Rural living among the mountains and farms in Shaftsbury
The sprawling farmland, compact subdivisions and hillside homes of Shaftsbury sit between the Taconic Mountains to the north and the Green Mountains to the south. “It’s a quiet way of life — very rural with beautiful views,” says Angela Bevin, a Realtor with Maple Leaf Realty who has lived in the area since 2007. “For outdoor enthusiasts, I highly recommend looking here and at Southern Vermont as a whole.” In addition to nearby hiking, skiing and other outdoor activities, the rural community supports a few local farms and small businesses in town. And when they can’t find what they need, locals can head about 10 miles south to nearby Bennington for national retailers.
Scenic views from homes and a wide price range
Houses date from the 1800s to today, some tucked away in the woods or on scenic hillsides, some in suburban-like subdivisions. “Oftentimes, you’ll have really beautiful mountain views and lots of wildlife,” Bevin says. “There are plenty of deer, and we’ve seen moose, wild turkey and bobcats.” Ranch-style homes, Colonial Revivals and other houses on small lots sell for $175,000 to $325,000, but private hillside properties with mountain overlooks tend to cost more. Smaller homes on up to 20 acres can sell for $350,000 to $550,000, while larger homes on bigger lots can sell for $600,000 to $800,000. Upscale properties with luxury interiors and considerable acreage range from $900,000 to $1.8 million.
Lake Shaftsbury State Park and other outdoor adventures
Outdoor recreation can be found all around Shaftsbury and in nearby towns. Lake Shaftsbury State Park has a beach with a designated swimming area. Kayaks and paddle boats are available for rent. The whole experience has visitors surrounded by the Green Mountains, where hikers can explore miles of trails. Shaftsbury has several horse stables, including Kimberly Farms, where locals can explore horseback riding trails. About 30 minutes away, the Stratton Mountain Trailhead connects hikers to the famed 2,190-mile Appalachian Trail. Several ski resorts are also within driving distance. It’s an approximately 20-minute drive to Prospect Mountain Ski Area and about 45 minutes to Mount Snow and Stratton Mountain Resort.
Local farm produce in town and national retailers in Bennington
For everyday shopping, locals can head to Bennington’s big-box retailers, such as Walmart, Marshall’s and the Hannaford grocery store. Shopping in Shaftsbury is limited, but numerous CSA farms sell produce to the community. Clear Brook Farm, for instance, has been growing and selling fruits and vegetables since 1995. Propagation Piece Orchard is popular for apples, cider and apple cider doughnuts, and Mighty Food Farm is a certified Vermont Organic farm. Shaftsbury Country Store has been a community staple for more than a century, now operating as a café and sandwich shop while also selling locally sourced produce. The Buck Stop serves as a convenience store and gas station.
Longest wrestling state champ streak at Mount Anthony Union High School
Students may attend Shaftsbury Elementary School, which receives a C-minus grade from Niche, followed by C-rated Mounty Anthony Union Middle School in Bennington. Though Vermont’s Public High School Choice Act allows students in grades nine through 12 to choose where they go to high school, those who live in Shaftsbury are zoned to Mount Anthony Union High School, graded a C-plus. In 2025, The Mount Anthony Patriots wrestling team continued its record for most consecutive state championships in Vermont. The streak started in 1989.
A one-hour drive to Albany
Vermont Route 7A and U.S. Route 7 are the two main roads through Shaftsbury. The closest hospital is Southwestern Vermont Medical Center, about 10 miles away in Bennington. It takes about an hour to drive to Albany, New York, where travelers can fly out of Albany International Airport.
Written By
Nicolas Stuart
