Berkshire is a rural northern Vermont farming community
A truly rural community just south of the Canadian border, Berkshire offers peace and quiet for those looking for large plots of land away from any bigger cities. The small town of Enosburgh to the south provides residents access to restaurants and groceries, and Lake Carmi to the west offers fishing, swimming and boating opportunities. Within Berkshire, buyers can typically find older farmhouses on multiple acres, or they can buy land to build their dream home. “Berkshire is a very rural farming community,” says Phil Gerbode, a real estate broker with Coldwell Banker. “There’s not much at all in that area – you’re really in the country.”
Farmhouses and log cabins
Berkshire is an entirely residential community with single-family homes, typically sitting on five or more acres. “The housing tends to be a bit on the older side, but there are some new places,” Gerbode says. “There’s certainly land available if you want to build a new home. There are good builders in the area.” Berkshire has farmhouses, ranch-style and bi-level homes, plus some charming rural Vermont-style log cabins. Most recent sales prices in Berkshire range from $200,000 to $400,000. About 80% of Berkshire residents own their homes.
Career readiness in Franklin Northeast Supervisory Union
Students can attend Berkshire Elementary School, which gets a C-minus grade from Niche, and Richford Junior-Senior High School, which receives a C. Cold Hollow Career Center, the district’s career and technical education campus, offers programs such as automotive technology, business leadership and forestry and natural resources. The career center is located 5 miles south in Enosburgh.
Recreation in Enosburgh and Lake Carmi State Park
Berkshire has two patches of protected forestland, Berkshire Town Forest and Enosburg Village Forest. Additional recreation is available 5 miles south in Enosburgh and 7 miles west at Lake Carmi State Park. Enosburgh has a park in its town center, recreation fields, kayaking along the Missisquoi River and a public golf course. Lake Carmi State Park is a nearly 500-acre green space with 2 miles of frontage on Lake Carmi. The park has tent and RV campsites and offers opportunities for fishing, swimming and boating.
Shopping and dining in Enosburgh and St. Albans City
Since Berkshire doesn’t have its own shops or restaurants, “Most people go to Enosburgh and St. Albans to do their shopping,” Gerbode says. Five miles south, Enosburgh has a coffee shop, an ice cream shop, two pizza restaurants, an American bistro, a McDonald’s and a Hannaford for groceries. Additional household items are available at the town’s Ace Hardware, Tractor Supply Co. and Dollar General. Twenty-four miles away, St. Albans City is a larger town with more restaurants and shops, including a Walmart.
Vermont 105 connects to the rest of the state
Berkshire sits at the furthest north end of Vermont, with its northern boundary being the Canadian border. Vermont 105 runs through the southeastern corner of Berkshire, connecting it to the rest of the state. The closest hospital is Northwestern Medical Center in St. Albans City, 24 miles away. When flying out of town, residents can use Burlington International Airport, 52 miles away. St. Albans City has an Amtrak station, where the Vermonter train offers service to New York, Philadelphia, Baltimore and Washington, D.C.
