Lenox, Massachusetts, is a storybook town nestled in the Berkshires, a summer-in-the-country destination repurposed for urban transplants and those looking for the homey pleasures of rural sophistication. The Berkshires is like a co-op of charming villages, Gilded Age country estates, and cultural institutions with a passionate commitment to the arts. In Lenox, literary giants once roamed the land (Edith Wharton, Herman Melville), and James Taylor, a long-time resident, is still seen at local coffee houses before taking the stage at Tanglewood. There’s a lot to love about Lenox, a place where the English Cotswolds meet “It’s a Wonderful Life.”
Small-Town Charms and Unique Finds
Goodbye big-box stores, hello Main Street storefronts. Lenox retains the simple charms of New England life: arts and crafts are a serious business, unique shops abound, antique stores line the street like toy soldiers, and The Bookstore , a local touchstone founded in 1977, is one of the last independent bookstores in the area.
An Epicenter of Fabulous Food
It’s said that cheese is a currency in the Berkshires, and with so many farmers’ markets and farm-to-table restaurants, it’s easy to see why. “Locally sourced” is a badge of honor in the Berkshires, and agrarian life has created a formidable food movement. From grass-fed local meat and fresh baby greens to handcrafted beers and wines, eating locally is a tradition in Lenox. Browse restaurants featured by the Lenox Chamber of Commerce —then go grazing!
A Commitment to the Arts
The Berkshires is nicknamed the “Brooklyn of the mountains” because of its concentration of food, art, and music. Lenox is home to the Tanglewood Music Center, the summer home of the Boston Symphony Orchestra since 1937, and a popular venue for artists like James Taylor ( he’ll be performing there July 3 and 4 ). Lenox is also home to The Mount, the 42-room country estate of American author Edith Wharton. The Mount was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1971. As shown in the photo, the gardens are a delightful destination in June.
A Helping Hand for First-Time Homebuyers
If you’re a first-time homebuyer looking for a home in Lenox, you might qualify for a housing grant up to $10,000. The Town of Lenox Housing Trust offers grants in the amount of 5% of the purchase price, up to $10K per grant, for households that earn a modest income. Applicants don’t have to live in Lenox as long as the home being purchased is in Lenox. Get the details here.
Named Best Small Town in the Northeast
Now the rest of the country knows what we’ve always known—Lenox was named the best small town in the Northeast in the USA Today Readers’ Choice poll. Along with everything else to love about Lenox, there are many beautiful homes. Are you destined to live in Lenox? Browse our exclusive listings now.
“The Mount, Lenox” by Tim Grafft/MOTT is licensed under CC BY-ND 2.0
