Rural getaway with small-town charm
Richmond, 14 miles southeast of Burlington, is a Chittenden County town offering rural seclusion with a charming village center. "Richmond is a lovely town," says Adriana Hashinaga, assistant town clerk of Richmond. "There's a lot of outdoor recreation that attracts people." There are dozens of trails, bodies of water and green spaces to explore, including Volunteers Green, where community gatherings are often held. The village area is walkable with single-family homes, schools and a modest selection of locally owned businesses, while the town outskirts are dotted by homes with acreage. "It's a vibrant community," Hashinaga says. "There's something for everyone here."
Village homes and country estates
Richmond's housing is diverse, with most homes built between the early 20th century and today. "Richmond has a designated village area," Hashinaga says. "There are some apartments, but mostly single-family homes and duplexes." In the village, ranch, bungalow and farmhouse styles are set along narrow residential streets lined with sidewalks and lawns. "The farther out you drive from the village, the more rural it becomes," Hashinaga says. Home styles are more diverse on the outskirts of town, but farmhouses with acreage are typical, allowing for additions like detached garages or workshops. There are also a handful of late 20th-century manufactured homes in communities like Riverview Commons.
Manufactured homes range from about $50,000 to $100,000, most single-family homes range from about $300,000 to $700,000 and larger estates cost between $700,000 and $2 million. All ranges depend upon a home's size and features. The median home price in Richmond is about $550,000, compared to $500,000 in Burlington. "We've seen a pretty sharp rise in property values here," Hashinaga says.
Richmond public schools earn all A's from Niche
Richmond is part of the Mount Mansfield Unified Union School District, which receives an overall A-minus and is rated the second-best school district in Vermont by Niche. The A-minus-rated Richmond Elementary and the A-rated Camels Hump Middle are right in town, and the A-minus-rated Mt. Mansfield Union High is about 6 miles away. Through the Vermont Dual Enrollment program, juniors and seniors may take two free college courses at any Vermont college.
Play, fish and explore
Volunteers Green is the main park in town. It features a playground and fields for soccer and baseball. There's also access to the Winooski River, where folks can kayak and fish for smallmouth bass. "You can rent out tubes and canoes from Umiak, and they'll shuttle people to the river," Hashinaga says. "That's a great thing to have right here in town." In the summer, the Huntington Gorge is a popular swimming hole, but swimmers should be mindful of rapids in the area. In the winter, Gillett Pond offers ice skating, ice fishing and snowshoeing trails. Birdwatchers near the pond may spot Canada geese, red-winged blackbirds and red-eyed vireos. Cochran's Ski Area features dozens of trails to explore for skiing, hiking and mountain biking. "It's always busy with mountain bikers," Hashinaga says. "People seem to like their trails a lot."
Organic groceries, fresh pastries and locally brewed beer
Shopping and dining are limited, but residents don't have to leave town for daily essentials. "People who live in the center are always walking to the market and different stores in town," Hashinaga says. To start the morning, Sweet Simone's is a cafe/bakery with coffee and fresh pastries. Nearby, Richmond Market is the go-to for groceries, offering a mix of pantry staples and locally sourced produce, meats and dairy. Papa McKee's Pizzeria is the spot for a quick slice, while The Big Spruce serves New American handhelds, like brioche smash burgers and grilled cheeses with arugula and caramelized red onions. For a drink, family-owned Stone Corral is a microbrewery with weekly trivia and occasional live music. "The parking lot is always packed," Hashinaga says. "People really love it there."
Patriotic fun and holiday shopping
Richmond celebrates annual holidays with community get-togethers. "Our Fourth of July parade has been going on for many years," Hashinaga says. "It's run by a volunteer committee." The festivities include a fun run, karaoke contest, and plenty of food, music and fireworks. In December, vendors and artisans sell gifts and crafts at the Richmond Holiday Market. "It's a great gathering place to meet friends," Hasinaga says. "There's something for everyone."
Commuting to Burlington
Interstate 89 passes through Richmond, providing a direct route to Burlington. "There are a few small businesses in Richmond, but I know many people work in Burlington," Hashinaga says. "A lot of people work from home, too." Residents generally drive to get around, but the town center is walkable, and Green Mountain Transit offers a bus route to Burlington. "For me, I definitely drive everywhere," Hashinaga says. "Our highway department does a great job maintaining the roads in winter." University of Vermont Medical Center is 13 miles away, and the Burlington International Airport is a 10-mile drive.
