Worcester offers seclusion and beautiful landscapes in central Vermont
Folks looking to escape into the pine forests of Vermont come to Worcester. Homes here sit on multiacre lots and sometimes offer views of the Worcester Mountains to the west. “The whole area is full of lakes, ponds and hiking trails,” says Kevin Casey, a local Realtor at Green Light Real Estate with over 15 years of experience. “There are lots of great little spots.” Though the community is mostly undeveloped, the town center has a church, an elementary school and a few shops. Residents head less than 10 miles south to Montpelier for other essentials.
Hiking, snowshoeing and skiing in the Worcester Mountains
The C.C. Putnam State Forest encompasses more than 17,500 acres on the community’s west side, blanketing parts of the Worcester Mountains with a diverse mix of birch, fir and pine trees. Worcester Trail, leading to its namesake summit, is frequently used for hiking, snowshoeing and cross-country skiing, and visitors should watch out for moose, deer and other wildlife. Residents sometimes go swimming in various brooks and ponds scattered across the landscape, though many are located on private property. Near the town center, there are public soccer fields.
Spacious multiacre lots with a variety of housing styles
Wooden cabins, Cap Cods and farmhouses make up the local housing inventory, mostly dating to the 1970s and ‘80s, though there are some 19th- and 21st-century properties as well. “There’s a pretty wide range of housing stock, and there’s been a lot of growth in the last 16 to 20 years,” Casey says. “It’s a mix of old farmhouses and newer construction.” Multiacre lots are prevalent, some even exceed 10 acres, and many locals keep livestock. Aside from some closely gathered homes around the town center, most are widely spaced apart and surrounded by forests. Prices range from $400,000 to $750,000, depending on lot size and home condition. Empty lots vary widely in size, typically ranging from $150,000 to $320,000. Low-lying areas along creeks may be at risk of flooding during heavy rainfall, which may also negatively affect road conditions.
Nearby elementary school, students are bused to middle and high school
Doty Memorial School earns a B from Niche, serving prekindergarten through sixth grade students. The small school typically has an enrollment of under 100 students. Starting in seventh grade, students attend the B-rated U-32 Middle and High School, about 12 miles away. In eighth grade, students take a field trip to Washington D.C. to visit museums, monuments and government buildings, sometimes meeting with Vermont representatives.
A few local shops, with more options in Montpelier
Worcester’s town center area is home to Worcester United Methodist Church, Balsam Acres Christmas Tree Farm and L.B.J.’s Grocery, a local corner store. Also nearby, the family-owned Black Crow Coffee is known for its homemade pastries. For restaurants, chains and larger grocery stores, locals travel into Montpelier, where there’s a Shaw’s and a Walmart. Here, Three Penny Taproom serves upscale American fare and craft beer, and Sarducci’s offers Italian food just off the banks of the Winooski River.
Highway 12 connects to neighboring towns
Highway 12 is the main route in and out of town, leading less than 10 miles south to Montpelier, the state capital, and Interstate 89. The University of Vermont Health Network Central Vermont Medical Center is 12 miles away, while the Burlington International Airport is over 40 miles away.
Annual community arts festival in September
The Worcester Arts Festival, a new tradition that began in 2023, celebrates artists from the local area and surrounding communities. Organized by the Worcester Historical Society, the event takes place in September and includes live performances, art vendors and food trucks.
