Montgomery, Vermont, offers a welcoming, eclectic character near Jay Peak
Encompassing the area surrounding the village of Montgomery Center, Montgomery, Vermont, is a township in Franklin County, about 12 miles south of the Canadian border. Boasting six covered bridges, the most of any town in America, Montgomery also offers plentiful outdoor recreation. “It’s a very outdoorsy, active community,” says Mark English, managing broker with Jim Campbell Real Estate, who lives just across the mountain in the town of Jay. “It’s close to Jay Peak, the ski resort, which keeps Montgomery alive and kicking, so to speak.” A welcoming, eclectic community calls Montgomery home. “It’s such a mix: hippies, artists, bankers, lawyers,” English says. “It’s simple, small-town living with great people.”
A mix of seasonal and year-round residents in and around Montgomery Center
Residents here are split between those who live in town year-round and those who spend time here seasonally. “Montgomery is kind of an even split of year-round residents and second-home owners,” English says. Prices range from about $230,000 to $390,000 for the lower-cost homes, while pricier options range from about $450,000 to $850,000. The median price here is about $360,000, a little lower than the national median. Homes cluster along Main Street in Montgomery Center, including Craftsman and American Foursquare styles, while ranch homes and farmhouses dot the outskirts. Outside the village, the land is a mix of crop fields and forests, with the mountains looming in the distance. The town holds a CAP Index Crime Score of 1, lower than the national average of 4.
Jay Peak, a state forest, Trout River swimming holes and covered bridges
Jay Peak is a primary draw, but it is far from the only outdoor favorite in the area. “Everyone seems very active and gets out doing stuff,” English says. Jay Sate Forest offers almost 8,000 acres of wilderness to explore, with plentiful trails and ski runs. Residents can throw a round at Black Falls Disc Golf Course or splash in the Trout River, which runs through the village. A set of falls creates swimming spots known collectively as Three Holes. “If you stop by there on a warm summer day, it’s like a Mountain Dew commercial,” English says. “People all over, kids diving off the rocks, rope swings going, the whole deal.” And residents and tourists alike can visit the town’s six covered bridges. “Montgomery is known for its covered bridges,” English says. “People seem to really appreciate those.”
A local elementary school and two high schools serve the area
Montgomery students can attend schools in the Franklin Northeast Supervisory Union, including Montgomery Elementary School, which earns a B-plus from Niche. FNESU has two middle/high schools: Enosburg Falls Middle & High School, which scores a B-minus, and Richford Junior/Senior High School, which earns a C. Both serve grades six through 12. FNESU also offers flexible pathways such as online courses, dual enrollment and early college options and the Cold Hollow Career Center, which has programs in technical industries.
Snow Shoe Pub and The Inn among local favorites
Snow Shoe Lodge & Pub is a central hub for residents. “It’s our local entertainment spot,” English says. “There’s music. They’ve always got something going on. It’s where the locals hang out.” Snow Shoe also hosts open mics and karaoke nights. Bernie’s Restaurant and Fire on the Mountain Pizza are two other casual dining spots. For upscale food, English recommends The Inn. “The Inn will have wine tastings and fixed price menus,” English says. “And they’ve had an artist series, where poets, potters, quilters and so on do demonstrations.” The village has a grocery store, Sylvester’s Market. “It doesn’t seem like a big thing, but over in Jay, we might have to drive 30 minutes to a store,” English says. “The store is so convenient for Montgomery.”
The People’s Prom for adults and a Fourth of July parade
Despite its size, Montgomery has an active social calendar. “There are all sorts of social and cultural activities,” English says. “A cool thing every year is the People’s Prom, which is prom for adults. People bust out their tuxedos and fancy dresses.” English estimates that a fifth of Montgomery’s total population might attend. The town also holds a July 4th parade. “They get the old fire trucks, old cars, and everyone comes out and lines the streets,” English says.
Welcoming roads, state highways and about 55 miles to Burlington
Vermont routes 118, 58 and 242 intersect at Montgomery Center. Even the roads show a welcoming spirit. “As you pull into town, the signs all say, ‘Smile, You’re in Montgomery,’” English says. Vermont Route 105 runs west through Enosburg, eventually linking up with Interstate 89 in St. Albans, about 28 miles away. The Burlington International Airport is about 55 miles southwest. Hospitals are a bit distant, with Northwestern Medical Center in St. Albans and North Country Hospital in Newport the two nearest, both about 30 miles away.
