Rural Hampden County community west of Springfield
Between Springfield and the Berkshires, Blandford is a small, rural community offering sylvan seclusion in the Massachusetts countryside. This sparsely populated area in Hampden County is about 20 miles west of Springfield. “Usually the people out here want complete privacy,” says Denise DeSellier, a Broker Associate at Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices with over three decades of real estate experience. Other than the Blandford Fair every Labor Day featuring local music, art and agriculture, Blandford is a quiet place to live. Most errands require a drive to one of the neighboring towns like Westfield, but commutes are made easier with Interstate 90 running through the community. Blandford provides proximity to outdoor recreation hotspots like Otis Reservoir and distance from the bustle of the city.
Outdoor recreation includes adventuring at Otis Reservoir
While Blanford does afford its residents the privacy they seek, it also offers plenty of outdoor recreational opportunities, given its proximity to both Otis Reservoir and multiple state forests. “It’s a very active area with hiking and biking, and snowshoeing or cross-country skiing,” DeSellier says. Otis Reservoir, the largest recreational lake in the state, is a hub for outdoor recreation. This lake spanning over 1,000 acres attracts thousands of summer visitors, and it’s where locals can go camping, fishing and boating, as well. Tolland State Forest surrounds the reservoir, where people can canoe, kayak, mountain bike and hunt for turkey and deer. Snowmobilers and cross-country skiers can explore the state forest in the winter. Hikers in the Knittel Conservation Area may glimpse beavers building dams in the pond surrounded by pine trees.
Though most outdoor recreation lies deep in the forests of Blandford, there are some options closer to the center of the community, too. Members of the Blandford Country Club have access to the tennis courts and the nine-hole golf course overlooking the hills. Watson Park has a court for basketball and four-square.
Country homes on the edge of the Berkshires
Single-lane roads cut through the dense woods of Blandford. Other than the few homes clustered on Main Street, properties have lots of privacy, shielded by trees and spaced far apart. Spacious lots may include a barn, guest house or horse stables. Home styles include log cabins, farmhouses and Cape Cods. Some have wraparound porches, where homeowners can sit back on rocking chairs and bask in the vibrant fall foliage, winter snowfall and seasonal rain showers. Prices typically range from about $130,000 to $520,000, depending on size. Acreage is also for sale.
Students zoned for Gateway Regional School District
Gateway Regional School District is rated C-plus on Niche. Students may attend Littleville Elementary School, rated C-plus, Gateway Regional Middle School, rated C, and Gateway Regional High, rated C-plus. The high school offers an Early Education & Care Program for those interested in pursuing a career in education. Qualified students graduate with certifications in OSHA, CPR and First-Aid.
Locally owned shops and restaurants, with more options in Westfield
Blandford has a small handful of shopping and dining options, but the local options are limited. “There’s nothing really out here,” DeSellier says. The centrally located Blandford Country Store offers breakfast, lunch, ice cream and a limited grocery selection. Knox Trail Inn provides a local pub atmosphere near the Otis Reservoir, complete with a dance floor and stage for live bands. Family-owned since 1987, Russell Inn Restaurant and Lounge serves daily specials like pasta and steak. Heading to the nearest supermarket, Stop & Shop, requires a 12-mile drive east to Westfield, where more restaurants and retailers are located.
Driving through Hampden County
Interstate 90, also known as the Massachusetts Turnpike, runs through the community. It stretches east-west across the state, connecting Blandford to Springfield and Boston. This highway automatically charges tolls electronically via transponder; drivers can opt for an EZ-Pass to facilitate toll payments. Massachusetts Route 23 takes drivers to Otis Reservoir. Blandford is too rural to be bikeable or walkable, and it has no public transportation, so residents here rely heavily on personal vehicles. The community is about 11 miles west of Baystate Noble Hospital and 30 miles northwest of Bradley International Airport in Hartford, Connecticut.
