Quiet, country living in Groton
Groton resembles a New England painting come to life. The landscape consists of green fields with grazing cattle, small ponds reflecting images of seasonal foliage and New England colonials situated on rolling hills. “Groton is a quintessential Hallmark town in a country setting, with a farm-to-table atmosphere,” says Realtor Jenepher Spencer with Coldwell Banker Realty, who has 16 years of experience in the area. Groton is void of bright lights and big businesses, aside from Shaw’s and Dunkin’ Donuts, and full of families who have lived here for generations. “People here are very friendly, and everybody helps each other out,” Spencer says. A major draw to the area is the quality education from Groton-Dunstable Regional School District, which Niche places in the top 50 systems in the state. Groton also has a CAP Index crime score of 1, which is lower than the national average of 4. Residents here have ample opportunities for outdoor recreation, including hiking trails in town, making it a popular choice for nature enthusiasts. Groton sits in a quiet, peaceful sector of Middlesex County with access to the stores and amenities of Nashua about 15 miles north.
Living in historic Groton home styles
Traditional New England colonials with steeply pitched roofs, country Cape Cods and farmhouses dominate the housing market in Groton. Main Street, the center of Groton, is where homebuyers can see many of the town’s antique colonials. Some have been renovated to include modern, luxury finishings, and others have been converted into condominiums, but they still blend in with the landscape and aesthetic of the area. Prices here primarily fall in the $600,000 to $1.5 million range, with outliers in either direction. There are multiple housing options available in the neighborhood, including condominium communities, such as Rockwood Farm and Groton Residential Gardens, where condos often sell between $300,000 and $700,000. There is also a new 55+ community here, Village at Shepley Hill, where two-story homes tend to sell in the $900,000 range.
Education options in Groton
The Groton-Dunstable Regional School District is a big appeal for families in the area. Students can begin their education at Florence Roche Elementary School and then head to the service-oriented communities at Groton-Dunstable Regional Middle and High Schools, where students participate in state-wide service campaigns. All schools in this pipeline score A grades on Niche. These schools are also known for their comprehensive services for students with various learning needs. The area has private options, such as Groton School, which offers boarding and day school options for students in Grades 8 through 12. The school’s strong emphasis on both academic and character development has continued since it was founded in 1884.
Hit the hiking trails in Groton
There are numerous hiking trails that meander through the Groton area. The historical landmark, Bancroft’s Castle, is located at the top of Gibbet Hill, and the structure and its surrounding trails are popular for touring and exploring. There are various conservation areas in Groton, such as The General Field, where hikers can walk toward Surrenden Farm Trail Head or make loops under the towering trees. The J. Harry Rich State Forest is also in the area, which sits along the Nashua River and has miles of dog-friendly trails. For outdoor family fun, Lawrence Memorial Playground is off Main Street, with field space and athletic courts nearby, right in between the public library and the Groton Center for the Arts.
Tax-free shopping in Nashua and premier Groton restaurants
There are two Groton restaurants that bring traffic to the area. The first is Gibbet Hill Grill, which epitomizes the farm-to-table concept. With an onsite produce farm, guests can gaze upon the countryside while enjoying filets, salmon and New England clam chowder. The other main restaurant is Forge & Vine, known for its 8-foot woodfired grill in the center of the dining room, which promotes interactivity between patrons and the chefs. For groceries and other shopping options, such as Costco, Lowe’s and Target, residents typically head north to Nashua for New Hampshire’s zero sales tax. A Shaw’s supermarket is available in the neighborhood, though, for more convenient necessities.
Town of Groton activities and events
There are seasonal GrotonFest celebrations with local vendors, performances and carriage rides in the winter. The town also has a farmers market at the historic Williams Barn property starting in July, with everything from fresh produce to pony rides. The Groton Hill Music Center holds concerts and music education complete with a dining area for events. It also hosts the start of the Groton Road Race, where participants compete in 2K fun runs or 5 and 10K races through the town’s sprawling landscape. Spencer mentions that this event helps runners qualify for bigger races. Other athletic opportunities can be found at the Groton Country Club’s golf course, swimming pool and racquet courts.
Transportation and other Groton facilities
Public transportation is not available in the neighborhood, so residents get around by car. Boston is a little over 40 miles away, which often takes under 1 hour to drive. Nashua is nearby, within about 15 miles, for more urban amenities closer to the neighborhood. For air travel, Manchester-Boston Regional Airport is about 17 miles north. Other resources and facilities, such as churches and health care, are available in town within a couple miles of most residences.
Photography Contributed By
Matt Barrett
