Barre is a historic town common in the heart of Central Massachusetts
Barre is a rural hamlet nestled in the countryside near Worcester, Massachusetts. Home to around 5,500 residents, the streets are dotted with historic storefronts, churches and homes centered around a grassy town square. Founded in the 1700s, the town was named after Isaac Barre, a member of British Parliament who opposed taxing America in the run-up to the Revolutionary War. “It’s small, it’s rural, and when you get home it’s very quiet and peaceful. It’s a quintessential New England Town Commons. It’s very historic,” says Cherie Benoit of Keller Williams Boston MetroWest, who has lived in Barre for more than two decades.
A handful of shops, restaurants and farms are close to home for Barre residents
White colonial-style buildings, a handful of restaurants and shops, and two churches surround the Barre Common at the center of town. There, residents can grab a table at Red Tomato Pizza or sip espresso on the patio at Café on the Common. “There’s a great little farmers market every weekend in the commons during the summertime,” Benoit adds. The town is also home to the Barre Public Library, the Grace Reformation Bible Church and the Barre Congregational Church, which was built in 1849. The rural roads that extend out into the surrounding farmland offer a handful of shops and restaurants as well. Groceries can be found at Wholesome Farmers Market and Country Gourmet. Rural establishments like Carter & Stevens Farm and Stone Cow Brewery offer dining and drinks with idyllic views of the country.
Historic homes on large lots are available for a relatively affordable price
Colonial homes, Cape Cods and Folk Victorian homes are situated along Barre’s country lanes. Many of them date back to the 1800s and early 1900s but have been remodeled and upgraded to bring them up to today's standards. Lot sizes are typically larger than an acre, offering plenty of privacy, open space and room for gardening. Some are situated in dense woods where residents can open the windows to hear the birds. Prices range from around $300,000 to $500,000, although some fixer-uppers sell for less, and renovated historic homes fetch a higher price. “More and more people are considering living out here now that teleworking is more common. It’s very affordable because it’s so far from the city,” Benoit says.
Trails, wildlife sanctuaries and community parks
The Massachusetts Center Rail Trail is one of the town’s most popular outdoor areas. The trail network runs for 104 miles all the way from Northampton to Boston along a former rail route, crossing through Barre on the way. It’s a well-trod path for cyclists, joggers and walkers who want to experience the leafy landscape of Central Massachusetts. Also nearby is Cook’s Canyon Wildlife Sanctuary, a 69-acre forest with trails that lead up to a cascade waterfall. Locals bring the kids to Felton Field for Little League games, while seniors can check out the programming at the Barre Senior Center.
Barre students attend Quabbin Regional School District
Students in Barre can start at Ruggles Lane Elementary before moving on to Quabbin Regional Middle High School, which serves grades six through 12. Both schools earn a B-minus rating from Niche. School choice is an option for young kids in the Quabbin Public Schools district — it has four elementary schools to choose from. The middle and high school offers plenty of electives and extracurricular activities for students, with everything from a high school hiking club to varsity sports during fall, winter and spring. It enrolls around 550 students.
Barre residents will need a vehicle to get around the countryside
Getting out of Barre requires driving on winding, country roadways. The nearest city is Worcester, about 22 miles east, or about a 35-minute drive. It’s the closest place for residents to get to major chain stores, grocers and large medical centers. There’s no public transportation in Barre, so residents will likely need a car to get around. Downtown Boston and the Boston Logan International Airport are about 70 miles away.
