$555,398Average Value$255Average Price per Sq Ft4Homes For Sale
Peaceful country living in Shirley
Shirley is a small town in Middlesex County that's bordered by the Squannacook and the Nashua rivers. Located about 45 miles west of Boston, the community offers expansive recreational green spaces, secluded homes and a highly-rated public school system shared with the neighboring town of Ayer. “We are a small community, and the town has a rural setting with lots of open spaces and a series of conservation trails,” says Bryan Sawyer, Shirley's town administrator. “But at the same time, it’s still close to larger cities.”
Shirley provides its residents with a small village feel with easy access to many resources near and far.
There's a constant for garden up-keep in Shirley as the weather warms up every year.
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A variety of home options in the woods
Narrow country roads connect the town, and houses are often tucked away in dense woodlands. The median home price is approximately $500,000, which is higher than the national median of around $400,000. Featuring a mix of Cape Cods, ranch-style homes, split-levels and traditional farmhouses, single-family properties built from the late 1800s to the late 1900s usually sell from about $350,000 to $650,000. Newer Colonial Revivals from the 1990s to the present day go between $700,000 and $1.2 million. Townhouses list from just under $300,000 to $570,000. Lot sizes vary from several thousand square feet to over five acres, and many have porches, decks, sheds and access to the woods.
A selection of Farmhouses in Shirley have been converted into Condos that provide a rustic feel.
Smaller Cape Cod-style and Cottage-like homes are set back and surrounded by an abundance of trees and grass in Shirley.
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Hiking and water recreation along the Squannacook River
Shirley’s trail network spans across 2,000 acres of town-owned conservation land, and residents can enjoy activities such as horseback riding, mountain biking, hiking or cross-country skiing. People can also go fishing along the banks of the Squannacook River, or go paddling on the Nashua River. “There are trails along the Squannacook River and Farandnear Reservation, and Benjamin Hill Park complex is made up of a pool, a playground and sledding areas,” Sawyer says.
Benjamin Hill Park provides Shirley residents with a pool, playground, pavilion, a sledding hill, and plenty of green space.
Shirley residents enjoy stopping and taking a break at Benjamin Hill Park while on a bike ride around town.
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Ayer Shirley Regional School District serves Shirley students
The town is served by Ayer Shirley Regional School District, which has an overall B-minus grade from Niche and a student-teacher ratio of 11-to-1. Page Hilltop Elementary gets a B-plus rating. Lura A. White Elementary and Ayer Shirley Regional Middle School both have a B-plus. Ayer Shirley Regional High School rates a B and partners with Mount Wachusett Community College and Fitchburg State University to offer dual-enrollment courses. Special programs include an EMT basic training course and internship opportunities.
Ayer Shirley Regional High School is a public high school in Ayer.
Page Hilltop School welcomes the Ayer community.
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Highways and commuter rail near town
Massachusetts Route 2A passes through town, and Interstate 190 is just west of the community. There is an MBTA commuter rail station in town, and the Fitchburg Line lets commuters access Boston directly. Logan International Airport and downtown Boston are both about 45 miles east via Massachusetts Route 2. Emerson Hospital is about 20 miles east in Concord.
Shopping and dining options in Leominster
Main Street has several restaurants and a convenience store. Housed in a historic building built in 1740, Bull Run Restaurant is in the center of town, hosting concerts and private events while serving classic American fare. “We have a few great restaurants in town, but there is limited shopping,” Sawyer says. “There are several towns nearby, like Littleton and Groton, that offer a more extensive selection of stores.” Residents also go to the neighboring city of Leominster for big-box and grocery stores such as Target, Hannaford and Market Basket. Leominster is less than 10 miles west and offers a wide range of shopping and dining options.
The Bull Run Restaurant is the go-to choice for the majority of Shirley locals.
Find your place at the bar and enjoy a delicious stuffed haddock while you hang with other Shirley residents at the Bull Run Restaurant.
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Community events in Shirley
The town hosts several community events throughout the year, including seasonal yard sales and summer concerts. Celebrating the town’s spirit, the annual ShirleyFest in June features live entertainment and vendor booths.
Written By
Christina Xu
Photography Contributed By
Kyle Cook
Video By
Kyo Nguyen
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
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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.
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On average, homes in Shirley, MA sell after 23 days on the market compared to the national average of 49 days. The median sale price for homes in Shirley, MA over the last 12 months is $505,000, up 7% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Welcome to this stunning 4-bedroom, 2.5-bath colonial farmhouse tucked away on a secluded lot in Shirley, MA—just minutes from the Groton line. Set back from the road with a long private driveway, this home offers over 5,000 sq ft of living space, including a 1,000 sq ft finished basement. Inside, you'll find gleaming hardwood floors, large windows that flood the space with natural light, and an
Welcome to this stunning 4-bedroom, 2.5-bath colonial farmhouse tucked away on a secluded lot in Shirley, MA—just minutes from the Groton line. Set back from the road with a long private driveway, this home offers over 5,000 sq ft of living space, including a 1,000 sq ft finished basement. Inside, you'll find gleaming hardwood floors, large windows that flood the space with natural light, and an
Sought-after cul-de-sac neighborhood! Enjoy amazing views and close proximity to the commuter rail and major routes. This home offers ultimate comfort with gas heat, central air, and a dual-fuel generator. Inside, you'll find an open layout with beautiful hardwood flooring throughout. Large kitchen with granite countertops and stainless-steel appliances, LED under counter lighting and pantry.
Trish MarchettiBerkshire Hathaway HomeServices Commonwealth Real Estate
Welcome to 17 Mt Henry Rd. Nice updated ranch style home with a finished basement. Located on a quiet street. First floor features kitchen with quartz counter top, living room, dining room, two bedrooms and full bathroom. One year old Finished basement offers additional living space, family and play rooms and full bathroom. Enjoy good size yard. Updates include newer roof, vinyl siding, windows,
Birchwood Hills is a professionally managed for-rent townhome community nestled into 120 acres of spectacular scenery in historic Shirley, MA. Abutting 250+ acres of abutting conservation land, you can enjoy walking trails, picnics, and watching the sun set over the hills. Secluded and tucked away, but close to it all, easily get wherever you need to go. The MBTA Commuter Rail, Fitchburg Line
Ready for immediate occupancy. Renovated 3-bedroom, 1.5-bath duplex near the commuter rail to Boston. Main level features hardwood floors, living room, and kitchen with stainless appliances, white cabinets, dining area with sliders to the deck, and a half bath Upstairs offers three bedrooms and a full bath, all with hardwood floors. Basement has laundry hookups and storage. Includes small shed,
This delightful home presents 3 bedrooms and a beautifully updated bathroom with a flexible floor plan. As you enter, a sunroom/mudroom greets you, inviting you to leave your shoes at the door. The expansive living area boasts gleaming hardwood floors bathed in natural light from recessed fixtures ideal for unwinding or hosting guests. The hardwood floors seamlessly transition into the updated
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