Middlebury is a quaint college town in the Vermont mountains
Middlebury is a quaint college town with a walkable shopping district and plenty of access to the Vermont wilderness. Ray Fortier, a Realtor with Keller Williams Vermont, says that his favorite aspect of living in the area is the mountain views and natural landscape. “You can't find anything more beautiful, especially the time of year when the lilacs are coming out, daffodils are blooming, and it's the spring, and it's like new life is coming into the area,” he says. “It's just such a strong quality — it's a great feeling. It’s lower stress and a much more comfortable area to live in than many of the crowded places we've lived in before.”
The town’s anchor is Middlebury College, a private liberal arts college with a student population of around 2,700. The school was the state’s first college, and today, it’s known for its language, environment and international studies programs. According to Fortier, the college is central to the town’s vibrancy, drawing people from all over the world. “Middlebury is a 10,000-person small Vermont town, and it’s just infused with life because of an active community,” he says.
A high-demand housing market with upcoming new construction
Middlebury’s properties span decades, with some homes dating back to the early 1800s. The average single-family home price is $430,000. Smaller ranch styles and condos can get as low as $200,000, and historic farmhouses with significant acreage get up to $1 million. Areas around Otter Creek have a slight risk of flooding. Although East Middlebury can be a bit more affordable, prices are on the rise here thanks to high demand.
“We have such a low inventory at this time,” Fortier says. “I think what’s happening is that many of the people who live here just love the quality of life here, and they're not moving out quickly.” According to Fortier, it’s common to see multiple offers on homes, and buyers often look as far south as Brandon for more affordability. To address the housing demand, the town is building Stonecrop Meadows, a community that will add over 250 houses, townhomes, and apartment units in the next few years. The first phase is available for move-in in 2025.
The downtown’s quirky boutiques and local eateries close early
Centered around Otter Creek, Middlebury’s lively downtown is lined with restaurants, art galleries and quirky boutiques. Among a selection of coffee shops and delis, American Flatbread has wood-fired pizzas and Fire & Ice is an old-school steakhouse that serves unlimited chocolate milk from a local dairy farm. Pretty much all retail options close around 8 p.m., but Two Brothers Tavern keeps the lights on almost until midnight on weekends, making it popular with the college crowd. There’s a Hannaford and a Shaw’s for grocery shopping, plus the Middlebury Natural Food Co-Op specializes in organic produce. Around the edges of town, Lincoln Peak Vineyard and Woodchuck Cidery have tasting tours and views of the sweeping farmland.
Recreation around lakes and mountains
The Otter River runs through Middlebury, cascading through the central Riverfront Park. In the summer, the waterside green space is often the site of concerts and festivals. Residents can enjoy the town's outdoor pool and indoor ice rink, as well as the well-maintained Trail Around Middlebury, which spans 16 miles past the college campus, a dog park and a golf course.
Middlebury is located in the foothills of the Green Mountains, where the deep woods and sweeping vistas once inspired Robert Frost's poems. Locals can head 20 minutes into the mountains to visit campgrounds, hiking trails and skiing at the Middlebury Snowbowl. “We have a wide range of four-season activities that take care of the difficulty of cold winters,” Fortier says. Lake Dumore and Lake Champlain are also around 20 minutes away, offering swimming, boating and fishing tournaments. “Between the lakes and the mountains and the activities, I can't imagine a more beautiful place to live,” Fortier adds.
Art galleries, theater productions and a new library
For a small town, Middlebury has a robust arts scene. In addition to numerous art galleries, the Mahaney Art Center has rotating exhibits and a performing arts center. The Town Hall Theater hosts local productions, youth programs and an annual film festival. New blockbusters are shown at Marquis Theater & Café, which serves authentic southwestern food like burritos and tacos alongside the big screen. The Ilsley Public Library is expected to open its major addition in 2026, adding more space for community events and an outdoor green roof.
Local schools offer an IB program and technical courses
Kids can attend Mary Hogan Elementary and Middlebury Union Middle, which both receive a B-minus rating from Niche. Middlebury Union High School gets a B-plus. The district offers an International Baccalaureate program in middle and high school. Students can also take technical courses at the Hannaford Career Center, including Engineering, Medical Professions and Culinary Arts. The local Bridge School offers a private alternative for kindergarten through sixth grade.
Amtrak trips to Burlington and New York
The two largest employers in town are Middlebury College and Porter Medical Center. To reach city employers and amenities, residents can head to Burlington, 35 miles away. The city is usually less than an hour away along U.S. Route 7 and has the closest airport and shopping mall. An Amtrak station in Middlebury goes to Burlington and south to New York City. Route 7 also connects north to Vergennes and south to Brandon in about 20 minutes.
Written By
Catherine Lashley
