A small, outdoorsy city of about 16,000 people with historic character and a local arts scene, Easthampton is an active community in Massachusetts’ Pioneer Valley. Homebuyers frequently relocate to the area from major metropolitan areas, like Boston and New York City, since they can find more space and a laidback creative environment. Small galleries, breweries and art installations line the Cottage Cultural District in downtown Easthampton. Natural spaces like the Mount Tom State Reservation encourage locals to get outside, and the Five Colleges region nearby offers even more to do.
A colorful mural sits behind a bus stop in Easthampton.
An gorgeous aerial view of Easthampton from the area of Mt. Tom preservation.
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Jogging, kayaking and fishing around town
Residents appreciate the natural spaces around Easthampton. “We have lots of outdoor activities and conservation areas,” says Mark Carmien, a Realtor with Brick & Mortar who's lived in the area for decades. “Whether it’s mountain biking, snowshoeing, kayaking, cross-country skiing, hiking — people are always outside.” At the Mount Tom State Reservation, hikers explore trails that lead to sweeping views of the Pioneer Valley, while anglers go fishing in Lake Bray. Easthampton also has several public parks with playgrounds and sports fields, along with a couple of natural waterways for boating and fishing. For walks or bike rides, the paved, 6-mile-long Manhan Rail Trail winds around the city.
An American flag hangs proudly over Nashawanuck Pond in Easthampton.
A beautifully kept walking path that is accessible for all with an easy grade to walk in Easthampton.
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Small businesses and local restaurants in the Cottage Cultural District
Historic brick buildings are decorated with murals and colorful signs in the Cottage Cultural District of Easthampton’s downtown area. Here, shoppers stop in locally owned bookstores, boutiques and home goods shops. Main Street Historic District is home to 19th-century architecture like the old town hall and the Emily Williston Memorial Library and Museum, which opened in 1881. “Restaurants range from standard pub food to upscale restaurants with more diverse options,” Carmien says. “You’ll see people out walking downtown shopping or grabbing food all the time.” For groceries, there’s Big E’s Supermarket. Larger retailers and big box stores aren’t in town, but people can drive 8 miles south to Holyoke for those.
People enjoy coming with friends to Glendale Grill in Easthampton.
A small Bakery in Easthampton offers the best sandwiches and coffee in the area.
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Historic homes and new builds in Easthampton
Houses in Easthampton fan out from the downtown district, lining the city’s gridded streets. There are many types of properties, including early 20th-century cottages and Colonial Revivals, mid-century ranches and split-levels, and contemporary condos and single-family homes. The median listing price is about $400,000, which is about on par with the national median.
This classic colonial is right near downtown Easthampton.
This colonial in Easthampton has a nice solar update and well kept lawn.
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Easthampton Public Schools earns a B-minus
Easthampton Public Schools serves about 1,400 students in town. The district earns an overall B-minus rating from Niche. Easthampton High School, which has a B rating from Niche, offers vocational courses through the Lower Pioneer Valley Educational Collaborative Career & Technical Education Center. The city is also near the Five Colleges area, in which five sister colleges allow students to take classes at one another's campuses. These schools are Amherst College, Hampshire College, Mount Holyoke College and the University of Massachusetts at Amherst.
Easthampton High School is the main public school serving grades 9-12.
The Williston School is located in Easthampton and has a long history.
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Performing and visual arts at the Culture Chaos Festival
Groups like Easthampton City Arts cultivate the local arts scene, organizing installations all over town, monthly art walks and poetry readings. One of the biggest events is the Culture Chaos festival in the Cottage Street Cultural District; the block party has live music, circus and dance performances and local food vendors.
Crime rates trend below the national average
According to FBI statistics, violent and property crime rates in Easthampton are usually lower than the national average.
Interstate 91 goes toward Amherst and Springfield
Some residents live within walking distance of stores and restaurants, but the area is largely car-dependent. State route 141 goes through Easthampton, taking drivers south toward Holyoke and Springfield. In the eastern part of town, locals merge onto Interstate 91, which runs north-south through western Massachusetts. There are a couple of regional airports nearby, but Bradley International Airport is the closest major airport, about 30 miles south of Easthampton. Cooley Dickinson Hospital, a medical center in Southampton, is about 6 miles north.
After graduating from Smith College with a B.A. in Art, I began my real estate career in 2004. Having worked my way through college in the restaurant business, I developed my strengths in customer service and people skills, as well as built a strong connection to my community members. After college, I spent 10 years working as a Practice Manager in the medical field supporting providers, and problem solving on a daily basis. This work afforded me the opportunity to grow and gain confidence in my skills as a professional. It is in all this work that I found my passion for helping people. Working as a real estate professional affords me the opportunity to help my clients navigate their way through a successful real estate transaction, something I find very rewarding. Having been a Pioneer Valley resident my whole life, I now live in South Hadley, where my husband and I have built a home for the past 20 years. With strong family connections to the area, I love all that the Pioneer Valley has to offer, from its cultural and artistic diversity, to its varied scenic landscapes, to its broad sense of community. I enjoy giving back to my community through support and participation in organizations like the Western Mass Food Bank and Prospect Meadow Farms, which works to empower people with developmental challenges. In my spare time, my husband and I travel as much as we can, always eager to experience the cultures and culinary traditions of places far and wide. At home, I endeavor to “save the bees” as an assistant beekeeper to my husband at our small apiary (The Backyard Buzz). The work is often hard, occasionally painful, but the fruits of the labor are enjoyed by all.
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