Rutland is a rural — but growing — Central Massachusetts community with excellent schools, abundant outdoor recreation, and options for homes in subdivisions or on acres of land. Rutland is characterized by rolling hills, swaths of farmland and a friendly community of residents. "People gravitate toward Rutland for its sense of community and school district. It's very welcoming," says Tracey Fiorelli, Broker Associate at Janice Mitchell Real Estate and Rutland resident for 28 years. "You meet new people if you have kids in the schools, on the ball fields, at town events."
The Welcome to Rutland sign on Route 56.
The United Church of Christ in the town center of Rutland.
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Rutland State Park, Wachusett Mountain and more outdoor recreation
Just off the town center, parents and kids gather for little league games at Marsh Field or head to Rutland Recreation area to swim in the public pool and climb on the jungle gym. Rutland State Park has cross-country skiing in the winter, fishing and swimming on Whitehall Pond in the summer, and hiking year-round. Rutland State Park also permits hunting (with restrictions) on its land. For more hiking, the Mass Creek Rail Trail also runs through Rutland. Wachusett Mountain is about 15 miles north of Rutland. "Wachusett Mountain is known for its skiing. But in the summertime, it opens up, and there's a beautiful view of the sunset. You can drive or walk," Fiorelli says. Wachusett Mountain also hosts events such as its Oktober Fest in the fall. Oktober Fest is the perfect time for locals to kick back, grab a beer with friends and enjoy local vendors, live music and games with the backdrop of colorful fall leaves.
Children can enjoy the pool right in the center of Rutland.
Welcome to White Wall Pond located in Rutland, MA.
A Kayaker enjoying the warm weather on Long Pond.
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Concerts on the Common and weeklong July 4th festivities
"There's definitely a strong sense of community with people's involvement in different things," Fiorelli says. "The town really caters to the people who live in it." The town comes together for free community events like "Concerts on the Common" every week in the summer at the Rutland bandstand and the town's annual Fourth of July Celebration, which lasts five days. Rutland's Fourth of July festivities include a bonfire, parade, chicken BBQ cookout, several concerts, fireworks and more spread out throughout the week of July 4th.
This large park on the Common can host baseball games and concerts during the summer seasons.
Ranches, Cape Cods and Colonials
Most of the homes in Rutland were built between the 1960s and 1990s, but Rutland and its outskirts have gotten some new developments in recent years. Common home styles include ranches, bilevels and Cape Cods priced between $300,000 and $500,000, and larger Colonials and farmhouses between $500,000 and $600,000. There are options for homes in tighter subdivisions and homes on acres of land in Rutland. "Half the town has private sewer, and half has town sewer. When you have private sewer, you get bigger lots on an acre to five acres. I sold one house on ten acres of land," Fiorelli says. Even in subdivisions, homes have privacy among mature trees and greenery. Homes often have one- or two-car attached or detached garages, though many modest homes have parking on the driveway only.
A cape style home with a well-kept lawn in Rutland.
You will find many great ranch-style homes around Rutland's neighborhood.
A colonial style home with a large front yard in Rutland.
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Students attend Wachusett schools
Students usually begin schooling at Glenwood Elementary School and progress to Central Tree Middle School, named after the tree in Rutland marking the geographical center of Massachusetts. Both schools earned B-plus grades from Niche. Older students continue to Wachusett Regional High School, which earns an A-minus from Niche and serves five surrounding towns: Paxton, Holden, Princeton, Rutland and Sterling. "There are just over 2,000 students [attending Wachusett Regional High] at this point. The school has very good scoring, a good reputation for academics, good sports teams, and they offer junior varsity and varsity for every sport," Fiorelli says. The school has a total of 26 athletic teams.
The entrance to Glenwood Elementary School.
Central Tree Middle School entrance.
Students can complete their later education at Wachusett Regional High School.
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Dining at Center Tree Bar & Grill and Toula's House of Pizza
Rutland's Town Center also has a handful of locally owned restaurants. Locals gather at Center Tree Bar & Grill for a casual drink after work or to catch up with friends over a burger or salad. Takeout from Toula's House of Pizza satisfies, with their menus ranging from oversized pizzas to subs, baked pastas and wings. Lilac Hedge Farm serves dually as a functional farm and hangout spot in Rutland. Visitors can enjoy homemade ice cream or a frothy beer overlooking the landscape and farm with camels, donkeys, ostriches and more. Lilac Hedge also brings in food trucks and entertainment on weekends throughout the summer. For groceries, locals can pick up snacks and pantry basics at Rutland Marketplace or head to Big Y World Market in Holden or Walmart in Leicester for more extensive trips.
The Center Tree Restaurant is in the town center of Rutland.
122 Diner is long time local favorite spot of residents of Rutland.
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Commuting around Massachusetts
Fiorelli explains that people in Rutland commute all over, including the 60 miles east to Boston, 50 miles west to Springfield and 12 miles southeast to Worcester. Though, as the town has grown in population, traffic can get congested. "You're not far from Route 190 and 290, and all your local services are, if not within the town, within 10 minutes of the town. That's what attracts people, plus Rutland is a bit more affordable compared to other areas in Wachusett," Fiorelli says. Rutland is about 9 miles northwest of Worcester Regional Airport and 15 miles northwest of UMass Memorial Medical Center. The town earned a CAP Index score of 2, indicating a lower crime risk compared to the national average.
A straight shot down Route 56 that leads into/away from Rutland.w
I-190 and route 2 are nearby for commuters around the area.
Hi there! I am Ted Cormier-Leger, a Massachusetts native, born in Medford and now living in Franklin. Before venturing into real estate, I worked in Boston's non-profit sector for 20 years. This background equipped me with a strong work ethic and robust skillset that enables me to prioritize my clients’ housing needs and deliver high-level solutions quickly and efficiently. As your trusted local real estate advisor, I am committed to sharing my love for MA with you and helping you find your dream home.
My passion for real estate blends perfectly with my superior local market knowledge, making me a reliable resource for buyers and sellers seeking accurate information and professional guidance in every transaction. Further, my ability to connect with people quickly enables me to create solid relationships and valuable friendships built on mutual trust. As your real estate advisor, you can count on me to put in the work and go the extra mile to get you what you want.
Outside of real estate, I am a visual artist, and I spend my spare time painting or traveling to exhibit and sell my paintings across the U.S. Additionally, I enjoy traveling and watching the Patriots and the Red Sox play and serving charitable causes in my community.
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