Farming roots and rural charm define small-town Westford
Situated in the Western Catskills, Westford offers a quiet lifestyle where the latest census reports that less than 900 residents live among rolling fields and country roads. Rooted in agriculture, the community is defined by active dairy, beef, vegetable and maple farms. Three major state parks circle the community, while essential amenities like schools, shopping and dining are found in the surrounding towns. “It’s a scenic, rural area with a cluster of older homes,” says Linda Kiesow, a real estate agent with Country Boy Realty who has more than 30 years of experience selling in the area. “But it’s an easy drive to Cooperstown,” she adds, referring to the historic town with eateries, boutiques and museums about 10 miles away. Additionally, Albany is accessible about 60 miles east via Interstate 88.
Local state parks provide all-season outdoor recreation
Expansive state parks and forests surround Westford, providing year-round recreational opportunities from summer hiking to winter snowshoeing. To the west, Betty and Wilbur Davis State Park offers a playground and six rental cabins for an extended stay in the forest. To the east, Maple Valley State Forest spans 800 acres and is popular for hunting and more primitive camping. The nearly 1,300 acres of R. Milton Hick Memorial State Forest on the north side support similar activities.
Country homes range from farmhouses to quaint cottages
Westford is mainly residential, and with about 90% of residents owning their homes, the community maintains a sense of stability and connectedness. Narrow, slow-moving back roads lined with hardwood and pine trees reveal country-style homes set back on long driveways, many with a backdrop of the distant Catskill Mountains. Colonial-style farmhouses on expansive acreage that are move-in ready typically range from $475,000 to $600,000. For those interested in renovation projects, older farmhouses needing significant repairs start at around $130,000. Cozier cottage-type properties that sit on about an acre can be found for between $60,000 and $170,000.
Willy’s Farm and nearby Cooperstown offer entertainment
Outside of small farmstands, retail in Westford is limited. On the town’s south side, Willy’s Farm and Cider Mill is a popular weekend stop between Labor Day and the beginning of November. The farm’s indoor market sells crafts and baked goods like apple cider donuts. Outside, visitors can purchase pumpkins and apples while enjoying autumn activities like a haunted corn maze. For more options, residents can head to Cooperstown, about 10 miles west. The village area features a variety of dining, including the historic 1839 Cooley’s Stone House Tavern. The modern yet rustic Upstate Bar and Grill provides a spacious setting, and Lake Front Restaurant offers seafood on the edge of Otsego Lake. Furthermore, Price Chopper covers grocery needs, and Bassett Medical Center is the nearest general hospital.
While in Cooperstown, locals can spend the day exploring museums. The Fenimore Art Museum sits near Fenimore Farm, an open-air museum that is still a working farm. “The National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum is a thriving institution started by Albert Spalding, a 19th-century baseball player who went on to invent major sporting equipment,” says Tom Heitz, the institution’s former librarian.
Four different school districts serve area students
Depending on where in Westford students live, they may attend school in Worcester, Schenevus, Milford or Cherry Valley. Each of the four districts is comprised of one kindergarten through 12th-grade central school that receives a C rating from Niche. Both Milford Central School and Worcester Central School were honored by Brilliant Pathways in 2025 as Schools of Distinction, an award for schools that support students’ college preparedness.
State Route 34 connects commuters to Interstate 88
Westford is car dependent, as no public bus or train provides service in the area. State Route 34 is the town’s main two-lane country road, leading to Interstate 88 less than 10 miles south. From there, residents can access Albany, roughly 60 miles east, home to Albany International Airport.
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Written By
Mary Beth Greene
