Whately

Located along the Connecticut River and set into the rolling hills of the Appalachian Mountains, Whatley's small-town atmosphere and quiet streets are a draw for homebuyers looking for nature and calm. But, listen up foodies, you won't have to compromise on dining out.

The Whatley Inn, housed in a colonial-style building near the Berkshire Mountains, is a favorite for locals and out-of-towners alike. "The Whatley Inn is probably the most famous restaurant in the area," says Linda Webster, a Realtor with Coldwell Banker Community REALTORS. The inn offers French cuisine, including such gourmet dishes as frogs legs Provencal, stuffed sole bon femme, and roast duckling bigarde. You can enjoy one of the restaurant's many dishes on the wrap-around porch, and it's a perfect spot for visiting friends or family to stay. It is an inn, after all.

The Whatley Inn isn't the only notable eatery in town, however. Webster says that the Whatley Diner, just off of I-91, is popular for those passing through the area and for locals who want to grab a quick bite at a friendly, down-home restaurant. The Whatley Diner has an award-winning history and an unmistakable 1950s-style exterior, with wrap-around glass windows, old-fashioned gas pumps out front, and retro signage on top that reads "diner." If you're rolling through town, you won't be able to miss the big "Diner" sign. You may also recognize the diner if you're a movie buff. The 1998 Annette Benning and Robert Downey Jr. movie "In Dreams" was shot at the Whatley Diner. More recently, crews were in town for the filming of the Showtime series "Dexter," Whatley seems to have quite a penchant for attracting star power.

Whatley has a sleepy, small-town feel, and nature lovers won't want to miss visiting the multiple parks in and around town. "Whatley is a nice, small farming sort of town," Webster says. There are three wildlife management areas in Whatley that are full of trails to hike and sites to see. Part of the Appalachian Mountains, the Mt. Esther Wildlife Management Area offers views of nature from 984 feet above sea level. You may see deer and other wildlife in this verdant area; all it takes is a quick eye and quiet footsteps.

Homes in Whatley tend to be spread from one another, so you'll always have access to peace and quiet. "It's a nice rural small town," Webster says. "It's a nice place to live if you want to be close to the highways for commuting, and you're only 10 minutes from Northampton in certain areas." You'll find a mix of farmhouse and ranch-style homes, along with Cape Cods. Lawns are large and tend to be well-kept. The streets are tree-lined, and fall foliage is impressive in this part of Massachusetts, so be ready to partake in plenty of leaf-peeping in Whatley. Houses start around $350,000 for three bedrooms and two baths on over a half acre of land and can climb to $500,000 for four bedrooms and baths on 3 or more acres.

Students in Whatley can expect to attend Whatley Elementary School, which has a B+ rating on Niche, with excellent ratings for its academic programs and teachers. Learners wrap up their second academic journey at Frontier Regional School, which serves grades 7-12. and has a B+ rating on Niche and excellent ratings for its academic programs, teachers, clubs, activities, and college prep. The school is well-known for its extracurricular activities, like drama club, photography club, and the poetry slam.

Whatley is a quintessentially idyllic New England town with enough flair in its two iconic restaurants to keep your event calendar interesting, not to mention it's close enough to Northampton, where a show or a night out is within driving distance. For the homebuyer looking to settle into their own land and live at their own pace, Whatley is certainly worth a look.

Written By

Conor Lobb

Photography Contributed By

Jason Headley

Video By

Ruo Zheng