Resort tourism and the quiet rural lifestyle of Jay
In the winter, as the Vermont countryside surrounding Jay becomes blanketed with snow, skiers can be seen zipping down the slopes surrounding Jay Peak while local lodges welcome patrons with warm drinks and crackling fireplaces. In the coldest months, Jay's population spikes drastically with tourists visiting Jay Peak Resort and its many diverse recreational activities. The community is located right at the Canadian border as a part of Vermont's Northeast Kingdom, and while Jay receives its waves of visitors, those living here year-round get to see the full swing from snow to spring bloom and autumnal leaves. Rural, diverse in architecture and with a placidity that attracts those seeking privacy, Jay is much more than just a resort area.
Swiss-inspired condos and custom-built homes in the Vermont countryside
While some residents of Jay have been living in the area for generations, the community gets its fair share of retirees who move here and newcomers buying second properties. Surrounding Jay Peak Resort, condos in Swiss-stylized buildings sell for $320,000 to $650,000, depending on square footage and proximity to the resort. The architecture is diverse, from modern log cabins to midcentury ranch-style dwellings. Homes are often custom-built on purchased parcels of land. The median sale price for single-family homes is $450,000.
Skiing, hiking and golfing around Jay Peak and Carleton Mountain
A large part of Jay's outdoor recreation is based around Jay Peak Resort, found at the base of the foothills in Jay State Forest. The resort has several ski and snowboarding slopes that are popular with tourists and locals when the snow piles high in the winter. During the warmer months, the Jay Peak Resort Golf Course is open to the public and offers daily rates for its nine- and 18-hole courses and tiered memberships with discounts for Vermont residents. Associated with Jay Peak Resort, the Pump House Indoor Waterpark is open year-round on select days, offering indoor recreation for those who don't want to be out in the cold. Hiking trails weave around Carleton Mountain on Jay's north side and through the 9,000 acres of Jay State Forest.
Local country stores, home-cooked meals and shopping options
Jay doesn't have big shopping plazas or a booming dining scene; reflective of its rural nature, almost all shops and restaurants are locally owned and operated, some shutting down in the summer when tourism isn't as high. Along Route 243, residents stop into Jay Country Store for groceries and household goods, and The Junction Restaurant, found nearby at the split between Routes 100 and 101, has served comfort food for years. Jay's neighboring community of Westfield, roughly 6 miles away, is agricultural; Westfield farms have storefronts and roadside stands with fresh produce and specialty goods. Any big-box stores like Walmart or chain restaurants can be found 20 miles away in Newport, about a 30-minute drive.
Traversing Jay's country roads and finding necessary medical care
Vermont Route 105 is the community's most traveled roadway, running east-west through Jay before connecting to Route 243, which runs through the Canadian border. Jay's rural setting means residents are largely car-dependent, but traffic is light. Residents in Jay can expect to be farther from essentials, with North Country Hospital being the closest medical clinic 20 miles east. The hospital is equipped with a heliport for emergencies.
Education in the North Country
The North Country Supervisory Union is a school district responsible for public education in Jay and several surrounding communities. Any child living in Jay can attend Jay Westfield Joint Elementary School, which receives an A-minus on Niche. The student population at Jay Westfield Joint Elementary stays small, never surpassing more than 100 students. The school partners with the nearby Jay Community Recreation Centre, so students have an indoor area for play during Vermont winters. Students move on to North Country Union Junior High School, which gets a C-plus, before heading to C-minus-rated North Country Union High School.
