$431,753Average Value$239Average Price per Sq Ft2Homes For Sale
Scenic rural town at the foot of a mountain
Ashfield is at the foothills of the Berkshire Mountains in rural western Massachusetts. Main Street is the local hub, housing a fire department, a church and a town hall, sparsely surrounded by historic homes and landmarks. Long and winding residential roads peel off the town center, entwined with the curled creeks that babble below. Prospective buyers can expect peaceful living in the Ashfield hills, blanketed by forestry and farmland. Everyone knows everyone in this quirky town - its old buildings taken over by writers' retreats, local markets and creative businesses. Ashfield is a simultaneously active and secluded New England town. “It’s very low-key, but there’s a lot to do,” says Jacqueline Dominguez, Realtor at Keller Williams Realty.
This American Foursquare in Ashfield is a wonderful example of rural adaptation of the style.
The rolling hills of Western Massachusetts are exemplary around Ashfield.
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Homes with acreage
Buyers move to Ashfield for lake houses, private lots and hilltop views. Many are cabins and quaint Cape Cod styles with rustic interiors. Properties start around $400,000 here, which buys a move-in-ready three-bedroom cottage on a woodsy two-acre lot. Prices increase with home sizes and the amount of land accompanying them. Buyers may find a custom-built cabin with farmland and a view for $800,000 or a historic 100-acre, multi-building estate for $5 million. Many opt to build in this scenic spot, where empty parcels start around $50,000 for 15 acres and climb to $250,000 for a well-tended 20-acre farm. “We get a lot of families looking to get away from the city – people who want an acre or two or three of land,” Dominguez says. Listings tend to stick around for a few months before finding a new owner in this rural locale.
A Georgian style home in Ashfield has the style's classic symmetry and a Palladian window.
Above the town of Ashfield,
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Seasonal events in the state forest
Locals head to the neighborhood’s namesake lake to push the canoe in for a quiet day on the water, or enjoy quiet time on the residents-only beach. Many homes back up to nature preserves and hiking trails. The Daughters of the American Revolution State Forest is among the most visited for its range of outdoor amenities. Locals travel here to laze on the beach on warm summer days and to cross-country ski when the snow falls. From the changing autumn leaves to the frosted hillsides and springtime mountain laurel blooms, the scenery is striking year-round at DAR. Ashfield residents can also head toward the Ashfield Community Golf Course for a day outdoors, where locals often gather for a fun 9-hole round.
Chapel Brook Falls in Ashfield is a delightful park with miles of trails and a waterfall.
This view of Ashfield from the golf course shows the lake and downtown area.
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Many extracurricular events
Kids living in Ashfield can attend school within the Mohawk Trail and Hawlemont regional districts. Many go to Sanderson Academy from Pre-K through 6th grade, which carries an overall C score on Niche. Mohawk Trail Regional High is the last stop for public school students. The school’s B-minus Niche grade is reflective of its wealth of extracurricular offerings, which span subjects from Fantasy Book Club to the Trail Equity Alliance, which navigates local issues affecting marginalized groups. Each school campus is situated within a 15-mile drive for Ashfield residents.
The Sanderson Academy in Ashfield is a small school setting for learning as a way of life.
Mohawk Trail Regional High School in Shelburne Falls is a grade 7 - 12 school that serves many.
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Ten miles north for shopping
Shelburne Falls is the nearest commercial destination. It has a similar small-town feel, with a few more shopping and dining options. Ashfield locals ride 10 miles north to pick up their weekly groceries at Keystone Market to browse the surrounding shops and restaurants. Locals travel to Northampton, the county seat and buzzing creative hub, for more shopping and dining options. Springfield is a 40-mile ride south of town, which is typically under an hour in the car without major traffic delays – a daily work commute for some. Residents can hop right on Route 116 and drive for 10 miles to Interstate 91, which funnels directly into the city and through busy North and East Hampton along the way.
Local farmer markets and main street businesses
There are a few restaurants in town for an easy Friday night meal. Residents can pick up a slice at Countrypie Pizza from its homey outpost on Main Street. Kids circle around the board games piled high on the timeworn wood floors while diners enjoy a meal in the dim-lit shop. Locals head to Ashfield Lake House to watch the sunset over dinner or to enjoy live music. The Double Edge Theatre has been around for decades, putting on immersive performances where visitors weave through scenes and interact with characters. The theatre also holds well-attended workshops, drawing people from across the region. The Boston Globe once covered Double Edge performances, raving that “Five senses hardly seem enough.” The annual Fall Festival is in October, and the farmers market is on Saturday mornings during milder seasons.
Country Pie Pizza is a modest local eatery in Ashfield where you can get a slice or whole pie.
The Ashfield Lake House is a restaurant on the eponymous lake and has a small curated menu.
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Lisa Darragh,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Parks in this Area
DAR State Forest
Chapel Brook Falls
Windsor State Forest
Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime
Ashfield
US
Homicide
1
4
Sexual Assault
1
4
Assault with Weapon
1
4
Robbery
1
4
Burglary
1
4
Motor Vehicle Theft
1
4
Larceny
1
4
Crime Score
1
4
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Ashfield Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Ashfield, Shelburne sell after 58 days on the market compared to the national average of 49 days. The median sale price for homes in Ashfield, Shelburne over the last 12 months is $459,000, down 13% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
This thoughtfully designed, custom built home is a showcase for high performance, energy efficiency, and non-toxic construction. Situated on 53 acres, the owners carefully sited this all-electric home for active & passive solar gain -- an 8kw solar array produces the majority of the home’s electricity. The floor plan of the main level is totally open and the lower level is earth-bermed with a
Your peaceful oasis exists in this beautiful custom built home on 87 acres in Ashfield! Set way back from the road in a large open clearing sits an impressive 4044 sq ft home that has been meticulously cared for since it was built in 1989. Step through the mudroom to a spacious kitchen w/ cozy woodstove & island with open flow to dining & family rooms, down the hall a great room with high
Come build your dream home in this serene country setting. Drive down a quiet dirt road surrounded by quintessential new england farmland. There is already a perc test completed. Come walk the land and feel the tranquility this hill town property provides.
Amanda AbramsonColdwell Banker Community REALTORS®
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Lisa Darragh,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Owners
Demographics
Total Population
1,621
Median Age
56
Population Density
1 person/acre
Population under 18
15.5%
Below the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
36%
Above the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$76,968
Above the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$99,221
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
97.7%
College Graduates
55.3%
Above the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
27.6%
Above the national average
13.3%
% Population in Labor Force
65.8%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
49''
Average Winter Low Temperature
10°F
Average Summer High Temperature
83°F
Annual Snowfall
62''
Area Factors
Somewhat Bikeable
Bike Score®
2/ 100
Car-Dependent
Walk Score®
1/ 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score
Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.
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.
