Greenwich’s quaint downtown has rural surroundings
About a 25-minute drive from Saratoga Springs, Greenwich is a community whose little downtown near the Batten Kill River serves as an anchor for many surrounding towns. “It has a very quaint downtown that features a variety of shops, cafes, restaurants and a brewery,” says Abbey McCormick, an associate real estate broker with the McCormick Team at KW Platform who grew up in Greenwich and has sold homes here for 15 years. “So I think for any buyer that is looking for that small-town feel, yet they’d still like to be somewhat close to some larger towns or cities like Saratoga Springs or Glens Falls, it’s a really good fit for them.” Despite its amenity-rich downtown, Greenwich quickly peters out into farmland, making it a largely rural town. Greenwich’s small-town feel goes well beyond family-owned businesses and country roads, though. “Most people would know the majority of people that live in town or have mutual friends,” McCormick says. Town pride is everywhere; local businesses often make a nod to the school’s mascot, “The Witch.”
Family-owned businesses and plenty of essentials on Main Street
Main Street is home to a walkable collection of family-owned restaurants and shops. Witches Village Café offers meals and coffee, but it’s perhaps best known for its baked goods — especially its pies. Wallie’s of Greenwich is a staple here; originally opened in 1929, it closed down for several years before its recent reopening. Now, McCormick says, it’s a full restaurant with a bar. “It’s great for dinner on a weekend,” she says. People also stop at Argyle Brewing for craft beers. Beyond restaurants, the downtown has a library, a post office, a bank and businesses that vary from consignment shops to hair or pet grooming salons. Hannaford offers groceries a short drive from the more walkable part of town.
Suburban, rural and waterfront homes
Greenwich has a small suburban area around its town center where homes sit on smaller properties and colonial houses often date between 1840 and 1910. Colonials and ranch-style homes are common throughout Greenwich, even as homes begin to spread out and properties take on acreage. Major fixer-uppers on small lots can dip as low as $100,000. Homes on the Batten Kill River or Cossayuna Lake typically cost between $380,000 and $480,000, while updated homes on extensive acreage can climb to about $870,000.
A splash pad, kayaking on the Batten Kill River, nearby hiking
Greenwich has a few downtown pocket parks, including Gannon Park, which has a splash pad during the summer. People launch kayaks out onto the Batten Kill River at the Middle Falls Kayak Launch, and hiking is a popular nearby activity. Just across the river, the Dionondahowa Falls Trail Head is a short, wooded trail that leads to gorgeous waterfall views. Greenwich also has a YMCA for daily workouts and indoor recreation, though there’s no pool.
Hands-on agricultural learning at Greenwich Junior/Senior High
Niche gives the Greenwich Central School District a B. The district has just two schools, which are right across the street from each other — so close that they share the same address. It adds convenience to parents’ school drop-off schedules even if they have a child in each school. Greenwich Elementary School earns a B-minus on Niche, while Greenwich Junior/Senior High School has a B. Children enrolled in the high school’s agricultural program can take courses on veterinary science and agricultural engineering and have the chance to earn a Future Farmers of America Empire Degree. The school’s athletics program is also a major plus. “For kids being raised in Greenwich, they really do have a chance to make a sports team and play a sport that they would like,” McCormick says. “We find that sometimes in the bigger schools, it’s a little bit more competitive and they may not have that same opportunity.”
Decorating tractors for the holidays
During the annual Holiday Lighted Tractor Parade, roughly 70 tractors gather for a parade through the village’s streets. “The tractors feature lights, different themes, and music,” McCormick says. “It has really grown in popularity over the past 10-plus years, and it’s now estimated that around 10,000 people attend. It's definitely a highlight for the community and something that many people look forward to each year.” Local musicians perform free concerts in the gazebo across from the library once a month during the summer.
Route 29 to nearby towns, nearby medical care
Main Street, also known as state Route 29, leads west to Schuylerville, which is about 6 miles away. State Route 40 also passes through Greenwich, but the mostly car-dependent neighborhood’s roads are largely residential streets and long country roads. Greenwich Medical Center provides primary care like annual checkups, but residents drive 16 miles to Saratoga Hospital for more involved care. Glens Falls is a little farther at 21 miles away, while Albany and the Albany International Airport are about 37 miles away, a drive that takes about 50 minutes.
Written By
Christina Norwood
