$363,607Average Value$175Average Price per Sq Ft2Homes For Sale
Plainfield has secluded, rural homes in the hills of the Berkshires
In the 1800s, Plainfield was blanketed in sheep and cattle farms. After the industry left, Plainfield was a mostly forgotten swatch of wilderness in the foothills of the Berkshire Highlands for over a century. However, since 1950, the town has grown to a population of approximately 600, who gravitate toward a rural lifestyle. “It's one of the Hilltowns, very peaceful and quiet — a nice place to get away. It has a nice community,” says Realtor Herb Butzke, who works with William Pitt Sotheby's International and has over five years of experience in the area. Plainfield has a 1 out of 10 CAP Index Crime Score, lower than the national average of 4.
The rolling hills of Plainfield are perfect for folks looking for a serene and quiet setting.
Cows graze in a field, on one of the many farms spread across Plainfield.
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Outdoor activities at Kenneth Dubuque Memorial State Forest, Plainfield Pond Beach and more
In the northwest corner of Plainfield, Kenneth Dubuque Memorial State Forest provides 35 miles of trails through woodlands, ponds and the remains of a village called South Hawley. In the winter, visitors can snowmobile or cross-country ski, while warmer weather is best for hiking and mountain biking. The forest also has aquatic activities, from fishing to kayaking. Next door lies the Plainfield Pond Beach, an ideal spot for secluded swims. Mass Audubon's West Mountain Wildlife Sanctuary has a walking path by a pond that's a popular birding and wildlife viewing spot. Betts Mine, on Plainfield’s south end, offers rockhounding — pyrites and garnet are popular finds. A few miles north of Plainfield, Stump Sprouts Ski Touring Center is a family-owned recreation area that specializes in cross-country skiing throughout hilly terrain with overlooks of the Berkshire Highlands ridgeline.
Kenneth Dubuque Memorial State Park has a 34 mile trail system that winds through dense forests in Plainfield.
Plainfield Pond, with its quiet sandy beach and clear waters, offers a serene and picturesque retreat.
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Cape Cods, Colonial Revivals and land in Plainfield
Single-family homes are scattered throughout Plainfield, but many are on Main Street, the community's main thoroughfare and part of state Route 116. Often on multiacre lots, the houses are surrounded by forests and open fields, giving the area a serene countryside setting. Cape Cods and Colonial Revivals range from $300,000 to $700,000, while undeveloped lots range from $45,000 to $90,000. The area has low inventory, so those interested in the area may have to wait a long time for their dream house to get on the market. “The market goes with the rest of western Massachusetts, so it’s slower,” Butzke says. However, when houses go up for sale in the area, they sell quickly. On average, homes in Plainfield spend 13 days on the market, compared to the national average of 47 days.
A red clapboard sided home in Plainfield has a blue door and muted yellow trim accents.
A colonial revival style home with weathered clapboard siding in Plainfield sits beneath the trees for added privacy.
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Public schools from Sanderson Academy to Mohawk Trail Regional High
Sanderson Academy, an elementary school, has a C-plus rating on Niche. Serving middle and high school, Mohawk Trail Regional High School has a B-minus. For higher education, Berkshire Community College and Smith College are both nearby.
The Sanderson Academy, near Plainfield, is a small school setting for learning as a way of life.
Mohawk Trail Regional High School, near Plainfield, is a grade 7 - 12 school that serves many.
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Local businesses like Pub 116 and Old Creamery Co-op
As a rural community, Plainfield doesn't have any commercial areas, ensuring minimal through traffic and a quiet setting. The community’s only restaurant is Pub 116, a laid-back watering hole and hotspot for locals with live music. It serves Italian American comfort food and has an outdoor covered patio with views of the woods. Shaw Memorial Library, central to the community, hosts events like a Christmas craft morning with a cookie exchange. It also has exhibits by local artists. A few miles south of Plainfield, Old Creamery Co-op is a general store that sells locally made crafts and locally grown produce. It has a deli, an ice cream counter and basic groceries.
Pub 911 is the only restaurant in the town, accentuating the small town community of Plainfield.
The Old Creamery Co-Op in Plainfield takes its name from the building's original use as a dairy creamery.
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A 40-mile commute to Springfield and 20 miles to Northampton
Plainfield is about 40 miles from Springfield via state Route 9. The same route goes to Northampton, about 20 miles away. Berkshire Medical Center is the closest hospital, also located 20 miles from the community. Bradley International Airport, the nearest major airport, is about 60 miles away.
Written By
Anna Anderson
Photography Contributed By
Matt Barrett
Video By
Francisco de la Vera
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Nadine Hiser,
an experienced agent in this area.
On average, homes in Plainfield, MA sell after 44 days on the market compared to the national average of 52 days. The median sale price for homes in Plainfield, MA over the last 12 months is $242,250, down 43% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Located on a peaceful dead end road, this beautiful property is surrounded by open fields, stone walls, and next to a small Christmas Tree Farm. This 3 bedroom, 2 bath Colonial Farmhouse was built in 1825 and retains many of the original features, including wide board flooring and four fireplaces. Upstairs, you will find three bedrooms and a full bath, while the first floor features a formal
Walk Score® measures the walkability of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address. CAP Index provides objective, accurate, and consistent data to help measure, compare, and mitigate crime risks.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
