Plainfield has a secluded, rural lifestyle in the hills of the Berkshires
Plainfield, once a thriving agricultural area, was covered in sheep and cattle farms throughout the 1800s. After the industry fell, 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 towards 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. In fact, the exceptionally calm atmosphere is reflected in a 1 out of 10 CAP Index Crime Score, lower than the national average of 4.
Outdoor activities at Kenneth Dubuque Memorial State Forest, Plainfield Pond Beach and more areas
In the northwest corner of Plainfield, Kenneth Dubuque Memorial State Forest provides 35 miles of trails, with scenery of 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 suited 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. On the west side of town, Mass Audubon's West Mountain Wildlife Sanctuary has a walking path near a pond where beavers and birds can be observed. Betts Mine, on Plainfield’s south end, offers rockhounding — pyrites and garnet being 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.
Cape Cods, Colonial Revivals and land in Plainfield
Single-family homes are scattered throughout Plainfield, but the majority are located on the thoroughfare Main Street. 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 multiacre 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.
Public schools from Sanderson Academy Elementary to Mohawk Regional High
Sanderson Academy Elementary School has a C-plus rating on Niche. Serving middle and high school levels, Mohawk Regional High School has a B-minus. For higher education, Berkshire Community College and Smith College are both nearby.
Local businesses like Pub 116 and Old Creamery Co-op
As a rural town, Plainfield doesn't have any commercial areas, ensuring minimal through traffic and a quiet setting. The community’s only restaurant is Pub 116, a laidback watering hole and hotspot for locals. From live music to pool games, this Plainfield institution provides entertainment until 10 p.m. on the weekends. It serves Italian American comfort food beneath the glow of sports games on TVs, plus there’s outdoor seating on a covered patio, with views of the woods. A few miles south of Plainfield, Old Creamery Co-op is a country-style general store that sells crafts made by local artists and locally grown produce. It has a deli, an ice cream counter and basic groceries.
Events at Shaw Memorial Library
Shaw Memorial Library, central to the community, hosts events like a Christmas craft morning with a cookie exchange in December. It also has exhibits by local artists, recently the “Love, Dogs” dog portraits in 2024.
A 40-mile commute to Springfield and 20 miles to Northampton
Via state Route 9, Plainfield is about 40 miles from Springfield. 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 located about 60 miles away.
After graduating from Smith College with a B.A. in Art, I began my real estate career in 2004. Having worked my way through college in the restaurant business, I developed my strengths in customer service and people skills, as well as built a strong connection to my community members. After college, I spent 10 years working as a Practice Manager in the medical field supporting providers, and problem solving on a daily basis. This work afforded me the opportunity to grow and gain confidence in my skills as a professional. It is in all this work that I found my passion for helping people. Working as a real estate professional affords me the opportunity to help my clients navigate their way through a successful real estate transaction, something I find very rewarding. Having been a Pioneer Valley resident my whole life, I now live in South Hadley, where my husband and I have built a home for the past 20 years. With strong family connections to the area, I love all that the Pioneer Valley has to offer, from its cultural and artistic diversity, to its varied scenic landscapes, to its broad sense of community. I enjoy giving back to my community through support and participation in organizations like the Western Mass Food Bank and Prospect Meadow Farms, which works to empower people with developmental challenges. In my spare time, my husband and I travel as much as we can, always eager to experience the cultures and culinary traditions of places far and wide. At home, I endeavor to “save the bees” as an assistant beekeeper to my husband at our small apiary (The Backyard Buzz). The work is often hard, occasionally painful, but the fruits of the labor are enjoyed by all.
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.
