$356,751Average Value$229Average Price per Sq Ft0Homes For Sale
Quiet country living in Heath with space for farming or relaxing
Heath is a rural hill town in the Berkshires, just north of Charlemont and Shelburne Falls and south of the Vermont border. People who move to Heath are seeking a country lifestyle, where amenities like grocery stores are a bit of a drive away, but year-round outdoor recreation and farm-fresh food are just down the street — or even on their own large property. The town’s right-to-farm laws play a large role in life here, and Heath is home to a wide variety of farms and orchards with beautiful mountain views.
Pricing for seasonal and year-round homes in Heath
Heath’s homes feature everything from colonial farmhouses and expanded Cape Cods to saltbox-style homes. What these homes have in common, though, is land; while there are a few that sit on just an acre, most come with multiple, and acreage in the double-digits is easy to come by. Many residents own chickens or farms with livestock or crops, while others can just enjoy the quiet beauty of meadows or forests. Despite feeling remote, a project that completed in 2021 brought high-speed internet to Heath’s homes. Seasonal cottages, which typically don’t have air conditioning and may rely on woodstoves for heat, start in the low $100,000s and can climb into the mid $200,000s. Air conditioning isn’t a guarantee in even year-round homes, though, so most of the cottages in this upper range could also be year-round homes with some work. The potential for acreage means that home prices can climb into the mid $600,000s. The median home price in Heath stays in the mid $300,000 range, which is a little lower than the medians in nearby Charlemont or Colrain.
A country lifestyle with a tight-knit community
Moving to Heath is about more than its homes. “Anybody that’s in Heath is there because they love that lifestyle,” says Cathy Roberts, a lifelong area resident and real estate agent at Cohn & Company Real Estate who has sold homes here for 25 years and serves as a host for American Dream TV. “It’s a small hilltown community, and people are drawn there for the beauty.” Roberts adds that the town feels like it’s been set back in time; neighbors may be far flung at times, but it’s still a tight-knit community. “We have an eclectic group of people,” Roberts says of Franklin County. “All the pieces are different, but when you put it together — man, it’s really nice. I’ve been here 70 years, and I love it here. This is my joy.” Heath’s community is on full display at the annual Heath Fair, which Roberts says everyone shows up for. “There’s horse pulls, ox pulls, they have a barbecue and they have a tractor parade where people show off their tractors that they have a lot of pride in,” she says.
Most kids attend Mohawk Trail schools, but there’s school choice
Heath is served by Mohawk Trail Public Schools, where open enrollment and intra-district choice allows families to choose between three elementary schools before they attend Mohawk Trail Regional High School. Massachusett’s school choice program allows families to request out-of-district transfers; some parents choose to send their kids to the Hawlemont Regional School for pre-kindergarten through sixth grade instead.
Outdoor recreation is a big draw to the Heath area
H.O. Cook State Forest’s 1,630 acres are full of trails for hiking and cross-country skiing, with a few brooks for fishing. During the warm months, people often head to nearby Charlemont to go whitewater rafting on the Deerfield River. About 9 miles away, Berkshire East Mountain Resort is a popular destination for adventurous outdoor activities, including a corkscrew mountain coaster. “People come from all around to go on that mountain coaster,” Roberts says. A ski lift also brings mountain bikers to the top of the mountain, leaving them and their bikes to go back down the fun way.
Farms provide fresh food, but other essentials are in Shelburne Falls
Heath’s farms give residents easy access to fresh produce and meat, even if they don’t grow or raise their own. “Heath has a couple of wild blueberry farms that have put them on the map,” Roberts says, adding that people head there to pick the berries when they’re in season. Shelburne Falls has shops with essentials about 9 miles away, a 10- to 15-minute drive for most folks. “It’s this lovely little Norman Rockwell town,” Roberts says. “Even though it’s a small little village, we have a pharmacy, we have a really nice grocery store, we have 11 places to eat.” Popular restaurants include:
Baked, a breakfast spot known for its eggs Benedict and bakery items
Mocha Maya's Coffee House, a go-to spot for morning coffee
The Blue Rock Restaurant and Bar, which serves New American fusion cuisine
It’s a 30-minute drive to the nearest hospital in Greenfield
Heath is a car-dependent area with winding country roads, and it’s often a bit of a drive to essential services. The nearest hospital is Baystate Franklin Medical Center, which is about 20 miles away in Greenfield — a drive that takes a little over 30 minutes. Westover Metropolitan Airport is 56 miles away.
GreatSchools:
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Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime
Heath
US
Homicide
1
4
Sexual Assault
1
4
Assault with Weapon
1
4
Robbery
2
4
Burglary
1
4
Motor Vehicle Theft
1
4
Larceny
1
4
Crime Score
1
4
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Heath Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Heath, Charlemont sell after 51 days on the market compared to the national average of 53 days. The median sale price for homes in Heath, Charlemont over the last 12 months is $360,000, up 33% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Unique opportunity for those seeking a tranquil, rural lifestyle. This 576-square-foot mobile/manufactured home, built in 1970, features three bedrooms and one bathroom, making it an ideal choice for a small family, a weekend retreat, or a minimalist living space. Situated on a generous 1.8-acre lot, the property provides ample outdoor space for gardening, recreation, or simply enjoying the
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Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
