Otis offers small-town living in the woods of the Berkshires
Woodlands cover almost all 38 square miles of Otis on the southeast side of the Berkshires. Mature trees surround large and small lakes that infuse this rural community of about 1,600 with nature. “I have a friend who can walk to the reservoir, but she’s tucked away in the woods,” says Sheryl ‘Curly’ Satun, who has been selling homes in the region since 2016. “That’s very typical for the area.” Boating, hiking and skiing are just some of the many outdoor adventures in town. Otis’ small-town feel is present during community events on the lake and at the few restaurants where folks frequently gather to eat, drink and dance.
From modest manufactured homes to million-dollar lakefront houses
Densely wooded residential areas feature a wide range of houses and lifestyles. Manufactured homes sell for around $100,000 to $120,000. Ranch-style houses and bungalows from the early to mid-1900s range from $120,000 to $400,000. A-frame country cabins sell for $400,000 to $650,000. And waterfront properties can sell for anywhere between $700,000 and $1.8 million.
Fishing lakes, hiking trails and ski slopes
Otis Reservoir has nearly 2,000 acres of water and attracts people from all over to go boating and fishing. The manmade lake has several fish species and is stocked with trout by the Division of Fisheries and Wildlife every year. Locals can keep their boats docked at D&J Marina or launch one from the boat ramp. Tolland State Forest makes up much of the southern portion of the reservoir’s shoreline. It serves as another access point for boaters and is a popular spot for hiking, mountain biking and snowmobiling. Big Pond has a beach with a designated area for swimming. The Otis Ridge ski slopes have been open to the public since 1946. Otis Ridge is well-known for its race team and has trained skiers for over 30 years.
A few local shops, restaurants and a farmer's market
The town center along Massachusetts 8 is lined with homes, the fire and police departments and Otis Library. It’s home to Paige’s Place, a restaurant for homestyle breakfast and lunch that opened in 2024. There are more local businesses on Otis Road near Otis Reservoir, including Knox Trail Inn. The restaurant offers American food, such as its famous prime rib, and has a stage for live music and a dance floor. Katie’s Country Store is just across the street. The small shop serves as a local grocery store and offers take-out comfort food. There’s also Papa’s, another community market with a gas station. It hosts the Otis Farmer’s Market every Saturday from May to October. “A lot of people get their groceries on the weekend at the farmer’s market,” says Satun. “They like to keep it local.” There are, however, several big box retailers and a mall about 20 minutes away in Lee.
A choice between two school districts for middle and high school
Students attend Farmington River Elementary School, which receives a B-plus grade from Niche. It’s the only school in the Farmington River Regional School District. After sixth grade, students can choose between the Berkshire Hills Regional School District (BHRSD) and Lee Public School District (LPSD). BHRSD students go to W.E.B. Du Bois Regional Middle School, which is graded a B-minus. They’ll go on to Monument Mountain Regional High School, graded an A-minus. LPSD students attend Lee Middle and High School, which combines two schools in one and is graded a B.
Boating events at Big Pond
Several events are held at Big Pond throughout the year, including a boat parade called Light Up the Lake, held every Fourth of July weekend. Big Pond Day is also celebrated in July with a poker run, where folks take paddle boats to different stations to collect cards for their poker hands.
An hour to major cities in the Tri-State Region
Otis is a car-dependent community in the Tri-State Region of Massachusetts, New York and Connecticut. Locals have access to Massachusetts Route 8 and the Massachusetts Turnpike (I-90). Springfield, Massachusetts is about one hour away. It’s also about the same distance from Albany, New York, and Bradley International Airport near Hartford, Connecticut.
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