Quiet, rural living in Andover
Andover offers rural homes in the Green Mountains far out of the way of the rest of Windsor County. The town is made up of winding country roads weaving through dense forest and farmland. Most homes are separated by several acres of land, creating a quiet retreat in central Vermont with less than 1,000 people.
Traditional-style homes on several acres of land
Homebuyers can find traditional-style homes built as early as the mid-1900s, as well as a handful of contemporary houses built in the past 25 years. Many homes sit far back off the roads with long driveways. Most houses in Andover sit on anywhere between 2 to 50 acres of land, with some surpassing 100 acres. Homes typically sell for $350,000 to $750,000.
Commuting via Route 11
Andover is heavily car dependent due to its rural nature. State Route 11 is just south of town, serving as the main road in and out of the area. “It connects Andover to Springfield, you can go pretty far on that one,” says Thaddeus Abare, a Realtor with Barrett & Valley Associates, and a Windsor County local that’s been selling homes in the area for nearly 4 years.
Dirt roads and mud season
Vermont’s mud season lasts from March to June. As the winter snow and frost melt, the area’s dirt and soil are turned into muddy terrain. There are over 1,200 miles of dirt roads throughout Windsor County, meaning drivers may encounter hazardous road conditions and road closures during mud season.
Outdoor attractions in neighboring towns
Parks and recreation are available in neighboring towns. Chester Town Forest stretches 550 acres and offers two hiking trails. Lowell Lake State Park in Londonderry is a popular spot for boating and fishing, and there’s a 3.5-mile trail that circles the lake. The Okemo Mountain Resort is 10 miles north and has over 120 skiing and snowboarding trails in the winter.
Students served by Two Rivers Supervisory Union
Students may start at Chester Andover Elementary, which teaches kindergarten through sixth grade and gets a C-plus from Niche. Green Mountain Union High teaches seventh through 12th grade, earns a C and has a student-to-teacher ratio of 11-to-1.
Shopping and dining in Ludlow and Springfield
Locals will have to leave town for shopping and dining. “Some people go to Ludlow for shopping, and others go to Springfield,” says Abare. Ludlow, 10 miles north, has Shaw’s and popular local restaurants like The Hatchery for breakfast and lunch options, Mojo Cafe for Tex Mex and Goodman's American Pie for pizza and Italian. Springfield, 15 miles east, has an Ollie’s Bargain Outlet and Rite Aid.
Chester Fall Festival
In neighboring Chester, the Festival on the Green has celebrated the town’s art and culture each September for over 50 years. The event features over 70 craft vendors, live music and street performers, activities for the family and food vendors.
Written By
Logan Soter-Reardon