Tranquil waterside living just north of Burlington
Almost like a peninsula, Colchester sits on the northwest border of Vermont along Lake Champlain and Mallets Bay. The Winooski River carves out the town’s southern border, which straddles Colchester and Burlington. Waterside living and proximity to lake recreation is a draw for those who call Colchester home. Marinas and boat clubs dot the coastline, and state and town parks embrace the area’s natural beauty. Colchester’s location blends the tranquil feel of a New England coastal retreat while offering convenient access to Burlington via major thoroughfares like Interstate 89.
A range of New England coastal home styles
Colchester’s housing stock is spread out across various communities, some with a more suburban feel while others are more spread out. New England and vernacular styles make up a majority of the single-family homes here, ranging in size from smaller cottages and bungalows to larger newer builds with New Traditional and Colonial Revival influences.
The median list price for real estate in Colchester hovers around $515,000, though prices can range significantly. Condos can price between $180,000 and $685,000, while townhouses may list between $290,000 and $875,000. Manufactured homes typically list from $30,000 to $160,000. Single-family homes typically start around $200,000 and go up from there, depending on size, property and location. Properties closer to the coastline price from $300,000 to $800,000, though expansive estates with sweeping views and larger waterfront lots may sell for $1 to $2 million — outliers can fetch up to $10 million.
Outdoor recreation on Lake Champlain
Colchester’s location in Vermont’s lush, wooded landscape and along Lake Champlain put residents close to abundant recreational opportunities. Serene waters of the lake and Malletts Bay allow boating and swimming, while scenic trails offer a natural escape. The Colchester Causeway, also known as the Island Line Trail Causeway, stretches 14 miles across Lake Champlain. Starting from Causeway Park, the riprapped multi-use trail follows an abandoned railroad causeway, providing panoramic views of the Lake for walkers and bikers. In the summer, the trail connects to the Lake Champlain Islands by Local Motion’s Bike Ferry.
While many homes have direct, private access to the water, locals can set up along Thayer Beach in the warmer months to enjoy public access to the water and shoreline. Airport Park, adjacent to Causeway Park, offers a playground and walking trails ideal for canine companions. The park also has baseball fields and sports facilities, including basketball, tennis and pickleball courts. The 22-acre Bayside Park provides additional sports courts, green spaces and beach access. Open from the summer to early fall, Niquette Bay State Park also brims with scenic vistas from its hiking trails, cove and beach.
Strong academics in Colchester School District
Colchester School District serves about 2,400 students in the town. Niche gives the district a B-plus overall rating and rates it as the state’s fifth-best school district. Students may begin their education at Porters Point School or Union Memorial School, both of which serve prekindergarten through second grade and have B scores from Niche. Mallets Bay School teaches third through fifth graders and receives a B-plus. Kids may continue to Colchester Middle School, rated a B, and Colchester High School. Alongside a robust academic curriculum, complete with Advanced Placement and special programs, Colchester High School also offers a wide variety of athletic teams and co-curricular clubs like Math League and National Honor Society. Colchester is also home to Saint Michael’s College, a private Catholic institution serving just over 1,200 undergraduate students and about 200 graduate students.
Locally owned restaurants, shopping in Burlington
The stretch of main street that anchors the downtown section of Colchester is lined with government buildings and a few establishments and shops, including a convenient Dollar General and the Burnham Memorial Library. The Spanked Puppy Restaurant and Pub is a favorite for its classic New England dishes like clam chowder and lobster rolls. Locals can also enjoy a sweet treat at The Village Scoop, an ice cream shop that also offers soft-serve, milkshakes and sundaes.
Closer to Burlington, locals can access grocery stores like Shaw’s and Costco, while University Mall in Burlington houses Target and various clothing brands and retailers. Residents may also head to Essex Junction, about 5 miles southeast, for locally owned restaurants like Martone’s Market & Café and The Firebird Café, both longtime area favorites.
Races at the Causeway and seasonal events
Colchester’s calendar is rich with social gatherings for all ages. Seasonal town events include a Fourth of July celebration and Easter egg hunt, while other annual events include the Causeway 5K and 10K races. In the summer and fall, locals bring lawn chairs and blankets to enjoy free live music performances at the town’s concert series on Thursday evenings at Lower Bayside Park. Major annual events also take place in Colchester, such as the Lake Champlain International Fishing Derby and Lake Champlain Pond Hockey Championships, which both draw thousands of spectators and competitors.
Getting to Burlington and beyond
U.S. Highway 2 and Interstate 89 bisect Colchester and run north-south through the town, providing connections to Burlington and Montpelier, the state’s capital. Locals can access Amtrak train service at the Essex Junction and Burlington stations. Burlington International Airport is the closest, about 8 miles away.
Written By
Christina von Claparede-Crola
