Eden blends lakeside living with country farmland
In rural Lamoille County, Eden is known for its fully recreational lake and 75-year-old Boy Scout campground. “It’s a very quiet place to be with no commerce, apart from two general stores, there’s a town hall and not a lot of ruckus,” says Penny Mason-Anderson, a local Pall Spera Company Realtor with 19 years of experience. “There’s a lot of land here and a lot of little farms, and people make crafts and sell them on the side of the road; it’s a quaint Vermont scene.” Along with its private, secluded landscape, safety is also a main draw. The CAP Index Crime Score is 1 out of 10, significantly lower than the national average of 4.
The Green Mountains and Lake Eden provide outdoor recreation
Pontoon boats and jet skis coast along Lake Eden, and its recreation area has a jungle gym, RV park and a small sandy beach. Also on the lake, Mount Norris Scout Reservation hosts summer camps for Boy Scouts. “With the camp here, there’s a lot of spirit,” Mason-Anderson says. “The scouts are out on the water a lot, and you’ll see them go by. The camps are all summer long and bring commerce to the area.” Hiking is another popular pastime, with destinations including Babcock Nature Preserve, Devil’s Gulch and Eden’s Crossing. Alpine skiers can head to Stowe Mountain Resort, 20 miles south. Von Trapp Family Lodge, about 5 miles farther, was founded by the family who inspired "The Sound of Music" and has miles of trails for Nordic skiing, horse-drawn carriage rides and mountain biking.
Homes on the lake, in the mountains and on the farm
Single-family and manufactured homes comprise most of Eden’s housing options. Mason-Anderson says the market is relatively steady, without the “spiking highs and lows you may see in other areas.” Farmhouses, waterfront cottages and mountain chalets with Adirondack-style architecture typically sell for $300,000 to $600,000. Manufactured builds tend to fall in the $200,000 and $300,000 ranges. Apart from the homes directly off main thoroughfares, most properties occupy secluded lots, sometimes spanning dozens of acres off country roads. Those on the water are more densely packed but have enough space for private docks and sizable back lawns. Residents have mountain views from their homes, and the natural landscape is a significant draw. “It’s close to Newport, which is close to Canada, so we have a lot of Canadians that come down, see how beautiful it is and stop here to buy.”
Shopping and dining off Vermont Route 100
Eden’s commercial development includes two country stores, town offices and a hardware store along Vermont Route 100. For big-box options, such as Hannaford supermarket, and the nearest hospital, locals head 12 miles to Morrisville. Eden General Store offers a wide selection of regional products, everyday groceries, a deli and gas pumps. Lake Eden Country Store, down the road, sells similar supplies. Eden’s only dining option and bar is The Snake & Apple, which serves pub fare and occasionally hosts live music. The restaurant also has a separate side, known as Eve’s, for Sunday brunches. About 10 miles up the road in Lowell, Cajun’s Snack Bar is a rustic seasonal spot known for its barbecue and seafood.
Active and artistic events foster community in a rural town
The area has a few attractions and events throughout the year. Dogsledding tours are available in the snow during the winter and on wheels during the warmer months. Boats gather for a parade on Lake Eden each Fourth of July, and neighbors often take group nature walks. The Vermont International Museum of Contemporary Art and Design has a small traveling art exhibition in a mini camper from the 1960s. When it’s not traveling the state, it’s open to the public in Eden on a hidden street branching off Vermont Route 100.
Public schools are in Eden and Hyde Park
Children begin their education at Eden Central School, which scores a C-minus on Niche for prekindergarten through sixth grade. Lamoille Union Middle and Lamoille High share a campus 10 miles away in Hyde Park and earn C and C-minus ratings, respectively. High schoolers can choose from over a dozen athletic programs, from football and golf to bass fishing and Alpine skiing.
State routes lead to bigger Vermont cities and the Canadian border
Vermont Route 100, which runs 25 miles north to Canada, cuts through the center of Eden. Commuters can reach Morristown in 12 miles and Newport in 30 miles. “You can get to Morristown in 15 minutes and Newport in about 35,” Mason-Anderson says. The closest airport is in Burlington, 55 miles southwest.
