Goshen is a rural, woodsy community with a state forest
Settled in 1761, the rural town of Goshen hasn’t changed much throughout the centuries, with dense maple and birch forests that produce colorful fall foliage. In fact, the area’s main attraction is a state forest, where many go swimming and hiking. Residents in this community live a secluded lifestyle in the remote foothills of the Berkshire Highlands. “It’s less crowded and has a slower pace of life,” says Realtor Brad McGrath, who works with Coldwell Banker Realty and has about three decades of experience in the area. Goshen has a 1 out of 10 CAP Index Crime Score, lower than the national average of 4.
DAR State Forest and Lilly Pond Wildlife Management Area
Located on the east side of Goshen, DAR State Forest is the area’s primary recreation space, featuring the Highland Lakes. “The big activities are camping and swimming," McGrath says. "Being elevated, it gets cooler there than it does in the city, so the major months are July and August." More water activities include fishing and kayaking. The park also offers hiking trails, which wind through the forest, ascending to the DAR fire tower, which overlooks the Berkshires. The west side of the community has the Lilly Pond Wildlife Management Area, where visitors can walk through the bogs and woodlands and potentially spot otters or blue herons.
Colonial Revivals, midcentury cottages and untouched land in Goshen
Northwest of Springfield, Goshen consists of rural woods, where Main Street — state Route 9 — has houses interspersed along it. Lots tend to have at least half an acre, and many are multiacre properties, partially to fully shaded by towering trees. Colonial Revivals are common here, ranging from $400,000 to $650,000. Most of the other homes are in the south end of Goshen. Surrounding Hammond Pond, midcentury cottages on the waterfront have a similar price range. The area also has plenty of undeveloped land, which ranges from $50,000 to $350,000. “There’s a lack of inventory in the market, and there’s a lot of demand because of working remotely,” McGrath says. On average, homes in Goshen spend 31 days on the market, compared to the national average of 47 days.
Education from New Hingham Regional Elementary to Hampshire Regional High
On Niche, New Hingham Regional Elementary School has a B-minus rating. Hampshire Regional High School, which serves middle and high school levels, earns a B. The closest higher education options include Smith College and Amherst College.
Main Street dining and stores
Running through the center of Goshen, Main Street has a few local businesses, including the diner Spruce Corner Restaurant, a breakfast mainstay. The Ledges Restaurant Goshen just opened in 2024, offering food truck fare in an outdoor seating, complete with gardens and cornhole. Goshen General Store sells basic groceries and outdoor gear, while Oliver's Farm Stand has fresh, locally grown produce.
Attractions, including Three Sisters Sanctuary and the Williams-Boltwood House
On the north side of Goshen, Three Sisters Sanctuary combines art and nature with a spacious sculpture garden. The Williams-Boltwood House, central to the community, is a historic house built in 1779. Once a tavern and general store, the property is now being preserved by the Williams-Boltwood House Trust, which intends to use the structure as a community arts space and retail center.
A 35-mile drive to Springfield
Goshen is about 35 miles from Springfield via state Route 9. The same route can take residents to Cooley Dickinson Hospital, about 10 miles away. For commercial flights, Bradley International Airport is located about 50 miles away.
