Top 4 Reasons to Buy in the Berkshires

With rolling hills, forested vistas, and emerald meadows stretching under brilliant skies, the Berkshires is a region renowned for the natural beauty that attracts visitors from all over the country. It’s even better to live here. Especially to those looking for a second home, the Berkshires beckon with year-round reasons to invest in Berkshire real estate.

 

Our list begins with performing arts groups that are known the world over. Among the many music, dance, film, and theater offerings, the Berkshire “big three” are Barrington Stage Company, Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival, and Tanglewood.

 

Located in Pittsfield MA, Barrington Stage Company offers an award-winning stream of live theater centered around new works, dynamic classics, and dazzling musicals. Residents can take advantage of season passes and BSC’s Youth Theatre program for local teens.

 

Just say the name “Jacob’s Pillow” and what comes to mind is internationally famous dance companies and one of the most prestigious dance training centers in the country. Called “the dance center of the nation” by The New York Times and now in its 85^th anniversary season, Jacob’s Pillow Dance is the longest-running dance festival in the U.S. This National Historic Landmark is located in the small town of Becket, about 12 miles from Pittsfield.

 

Tanglewood Music Festival is the summer home of the Boston Pops. But that’s just the tip of the conductor’s baton. All summer long in Lenox, MA, Berkshire residents can enjoy classical music plus performances by acclaimed artists such as James Taylor, Natalie Merchant, and John Mellencamp. And there’s no better setting than Tanglewood for unique events such as this summer’s “E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial in Concert,” performed live by the Boston Pops.

 

Two stand-out art museums compete with the outdoor attractions of the Berkshires—and their collections are so magnificent that the outdoors often loses! Located in Williamstown, MA, the Clark Art Institute houses one of the most impressive collections in the world. The French Impressionist paintings are not to be missed.

 

MASS MoCA in North Adams, MA, is dedicated to displaying and preserving contemporary art. Inside and out, the space is remarkable. The Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art makes its home in a restored 19th-century factory complex, opening its doors in 1999 to a steady influx of visitors. One of MASS MoCA’s most popular exhibits is the Sol LeWitt retrospective—a collection of more than 100 large-scale wall drawings ranging from graphite designs to geometric explosions of color.

 

Hiking, biking, golf, water sports, skiing—the choices are plentiful. From Mount Greylock State Reservation to public golf courses with spectacular views, homeowners in the Berkshires can sample outdoor recreation opportunities in every season. Wherever you choose your home, you’re surrounded by nature. One case in point is the Housatonic River Walk in Great Barrington. This beautiful greenway trail traces a path along the Housatonic River right in downtown Great Barrington.

 

History buffs will find no shortage of historic sites throughout Berkshire towns like Stockbridge and Lenox. The former is the location of Chesterwood, the home of the artist Daniel Chester French, who sculpted the Lincoln Memorial. Lenox is the location of The Mount, an inspiring attraction for adults and children alike. This home of author Edith Wharton features the estate and grounds where she penned some of America’s best literature.