Rural small-town feel in northwest Vermont
Less than 20 miles north of Burlington, the town of Westford offers a tranquil feel with access to a vibrant community and a plethora of outdoor recreation. With a population of roughly 2,000, Westford features spread-out homes throughout the lush setting of northwest Vermont. "Westford is a quiet little rural town that's not quite a bedroom community to Burlington, but it's not far," says local broker Jeff Beattie of Coldwell Banker Carlson Real Estate. "When you drive through it, it's very bucolic because it's a farming community. But it's still not so removed from civilization." Residents are drawn to the natural beauty and small-town feel here, reflected by the lively town center, which is anchored by the Westford Library and Town Commons, a tract of green space that serves as a gathering space for the community. Westford prides itself on a strong school system, many recreational trails and its scenic historic covered bridge, which is a local attraction.
New England styles reflect the area's pastoral setting
Homes are scattered on spacious lots along Westford’s landscape, adding to the town’s rural feel. Beattie says that homes evoke the classic New England feel. "Older homes, farmhouses and even the more modern homes all have New England architecture," he says. "Even the more modern and contemporary versions have Cape and Colonial stylings." Farmhouse-styles and log cabins are also scattered throughout the area, further complementing the natural setting. While home sizes typically range from one- to three-bedrooms, lot sizes vary greatly: many homes feature close to 10 acres, and some boast over 200-acre properties. Prices for single-family homes typically range from $380,000 to $800,000, though some may fetch over $1 million depending on property size.
Strong academics at Westford Essex School District
Westford students are zoned to attend schools within the Essex Westford School District, ranked the third-best school district in Vermont by Niche for its high-performing academics and sports. Kids may begin their education at Westford School, a primary school for prekindergarten through eighth grades that earns a B-plus overall score from Niche. Students may continue to Essex High School. The A-minus-rated school boasts a small student-teacher ratio of 11-to-1, and offers flexible pathways for specialized programs including STEM, visual and performing arts, and global leadership. Home of the Hornets, the high school also has a strong athletics program, which includes unique teams such as bass fishing, skiing and ice hockey.
Year-round recreation on Westford's network of trails
The centrally located Town Common is a green space that was donated to the town in 1819 and still serves as a community gathering and recreational space for locals. The Common features a swing set, shady areas for picnics under its established canopy of trees and a gazebo that has Wi-Fi. Many of the town’s events take place here, such as seasonal concerts and the weekly farmers markets, which takes place on Sundays from June through September. The Brown River flows through the town and offers waterside recreation, including fishing.
Westford prides itself on its town-owned land and trails, which offer abundant recreational opportunities for residents. The town features a network of scenic trails intended for walking, trail running, horseback riding, biking and cross-country skiing. The town’s most popular trail is Misty Meadows, a conglomerate of pathways with varying hiking difficulty. Maple Shade Town Forest and trail are located by the elementary school. Residents enjoy walking the stone wall-lined trail in the warmer months and skiing and snowshoeing in the winter.
Nearby conveniences in Essex Junction
Beattie says Westford residents head to the next towns over for shopping and dining. "There's no major grocery store in Westford, and the nearest town with a general store is Cambridge or Essex Junction," he says of the two towns between 10 and 12 miles away. The Essex Experience shopping mall houses a Hannaford grocery store and other necessities, such as a CVS pharmacy and various services. A few dining establishments are also located in the shopping plaza, including Uncommon Coffee, which serves specialty drinks, and Black Flannel Brewing Company and Distilling Company.
Connecting around the area via Route 128
Because there are no public transit options nearby, Westford is a heavily car-dependent area. Route 128 is the town’s major thoroughfare and runs north-south through Westford. The highway connects north through Fairfax to Interstate 89 and south to Route 15 in Essex. The Vermont Agency of Transportation is currently repaving Route 128 to improve conditions. Burlington is less than 20 miles southwest of Westford.
Written By
Christina von Claparede-Crola
