Craftsbury offers countryside living with convenience
Situated in the southern tip of Orleans County, Vermont, Craftsbury comprises miles of agricultural land with Green Mountain views. “It is a rural community with farming at its core,” says Century 21 Farm & Forest Realtor Nick Maclure, who has sold in the area for 25 years. “Many live here for the quality of life, and it is generally an active and outdoor-minded community.” Though most of the land feels private and secluded, Craftsbury Road has a town common surrounded by public buildings and a few country stores, providing everyday needs. Buyers choose this area for its rural atmosphere and outdoor recreation. Bigger cities like Morrisville and Derby are less than 25 miles away.
Hiking, biking and cross-country skiing are top outdoor activities
With the Green Mountains and over 200 acres of town-owned forest land, the area can accommodate a wide variety of recreation. Craftsbury Outdoor Center is one of the biggest draws. “They are a world-class Nordic ski center and one of the only centers that actually makes snow,” Maclure says. Visitors can also use the gym and bike trails, attend a rowing camp or try a biathlon, which blends cross-country skiing and rifle shooting. The center has day passes and cabins for an overnight stay. Athletes frequent the baseball and soccer facilities at Dustan Field, which is down the road from Craftsbury Common, an open green space in the town center. Snowshoers and hikers often hit the Sterling College Trails and the Craftsbury Academy Woodlot, and bikers use the area’s gravel roads. The Catamount Trail, known for its Nordic ski route from Massachusetts to Quebec, also cuts through Craftsbury.
Homes date back to the early 19th century
The housing market primarily consists of single-family colonials, Cape Cods and ranch-style homes. Most properties have recently sold between $240,000 and $520,000, with outliers on both ends of the range. Residential streets surrounding Craftsbury Common have a suburban feel, with next-door neighbors relatively close. Other homes sit off secluded country roads, where the only indication of private property is a mailbox peeking out from the top of a long driveway. The CAP Index Crime Score is a 1 out of 10, significantly lower than the national average of 4.
Local restaurants and country stores replace large corporations
Small general stores and independently run restaurants make up the area’s commercial development. Craftsbury Road has a smattering of spots, including The Genny, which is the largest country store and home of the local post office. Shoppers stop in for regional products, deli and wine selection. C Village Store & Deli sells similar goods, and Pete’s Greens is a small farmstand with a year-round Community Supported Agriculture program. The nearest Hannaford supermarket is 15 miles away in Morrisville. Though residents often head to Morrisville, Derby and Stowe for dining, Craftsbury has Blackbird Bistro, which serves craft cocktails and farm-to-table meals.
Craftsbury Academy has educated students since 1832
Craftsbury Schools earn B grades on Niche. All three divisions are part of Craftsbury Academy, though prekindergarten through second grade are on a separate campus, often referred to as Craftsbury Elementary. The campus for third through 12th graders is adjacent to the town common and bears architecture dating back to the 19th century. Its facade resembles a historic church, and the building has undergone restoration throughout previous decades. Students can participate in specialized athletic programs, such as Nordic skiing and bowling, and the DREAM program allows high schoolers to mentor elementary-aged students. Sterling College is also in Craftsbury for private higher education in environmental studies, with fields including ecology and sustainable agriculture.
Craftsbury Common is a hub for events and activities
The community gathers for plenty of annual events. The Craftsbury Block Party kicks off Fourth of July celebrations a day early with live music and fireworks. Craftsbury Old Home Day at the common each summer features a parade, wheelbarrow and sack races, and bounce houses for children. Many other events occur in the common, including a holiday light parade in December and a farmers market during the warmer months. Over the winter, ski marathons and races bring crowds to the Outdoor Center.
State routes lead to larger cities
Vermont Route 14 cuts through Craftsbury and serves as the main thoroughfare for commuters in the region. The area has no public transportation, and roads can be unpaved and narrow. “It’s rural, so most commute by car,” Maclure says. “Our form of a traffic jam is following a school bus, cows crossing the road, or getting behind a farm tractor.” Burlington is 60 miles southwest and has the nearest major airport.
