Morgan provides lakefront living in Vermont’s Northeast Kingdom
Morgan is centered around Lake Seymour, in the heart of Vermont’s Northeast Kingdom, the scenic northeast region of the state. It’s also less than 15 miles from the Canadian border. The town may be deep in the Green Mountains, but the scenery and secluded outdoor space draw buyers from New England and Canada. “Lake Seymour is definitely the highlight of Morgan. It’s a beautiful, scenic setting,” says Realtor Nicholas Maclure with Century 21 Farm & Forest, who’s been selling in the Northeast Kingdom since 2000. Seasonal and full-time residents come here specifically for the abundant recreation, from boating and hiking in the summer to skiing in the winter. “You’re on the lake, in the heart of the Northeast Kingdom, close to Burke Mountain and Jay Peak. There are so many recreational opportunities,” Maclure says. “And you’re also not too far from supermarkets and pharmacies in Newport-Derby.”
Waterskiing on Lake Seymour and skiing at Burke Mountain
Lake Seymour is the second largest lake entirely within the state of Vermont. Boaters can access its waters from public boat ramps, and lakefront residents can launch from their own private docks. Those who aren’t waterskiing or wakeboarding can swim at a few public beaches around the shore. The surrounding mountains are full of forested hiking trails. In the fall, changing leaves transform these rolling hills into a golden expanse around the lake. Once the winter snow covers the mountains, it’s officially ski season at Northern Vermont’s famous slopes. Burke Mountain is 30 miles south, and Jay Peak is just over 30 miles west.
Lakefront cottages and forest cabins
Morgan doesn’t have different communities. Buyers just have to choose whether to live on or off the lake. “It’s a 50/50 mix of full-time and vacationers,” Maclure says. “Anything on the lakefront is usually a second home, and everything off the lake is more residential.” Morgan’s median home price is about $425,000, which is right in the middle of off-lake and lakefront homes. Homes in the wooded hills range from little 1-bedroom cabins for just over $100,000 to larger cabins and cottages that cost up to $425,000. Most lakefront cottages cost between $400,000 and $500,000, while multi-acre lakefront properties can reach over $1 million.
Quick eats at the Morgan Country Store and shopping in Newport-Derby
Except for a couple of lakeside lodges, the only place where commercial activity occurs is at the Morgan Country Store. The store does sell convenient items, but it’s also a café. Locals often stop by for a bite after lake days in the summer or skiing in the winter. People drive 10 miles northwest to the Newport-Derby area for groceries. Between the two towns, there’s a strip of supermarkets and stores like Walmart, Price Chopper and Shaw’s. Newport also has a few more restaurants and bars to visit. The closest medical facility, North Country Hospital, is in Newport as well.
Schools in Newport, 10 miles away
Morgan is part of the North Country Supervisory Union, a collection of schools in this northeast region of Vermont. Students typically begin at Derby Elementary, 12 miles north in Derby Line, rated a D-plus by Niche. They continue 10 miles northwest in Derby and Newport. North Country Union Junor High is in Derby and earns a C-plus. North Country Union Senior High is in Newport and gets a C-minus grade.
Travel from cities in Quebec and New England
Morgan is less than 15 miles from the Canadian border, making it reachable from larger cities in Quebec and New England. Montreal is 110 miles northwest, which is about a 2-hour drive. The drive to Boston is 210 miles south, about 3 1/2 hours. Montpelier, Vermont’s capital, is 75 miles southwest, and Burlington is just under 100 miles west. Burlington International Airport is the nearest place for commercial flights.
