Small Vermont town with community spirit
Twenty-one miles northwest of Barre, Moretown offers single-family homes with multi-acre lots, mountain views and rustic seclusion. The small town has limited shopping and dining but is rich in natural beauty. "It's amazing," says Cindy Feloney, a real estate agent with Coldwell Banker who has over 11 years of experience. "You're driving on the road, and you see these hillsides radiant with reds, and it's just incredibly beautiful." Even though Moretown is rural, social and civic gatherings keep the town close-knit. "They have a lot of community events to entice people to spend time together. If people don't participate, they don't get to know their neighbors," Feloney says. Most residents commute outside of Moretown for work. "It's a bedroom community," Feloney says.
Limited housing inventory, spacious lots
Single-family homes don't come on the market very often in Moretown. Most homes are farmhouse or Craftsman-style, dating to the 19th century through today. Multi-acre lots allow residents privacy and additions like detached workshops, barns or horse stables. "There might be a string of homes on a side road," Felony says. "Sometimes, that motivates people to get to know each other and make it a neighborhood, even if it is just a string of homes along a road." The median home price in Moretown is about $550,000, compared to $300,000 in Barre.
Academic and athletic opportunities at Moretown public schools
Moretown is part of the Harwood Unified Union School District, which serves about 1,800 students. All of the district's schools are rated B or better by Niche. The A-rated Moretown Elementary and the B-rated Harwood Union Middle and High School are in town. At the latter, juniors and seniors in the Vermont Dual Enrollment program may take two free college courses at any Vermont College. Harwood Union High has a robust athletics department; the boys' soccer and hockey teams won state championships in 2024 and 2025, respectively.
Trails, sports and the Mad River
Kenneth Ward Park is a scenic spot along the Mad River with sandy banks, mountain scenery and rocks popular for cliff jumping. Anglers can fish in the river for rainbow trout, while birders may spot American robins, hooded mergansers and purple finches. Local trails, like the 1-mile Nature Trail, are shaded by mature pines and maples. "They say Vermont is one of the healthiest states in the nation because people are hiking, biking and doing a ton of other activities," Feloney says. Moretown Skills Parks attracts bikers looking to practice tricks on hills and obstacles, while the Moretown Recreation Field is the local go-to for pick-up soccer. Residents can borrow lawn games and sports equipment from the Moretown Memorial Library, and tennis, pickleball and basketball courts are nearby. At Moretown Elementary, there's a playground, a sledding hill and the Storywalk, where children read pages from a picture book as they stroll.
Just one store in town
The Moretown General Store has been a community staple for over 100 years, and aside from a few tradespeople and auto shops, it's the only commercial business in town. "The nice thing about Vermont is, if you have a small grocery store, the local people try really hard to support the store, so it stays open," Feloney says. Shoppers can find a little bit of everything there, from household items and snacks to souvenir T-shirts and tourist brochures; there's also a deli inside with quick bites like sandwiches, salads and ice cream. There's more shopping and dining in Waterbury, 10 miles away, including coffee shops, grocery stores and casual and upscale restaurants.
Small town with community spirit
Each month, the Moretown Town Hall and Moretown Memorial Library host events ranging from public forums to social gatherings. In March, Town Meeting Day allows residents to share their voices. "They discuss the upcoming agendas, projects, events and items on the ballots. It gives people a chance to talk about politics in a small town," Feloney says. State representatives and organizations like the Central Vermont Council on Aging also visit to hear local voices. Throughout the year, traditions like houseplant swaps, cobbler bake-offs and bake sales bring neighbors together, and the library organizes movie nights and tabletop RPG games. In December, the Moretown Artisans Sale at Moretown Elementary showcases the talents of local artists and crafters.
Getting around from Moretown
Interstate 89 borders Moretown, granting access to Barre, 21 miles away. There isn't any public transportation in Moretown, but there's a Green Mountain Transit commuter bus and the Waterbury-Stowe station in Waterbury, 10 miles away. Central Vermont Medical Center is 18 miles away, and Burlington International Airport is 36 miles away.
Snowy winters and flood risk
Summers are warm and humid, and winters are cold and snowy, with 90 inches of snow annually. Frequent snowfall means school and road delays or closures are common. FEMA designates some low-lying areas, such as those around Mad River, as Flood Zone AE, which means an annual 1% chance of flooding and flood insurance is required.
