Hartland, Vermont, is community-minded and outdoorsy
Hartland, Vermont, lies next to the Connecticut River and the New Hampshire border. About 3,500 people live in this township, which contains the villages of Harland, Hartland Four Corners and North Hartland. Interstate 91 snakes along the river, and numerous natural areas are nearby. “It’s a beautiful place for sure,” says Danny Kogut, associate broker with Williamson Group Sotheby’s International Realty, who has worked in the area for over 15 years. “I think people are looking for a haven from all the unrest in the world. Towns like this are particularly appealing to that type of buyer.” Cherished local restaurants are sprinkled throughout the area, with wider choices in nearby communities, and newcomers pitch in to keep the community fabric tightly knit. “Since COVID, there’s been an influx of talented young people working remotely,” Kogut says. “They’re moving here and joining boards, participating in local affairs, starting family farms and getting involved.”
A range of styles, sizes, and prices among forest and farmland
Some homes emerge from the dense woods that line narrow dirt roads, and gravel driveways snake out of sight. Farmhouses sit among fields of crops, while other properties are tucked far back into the trees. Things open up near Hartland Four Corners, and small homes cluster along David Road. Prices can vary widely here, with small homes, cabins and ranch-style properties costing between $90,000 and $330,000. Another common price range is $400,000 to about $580,000. Finally, expansive historic homes with high acreage can cost between $2.3 and $3.7 million. “Properties here offer a little more value to the dollar," Kogut says. “You can get more acreage, a larger house, a pond, a view, outbuildings.” Hartland holds a CAP Index Crime Score of 1, significantly lower than the national average of 4.
A rec center, trails for all seasons, and paddling the Connecticut River
The Hartland Recreation Center provides fitness classes and sports leagues to residents. Hartland Winter Trails is a community network of trails used for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. Backbone Trailhead is a hiking spot near U.S. Route 5. Mt. Ascutney State Park and its namesake mountain are about 13 miles south. Hartland Town Forest is off Jenneville Road. Canoe and kayak tours can be found at Great River Outfitters on the Connecticut River. The outfitters are also home to the Path of Life Sculpture Garden. The Historic Willard Covered Bridges cross the Ottauquechee River close to where it meets the Connecticut.
Hartland Elementary School and high school choices
Hartland Elementary School earns a C grade from Niche and serves students from pre-kindergarten through eighth grade. The school is close to woods and natural areas, and offers a Farm-to-School program that brings students to visit local farms and gives produce to the school. High school students can attend Windsor High School, which earns a C-plus, but there's also a school choice “tuitioning” program in which students can attend any public school in the state, or in a bordering state, and tuition, up to the statewide average, is paid by the town.
Dirt roads, highways and municipal airports in Claremont and Lebanon
While much of the interior of Hartland is dirt roads, the town does have access to Interstate 91 and U.S. Route 5, which both run north-south roughly along the Connecticut River. Vermont Route 12, also known as Skunk Hollow Road, connects to U.S. Route 4 near Woodstock. Small, municipal airports are available in Claremont and Lebanon, New Hampshire, about 14 and 12 miles away, respectively. For more flight options, Burlington International Airport is about 98 miles away. Mt. Ascutney Hospital has two nearby locations: one in Windsor and one in Woodstock.
Skunk Hollow Tavern highlights history, with more choices nearby
Hartland doesn’t have much in the way of commercial centers, but there are a handful of restaurants scattered throughout the town. The Hartland Diner serves breakfast and lunch, including wide-ranging vegan choices. 3 Corners Market is a local grocery store on 12. The Skunk Hollow Tavern serves upscale dinners and cocktails in one of the oldest buildings in Hartland Four Corners. “I love the Skunk Hollow Tavern,” Kogut says. “It’s very neighborhood-y. The food is good, and the prices are fair. It’s a great way to go meet people, too.” For more shopping options, residents can make the short drive to Lebanon, New Hampshire, just across the river, or to Woodstock, Vermont, about 10 miles northwest of Hartland.
Summer concerts, markets and Old Home Day on July 4
The Hartland Summer Concert Series occurs on Sunday evenings at the Hartland Rec Center Gazebo in July and August. The Hartland Farmers Market runs Friday afternoons from the end of May to early September, with live music each week. July 4th brings Old Home Day, with a book sale, tractor pull, parade, music, and fireworks, of course.
