Walkability and proximity to shops and parks outside of Downtown Montpelier
Though only made up of a handful of blocks, The Meadow neighborhood in Montpelier offers an active and connected lifestyle steps away from sprawling parks and the Vermont capital’s charming city center. “The Meadow neighborhood is really close to a ton of recreational opportunities,” says local Realtor Janel Johnson, who grew up in Montpelier and has been selling homes in the area for 20 years. Hubbard Park, the city’s largest, spans over 200 acres directly west of the neighborhood, while Montpelier Recreational Area is about a mile north. “Not only is it a level walk to all the schools and the downtown amenities, but it’s a level walk to Hubbard Park and the Montpelier Recreation area with soccer fields, tennis and pickleball courts and the city pool.” With easy walkability and a close-knit community fostered by regular events, The Meadow appeals to homebuyers looking for a neighborhood feel with proximity to Downtown Montpelier.
Folks play pickleball at the Montpelier Recreational Area tennis courts near The Meadow.
A man enjoys his lunch break in Mill Pond Park overlooking the Winooski River in The Meadow.
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Close to Hubbard Park and Montpelier Recreational Area
Stretching along the west side of The Meadow, Hubbard Park is the neighborhood’s crowning jewel. “Hubbard Park is a lovely, wooded park in the middle of town that exceeds 200 acres,” says Tim Heney of Heney Realtors, adding that its trails, historic tower and picnic areas are popular among residents. “People just love it.” Johnson echoes the park’s importance and value for residents, noting that it is a prominent amenity for the Meadow neighborhood. “It’s just a fabulous park,” she says. The Hubbard Tower, a stone edifice at the park’s highest point, serves as an observation deck for parkgoers. Multi-purpose trails snake through the tract, shaded by a canopy of dense trees and connecting to various pavilions peppered throughout the park.
Pocket parks like Mill Pond Park and Summer Street Park offer open green spaces amidst the neighborhood’s homes along the residential streets. Residents are also within walking distance of the Montpelier Recreation Area, which features multiple athletic fields and facilities, a skate park, the Elm Playground and the city’s public pool. Just a mile north of the recreational area is the North Branch Nature Center. “The North Branch Nature Center has after-school programs and adult classes,” Johnson says. “You can learn about everything from bird migration to edible mushrooms.”
Fostering community through neighborhood events
Though it’s a relatively small neighborhood compared to others in the city, The Meadow packs a punch regarding its community feel and social calendar. “The Meadow has a tight-knit community and family feel because they often have neighborhood gatherings,” Johnson says. “They host street parties and holiday parties for the entire neighborhood.” The community’s Independence Day celebration is an especially huge deal: “They close down the streets for the fourth of July,” Johnson says.
Shopping and groceries Downtown, local pastries at Birchgrove
The Meadow’s walkability is appealing to residents, especially with the neighborhood’s proximity to the local shops and eateries Downtown. “Residents can walk or bike to get their groceries,” Johnson says, “and Downtown is a half mile away.” Main Street’s historic brick buildings house an eclectic mix of businesses, shops, boutiques and eateries. Bailey Road carries elevated home décor and clothes, and shoppers browse the shelves at Bear Pond Books. The Getup Vintage sells various pre-loved clothing and accessories, while J. Langdon next door has eccentric antiques and more vintage finds. Restaurants and bars like Hugo’s and Three Penny Taproom fill nightly with patrons. Nearby grocery options include Shaw’s and Hunger Mountain Co-op.
Closer to home, one locale sits within the neighborhood itself: Birchgrove Baking. Tucked on Elm Street, the charming café beckons locals with the smell of freshly baked confections and specialty coffee drinks. Croissants, scones and other pastries are served six days a week, while doughnuts are a Sunday special.
Colorful Victorian and Cape-style homes add character
Sidewalks and towering sugar maple trees frame the established houses in The Meadow. “There are mostly older, beautiful Victorian housing stock and Cape Cod styles,” Johnson says. “There has long been a mix of single-family and multi-family homes.” Primarily built in the late 19th century to early 20th century, Victorian and English Cape-style homes featuring charming detailing create a colorful streetscape in shades of deep reds and sage greens to pale yellows and periwinkles. Some feature intricate trim, bay windows or mansard roofs, adding to the neighborhood’s character. Bungalows and classic foursquare homes are scattered in between, though less common. A few properties have river access. Single-family homes can range in price from the low $300,000s for a smaller Cape Cod to the mid $700,000s for a larger Victorian. Townhouses converted from foursquare and Victorian styles typically cost in the $300,000s.
A-minus-rated Montpelier schools
The Montpelier Roxbury Public School District serves students in The Meadow and is ranked the fifth-best school district in the state by Niche. Kindergarten through fourth graders may attend Union Elementary School before continuing to Main Street Middle for fifth through eighth grade. Montpelier High School serves about 400 students and offers a well-rounded curriculum, including flexible pathways and community-based learning programs. Home of the Solons, the high school also boasts a high-performing athletics program. All three schools in the district earn an A-minus grade from Niche.
Access to Downtown and Interstate 89
Route 12, the neighborhood’s major roadway, hugs the eastern side of the enclave, connecting residents to Downtown Montpelier to the south and neighboring communities to the north. Route 2 is minutes away from the neighborhood and links to Interstate 89. Burlington and the Burlington International Airport are about 40 miles away.
Risk of flooding in Montpelier
Much of The Meadow neighborhood is in a floodplain and is susceptible to flooding –especially during the spring due to runoff and ice breakup –with levels reaching over 3 feet. Therefore, homebuyers in The Meadow are subject to purchasing flood insurance. In July 2023, Montpelier experienced record-breaking levels when the Winooski River crested at 22 feet, resulting in a historic flood. The city has since rebuilt and recovered with the help of its Local Hazard Mitigation Plan, which identifies strategies and actions to mitigate loss of life and property.
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
Interested in learning more about homes in this neighborhood?
Reach out to
Michael Preseau,
an experienced agent in this area.
Parks in this Area
Mill Pond Park
Transit
Airport
Patrick Leahy Burlington International
55 min drive
Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime
The Meadow
US
Homicide
2
4
Sexual Assault
2
4
Assault with Weapon
2
4
Robbery
3
4
Burglary
3
4
Motor Vehicle Theft
3
4
Larceny
4
4
Crime Score
3
4
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in The Meadow, Montpelier sell after 5 days on the market compared to the national average of 47 days. The average sale price for homes in The Meadow, Montpelier over the last 12 months is $550,666, up 31% from the average home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Home Trends
Median Price (12 Mo)
$625,000
Median Single Family Price
$625,000
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$277
Last 12 months Home Sales
6
Median List Price
$624,000
Median Discount From 1st List Price
-2%
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
50%
Home Facts
Number of Homes in Neighborhood
44
Median Year Built
1850
Avg. Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
2,282
Above the national average
1,937
Average Townhouse Size Sq Ft
1,850
Average 1 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
607
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
11,761
Distribution of Home Values
Source: Public Records
Interested in learning more about homes in this neighborhood?
Reach out to
Michael Preseau,
an experienced agent in this area.
Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Owners
Demographics
Total Population
656
Median Age
43
Population under 18
23.3%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
20%
On par with the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$88,095
Above the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$125,727
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
100%
College Graduates
66.2%
Significantly above the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
31.2%
% Population in Labor Force
85.1%
Above the national average
65.1%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
38''
Average Winter Low Temperature
7°F
Average Summer High Temperature
77°F
Annual Snowfall
93''
Area Factors
Somewhat Bikeable
Bike Score®
43/ 100
Somewhat Walkable
Walk Score®
55/ 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score
Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
