Berkshire offers homebuyers more space
Located in north Tioga County, Berkshire is a rural farming community that offers homebuyers more space. Settlers originally came in the late 1700s, and the town was officially established in 1808. Three hamlets — Berkshire, East Berkshire and Wilson Creek — hold the town’s population of just under 1,500 people. It’s frequently called a “centrally isolated” community, with privacy being the main selling point. “It’s just a very small town that attracts folks with rural living,” says Keith Daniels, a Realtor with Exit Realty Front and Center, and a lifelong Tioga County resident.
Traditional homes starting in the $50,000s
Half of the town’s National and colonial-style homes were built before the 1900s, but there are also more modern offerings like ranch-style properties. Homes on the outskirts of Berkshire have larger lot sizes ranging from around one to 20 acres. Houses in the hamlets sit closer together along the main roads but still have modestly sized front and back yards. Every property has a driveway for personal vehicles, and many come with attached or detached garages. “It’s really just a lot of older homes and farms out here,” says Daniels. Smaller houses typically sell for $50,000 to $150,000, and properties with larger lot sizes typically sell for $250,000 to $450,000.
Agriculture program at Newark Valley Senior High
Students may start at Nathan T. Hall School, which teaches kindergarten through third grade and gets a C-minus from Niche, before going to Newark Valley Middle, which receives a C and teaches fourth through seventh grade. Newark Valley Senior High earns a C-plus and offers a unique agriculture program with courses in fields like animal and food sciences.
Commuting via Route 38
State Route 38 is the main road in and out of this car-dependent town. Locals can take the route 17 miles south to connect to Interstate 86, which runs another 20 miles east to Binghamton. The closest hospital, the Cayuga Medical Center, is 25 miles away in Ithaca. Ithaca Tompkins International Airport is also located 25 miles away.
Grandview Farms Golf Course, nearby marked and unmarked trails
In the northeast end of town, Grandview Farms Golf Course has a public 18-hole course and an on-site pro shop. The nearby Jenskville, Turkey Hill and Potato Hill State Forests offer space for hunting and hiking through unmarked trails. Greenwood Park is also 10 miles east with a 4-mile looping trail, playground, picnic area and a fishing lake.
Shopping and dining along Route 38
There’s a Dollar General on Route 38 for essentials. Just south on the route, Stoughton Farm is a local market with fresh produce and regional goods. Five miles south in Newark Valley, there are locally owned dining spots like Creekside Diner for breakfast and lunch and Fortunato's, which has been serving pizza and Italian dishes since 2011. Residents can also head 21 miles north to Ithaca for shopping centers with chains like Walmart and Trader Joes.
Events in Newark Valley, Owego
Neighboring Newark Valley hosts Depot Friday Nights, a free summer concert series from June to August. The event attracts locals out to the Newark Valley Depot Museum for live music and food trucks. 15 miles south, Owego has a farmers' market that runs from June to October. The town also holds holiday events like its Halloween Fest in October with a costume parade, contest and trick or treating. There’s also Lights on the River in December with local vendors, photos with Santa and fireworks.
Written By
Logan Soter-Reardon
