Hidden within the northwest corner of Massachusetts, Williamstown is a small town surrounded by the Berkshires expansive mountain ranges and just minutes from the borders of Vermont and New York. Williamstown is nearly inseparable from Williams College, an elite private liberal arts school that anchors the community. Williamstown was founded in the mid-18th century and named after Ephraim Williams, who left money in his will to establish a 'free school' in the area. Years later, Williams College was established in 1793, making it the second-oldest college in Massachusetts.
Mountain peaks and outdoor recreation attract summer and winter tourists. But unlike other destinations in the Berkshires, "Williamstown boasts a vibrant year-round community," says Maureen Dietze, broker associate with Alton & Westall Agency, who has lived in Williamstown for over 40 years. Today, the school's nearly 2,000 students comprise a fourth of Williamstown's approximately 8,000 year-round residents and play a significant role in the town's entertainment and cultural offerings. "It's the perfect blend of sophisticated culture and country living," Dietze says. "We have access to world-renowned museums, all sorts of events, a myriad of hiking trails and gorgeous vistas wherever you look."
Williamstown's art scene, historic charm, walkable town center and natural landscapes often leave a mark on Williams College students, teachers and visitors alike. "Many graduates move away for jobs but buy second homes when they're older, which eventually become their primary residence. Dietze says. "It's almost like no other college town and rather isolated, so you see a deep loyalty and love for the area develop amongst students."
Williams College and A-rated public schools
Mount Greylock Public Schools is ranked the second-best district in Berkshire County by Niche. The district earns an overall A rating and enrolls approximately 1,200 students across two elementary schools, including the A-rated Williamstown Elementary and Mt. Greylock Regional High School, which garners an A-minus. "It's a great school system for being a college town," Dietze says.
Williams College, a private liberal arts school, brings the community to life with year-round events that range from athletic events to performances to public lectures. "Anyone can audit a course for free if you get the instructor's permission, so you see a lot of retirees taking advantage of that," Dietze says.
A hotspot for the arts community
Scenic mountain vistas have long inspired artists nationwide, ranging from Asheville to Woodstock to the Berkshires. For decades, the Berkshires have served as a vibrant hub for the arts. "You have the Clark Art Institute in town, which is a world-class museum," Dietze says, known for its extensive collection of European and American art. And just down the road in North Adams is the Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art (MASS MoCA.) The renowned Williamstown Theatre Festival draws talent and audiences from across the country, while nearby Tanglewood hosts the Boston Symphony Orchestra every summer. Dietze notes that the region is also home to cultural treasures like the Norman Rockwell Museum in Stockbridge.
Nearby hiking trails, golf courses and ski slopes
Local parks and conservation lands provide year-round recreation for hikers, bikers and cross-country skiers. The Appalachian Trail passes through Mount Greylock State Reservation just outside of town. The nearby Cascade Trail leads to a rushing waterfall, while others can cool off in Margaret Lindley Park's small swimming hole. Field Farm Reservation offers over 300 acres of open fields blooming with wildflowers, lush woodlands and wetlands on the south side of town. The farm features a bed and breakfast and 4 miles of public pathways that weave past 13 art sculptures.
In the heart of town, the Clark Art Institute's expansive grounds double as a community walking trail, with scenic views of meadows and mountain peaks. Smaller green spaces like Mount Hope Park feature less strenuous walking paths. Additional trails weave past flowing waterways, however, low-lying areas near the Hoosic River are prone to flooding. Two local golf courses, Taconic Golf Club and Waubeeka Springs Golf Course, offer a different kind of green.
With an annual snowfall total of around 40 inches, winter sports are popular pastimes. When the seasons change, residents swap their hiking boots for skis. Mount Greylock Ski Club features a small ski area in South Williamstown, but most residents head to Jiminy Peak Mountain Resort, less than 15 miles away.
Historic homes with New England character
Williamstown is known for its well-preserved 1800s colonial- and Federal-style farmhouses, many of which sit on tree-lined streets within walking distance of Spring Street-Williamstown's downtown hub, some of which have been converted into multi-unit homes. Other roads give way to an eclectic mix of 20th-century Cape Cods and split-levels scattered between small cottages and ramblers. Most properties near town can range from the mid-$200,000s to the mid $400,000s, with other homes selling into the $600,000s depending on square footage and interior updates. Late 20th-century condominiums near town are also available, ranging from the mid-$300,000s to the mid-$400,000s, while modern 21st-century units can range from $500,000s to the upper $900,000s. Properties increase in size and acreage outside of downtown. Custom-built mountain retreats hidden behind the tree line can start in the $700,000s, with most ranging from $1 million to $2.4 million.
Spring Street's walkable town center and nearby amenities
Williams College surrounds Spring Street, a walkable town center with bookstores, coffee shops, an old-timey movie theater, boutiques and restaurants. "You don't have to leave town for the essentials," Dietze says. "We have several fine dining restaurants that serve a range of global cuisine." A Gourmet grocery store and the Wild Oats Market, a popular co-op amongst residents, are scattered along State Route 2. Chain stores like Dollar General and Stop & Shop are also nearby. North Adams offers additional eateries and a Walmart Supercenter less than 10 miles away, while Pittsfield features additional big-box stores 20 miles south.
Getting around Williamstown
Williamstown College and the surrounding downtown area are biker and pedestrian-friendly, with FBI crime rates significantly lower than the national average. Berkshire Regional Transit Authority provides public transportation, but most residents rely on personal vehicles to get around. Albany International Airport is about 40 miles west via Massachusetts State Route 2. Route 2 is also the main road through town, connecting residents about 5 miles east to North Adams Regional Hospital. Pittsfield's larger medical center and Amtrak station are about 20 miles south via U.S. Route 7.
Nadine Hiser is a Broker Associate/Owner and Managing Member of Key Realty and KRG-KEY Realty Group. Nadine was always an entrepreneur. She graduated from Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts (MCLA) with a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration/. Marketing, as well as certification and MA licensure as a Secondary Educator for Business Management and Marketing, and a minor in Early Childhood Education. Prior to a career in real estate, she founded other service based businesses. She was the lead director II / Owner of Great Beginnings Preschool ~ a private curriculum-based Pre-K. She later was an educator in high schools teaching traditional classes and vocational classes in entrepreneurship, marketing, and life management skills. She has a knack for noticing a need and creating a venue to meet the need. In the 1990’s she also founded Angels Among Us, a home based business that provided for the coordination of 24-hour private home care in client’s homes. Forever interested in architecture and real estate, she began her career in real estate as an investor in 1987. In March of 2002, she entered the industry as a sales associate of a brokerage firm in Pittsfield (Re/Max Integrity Realtors). She was a top producer there until she earned her Broker’s license, and in 2005 founded KEY Realty. In 2023 Nadine founded KRG-Key Realty Group and together the two brokerages form 'the Key Collaborative".
Nadine is an educator, a care giver and an advocate. Perhaps these skills are the reason why real estate was such a perfect fit. You will find, Nadine nurtures and counsels clients with sincerity and compassion. She advocates for them and succeeds with drive and resolve. Nadine provides customer service that is second to none, Nadine is ready to answer your questions and identify your goals. She is waiting for your call.
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