Though Stow is less than 30 miles from Boston, its rural setting allows for an escape from city life. “It’s great for outdoorsy people,” says Deb Kotlarz, a Realtor with Keller Williams Realty Boston NW who has lived in the neighboring town of Bolton for nearly 30 years. “There are trails, waterways, golf and apple picking.” Many buyers prize its highly regarded schools and large residential lots. Throughout the town, back roads meander past lichen-covered stone walls and tall hardwood trees.
Golf, lake life and nature preserves in Stow
Lake Boon is one of the town’s most popular recreation areas, particularly during summer months. “People go there to picnic or swim and meet up with friends,” Kotlarz says. “It has four different basins for boating, kayaking and swimming.” Anglers can also fish for largemouth bass and chain pickerel. Like fishing, golf is also popular in Stow, with courses including Butternut Farm Golf Club and the private Wedgewood Pines, recently named one of Massachusetts’ most challenging golf courses by the Boston Business Journal. Wedgewood members can also enjoy the club’s pool that's surrounded by vineyards and orchards. There are two parks in Stow, Town Center Park and the Stow Community Park, where residents can play pickleball while their kids explore the playground. There are also acres of conservation land, including the space in Delaney Wildlife Management Area, which has trails through wetlands and forest.
Nan's Rustic Kitchen and shopping downtown Hudson
In Stow, people can visit Carver Hill Orchard to pick apples, berries and pumpkins during their seasons. It also carries homemade jellies, maple syrup and baked goods. Nan’s Rustic Kitchen offers takeout farm-to-table food, including “the most amazing fried chicken sandwich — it’s insane,” Kotlarz says. With a Shaw’s in town, shoppers have a convenient place to pick up groceries, but many people prefer to drive to the Market Basket in Hudson. Downtown Hudson, less than 6 miles away, has become a shopping destination for the region. “It has all kinds of artsy gift shops, a microbrewery and a speakeasy,” Kotlarz says.
Shaw real estate is in high demand
As one might expect in a New England town, Colonial Revival-style homes dominate the landscape. There are energy-efficient, new-construction Colonial Revivals, as well as more established farmhouse Colonials and Georgian-style residences dating as far back as the early 1700s. Many are set on wooded, 1-plus-acre lots and priced between $1 million and $2 million. Buyers might also find smaller, 1970s ranch-style homes in the $475,000 to $700,000 range. “Post-Covid demand has outstripped supply and driven prices up,” Kotlarz says. Homeowners will need to maintain their own septic systems and those who live near waterways may need to purchase flood insurance.
A-rated Nashoba Public Schools
Students in Stow attend Nashoba Public Schools, a district rated A on Niche that also serves the towns of Bolton and Lancaster. The Center School, for kids in preschool through fifth grade, earns an A on Niche. For sixth through eighth grade, students attend Hale Middle School, which gets an A-minus grade. Nashoba Regional High School earns an A. “The district has very strong academic, athletic and arts programs,” Kotlarz says. “Many of the teams have won state championships, and they have a robust arts program with choral concerts and plays."
Community fundraisers and an active senior center in Stow
Each year, on Thanksgiving morning, townspeople gather for the annual Turkey Gobbler 5K race. The proceeds help to fund Stow’s community chest, which “serves a variety of needs in Stow and the surrounding areas,” Kotlarz says. Other programs for residents take place in the former elementary school building, which has transformed into a community center with a council on aging and a food pantry. “The council on aging allows people to socialize. They can continue to build and strengthen existing relationships,” Kotlarz says. They host monthly dinners, exercise classes and parties.
Nearby commuter rail access
With access to the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority’s commuter rail in South Acton, less than 4 miles away, locals can get to and from Boston without having to deal with traffic. The Minute Man Air Field has a 3,100-foot runway, which private pilots can use. They also have a flight school and an on-site restaurant, Forth & Field.
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