Otis offers small-town living in the woods of the Berkshires
Woodlands cover almost all of Otis, a small rural community scattered across nearly 40 square miles. Its 1,600 residents enjoy plenty of nature as mountains and mature trees surround several lakes in the southeast corner of the Berkshires. “I have a friend who can walk to the reservoir, but she’s tucked away in the woods. That’s very typical for the area,” says Sheryl “Curly” Satun, who has been selling homes in the area since 2016. Along with boating, hiking and skiing, locals enjoy community events on the lake and socializing at a few lively restaurants in town.
From modest manufactured homes to million-dollar lakefront houses
The densely wooded residential areas feature a wide range of homes. Manufactured homes sell for around $100,000 to $120,000, while 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 spans nearly 2,000 acres, attracting boaters and fishermen from across the region. The manmade lake is home to several fish species, and the Division of Fisheries and Wildlife stocks it with trout every year. Locals can keep their boats docked at D&J Marina or launch from the public boat ramp. Much of the southern shoreline falls into Tolland State Forest, another access point for boaters and a popular spot for hiking, mountain biking and snowmobiling. Nearby, Big Pond has a beach with a designated area for swimming, and the Otis Ridge ski slopes have been open to the public since 1946.
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 also home to Paige’s Place, a homestyle breakfast and lunch spot that opened in 2024. There are more local businesses on Otis Road near Otis Reservoir, including Knox Trail Inn, which serves prime rib alongside live music and a dance floor. Across the street, Katie’s Country Store is a small local grocer offering takeout comfort food. Papa’s, a community market with a gas station, hosts a farmers market every Saturday from May to October. “A lot of people get their groceries on the weekend at the farmers market,” says Satun. “They like to keep it local.” Several big-box retailers and a mall are about 20 minutes away in Lee.
A choice between two school districts for middle and high school
Students can start at Farmington River Elementary School, which receives a B-plus grade from Niche. After sixth grade, students can choose between the Berkshire Hills Regional School District and Lee Public School District, with options including W.E.B. Du Bois Regional Middle School, rated B-minus, and Monument Mountain Regional High School, rated A-minus. Lee Middle and High School combines the two schools and receives a B.
Boating events at Big Pond
Throughout the year, events at Big Pond include a boat parade called Light Up the Lake, held every Fourth of July weekend. Also in July, a "poker run" invites locals to ride paddleboats on the lake to collect cards for their poker hands.
An hour to major cities in the tristate area
Otis is a car-dependent community in the tri-state area of Massachusetts, New York and Connecticut. Springfield, Massachusetts, and Albany, New York, are about an hour away. Bradley International Airport near Hartford, Connecticut, is also about an hour.
Written By
Nicolas Stuart
