For those looking for homes in Morgantown, the first area to consider is Cheat Lake. This neighborhood, located on the eastern side of the lake, has the highest price range in the Morgantown metropolitan area.

Cheat Lake's accessibility to the lake and its views are directly reflected in the prices. Properties with boat docks or homes right on the lake, as well as houses a bit further up the hills, come with a view premium. Recent market data shows that the median home price ranges from $450,000 to $600,000, with large lakeside homes sometimes exceeding $700,000.

The Suncrest area, which is close to Sunnyside and downtown, is also mentioned. With good access to West Virginia University and a large hospital complex, it has been consistently favored by medical professionals and faculty, with median home prices around $350,000 to $450,000.

South Hills is also considered a stable, upscale residential area within Morgantown. Characterized by old trees and well-kept streets, and proximity to the campus, the median home prices are trading between $300,000 and $380,000.

The overall median home price in Morgantown is reported to be around $220,000 to $250,000. Compared to the three areas mentioned, this represents a difference of at least 1.3 times and up to nearly 2.7 times.

The reasons for this gap vary slightly by area. Cheat Lake benefits from its geographical asset of the lake, while Suncrest and South Hills are supported by stable employment bases from West Virginia University and the hospital. All three areas share the commonality of being markets focused more on existing homes rather than new large-scale developments.

With the expansion of the medical school and hospital at West Virginia University, there has been a gradual shift in demand towards the Suncrest area in recent years. While it doesn't have the same premium as Cheat Lake, the gap is slowly narrowing.

For Korean households, if the budget allows, living by the lake in Cheat Lake is recommended, while those prioritizing commuting and school districts should consider Suncrest. Given Morgantown's college town characteristics, there is a steady demand for rentals, making it worth considering for investment purposes as well.