Community, nature and an unlikely love story in Shrewsbury, Vermont
The small town of Shrewsbury in the Vermont mountains is home to about 1,100 residents as of the 2020 census, and to an unusual love story that brought thousands of visitors to the area in 1986 and 1987: A moose wandered onto a farm and attempted to woo a local cow for 76 days. The courtship was even turned into a children’s book. But there’s much more to Shrewsbury than bovine romance. Residents have access to shopping, dining and employment in nearby Rutland, copious natural areas to explore and a strong sense of community. “I think it’s the quality of living,” says Alison McCullough, the principal broker at Alison McCullough Real Estate in Rutland, where she also operates a boutique called Divine. “The ease of life here. The enjoyment of regular people. When I come back after being away, I know everybody. It’s that feeling of being truly home.”
A serene Vermont atmosphere with ample acreage and low inventory
The area is primarily wooded. Long gravel driveways snake out of sight off narrow country roads with the occasional home perched by the roadside. The density increases just a little, with more open space, as one approaches the intersection of Vermont Route 103 and Town Hill Road. “It’s the peaceful Vermont that everyone is looking for,” McCullough says. “We don’t have a lot of inventory for sale, but these aren’t postage-stamped-sized lots. It’s often between 1 to 10 acres or more.” Ranches and farmhouses are common styles, but there is a wide variety in price and design here, with everything from fixer-uppers and small ranch-style homes to opulent and secluded estates, though overall inventory is low given the lack of major development. “We don’t have every piece of land being taken up by development,” McCullough says. The median single-family home price is about $440,000, a little higher than the national median.
Skiing, hiking, biking and more in the Appalachian wilderness
The Vermont mountains provide ample outdoor recreation throughout the year, and residents can partake in hiking, biking, skiing, snowmobiling, paddling and fishing with ease. The Clarendon Gorge Appalachian Trailhead is accessible off Route 103. The trail heads north to Killington Peak, also home to a ski resort. “Killington Mountain is a year-round destination,” McCullough says. “There is a ton of mountain biking going on there now.” Residents can climb the namesake Shrewsbury Peak, accessing a trailhead off Old CCC Road, or explore White Rocks National Recreation Area near Wallingford. “There are just so many places to explore,” McCullough says.
Outdoor education and the arts in Mill River Unified School District
Shrewsbury Mountain School serves about 75 students from pre-kindergarten through sixth grade and earns a C-plus grade from Niche. Marley the Moose is the school's mascot. Place-based education and outdoor experiences serve as part of the curriculum here. Mill River High School serves grades 7 through 12 for about 400 students and also earns a C-plus. Students at Mill River can also earn endorsements in performing and visual arts and partake in the robust offerings in each area.
Rutland provides necessities and more, plus local eateries and maple syrup
Shrewsbury doesn’t have much in the way of shopping and dining, but necessities are all available in Rutland, about 15 miles from the far southeast corner of Shrewsbury. “You don’t have far to go to get what you need,” McCullough says. Hannaford and Aldi provide groceries, Walmart is close to the center of town, and chain and local restaurants are available, too. Divine, McCullough's shop, is a women’s boutique on Center Street. In Shrewsbury, residents can try Rustic Rooster, which serves American fare, Gloria’s Pantry, a bakery, and local sugarhouses and maple syrup farms such as Cole's Mapleside Sugar House and Stewart Maple farm.
Local event venues and the Vermont State Fair in Rutland
The Russellville Schoolhouse hosts small local events, such as performances by the Shrewsbury Singers. In Rutland, the Paramount Theater puts on concerts and plays on its historic stage. The Vermont State Fair is also in Rutland. “It’s a huge draw for folks,” McCullough says.
Infrastructure in and around Rutland keeps Shrewsbury connected
Vermont Route 103 cuts diagonally through Shrewsbury and connects to U.S. Route 7. The Rutland Southern Vermont Regional Airport is 6 miles south of Rutland on Route 7. Amtrak stops in Rutland as well, with passenger rail service to Burlington. Vermont’s largest city, Burlington is about 77 miles north of Shrewsbury. Burlington International Airport provides a wider range of flight options. The Rutland Regional Medical Center is at the southeast edge of Rutland.
