Over the years of working with clients that are considering moving to the Berkshires, a few common questions pop up with those who aren’t local to the area. If you’re a Berkshire County newcomer, I hope these help answer the questions at the top of your mind.
What are the best towns to live in in Berkshire County?
Of course, there’s no one-size fits all answer to this question.
With people looking for wide open spaces with plenty of room between them and their neighbors, I point them towards the eastern part of our county (Otis, Becket, etc.) for the best bang for your buck on a suitable home and land that feels private. It’s not impossible to find secluded-feeling homes in areas like the southern part of our county, but the pricing certainly goes up for areas just outside of these highly desirable downtowns like Lenox and Great Barrington.
Newcomers to Berkshire County are often seeking employment or have just landed a new job in the area. Pittsfield, as the county’s biggest city and home of companies like General Dynamics and Berkshire Medical Center, is typically desirable for those looking for a short commute. If you want to be close to Pittsfield but still have a more “rural” Berkshire experience, I point clients towards other central towns like Dalton, Lanesborough, or even Lenox and Lee.
Second homeowners, or locals who want to walk around our quaint and beautiful downtowns will certainly want to check out Stockbridge, Great Barrington, and Lenox. They’re some of the best areas to stroll in the Berkshires, often featuring live music, great restaurants, and unique storefronts.
With all of this being said, we’ve barely scraped the surface of what each town in the Berkshires offers. If you’d like to discuss where in Berkshire County you should move to, reach out to me anytime.
How does the cost of living in Berkshire County compare to other areas?
Once again, this question depends on your situation; where are you coming from? While the cost of living has been going up all over, there are areas of the county that are still considered comparatively affordable.
Though it can be challenging, you can still find a move-in ready home in the Berkshires for around $200,000. It can take time with our limited inventory, but I’ve worked with multiple clients with budgets around that point, and seen homes close with limited work needed within that range.
Property values in Berkshire County can vary wildly based on location. The southern part of the county is typically much more expensive than the central or northern areas. A big factor in this is the demand caused by second home owners coming from Boston or New York City; the southern county homes make for an easier commute from their primary residence. Williamstown up north can also be quite expensive with new builds and luxury homes, and is highly desirable for those who want to be more upstate or who have a connection to the prestigious Williams College.
If you’re looking for the best value on a limited budget instead of at the luxury market, there’s a lot of hidden gems in central and northern Berkshire county. You find the best deals when you start looking at towns like North Adams; it was historically a major mill town, but as their factory jobs disappeared, the demand to live in town decreased. In modern times, North Adams continues to be revitalized as an artsy and interesting town that holds the world-renowned museum MASS MoCA. Despite this and other great amenities, North Adams home prices are still comparatively cheap.
What recreation/amenities can be found in Berkshire County?
Berkshire County is full of outdoor spaces for the public to enjoy. If you’ve poked around Zillow or other property searches recently, you’ve probably noticed that living lakefront in the Berkshires can be very expensive.
While having the lake in your backyard is something many Berkshire residents aspire to, most of our local lakes have public access points for the entire community to enjoy. The technicalities range between each body of water: in Stockbridge, for example, their public access point is really meant just for the residents of Stockbridge (though, frankly, there’s very little barriers stopping any Berkshire resident from enjoying the area). Onota Lake, on the other hand, is one example that contains a large public park with a lakeside walking path, wooded areas for short hikes, picnic benches, and a boat launch area.
Outside of the lake life, we have lots of baseball fields, football fields, playgrounds and other public parks for the entire family to enjoy. It’s also very easy to find public trails whether you hike, snowshoe, mountain bike, or any similar activities. You can even hop in the car and drive right to the top of Mount Greylock to enjoy the views!
Really, outside of perhaps a bustling nightlife scene of nightclubs to choose from, it’s easy to find publicly-available outlets for your interests. Just tell me what part of the county you’re going to and I’m happy to point you in the right direction of the best spot for your hobbies!
What public transportation is available in the Berkshires?
This can be a difficult adjustment to Berkshire life for those coming from cities or other walkable communities. There really aren’t many great or reliable options for public transportation. We have a relatively minimal bus route, basically zero Uber or Lyft presence and limited other taxi services. It can be very difficult to get around this area without a vehicle of your own.
What is it like to live in the Berkshires during the off season?
Many current Berkshire residents first discover our beautiful area on vacation; millions of people visit us each year, and each season offers something different and appealing to out-of-towners.
The summer months are considered our peak season, as most second home owners are enjoying the Berkshires during that time. With the addition of our summer theater festivals, the Boston Symphony Orchestra’s season at Tanglewood, and other community events like Berkshire Busk!, you’ll see a lot more people out and about in our various downtowns. This is certainly the time you’ll see the most traffic!
You will also, however, see plenty of leaf-peepers coming to see our amazing foliage in the fall, and have an influx of skiers coming from the surrounding areas each winter for many ski resorts. Springtime may be the quietest time of year in terms of tourism, but the Berkshires really doesn’t have an “off season” in the same way you may associate with areas like Nantucket or Martha’s Vineyard. Most local shops stay open, there’s still plenty of community activities, and even our second home owners find reasons to come up and visit year-round.
Did I miss a key question you have about the Berkshires? I’m happy to give you all the information you need to decide whether a home in our area is the right move for you. Get in touch any time!
