Small-town and rural living in Highgate
Situated along the Canadian border in northwestern Franklin County, Highgate is a small Vermont town steeped in agricultural tradition and natural beauty. Framed by the Missisquoi River and the rolling hills of the Champlain Valley, Highgate offers a quiet, rural lifestyle within reach of larger communities like St. Albans City and Swanton. "Highgate borders Lake Champlain and is the farthest northwest point in Vermont," says Tamar Bouchard, a Realtor with Northern Vermont Realty Group and life-long Vermonter. With roots dating back to the 1700s and nearly 3,500 residents, the town has preserved its historic charm while embracing a rural lifestyle. "Northern Vermont is not like anywhere else," Bouchard says. "It's a very green, healthy environment with a low crime rate and close-knit community."
Wildlife refuges, state forests and local green spaces
The Missisquoi National Wildlife Refuge spans thousands of acres on the far west side of town, providing a sanctuary for migratory birds and a peaceful setting for walking, wildlife observation and paddling along the river's quiet channels. Tyler Place Family Resort, an all-inclusive family resort, sits adjacent to the preserve along Phelps Bay. Visitors and locals alike frequent the nearby Shipyard Beach, which welcomes swimmers, sunbathers and boaters along Lake Champlain.
The region is also home to the Lamoille Valley Rail Trail, a 96-mile trail that spans northern Vermont. A public trailhead is accessible in the center of town, adjacent to the Highgate Recreational Facility. The facility includes athletic fields and an indoor ice rink for year-round recreation and youth sports. Just beyond its town limits, Swanton is home to several green spaces, including Marble Mill Park, a riverside park with a playground, basketball court and tennis courts. Right down the road, the Swanton Village Green serves as a community gathering place for summer concert series, car shows and other town-wide events.
East of Highgate, Lake Carmi State Park offers a small sandy beach, boat launches and campgrounds, while Jay State Forest is one of several state forests tucked within the Green Mountains that blends year-round recreation with scenic views. The park is best known as home to Jay Peak Resort, a ski resort with 81 downhill trails, a year-round indoor water park and surrounding woodlands for cross-country skiing.
Historic colonials, farmhouses, ramblers and new builds
Highgate's village center, aptly named Highgate Center, features a mix of historic 19th- and 20th-century farmhouses and colonial-style homes with Federal and Greek Revival elements. The Highgate Manor, a wedding and event venue, is a prime example of Victorian-era architecture still found in town today. Rural roads fan off from the village center, giving way to 20th- and 21st-century ramblers, bi-levels and manufactured homes. These properties typically range from $220,000 to $400,000, with manufactured homes priced from $95,000 to $310,000. Other roads weave past patches of farmland, woodland, traditional farmhouses and 21st-century Colonial Revivals on large lots that range from $400,000 to $600,000. A handful of waterfront cottages and custom-built homes are available. Highgate garners a CAP Crime Index Score of 1 out of 10, the lowest possible score.
Education in Highgate
The Missisquoi Valley School District, which earns a C-minus from Niche, enrolls less than 2,000 students across three towns, including Franklin, Highgate and Swanton. Pre-kindergarteners through sixth graders may attend Highgate Elementary School, which scores a C-plus. Seventh through twelfth graders may then attend Missisquoi Valley Union Middle and High School, which garners a C. The district offers free after-school and summer programs for first through 12th graders.
Amenities in Highgate and Swanton
Highgate's commercial offerings are modest but full of local character. The town center is home to essentials like a hardware store, a gun shop and Desorcie's Market, a small general store that sells pantry staples and freshly made sandwiches. Down the road, Fiddler's on the Green at Joey's Junction is known for its smash burgers, sandwiches and salads.
Additional eateries await in nearby Swanton. Pizza joints and bakeries are scattered between laid-back restaurants. Housed in a historic theater, Green Mountain Bistro offers an eclectic mix of fare that ranges from steak frites to Nashville fried chicken sandwiches, while an outdoor patio offers a cozy spot for evening cocktails caddy corner to the Village Green.
Swanton is also home to the nearest chain stores, Hannaford and Dollar General. Fresh farm produce is also available if residents know where to look. "There are several small farm stands scattered along the side roads, but most are very small," Bouchard says. "But we have this group called the Front Porch Forum, and that's where many folks share what they have available for sale, whether that's cucumbers, tomatoes or something else." St. Albans City offers additional shopping and dining options 10 miles south.
Small-town pride shines during community events
Each August, the Franklin County Field Days transforms Highgate's empty fairgrounds into a multi-day celebration of the region's agricultural roots, complete with tractor pulls, livestock shows, carnival rides, food vendors and live entertainment. Smaller events include the Highgate Volunteer Fire Department's annual chicken barbecue fundraiser and Memorial Day parade. "All of our towns have small, grassroots events," Bouchard says. "Enosburg hosts the Vermont Dairy Festival," which honors the region's agricultural roots with four days of entertainment in June. "And St. Albans City is best known for its Maple Festival," Bouchard says, with carnival games, live music, parades, an annual Sap Run and cooking contests.
Getting around Highgate
Highgate's town center is walkable, but the town is car dependent. Vermont State Route 78 is the main road through the area, connecting residents 6 miles to Swanton. St. Albans City's Northwestern Medical Center is less than 15 miles south via State Route 207. Interstate 89 winds along the west side of town, connecting residents to Burlington International Airport, 40 miles south, and a few miles north to the Canadian border, with Montreal just 60 miles away.
