A historic rural community with a charming town center
One of the country's longest-standing communities, Dunstable is a rural escape from the hustle and bustle of nearby Boston. The area was first inhabited by the Wamisit and Naticook tribes before being colonized in 1673. The town initially encompassed over 200 square miles along the Merrimack River. Now, the community encompasses just under 17 square miles of rural land, spread out amongst 1000 households. The community sits just south of Massachusetts' border with New Hampshire. "It's a simple, rural farm town," says Realtor and local Andrea Dillon of LAER Realty Partners. "There aren't any traffic lights--when you drive through town, it's really just farms and cows." In addition to being known as a haven for country life, Dunstable is also known for its excellently rated schools, low crime rate, and charming town center, which has regular, longstanding events. The small-town charm and rural community offerings make Dunstable a good choice for those seeking escape from big city life.
Affordable country homes outskirts of Boston
"The country lifestyle is exactly what some buyers are after," Dillon says. "It also adds some affordability-- a million-dollar home here is a $5 million home in neighboring Weston." Home prices start at $400,000 and typically cap out at the $700,000s. Some options are closer to $1 million. The inventory in Dunstable is low, as many homebuyers tend to find a forever home in the community. When a home is for sale, it sells pretty quickly, with homes selling in about 19 days. In addition to its established Colonial-era homes, Cape Cods and farmhouses, the community also offers some newer modern farmhouses.
Students attend the Groton-Dunstable Regional School District
The school district that serves Dunstable is shared with neighboring Groton. The district serves over 2,300 students and earned an overall A from Niche. Students start at Swallow Union Elementary School before progressing into Groton-Dunstable Regional Middle School and then Groton-Dunstable Regional High School, which has an over 95% graduation rate. Each school has also earned an overall A grade from Niche.
Head to Upper Massapoag Pond or Larter Field for recreation
Dunstable offers an abundance of outdoor amenities. Hiking enthusiasts can go to Dunstable Brook Wildlife Management Area or Unkety Brook Wildlife Management Area for hiking, hunting and fishing. The Upper Massapoag Pond is another fishing spot where residents can take out canoes or paddleboards. Dunstable's natural areas are managed by the Massachusetts Wetland Protection Act, to preserve the area's wetlands, ponds and brooks. Families enjoy Larter Field, which has a playground, athletic fields and picnic areas. It's also a popular area for sledding in the winter. Massachusetts is known for its snowy winters and Dunstable has a winter parking ban to help snowplows quickly clear the streets.
History-rich town center with regular events
The heart of Dunstable is at the crossroads of Main Street and Pleasant Street. Residents will find a few local shops, businesses and municipal services here. The Dunstable Evangelical Congregational Church has been the town's primary house of worship since 1831. Tully Farms Dairy Store has local dairy and produce, Wickham and Willoughby is the local bookstore and The Farmhouse Cafe is the go-to for dining out. The services in town are minimal, but events primarily bring the community together. The Town Commons has summer concerts, fairs and auto shows. The Little Red Schoolhouse hosts the annual Strawberry Festival and a pancake breakfast for Mother's Day. When residents seek a more extensive shopping excursion, Nashua is just one exit north. The town has more grocery stores and big box stores like Costco and the Pheasant Lane Mall.
Close to Route 3
While Dunstable offers rural respite, it's also only 40 miles from Boston, making commuting reasonable for those working there. The community doesn't have public transit services, so residents must use personal transportation to get around. For those who want to use the train to get into the city, Lowell has the closest park-and-ride stop for the T. Route 3 is the nearest major road, which connects residents north to Nashua and south to Boston. Nashua has the closest major retail amenities and medical services at Saint Joseph's Hospital, 7 miles away. Boston has the nearest international airport, about 35 miles from the community.
Crime
The CAP Index gives Dunstable a 1 out of 10 Crime Score, compared to the national average of 4 out of 10. The community is served by the Dunstable Police Department.
Owner of the GrotonHome Team of Keller Williams Realty North Central, Mark lives in Groton and helps run Keller Williams Realty North Central in Bolton, Leominster, and Westminster MA. His focus is on assisting local residents to sell their Groton homes and homebuyers to purchase in local communities that will meet their lifestyle needs so they can build lasting memories, a sense of community, and create wealth through home ownership & real estate investments. GrotonHome Team Members are dedicated to building personal professional and financial opportunities and growth for local families through our commitment to Family, Technology, Education, Training and Community. 2019 President Northeast Association of Realtors; 2012 President North Central MA Association of Realtors; NAR Federal Political Coordinator; Licensed MA CT & NH Broker. Notary Public. Full time Real Estate Professional since 1999.
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.
