Sudbury is a small community whose waterside living has big appeal
Sudbury’s quiet corner of western Vermont is packed with opportunities to live by and play on the water. Many of the homes in this community of about 500 are lined along the 419-acre Lake Hortonia and are a short drive from other water spots, like Burr Pond. It’s a signature feature of an area known for its tranquility but also close to amenities in surrounding communities. “Sudbury is a little rural town — very quaint,” says Christopher Lawrence, a local Realtor at Gilbert Realty & Development with over 16 years of experience. “I think that’s the draw. And then the fact that you have some privacy, some land. Some of that country living.”
Waterside living comes in a variety of shapes and sizes
Most houses in Sudbury, around Lake Hortonia and throughout, are well-established. Some date to the 19th century, and Lawrence says that newer options are few and far between. “There are a few, but not a lot, of properties that would require rehab,” he says. “Most of the stuff in Sudbury has already been renovated or is in good shape.” Spacious lots, including some with multiple acres, are also common. Prices here vary widely, from about $170,000 to $790,000, depending on home and lot size, location and condition. On the lower end, homebuyers might find small cabins needing some repair and the higher end might be waterfront on several acres. Architecture around the lake and the rest of Sudbury varies, including manufactured homes, bungalows and Craftsman-style houses. Regardless, options by the lake tend to attract the most interest in an area where inventory is limited. “When they hit the market, we have multiple-bid situations,” Lawrence says.
Lake Hortonia is open to a range of water sports
The centerpiece of outdoor recreation in Sudbury, Lake Hortonia attracts people for activities from the mundane to the high octane. “Fishing on Lake Hortonia is very big,” Lawrence says. “It’s a quieter lake, so that does draw a lot of kayakers and canoers. And it is unrestricted, so there is the ability to do waterskiing and jet skis and that sort of thing.” Largemouth bass, black crappie and panfish are among the species anglers can hook. The smaller Burr Pond, 2 miles east, is also open to fishing and paddling. The Brandon Swamp Wildlife Management Area and Pond Woods Wildlife Management Area, located just outside Sudbury, are spots for hiking and hunting.
Brandon and Fair Haven provide options for shopping and dining
Sudbury is mostly residential and recreational, but it’s within 10 miles of the village of Brandon and 20 miles of the town of Fair Haven. Both Brandon and Fair Haven offer grocery stores, restaurants and more. In Brandon, a Hannaford supermarket stands across from a Walgreens pharmacy and down the street from the popular Café Provence. “It’s a nice little restaurant and bakery,” Lawrence says. The cafe is located along the walkable Center Street, lined with small businesses like antique store Across the Street and Carr’s Gifts, which sells everything from home goods to jewelry. Fair Haven has a Shaw’s supermarket and Fair Haven Inn, which Lawrence says is a local favorite. Rutland, the area’s biggest city, is about 25 miles southeast and has big-box stores including Walmart and T.J. Maxx, plus the 145-bed Rutland Regional Medical Center.
Otter Valley Union teaches an assortment of elective courses
Students in Sudbury may attend schools in the Rutland Northeast Supervisory Union, which offers enrollment choice for elementary school. Options for kindergarten through sixth grade include the Otter Creek Academy at Leicester. Otter Creek has a C-minus grade on Niche and offers after-school and summer programs. The C-rated Otter Valley Union Middle and High School has elective classes in topics from sports and event marketing to economics.
Central thoroughfare simplifies commutes to other communities
Seth Warner Memorial Highway, part of Vermont Route 30, bisects Sudbury and is community’s main road. The highway connects to Vermont Route 73 East for drives to Brandon and to U.S. Route 4 for trips to Fair Haven. Rutland Southern Vermont Regional Airport, 30 miles away using Route 30 and Route 4, has daily Cape Air flights to the Boston Logan International Airport.
Fair Haven hosts events including Spring Fling and Applefest
Sudbury residents can head to Fair Haven for community activities, like the annual Spring Fling in May. The event brings out dozens of vendors with crafts, food and other goods and features a Memorial Day parade. September brings Applefest, a Fair Haven Grade School fundraiser that includes games and vendors.
Written By
Wayne Epps Jr.
