Nature, culture and community ties in the southern Berkhires town of Monterey
Hiking trails and fishing lakes have drawn residents to Monterey since President James A. Garfield visited relatives here in the mid-19th century. This mountain town in the southern Berkshires has a rural feel, but nearby cultural activities such as orchestra concerts are another draw for seasonal and full-time residents. While gathering spaces are few, a strong sense of community is a defining feature, according to Mark Makuc, director of the Monterey Library and a resident of over 60 years. "People focus on what they agree on," Makuc says. "People at town meetings might yell at each other — one might be liberal and the other conservative, but as they're walking out, I'll hear them say, 'Let's get dinner as neighbors.'"
From summer homes to year-round residences on the lake
Monterey has a high price tag for the Berkshires, with a median single-family price of around $950,000. Inventory and land are limited, as much of the area includes protected forests. The town has long been a summer home for seasonal residents, and early 20th-century cottages and cabins remain. The community's lakefront dwellings are some of its most sought-after real estate, and may cost between $1 and $3 million. "People are buying the lake cottages and turning them into bigger year-round houses," Makuc says.
Year-round recreation at Lake Garfield and Beartown State Forest
State forests and lakes offer year-round activities. Lake Garfield, named after the president with roots in town, has long been a magnet for Monterey. At 275 acres, it's a destination for swimming, kayaking, fishing, and boating in the summer and ice skating in the winter. The lake's sandy beach and swimming area draw out-of-town visitors. Beartown State Forest offers a remote 12,000 acres for hiking, camping, mountain biking, cross-country skiing and snowmobiling. "I went skiing a few years ago from morning into the evening, and it was a perfect day — I didn't see a soul," Makuc says. Residents also hop on the nearby Appalachian Trail to access some of the earliest ice skating of the season. Eagles, moose, deer, turkeys, beavers, bobcats and black bears are common sightings. "Bears are becoming more of a problem," Makuc says.
Smaller schools and class sizes in the Southern Berkshire Regional School District
Southern Berkshire Regional School District serves Monterey and surrounding towns and earns an overall B from Niche. The district features smaller schools, often allowing for smaller class sizes and individual attention. Each earns either a B or a B-plus grade. The South Egremont preschool program is located in a two-room, 1881 schoolhouse. At Undermountain Elementary School, students can start learning Spanish in kindergarten and participate in after-school activities such as robotics, theater, sports and art. Mount Everett Regional School serves sixth through 12th grade students and offers career pathways in advanced manufacturing and information technology, involving hands-on practice with industry-related tools.
Shops and restaurants in Lee and Great Barrington
Locals head out of town for the essentials. Lee, about 10 miles north, and Great Barrington, about 9 miles west, are the go-to areas for shopping and dining options. Downtown Great Barrington features bakeries, cheese shops, clothing stores, galleries and international cuisine. Aroma Bar and Grill is a well-rated Indian restaurant with a Saturday buffet. The downtown area also has a four-screen cinema showing independent films. Lee is home to a Big Y supermarket. Roadside Store and Cafe, owned and operated by Gould Farm, sells basics such as eggs, milk and cheese, and serves breakfast and lunch options sourced from the farm. Gould is a therapeutic community dating back to 1913, supporting individuals with mental health-related challenges.
Arts and culture in Lenox and Monterey
The Berkshires are a cultural hub as much as a nature hub. About 15 miles north, Lenox is the famed summer home of the Boston Symphony Orchestra at Tanglewood, attracting about 350,000 locals and visitors annually. The orchestra hosts over 100 shows a season, including classical, contemporary and kid-friendly performances. Big-name artists are some of the biggest attractions, especially the annual James Taylor concerts on Fourth of July weekend. The singer-songwriter has kept the tradition going for over 50 years.
Monterey has its own art scene at the Monterey Library, which has presented over 90 art exhibitions in the new gallery space. The library reopened in 2019 following a $3 million expansion project and serves as a hub for workshops, talks, performances, movie nights and other events. "Last year, we reached over 10,000 visits, which was the first time we hit five digits," Makuc says. "It continues to grow, and it's a space for people to meet." The Monterey Community Center is another gathering space for card games and mahjong.
Locals depend on cars to get around
This is a mostly car-dependent area as the essentials are out of town. Monterey is in the southern Berkshires, about 50 miles west of Springfield and about 20 miles south of Pittsfield. Route 23 and Route 57 are the main roads in town, connecting to major interstates and highways. Fixed bus routes are not available in the area. The Berkshire Regional Transit Authority offers door-to-door paratransit services, but staffing is limited.
