Lake Champlain living in northern Vermont’s Grand Isle
Located on the northern half of the largest island in Lake Champlain, the northern Vermont town of Grand Isle provides year-round recreation and serene atmosphere north of Burlington. “Grand Isle is called ‘The Beauty Spot of Vermont’ and it lives up to its name,” says Ingrid Hedbor, a Realtor with Coldwell Banker Island Realty. “To the east is the Inland Sea, so-called because the water is contained by the length of the islands and mainland Vermont, and views of the Green Mountains. West is the broad lake and New York’s Adirondack Mountains.” About 2,100 people live here, with seasonal residents and tourists drawn to the lake in summer. “Islanders really appreciate the often-breathtaking beauty of the area,” Hedbor says. “We like to be outside, maybe slow down for a minute during a busy day and just enjoy a sunset or sunrise, a rainbow, an osprey flying overhead.”
Rural area with a mix of year-round and seasonal residents
Ranch-style homes, farmhouses and Colonial Revivals are scattered throughout the township amid woods and farmland, with vacation homes and expensive estates along the lakeshore. “The town is rural, with large and small farms dotting the roads,” Hedbor says. “It’s very much a mix of year-round and seasonal homes.” Some buyers purchase seasonal homes intending to convert them to year-round residences. “Vermont has some strict wastewater rules, so conversion can be expensive,” Hedbor says. “And lenders won’t do a primary residence mortgage if a home is considered seasonal, so that’s something to consider.” The median single-family price is about $630,000. Recent sales have ranged from $340,000 to $1.8 million, depending on size, age and lake access. Grand Isle has a CAP Index Crime Score of 1, lower than the national average of 4.
Lake Champlain headlines plentiful recreation opportunities
Lake Champlain is the center of outdoor life in Grand Isle. “The water is clean and wonderful for swimming, boating, sailing, kayaking, windsurfing, fishing, you name it,” Hedbor says. “In the winter, the Inland Sea freezes over, and folks skate, ski and snowshoe for miles.” Residents can camp and rent boats at Grand Isle State Park and hike the Ironwood Nature Trail. The Colchester Causeway crosses the lake from South Hero to Colchester on the mainland. “There’s a summer bike ferry that bridges a gap in the Causeway trail, so a bike trip to Burlington is a great way to spend a day,” Hedbor says. “If you like outdoor recreation, there’s no better spot,” Hedbor says.
Music, winter bonfires on the lake and July 4th fireworks
The Champlain Islands Farmers Market sets up shop in Grand Isle on Wednesdays and Saturdays. “Snow Farm Winery has a weekly free summer concert that people come from all around to attend,” Hedbor says. “And in February, North Hero has Great Ice, which has a bonfire and winter activities on the ice.” The islands celebrate Independence Day with a parade on South Hero and fireworks on North Hero.
One local school and choices off-island for middle and high school
Champlain Islands Unified Union School District operates the local schools under the umbrella of the Grand Isle Supervisory Union. Grand Isle Elementary serves Isle La Motte, North Hero and Grand Isle for kindergarten through sixth grade and earns a C-minus grade from Niche. “Another interesting aspect of the Islands is that we don’t have a high school, so it’s school choice,” Hedbor says. “Students go off-island after sixth grade.”
U.S. Route 2 and a ferry connect Grand Isle to Burlington and Plattsburgh
Grand Isle's remote and rural quality means there are no public transit options and only a few major roads besides U.S. Route 2. “It’s wonderful for cyclists and pedestrians,” Hedbor says. U.S. Route 2 runs up the length of the island, heading north toward the Canadian border and south toward Burlington and its international airport, about 26 miles away. Interstate 89 is accessible in Colchester, north of Burlington. A year-round ferry travels to Plattsburgh, New York. Montreal, Quebec is about 70 miles north.
Essentials and farm-fresh products across the island
Grand Isle is not a shopping destination, and there are no major grocery stores, but essentials are largely covered. “Robinson’s Hardware can get almost anything you need if they don’t have it in stock,” Hedbor says. A handful of convenience stores also provide necessities. Farmstands around the area provide more. “You can get fresh eggs, pies, jams, fruits and vegetables, plus local chicken, pork and beef,” Hedbor says. “And don’t forget to gasp when you come up over a hill and catch a glimpse of the lake and mountain views.” Hedbor recommends Hackett’s Orchard for apple crisp. “Allenholm is go-to for maple creemies,” Hedbor says. “That’s what Vermonters call soft serve.” Local restaurants cluster in South Hero, and more shopping and dining is available in Burlington and Plattsburgh, New York.
