New Lebanon has rural living between Hudson Valley and the Berkshires
New Lebanon has one foot in the Hudson Valley and one foot in the Berkshires. The charming communities of Pittsfield and Lenox are right in your backyard, offering upscale dining options and cultural attractions like Tanglewood. But you're still surrounded by Hudson Valley farmland, so you can do your grocery shopping at local farms and markets. This is a rural area, so expect a very quiet atmosphere and at least a 20-minute drive to reach a city. Buyers drawn to the Berkshires may find New Lebanon worth the extra drive, because it has a more immersive natural setting and generally lower home prices than both Berkshire and Columbia counties.
Home prices are lower than in Berkshire County
The median home price in New Lebanon is just under $300,000, which is low compared to the rest of Berkshire County. But there are homes available for a large range of budgets, including:
- Rustic cabins and ranch-style homes range from the mid-$100,000s to the mid-$300,000s.
- Updated farmhouses and contemporary construction with a bit more space go from the upper $300,000s to the mid-$600,000s.
- Luxury properties with private driveways and outbuildings are less likely to hit the market, but can be $1 million to $2.5 million.
According to Joseph Briggs with William Pitt Sotheby’s Realty, many buyers consider New York, including New Lebanon, rather than face the competitive housing market nearby in Massachusetts. “They just can't even find anything in the Berkshires, so they end up coming to New York,” Briggs explains. “And even though the market's been tight here, usually they can spend a little bit less money and get a little bit more value and features in New York than on the Massachusetts side.” The trade-off is the taxes. In general, property taxes are higher in New York than in Massachusetts.
A good place for remote workers and second-home owners
With its quiet atmosphere and rural location, New Lebanon is popular with retirees, remote workers and second-home owners. It’s possible to live and work here full-time, with most of the town connected to high-speed fiber internet. However, some residents still only live here part of the time. “New Lebanon is kind of a mix of local and weekender culture,” says Briggs, who has seen many buyers from Boston and New York City consider this town for a vacation home. Boston is just over two hours away, and New York City is about two and a half to three hours away.
Things to do include farm markets and a speedway
New Lebanon might not be the right choice if you want a lot of activity around you. However, you can still find some things to do in town, including:
- New Lebanon Farmers Market & Grocery: Community-focused store stocked with regional produce and grocery essentials
- Roaring 20s Brewery & Taphouse: Social hub with locally brewed craft beer and a regular selection of food trucks
- M & M’s Tap & Tavern: Go-to bar and restaurant with axe throwing, trivia nights and pool tables
- Woodlife Farm Market: Farm stand with seasonal produce, fresh-made deli sandwiches and occasional events, including live music nights and Oktoberfest
- Lebanon Valley Speedway: Lively venue for dirt track racing and monster truck shows with weekly events in the summer season
“People come from all over the place for [Lebanon Valley Speedway],” Briggs says. “And there are also locals who are really into it. They are building their go-karts and their cars and racing for the local businesses.”
Darrow School is a highly rated private school
The town is part of the New Lebanon Central School District, a small district with about 400 students across two school buildings. It is also home to Darrow School, a private boarding high school. The highly rated school is well-known for its hands-on approach to learning, and its rural campus is part of the Mount Lebanon Shaker Village, a National Historic Landmark.
Towns in the Berkshires are a 20-minute drive away
New Lebanon’s town center has a Family Dollar and a post office, but you typically head to Pittsfield to run errands. Pittsfield is about a 20- to 30-minute drive, depending on your location. The city has a major hospital, large grocery stores and some of the cultural venues and standout restaurants this region is known for. “There are all those little areas in the Berkshires, right over the New York border. Really quaint New England towns — country towns — [with] beautiful New England architecture,” Briggs says, naming Pittsfield, Lenox and Stockbridge among the most popular places to visit. “Lots of people who live in the Chatham area, the New Lebanon area, the Hillsdale area, will spend their time going to dine or shop in the small Berkshires towns.”
![Catherine Lashley]()
Written By
Catherine Lashley
