$578,239Average Value$297Average Price per Sq Ft25Homes For Sale
A studious city
Amherst is a fit for both nature lovers and intellectuals. The city is home to a triumvirate of higher education institutions: Amherst College, University of Massachusetts Amherst and Hampshire College. "The joke is that you can't swing a cat in Amherst without hitting a Master's degree," said Tim O'Brien, Senior Director of Communications for WD Cowls, Inc. and lifelong Massachusetts resident. With an expansive main street full of local shops, restaurants and museums, plus houses on roomy, forested lots, Amherst provides the lifestyle of a small city with the aesthetics of a rural retreat.
More than student housing
Locals need somewhere to store all their books and diplomas, and homes in Amherst come in various prices, styles and sizes to accommodate residents’ needs. Sprawling Queen Annes, stone Cape Cods and modern farmhouses sit alongside ranchers with wide sloping roofs. "Amherst is a nice, quiet town with a variety of neighborhoods," said Sherri Willey, a Realtor with Jones Group Realtors and a lifelong Amherst resident. "Students, faculty and families all live here."
Homes in the center of Amherst feel private, thanks to the established trees that line the streets. A ranch home with three bedrooms, two baths and 1,200 square feet on half an acre is priced on average at $350,000. Cape Cod homes with 1,800 square feet, four bedrooms and two bathrooms start around $500,000, while homes in northern Amherst consisting of four bedrooms, three baths and 1,700 square feet on half an acre typically sell for around $485,000.
This iconic Queen Anne-style home in Amherst is currently available, so don't pass it by.
This farmhouse-style home resides in Amherst.
Many of the homes in Amherst house UMass students.
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Places to walk, read and play sports
Bookworms will never be without a quiet tree to read under in Amherst. The neighborhood is home to conversation areas such as Larch Hill, Brickyard, Flat Hills, Wildwood and Gulliver Meadow. Hikers can find their way along trails at Buffram Brook Community Forest, while the Connecticut River and Quabbin Reservoir draw in locals for kayaking and fishing. Groff Park invites the energetic at heart with 10 acres of sports fields and walking paths through the forest.
During rainy days, locals have multiple museums to visit. Residents hungry for some history can stop by The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art, named after the author and illustrator of the children’s book The Very Hungry Caterpillar. The museum displays the work of Carle and other artists, hosts events and has its own art studio. There’s also the Mead Art Museum, known for providing free entry to its wide-ranging art exhibits, and the University of Amherst’s Museum of Contemporary Art, which offers cycling exhibitions throughout the year.
Puffers Pond is the place to take a dip in Amherst.
Folks play basketball at the Mill River Recreation Area basketball courts.
The Amherst Town Common sits at the heart of this bustling little area.
Explore the whimsical Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art in Amherst.
The Eric Carle Museum displays a cut-out of The Very Hungry Caterpillar.
Mill River Recreation Area has tons to do, including a seasonal pool.
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To Main Street and beyond
Locals enjoy dining and shopping in Amherst’s historic downtown area at the intersection of Main and Pleasant streets. With local restaurants, including Bistro 63, Miss Saigon, the Taste Thai Cuisine and Fresh Side, alongside specialty boutiques and small-batch breweries, it’s easy for residents to shop and eat without leaving the walkable downtown area.
Northern Amherst is home to the popular Mill District, a lifestyle hub propelled by local businesses and a popular shopping area for Amherst residents. The Mill District is defined by two shopping centers with unique shops, including the General Store and Provisions. "The General Store has a wide variety of goods," O'Brien says. "You can get a painting for your sister's wedding, a gift for your brother and pick up something for dinner, all in one place."
There are several small grocery stores within Amherst, and big box grocery stores can be found outside of town along the southern side of Russell Street. Large grocers include Trader Joe’s, Target Grocery, Whole Foods Market and ALDI.
Take a stroll down North Pleasant Street in Downtown Amherst.
The Mill District's General Store in Amherst also features a local art gallery.
Taste Thai in Amherst offers comfort food, healthy options, and a great tea selection.
Miss Saigon in Amherst is known for their pho and kimchi fried rice and other Vietnamese eats.
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Pre-college, post-preschool
Students growing up in Amherst may attend public schools in the Amherst-Pelham Regional School District, ranked A+ by Niche. Students may start their education at Wildwood Elementary School, rated B+, continue at Amherst Regional Middle School, rated A, then attend high school at Amherst Regional, rated A- by Niche.
Families looking to send their students to private schools may enroll in The Hartsbrook School. This private school enrolls under 300 students, offers pre-school through high school education and is rated A by Niche.
Wildwood Elementary students have no shortage of school spirit.
Amherst Regional Middle School serves students grades 6 through 8.
The Hartsbrook School in Hadley, MA.
Amherst Pelham High School serves students grades 9 through 12.
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Getting around town
Locals who commute to Springfield City can expect the 25-mile ride to take close to 45 minutes during peak transit hours and around a half hour during off-peak hours. Drivers can take Interstate 91, Massachusetts State Road 116 or West Street from Amherst to Springfield.
Pioneer Valley Transit Authority’s bus service offers regular trips through downtown Amherst to each university’s campus and the surrounding residential neighborhoods. For further travel, passengers can transfer to routes that reach Northampton, Easthampton, Westfield, Hamden and Springfield. PVTA is essential for the daily transit of thousands of students and residents. Each trip using PVTA services costs $1.50 plus $0.25 per transfer.
Crime
According to the FBI’s Crime Data Statistics, 130 property crime incidents and 76 violent crime incidents were reported in Amherst in 2022 (the most recent year in which the crime data was released publicly). Most property crime incidents were reported near the campuses of Amherst College and the University of Massachusetts Amherst. Comparatively, most violent crimes were reported on the outskirts of town in residential areas and near the Wildwood Conservation Area.
Whether coming for the academics, natural surroundings or distinct home styles, Amherst has it all.
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 Amherst, South Amherst sell after 29 days on the market compared to the national average of 52 days. The median sale price for homes in Amherst, South Amherst over the last 12 months is $496,000, down 3% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Ready for your own personal style! This 2-bedroom, 1.5-bath townhouse condo offers the perfect balance of comfort, convenience, and nature. Just a short walk to Atkins Farms and the Orchard Arboretum, and surrounded by private conservation land, it’s nestled in one of South Amherst’s most scenic settings. The inviting open floor plan is ideal for relaxing or entertaining, with flexible space for
Bring the charm back to this Cape style home which is just waiting for your ideas! Roof was done in 2012 and there are many replacement windows! Oak floors could be refinished to bring back the shine! Brick front and wildflowers will welcome you in! There are 2 bedrooms and a bath on the first floor but lots of potential in the partially finished walkup attic! Come with your plans for a new
Lovely well-maintained ranch in a wonderful South Amherst neighborhood is a gem! With 3 spacious bedrooms & newly refinished hardwood flooring throughout, 40 Farmington is ideal for first-time home buyers, downsizers or anyone seeking a peaceful one-floor living experience. Enjoy the freshly painted interior of this natural light-filled home. Sweet kitchen & dining area leads to the beautiful
Heather FerrariWilliam Raveis R.E. & Home Services
Tucked away on a cul-de-sac in Upper Orchard I, this 1352 SF, two bedrm, two bath, Garden Style condo w/ oversized TWO-car Garage enjoys privacy as well as spacious grounds w/ lovely landscaping The east/west orientation exposes the condo to optimal, daily light. The open concept DR and LR w/ bow windows & oak floors features a fireplace & French door to a screened porch. The adjoining & updated,
Investor Alert! This beautifully updated two-family home with a strong rental history is now on the market! Perfectly situated in the heart of Amherst, this property offers an outstanding investment opportunity. The first-floor unit features 3 spacious bedrooms, a full bath, a comfortable living room, a well-equipped kitchen, and a convenient laundry area. The second-floor unit has a similar the
Ideally located just one mile from UMass and a 1⁄2 mile from Amherst College, this 3-bedroom, 3-bath split-level home offers exceptional flexibility for many lifestyles. Whether you want a multi-generational setup, space to work remotely, or simply to be close to campus and amenities, this property delivers. The upper level features hardwood floors, a sun-filled living room, a full kitchen, and a
Donald MaillouxColdwell Banker Community REALTORS®
Our spacious, thoughtfully-designed apartments offer comfortable two-bedroom homes conveniently located on the PVTA bus route in South Amherst. Come discover the ease of apartment home living. Each home offers you the ease and comfort of apartment home living with wall to wall closets, expansive windows to allow for gorgeous natural sunlight, intercoms programmed to your phone, and other home
Prime downtown Amherst rental -- utilities included! This bright and inviting three-room one-bed one-bath apartment offers soaring ceilings, tall windows, and abundant natural light throughout. Enter a well-sized room with a kitchen, bathroom, and shower just around the corner, or continue to a spacious living room leading to a spacious bedroom to the right. There's no dishwasher or laundry
Samar MoushabeckWilliam Raveis R.E. & Home Services
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