There’s not much in Shutesbury. And that’s the way residents of this western Massachusetts town like it. “There’s no bank, no gas station, no convenience store,” says Brad Spry, a Realtor with Media Realty LLC and Shutesbury resident. There also are no streetlights, as residents have resisted efforts to affect the appeal of a dark country night. “When there’s a clear sky with a new moon, the stargazing here is incredible," adds Spry. The town has a part-time library, where you can rent a kayak as easily as a book, a part-time post office and a full-time collection of wildlife. “I constantly see large groups of wild turkeys, and at least once a week I see deer walking through my yard,” says Spry. “We also have a lot of black bears roaming around. Some people put up suet cage bird feeders to attract them to their yards for photography. They’re not predators, and if you want one to go away, you just bang on a pot.”
Shutesbury
Neighborhood in Leverett, Massachusetts
Franklin County 01002, 01072, 01355
Established country homes offer space and seclusion
Housing consists primarily of established homes on oversized lots. Renovations of multi-level homes from as far back as the 19th and early 20th centuries stand out. Colonial Revival, ranch and Cape Cod are among the featured architectural styles. “The housing is very rural, with homes spaced out nicely. The minimum building lot is 2 acres with 250 feet of frontage,” says Spry. “The way the homes are spaced, nobody lives on top of one another, unless you are part of the lake community.” A small collection of established homes in a neighborhood setting can be found concentrated around Lake Wyola in the town’s northwest corner. Overall, home prices typically range from the low $200,000s to the high $800,000s, depending on accompanying land.
A lake, a forest and plenty of trails
Lake Wyola anchors a small state park that offers seasonal day-use activities. Visitors have access to a small swimming beach, and the lake is stocked with bass and trout. Anglers can fish from the bank or a non-motorized boat. Nature lovers also have access to Shutesbury State Forest. Trails there and throughout town provide additional recreational activity amid the natural landscape. “It’s very much like living in the woods,” says Spry. “There’s a lot of wilderness, which is great for hiking, and conservation lands. If you are outdoorsy, it’s fantastic.” Shutesbury is partially bordered by the Quabbin Reservoir, the main source of water for Boston, and the town's proximity to it ensures preservation of its rural character because of development restrictions within the Quabbin watershed. Adding to that character is the town’s unique topography, which features the region’s hilliest terrain on the eastern rim of the bowl that forms the Pioneer Valley.
Centrally located elementary anchors well-rated school options
Students attend a trio of well-rated schools from kindergarten through 12th grade. The youngest students attend Shutesbury Elementary, a B-rated school by Niche that is centrally located in town. Older students attend Amherst Regional Middle, an A-rated school, and Amherst Regional High, an A-plus-rated school that offers advanced placement courses in an array of subjects, including math, foreign languages, history and science.
Everything you need within 20 minutes
Shutesbury Athletic Club is a rare commercial business located in town. The highly rated bar and grill also serves as a community gathering place that features live music, karaoke and holiday events. Residents must travel to neighboring Amherst for traditional dining and retail options. The city’s downtown district, about 10 miles from the center of Shutebury, is anchored by several eateries. Popular options include Johnny’s Tavern and 30Boltwood, established restaurants known for their fine dining and casual, elegant atmosphere. Amherst’s retail centers are located nearby and feature a concentration of convenient options, including Walmart, Target, Whole Foods and Trader Joe’s. “If you want a small, rural, residential township that’s within 15 to 20 minutes of everything, this is a marvelous community,” says Spry.
Proximity to Interstate 91
For those needing to travel through Greater Western Massachusetts, U.S. Route 202 runs through a portion of Shutesbury’s east side, and Interstate 91 is located 12 miles west of town. I-91 can be accessed relatively easily by driving through the neighboring towns of Leverett and Sunderland. It connects directly to the Springfield metropolitan area about 30 miles south.
A town that keeps its residents up to date
Our Town is a local newsletter published three times a year that keeps residents up to date on local projects, activities and special events. Archived copies can be found on the town’s official website, Shutesbury.org.
Written By
Matt Pallister
Photography Contributed By
Perez Folds
Video By
Barry Ridgeway
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Agents Specializing in this Area
-
Kelly Brown
Kelly Brown
ERA Key Realty Services - Worcester
(571) 380-8998
79 Total Sales
2 in Shutesbury
$267K - $268K Price Range
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Hometown Team
Hometown Team
(978) 709-2942
98 Total Sales
1 in Shutesbury
$365,000 Price
-
Matthew Crowner
Matthew Crowner
Responds QuicklyWilliam Raveis R.E. & Home Services
(413) 416-1705
58 Total Sales
3 in Shutesbury
$45K - $953K Price Range
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Hillary Koncal
HK
Hillary Koncal
Responds QuicklyLock and Key Realty Inc.
(413) 338-9991
25 Total Sales
1 in Shutesbury
$112,000 Price
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Brad Spry
Brad Spry
Responds QuicklyMedia Realty Group Inc.
(413) 288-6320
89 Total Sales
4 in Shutesbury
$36K - $360K Price Range
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Denise DeSellier
Denise DeSellier
Responds QuicklyBerkshire Hathaway HomeServices Realty Professionals
(413) 779-8302
218 Total Sales
1 in Shutesbury
$518,000 Price
Schools
Source:
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
- 9th to 12th
- Public
- 7th to 8th
- Public
- Pre-K to 6th
- Public
Interested in learning more about homes in this area? Reach out to , an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Parks in this Area
Sweetser Park
Amherst Common
Lake Wyola State Park
- Fishing
- Picnic Area
- Trails
Groff Park
Puffer's Pond
Mill River Recreation Area
Transit
Crime and Safety
| 1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime | Shutesbury | US |
|---|---|---|
| Homicide | 2 | 4 |
| Sexual Assault | 1 | 4 |
| Assault with Weapon | 1 | 4 |
| Robbery | 2 | 4 |
| Burglary | 1 | 4 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 1 | 4 |
| Larceny | 1 | 4 |
| Crime Score | 1 | 4 |
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Shutesbury, Leverett sell after 50 days on the market compared to the national average of 47 days. The average sale price for homes in Shutesbury, Leverett over the last 12 months is $414,004, down 14% from the average home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Home Trends
Median Price (12 Mo)
$412,500
Median Single Family Price
$427,000
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$306
Number of Homes for Sale
3
Last 12 months Home Sales
16
Months of Supply
2.30
Median List Price
$419,900
Median Discount From 1st List Price
2%
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
-8%
Home Facts
Number of Homes in Neighborhood
689
Median Year Built
1974
Avg. Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
1,572
Below the national average
1,935
Average Townhouse Size Sq Ft
2,091
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
57,499
Distribution of Home Values
Homes for Sale
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Average Home Value
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Owners
Demographics
Total Population
1,770
Median Age
51
Population Density
1 person/acre
Population under 18
17.4%
Below the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
28.6%
Above the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$93,326
Above the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$116,299
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
99.1%
College Graduates
73.4%
Significantly above the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
41.8%
Significantly above the national average
13.3%
% Population in Labor Force
66.3%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
51''
Average Winter Low Temperature
19°F
Average Summer High Temperature
82°F
Annual Snowfall
27''
Area Factors
Somewhat Bikeable
Bike Score®
15
/ 100
Car-Dependent
Walk Score®
0
/ 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score
Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.
Nearby Neighborhoods
Leverett
Western Massachusetts neighborhood that's quiet, private, diverse and never boring
Pelham
A deep country secluded town with historic connections
New Salem
Quaint woodsy village, home of the vast Quabbin Reservoir
Sunderland
A rural retreat nestled along the Connecticut River
Amherst
Home to three universities, forested neighborhoods and a walkable Main Street
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