Butternuts offers a slower pace of life near Norwich and Cooperstown
Butternuts is a tranquil town nestled in the rolling hills of Otsego County, offering a rural lifestyle in central New York. Surrounded by scenic countryside, homes here often have spacious parcels, and residents have easy access to outdoor recreation. “The draw to Butternuts is really its country setting and the privacy of the properties,” says Patrick McNeil, associate broker at Keller Williams Upstate NY Properties with over 15 years of experience. “It’s truly a way to get away from the hustle and bustle of city life, and the village of Gilbertsville has some very historical, classic homes.” The area has a CAP Index Crime Score of 1 out of 10, below the national average of 4.
Homes range from 1800s cottages to ranches on wooded lots
Set against a backdrop of forested hills, green fields and winding country roads, homes in Butternuts are often tucked among mature trees and wooded lots. The town has a diverse mix of housing styles, including traditional farmhouses, ranch-style homes, historical cottages and colonial-inspired houses. Most properties were built throughout the 20th century, though some date back to the 1800s. Houses in the village of Gilbertsville tend to sit closer together on quarter-acre lots, and those deeper in the countryside are scattered farther apart, with generous lot sizes ranging from half-acre to multiacre parcels. These spacious lots often include outbuildings, detached garages and expansive green lawns that blend into the peaceful surroundings. Prices for single-family homes usually go from $150,000 to $410,000, and manufactured homes are between $190,000 and $280,000. McNeil says the village has municipal water, and the rest of the town rely on private septic systems and well water.
State forests and parks offer many recreation opportunities
The town is surrounded by several state forests and local parks. Wagner Farm and General Jacob Morris State Forests are popular hunting grounds. Ambler State Forest is often used for fishing and hiking. Within town, Copes Corners Park has a camp area, and people can paddle along Butternut Creek. “The Unadilla River also has fishing and kayaking,” McNeil says. Centennial Park has ball fields, swings and basketball courts.
Local school district serves prekindergarten through 12th grade
The town is part of Gilbertsville-Mount Upton Central School District. Gilbertsville-Mount Upton Central School covers those from prekindergarten to grade 12. The primary grade levels, prekindergarten through sixth grade, and the high school levels both earn C-minus grades from Niche. Students entering 11th grade may enroll in the school’s Career and Technical Education program, and the school also offers many sports teams, including basketball, golf, soccer and football.
Shopping and dining choices in Upton and Norwich
Several businesses are around town. Both located in Upton, Judy's Corner Kitchen has hearty breakfast and traditional comfort food, while the waterfront Old Mill Restaurant offers elevated American fare in a relaxed country setting. Within town, the Empire House serves Mediterranean cuisine. For groceries and essentials, Norwich, about 20 miles away, has Aldi, Price Chopper and Walmart. “People also go to Oneonta and Cooperstown for bigger stores,” McNeil says.
Local events and celebrations hosted by Butternut Valley Alliance
Butternut Valley Alliance organizes several large community events each year, including an annual arts festival, On the Trail of Art, with art demonstrations, performances and plein air painters. The annual Butternut Valley Harvest Festival & Gravel Grinder features games and activities for children, live entertainment, food and hot air balloon rides.
Distance to larger cities like Binghamton and Syracuse
New York state Route 51 runs through town, while Route 8 runs just west of community. Binghamton is about 50 miles away, and Syracuse is approximately 75 miles northwest of town. Syracuse Hancock International Airport is 80 miles away, and UHS Chenango Memorial Hospital is about 20 miles west in Norwich.
