community and Technical College campus and Montgomery General Hospital remain today.
- Real, current (2026) revitalization investment targets the former WVU Tech campus and the broader Upper Kanawha Valley.
- Montgomery's own property tax rate (0.98%-0.99%) runs above West Virginia's statewide average -- confirm current bills directly.
Want to know what your budget actually buys here?
Tell us a bit about what you're looking for and we'll connect you with someone local who can walk you through real numbers.
Get local guidanceRead the full Montgomery overview for the complete picture -- housing, taxes, climate, and who this place genuinely fits.
Planning a move?
Tell us what you're looking for and we'll connect you with a local expert who can help you make it happen.
Talk to a local expert