Woods and rolling hills in the Central Berkshires
Known for having the highest mean altitude in Massachusetts, Peru got its name in 1806 because it reminded Rev. John Leland of the mountainous terrain in South America. Its natural beauty and rolling hills draw people from Boston and New York City, some looking for a second home, some looking to make a permanent switch to a quieter life. “It’s a bedroom community off the beaten path. People come here looking for harmony and ease of country living,” says Nadine Hiser, a broker with Key Realty and a lifelong resident of the Central Berkshires. Though there are no stores or restaurants in Peru, nearby towns like Hinsdale and Pittsfield have a few options. “The Central Berkshires is more affordable, and people are starting to infiltrate here because they get more value for their dollar,” Hiser says. “The North and South Berkshires have much higher average home prices.”
Houses surrounded by nature sell fast
Houses in Peru don’t hit the market often, but when they do, they sell fast, averaging 6 days on the market. Most houses sit on hilly yards surrounded by mature woodlands. Move-in-ready single-family homes include cottages ranging from $190,000 to $240,000 and larger three- to four-bedroom houses for $350,000 to $420,000. According to Hiser, some homes have sold for as much as $500,000.
Hiking in Peru State Forest and other protected areas
“Massachusetts is an environmental protection-oriented state,” Hiser says. “In Peru, there’s a lot of protected land and wildlife and a great deal of hunting and outdoor activity.” About 25% of Peru is protected, much of it encompassed by Peru State Forest and the Tracy Pond Wildlife Management Area. Both areas have miles of trails and plenty of opportunities for hunting deer, black bear and coyote. A trail in Peru State Forest leads to Garnet Hill, the highest peak in town, home to a World War II memorial. More protected land surrounds Peru, including a 40-foot waterfall in Wahconah Falls State Park, about 15 minutes away in Dalton. In nearby Ashmere Lake State Park, visitors can relax on the beach or venture into the water. “It’s a motorized lake, so you’re allowed to have a motorboat,” says Hiser. “Some lakes in Berkshire County don’t allow that.”
Local restaurants in Hinsdale and more businesses in Pittsfield
The closest restaurants are in Hinsdale, which include Hinsdale Pizza House and Ozzie’s Steak & Eggs, a popular spot for breakfast and lunch. “It’s a destination restaurant,” Hiser says. “People from all over the region come just to eat there.” Locals drive about 12 miles to Pittsfield for more restaurants as well as big-box retailers and grocery stores.
Schools in other towns through the Central Berkshire Regional School District
Peru is served by the Central Berkshire Regional School District. Students attend Kittredge Elementary School in Hinsdale followed by Nessacus Regional Middle School in Dalton, both graded B-minus by Niche. Wahconah Regional High School, also in Dalton, receives a B. The small school has fewer than 500 students and a student-teacher ratio of 12-to-1.
Easy drives to other towns throughout the Berkshires
It takes about 20 minutes to drive to Pittsfield, which has the closest hospital, and 30 minutes to Lenox, home to the Tanglewood concert venue. “Experienced city dwellers come with the misconception of how long it takes to get from one place to the other,” Hiser says. “To them, a 20-mile drive takes an hour. When they come here, they realize it’s a much shorter drive because there’s no traffic. The only traffic you’ll get is if a cow gets loose from a farm and blocks the road.” The closest commercial airport is Bradley International Airport, about 50 miles away. It’s a 125-mile drive to Boston and 165 miles to New York City.
Written By
Nicolas Stuart
