On the west bank of the Connecticut River, with the Westfield River on the northern border, Agawam is moments from Springfield but has a much different feel. “It’s really accessible to everywhere,” says Ahmet Gunay, Sales Agent with Premier Choice Realty Inc., “People can work in Amherst, in Hartford, in Springfield and come home at the end of the day, it makes Agawam a very commuter friendly location.” Park lands and golf courses hem the community, creating a green ring around the streets of Agawam, themselves lined with older oaks and maples for summer shade and color during the fall. Agawam has been around for nearly four centuries — tracing its settlement to 1636 — but remained a sleepy hamlet until the postwar population boom, as workers of Springfield expanded outwards to single-family homes on tree-lined lots, away from the hubbub of the city. Today, those workers have shifted from industry to information, with employers such as Baystate Health and MassMutual headquartered there.
Main Street Grille in Agawam, MA, offers good food you can enjoy with friends.
Most homeowners in Agawam don't need to go to a local pool since they may already own one.
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Housing driven by the postwar boom
The housing in Agawam reflects the periods of population growth. While there are a handful of older Colonials and early 1920s Cape Cod-style homes, it was the 1950s that saw a boom of Colonial revivals and 3-bedroom ranch-style homes, eventually giving way to the modern townhouses and condos that still retain that Colonial farmhouse look. Many homes feature vinyl siding and pitched roofs to deal with the severe weather that can hit Massachusetts during the winter season. Most homes go for between $275,000 and $400,000, with larger four- and five-bedroom homes as well as new builds and thoroughly renovated older homes commanding closer to $500,000. At the lower entry point, one- and two-bedroom condos can be found in the sub-$200,000 range. Gunay points out that the lower property tax rate in Agawam draws people, saying “Across the river in Longmeadow, the property tax is much higher, Agawam offers the same services and homes but is more affordable.”
Beautiful homes in Agawam are a usual sight for runners and walkers around Agawam.
Colonials aren't as common in Agawam but they exist enough for one to admire when one is spotted
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Agawam gets high marks for athletics
Agawam Public Schools encompasses all of Agawam, and students may attend one of four elementary schools: James Clark, Clifford M. Granger, Benjamin J. Phelps, or Robinson Park, all of which have a grade of C-plus or better from Niche. Agawam Junior High School receives a B-minus from niche while the other middle school option, Roberta G. Doering School, gets a B grade. At the top of the public schooling track, students head to Agawam High School, with an overall B-minus from Niche that includes an A for sports. While there are no private schools in Agawam, nearby in Springfield options include Libertas Academy Charter, Veritas Prep Charter, and S. Michael’s Academy.
Students at the Clifford M Granger enjoy the activities near Agawam.
Robinson Park Elementary School keeps kids minds Sharp in Agawam.
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Robinson Park is the center of activities
“Agawam has lots of parks, people from surrounding towns like Holyoke and Longmeadow come to entertain their kids,” says Gunay, “School Street Park was just expanded with a splash park, and people also come in to boat on the rivers, the Connecticut and north of town.” Running along the northern edge of Agawam, Robinson State Park has 20 miles of hiking and biking trails, while Westfield River is open for kayaking and canoeing. Robinson State Park features historical Civilian Conservation Corps buildings, as well as part of the Metacomet-Monadnock trail. Connected to the park, the Robinson Street pool and ball fields are a hub of summer activities, with a skatepark as well as a dog park for furry friends. For residents getting into the latest sport craze, Borgatti Park has four pickleball courts, as well as a basketball court and three fields for baseball or softball. Golfers will enjoy the selection of four different golf courses, including the Agawam Municipal Golf Course that is open to the public.
Agawam Golf course club house is a stunning place for residents to gather.
Robinson State park represents the type of activities available in Agawam.
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Get your feed on in Feeding Hills
The Feeding Hills area of Agawam is aptly named - the shopping center is home to a Stop & Shop for weekly groceries, along with several restaurants. Grab a smoothie or some juice at the Magic Blend, pick up sushi at Kaisen Asian Bistro, or sit down at On the Hill Family Restaurant for breakfast or brunch. “The Federal, it’s one of the top restaurants in Western Massachusetts, it’s one of the fanciest — you definitely need reservations to eat there,” says Gunay. Housed in a Greek Revival building, The Federal offers upscale New American dining in and is the go-to for celebratory dinners. Also in town, Kaptain Jimmy's, a pirate-themed restaurant and bar, serves local beers and pub food. The tap bar evokes the shape of a boat, with beer taps serving 68 brews designed to resemble the three masts of a ship. Residents don’t just head into Springfield for jobs either. Main Street just across the bridge is home to a wealth of restaurants and shopping.
Kaptain Jimmy's offers great seafood options in Agawam, MA.
Southgate plaza in Agawam is one of the few plaza's with everything residents need right there.
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A top airport just down the road
While the wide streets with limited hills make the region safe for bikers, Agawam is truly a car-dependent community, reflected by the fact that almost every house has a driveway. Apartments and condos feature off-street parking. The closest airfield is just over the border into Connecticut - Bradley International is a 10-mile drive south and was named the second-best airport in the United States in Conde Nast Traveler’s Reader’s Choice Awards in 2022. The closest hospitals for emergency treatment, Baystate Medical Center and Mercy Medical Center, are both across the river in Springfield and can be up to a 20-minute drive from parts of Agawam.
There’s nothing like the Big E
A minute over the border into West Springfield, The Big E is the world’s only multi-state fair, and all of Agawam heads out. “It lasts 17 days every year, starts in September and goes through October,” says Gunay. “It draws around 200,000 people a day, all of the New England states are represented there. They bring vendors and show off their states, there are lots of shows and foods.” Meanwhile, on a smaller scale, SummerFest in School Street Park features 17 nights of concerts throughout the summer, with local and regional acts. The annual Agawam Harvest Festival, run by the Agawam Rotary Club, is a fall tradition that usually runs on the third Saturday in October, with vendors, a parade, yard games and a car show. Many residents head over the river to the MGM Springfield and the MassMutual Center, both of which host national tours and music acts.
People love coming to NEXT Fitness in Agawam, MA. It's an absolute experience.
Agawam Dog Park allows your fur friends to have a blast nearby the rest of the family.
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Six Flags over Agawam
“Agawam has Six Flags,” says Gunay, “all of the northeast comes down during the summer.” Tucked into the corner by the Connecticut River and the Connecticut border, Six Flags New England overlooks the region. This can lead to heavy traffic on peak weekends, as much of it comes in through Massachusetts Route 57 and down directly through the center of Agawam. This can become particularly intensive on holiday weekends like Memorial Day and Labor Day, while their Summer Nights Spectacular covers the entire weekend surrounding July 4th and sees the biggest crowds of the year.
Despite all the pool owners in Agawam Six flags is a fan favorite for residents.
Xtreme Paintball is a large group activity residents in Agawam enjoy.
The absolute best part of being a realtor is that Michael is involved in huge milestone events for families when they purchase or sell a home. It is such an incredible feeling to see the joy it brings when dreams come true, and a family purchases their forever home. On the other side, he is always grateful to help property owners sell and move onto their next chapters in life. Based in Somers, CT, he has been serving clients as a Realtor in Connecticut and Massachusetts since 2013. In 2021, Michael took the next step in his career and launched Evermark Property Group, LLC. Prior to that, he studied Economics and Real Estate Finance at the University of Connecticut and held positions working for major commercial real estate investment management firms. His educational and professional journey has helped shape him into the real estate professional he is today, which benefits his clients and sets him apart from many other Realtors. Michael brings a high level of professionalism and punctuality to the table, which gets deals done smoothly. If they work together, you will find effective communication between them, and you will be informed about the deal every step of the way. He has renovated and flipped several homes with his father and has been around home improvement projects his entire life. That experience has trained his eyes and brings value to clients because Michael is able to spot and identify potential issues with properties before they even conduct a formal inspection. He will never "sell" you on a home, he just layouts the facts and provides his opinion, if asked, and allows you to make a decision that is best for you. He finds his previous clients appreciate the honesty and can trust that Michael is looking out for their best interests. Thank you for checking him out, and he encourages you to reach out any time with questions. He would like to be your resource for all your real estate needs.
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