You don’t need to be a card-carrying member of the James Taylor fan club to love Stockbridge. The New England town is stocked with picturesque charm, old-time Americana, and bucolic beauty. It’s a place tailor-made for those looking for respite from the frenetic pace of Boston and New York City. Here’s why you should buy a home in Stockbridge, MA.
A Turnpike Runs Through It
“Now the first of December was covered with snow/So was the turnpike from Stockbridge to Boston.” It’s a famous line from James Taylor’s 1970 song “Sweet Baby James,” but it’s also a geographic clue of just how close Stockbridge is to Massachusetts’ capital. Only 130 miles west of Boston, Stockbridge is nestled in the Berkshire Hills off the I-90 Massachusetts Turnpike but light-years away from the gridlocked traffic and urban bustle of Boston. Stockbridge is roughly the same distance from New York City.
Variety of Properties for Sale
Stockbridge is at once intimate, with fewer than 2,000 full-time residents, and cosmopolitan. The wide variety of properties for sale reflect both small-town charm and big-city tastes. Historic Colonials and Greek revivals sit adjacent to custom-built contemporaries and Shingle-style estates. There are handsome lakefront properties on Stockbridge Bowl, in-town homes in walkable distance to Main Street and the village center, and country houses with plentiful acreage and stunning western views.
Americana History and Culture
Stockbridge’s Americana appeal is legendary. Every year, people from all over the world come to stand on the picturesque Main Street that Norman Rockwell made famous in the iconic painting “Stockbridge Main Street at Christmas.” From the Norman Rockwell Museum to the Red Lion Inn, the life and work of the beloved American artist permeates the town.
But Stockbridge’s cultural amenities expand beyond Rockwell’s illustrations for the Saturday Evening Post. The town features several historic homes, including Chesterwood, the summer home of famed sculptor Daniel Chester French. Tanglewood, the summer home of the Boston Symphony Orchestra, straddles Stockbridge and neighboring Lenox.
At the same time, Stockbridge is in the heart of the Berkshires, which means there are plenty of activities to satisfy an active lifestyle. From hiking to the top of Olivia’s Overlook to playing golf at the Stockbridge Golf Club to hitting the slopes at Ski Butternut, there are countless attractions for nature lovers.
Top Community Services and Amenities
As in many small towns, people in Stockbridge take community seriously. Residents attend Town Meeting, volunteer for committees, and help preserve the village and its green spaces. Visit one of Stockbridge’s restaurants more than once and the server is going to remember your name and your drink order.
While people take community seriously in Stockbridge, Berkshire Healthcare takes care of the community. The non-profit, consumer-centered organization provides healthcare, senior services, hospice and palliative care, and support and specialized services to the local population.
The Red Lion Inn, Stockbridge, photo credit Michelle Murphy, photo courtesy of the Berkshire Visitors Bureau (CC BY-ND 2.0)
