Charleston is a quiet, rural community surrounded by scenic landscapes
Charleston’s sprawling forests dotted with ponds and lakes make it a popular destination for those seeking quiet seclusion and scenic landscapes. Homes here tend to sit on large, often multiacre lots, close to fishing and hiking trails. Aside from farm stands and a local corner store, folks drive to Derby or Newport for restaurants and shops. However, the local infrastructure has been improving over time. “High-speed internet is available anywhere now, which is great,” says Michael Conley, an owner and principal broker at Conley Country Real Estate & Insurance who’s been living in the area for over 70 years. “There’s a lot of dirt roads, but people like that because it’s quieter. There’s no road noise from wheels on pavement.”
Large lots with higher prices close to the water
Homes in Charleston are set along winding dirt roads and surrounded by pine forests, usually with plenty of space between houses. Lots start at a quarter-acre, sometimes exceeding several dozen acres, and often rely on private well water and septic tanks. Aside from a few early-20th century homes, most farmhouses, mobile homes and cabins in Charleston were built since the 1960s. Prices generally range from $100,000 to $700,000, with properties close to lakes and ponds typically fetching higher prices. “Everybody wants to be on one of the lakes, but it can be quite expensive,” Conley says. Due to high demand, lakefront properties can sometimes sell for around $1.5 million. Empty lots range from $30,000 to $330,000 for between 12 and over 150 acres.
Swimming and fishing on the lakeshore, hiking in the forest
Lakes, ponds and small rivers color the landscape in Charleston, and they are often used for boating, fishing and swimming. Echo Lake is one of the largest bodies of water in the area and features a boat ramp and a namesake hiking trail. Many more hiking paths, like the Clyde River Access Trail, wind throughout the region and are home to a diverse array of birds and other wildlife. The NorthWoods Stewardship Center, a conservation nonprofit in East Charleston, hosts educational programs, summer camps and workshops centered around Vermont’s natural landscapes.
After-school programs and sports at local schools
Charleston Elementary earns a D-plus from Niche, serving prekindergarten through eighth grade students. The school typically has an annual enrollment of less than 150 students and offers seasonal sports like field hockey and disc golf for middle school-aged kids. The C-minus-rated North Country Union High has over a dozen clubs and activities, including tap dancing and yearbook club.
Most businesses are in the surrounding towns
Aside from roadside farmstands, retail space in Charleston is limited. West Charleston Corner Store is the main option for groceries in the area and also serves fresh pizza. Locals head to nearby towns like Derby for chain grocers like Shaw’s and restaurants like Derby Cow Palace, which serves American fare with rustic décor. Near the shores of Lake Willoughby, The Gap Pub & Grill is a popular eatery offering sandwiches and salads.
Derby and Newport are 10 and 15 miles away
Highways 105 and 5A are the main thoroughfares in Charleston. The neighboring town of Derby is over 10 miles away, while Newport is around 15 miles away. North Country Hospital is about 15 miles away, while Burlington International Airport is over 80 miles away.
