Woodbury offers a secluded lifestyle and small-town feel
The small, rustic community of Woodbury in north Washington County is rich in granite and once had a booming quarrying industry. Only one of those companies remains, so today many residents find work in nearby Waitsfield at the headquarters of Cabot Creamery or in Montpelier at the Central Vermont Medical Center. In true small-town fashion, this community of 930 is designed so a few rural streets snake out from one main two-lane highway, with homes surrounded by tall trees. “It’s private and remote,” says Mathew Ghafoori, a Realtor and the president of RE/MAX Heritage, who sells throughout the area. “I think one of the main draws is that you can go home and totally disconnect, yet you’re still close to amenities in nearby towns and in Montpelier.”
Spacious lots and diverse home styles
Homes in Woodbury typically sit on spacious lots, surrounded by dense forests. Main roads are narrow and sometimes unpaved. Homes don’t go on the market often -- only about eight have sold in the past 12 months—but when they do, they range in price from $200,000 to $700,000. Higher-priced homes are typically over 2,000 square feet, sit on multiple acres or back up to the town’s many lakes. Architectural styles are a mix of Cape Cods, log cabins, farmhouses and New Traditional. Multi-acre lots are also available, typically ranging between $45,000 and $110,000.
Year-round recreation, nature camps and golf in town
Residents head to the Woodbury Mountain Wilderness Preserve for year-round recreation, including hiking, cross-country skiing, swimming, fishing and permit-required hunting. Green Mountain Conservation Camp is near the heart of Woodbury and hosts week-long sleep-away camps for local kids, where they hike, learn archery and swim in Buck Lake. The Woodbury Golf Course is on the town’s southeast side and offers a public nine-hole layout.
Residents get coffee at The Sheep Shop and run errands in nearby Montpelier
Vermont Route 14 runs through the town and, along with homes, is dotted with a few services, like the library and town hall, and retailers. The Sheep Shop is on the south side and is part farm, part bakery and part boutique. “It’s a cute little spot with great coffee, and the owners are super sweet,” Ghafoori says.
Residents find more restaurants in nearby Hartwick. Cork & Fork is a local favorite featuring classic American dishes like burgers and sandwiches, and dinner entrees like pasta, steak and fish. The Hardwick Farmers Market takes place every Sunday afternoon between June and October and offers fresh produce. More dining options are about 20 miles away in Montpelier, along with Shaw’s grocery store and locally owned shops selling pet supplies, clothing and books.
Kids attend schools within Orleans Southwest Supervisory Union
Orleans Southwest Supervisory Union serves the area and offers a School Choice program for high schoolers that allows them to apply to attend any other high school in the state. The high school assigned to the community is Hazen Union, which has a C-plus rating on Niche also serves seventh and eighth grades. Hazen Union offers clubs and organizations, including the Outing Club, which takes monthly hiking, rock climbing and snowshoeing trips. Children often start their education at Woodbury Elementary, which has a C rating.
Nearby annual events bring locals together
Residents attend nearby annual events, like the Cabot Arts and Music Festival, which features live music, kids’ activities, food trucks, and vendors selling crafts and other handmade goods. The Fall Dog Party at Dog Mountain, a 150-acre park owned by artist and author Stephen Huneck, is popular for giving local dog owners somewhere to pooches run while their owners enjoy food trucks, bounce houses and live music.
Route 14 runs through town and connects to nearby communities
Vermont Route 14 connects to major highways that lead to Hardwick and Montpellier. Burlington International Airport is about 60 miles away.
Weather patterns and Internet access
Vermont's summer temperatures are typically in the 70s and 80s. Winters are cold and snowy, ranging from single digits to the low 30s. The surrounding mountains can sometimes block cell signals, making reception spotty. However, most of the town has high-speed Internet.
