Richmond offers a close community in the Berkshires
Bordering Upstate New York in the Berkshires of Western Massachusetts, Richmond serves as a permanent escape for locals and a peaceful getaway for city dwellers. “We have a very high population of second homers,” says Cindy Welch, a Realtor with LandVest Inc., who has lived in Richmond for more than a decade. “People who work and live in Manhattan and Boston like to have homes here they can retreat to.” The bordering Yokun Ridge mountain range and its rolling foothills attract homebuyers seeking to be close to nature. But it's not just the stunning views that get people to stay. While Welch has lived in several towns in the Berkshires, she says Richmond is her favorite. “They are all wonderful towns, but Richmond is a very quiet community, and everyone is so helpful and thoughtful here. A lot of people get involved in different committees, like the environmental committee." She says the community also supports fundraising efforts for Richmond Consolidated School, the local school for kindergarten through Grade 8.
Houses with scenic views of lakes, woodlands and mountains
Most houses were built between the 1920s and ‘80s, though there are some newer custom builds from the 2020s. Nature views come with just about every home, whether it’s a lake, woodlands or the mountains. “Many properties on the high end look across all the meadows, and you see the lines of higher ridges while overlooking Lenox,” Welch says. Some of the most expensive houses sit on hilltops with those scenic overlooks and feature luxurious interiors, with prices starting at $1.8 million. Welch says they can go for as much as $7 million. Houses in the woods with rolling hills, some with mountain views, sell between $250,000 and $1 million, depending on the size and condition of the house. Waterfront properties along Richmond Pond have a similar range of values.
Hiking and other recreational activities at Yokun Ridge
Richmond has several nature trails, including 6 miles' worth at Hollow Fields Reserve, a protected space of more than 660 acres with woodlands, hayfields and views of Yokun Ridge. The mountain range also has several hiking spots. “Some of the mountain trails are very steep, but once you get to the top, they are great for taking in the views,” Welch says. Locals can also take in scenic views by driving to Olivia’s Overlook. The beach at Richmond Pond is open to locals, where they can relax or swim. The pond also has a boat ramp and is stocked with trout by the state's Division of Fisheries and Wildlife.
Orchards and vineyards around town for cider and wine tastings
Sipping wine and hard cider are common activities for locals, as the town is home to two orchards and wineries. Hilltop Orchards is well known for its apple cider donuts and offers cider tastings of its Johnny Mash brand. It also operates as Furnace Brook Winery and hosts wine tastings. Visitors can explore 200 acres of rolling hills with apple trees and wooded trails. More apples await to be picked at Bartlett’s Orchard, which features a market with a variety of apple-infused products and other produce. Balderdash Cellars, a local winery, offers a scenic space to drink wine and eat from a food truck while enjoying a show with a view. “It’s a pleasant experience,” Welch says. “You sip wine and watch a band play at the bottom of the hill with Richmond Pond and the mountains behind them.” As for grocery stores, big-box retailers and traditional sit-down restaurants, the closest options are about 15 minutes away in the neighboring towns of Pittsfield and Lee.
Symphonies and other concerts at Tanglewood
Tanglewood, a premier music venue, is about 10 minutes away. Summers are filled with performances from the Boston Symphony Orchestra and nationally touring artists. Since 1974, James Taylor has put on a Fourth of July concert at Tanglewood, which is capped off with a fireworks show.
Students can choose where to go to high school around the region
Kindergarten through eighth-grade students attend Richmond Consolidated School, which receives a B grade from Niche. It’s a small school with about 150 students and a 9:1 student-teacher ratio. The school district does not have a high school, so students get to choose which high school they want to attend from any nearby school district. Some options include Monument Mountain Regional High School in Great Barrington and Lenox Memorial High School in Lenox. Both are graded an A-minus. Niche ranks Lenox Memorial High as the best in Berkshire County. According to GreatSchools, it rates far above average regarding college readiness, with about a quarter of students taking AP courses. It does not offer vocational courses. However, Monument Mountain Regional High teaches vocational agriculture programs, including greenhouse operations, landscaping and environmental conservation.
Access to I-90 and within driving distance of several major cities
Locals have access to Interstate 90, a jumping-off point to the Tri-State Region of Massachusetts, New York and Connecticut. Albany, New York, is about 40 minutes away and home to Albany International Airport. It’s nearly a one-hour drive to Springfield, Massachusetts and about an hour and a half to Hartford, Connecticut. The bigger cities of New York and Boston are both about two and a half hours away.
Written By
Nicolas Stuart
