Oak Hill (population ~8,000) is a compact, friendly mountain city in Fayette County that works well as a multi‑week base—quiet neighborhoods and local amenities combined with immediate access to New River Gorge National Park for hiking, climbing and whitewater so there’s always something weekend‑worthy nearby.
Beckley (≈15 miles) gives extra restaurants, shops and services, and Charleston (≈50 miles) is the nearest major city for airports, larger hospitals and nightlife, so you won’t feel isolated between shifts.