Bolivar, WV

Perched on the ridge right above Harpers Ferry, Bolivar is a quiet community of around a thousand residents overlooking the Potomac and Shenandoah rivers. While visitors often blend the two towns together, Bolivar maintains its own distinct identity. Back in the early 1800s, locals jokingly called the settlement Mudfort during an old neighborhood rivalry, before officially chartering the town in 1825 in honor of Simón Bolívar. Today, it feels like a peaceful mountain enclave filled with historic homes, quiet side streets, and beautiful surrounding scenery.

ATTRFamartin / CC BY-SA 4.0

For anyone looking to move here, Bolivar offers a relaxed residential pace right alongside Harpers Ferry National Historical Park. Washington Street forms the cozy main corridor through town, home to local eateries, a community center, and the town library. Outdoor recreation is right out your back door, from hiking the Appalachian Trail to watching the sunset from Bolivar Heights. Commuting is simple as well, thanks to quick access to Route 340 and weekday MARC train service into Washington, D.C. from the nearby Harpers Ferry station.