Walkable Vermont: Is This an Oxymoron?

Vermont is known for stunning vistas, great landscapes, and rural charm. Vermont is not known for public transportation or easy-to-reach destinations. The phrase “You can’t get there from here” is notorious in this part of New England for its accuracy, but GPS, Google Maps, and a Vermont Village renaissance are changing that perception.

Renewed interest in the villages of Vermont has changed our views of “Walkabilty”.  As we consider global warming and carbon footprints we are starting to think of walking as something more than exercise, we might do it to get our groceries or visit the library. Nationally, walkability refers to how easy it is to get from here to there on foot.

Because of the rural nature of Vermont, walkability is limited to our few cities and to some villages. I have chosen four great village homes that range in walkability from “car dependent” to “walker’s paradise”. Lets start in the car and work our way to paradise.

This listing in Charlotte Village is very close to the Old Brick Store, the Charlotte Children’s Center, the Charlotte Senior Center, and the Charlotte library. The village of Charlotte is historic, small, quaint and beautiful. Each year the roads close for a Halloween parade.

This Charlotte Village home on Greenbush Road gets a 12 on the walkability scale and is ranked as “Car-Dependent” . The Lake is about 7 miles away, Burlington is about 18 miles away. Public transport in this part of the state is anxiously awaiting a renaissance, but car-pooling is popular and a great way to meet neighbors.

Next on our Walkable Vermont Village tour is Mountain Street, Bristol. This home has a walk score of 51! Even at 51 out of 100, it is considered only “Somewhat Walkable”. But The Bob Cat Cafe, Almost Home and the Bristol Bakery are all walking distance, so 51 is enough for me.

This historic Bristol Vermont home is one block away from the Elementary School (one of the top 3 elementary schools in Addison County) and just around the corner from  Mountain Greens natural foods grocery.

Moving up the Walkability ladder to Vergennes: 125 Main has been both a public and private landmark in Vergennes since 1795. This Vergennes Village home scores a 69! By Vermont walkable standards, this is terrific. This centrally located Vergennes home is walking distance to restaurants, bars, shopping, groceries, and my favorite caffè latte…Vergennes Laundry.

While we applaud the walkability of this village home, we should not overlook its incredible historic detail, quality craftsmanship, and custom woodworking. And the lower level opens to cloistered garden patios and includes a summer kitchen, wine storage, and stone-cellar dining. It is beautiful.

And now the winner of our Vermont Walkability challenge: Heart of the Village Inn in Shelburne scores a whopping 91! A “walker’s paradise” according to WalkScore.com, this  property is in the middle of everything. Walking distance to the Shelburne IGA, Shelburne Wine and Coffee, a local bar, the elementary school, the library, the Lake, and right across the street from the Shelburne Museum. The Heart of the Village Inn is a Queen Anne Victorian and listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Contact me for more Walkable Vermont homes.

Walking image credit: www.co.ozaukee.wi.us

Walkable Vermont: Is This an Oxymoron?

Vermont is known for stunning vistas, great landscapes, and rural charm. Vermont is not known for public transportation or easy-to-reach destinations. The phrase “You can’t get there from here” is notorious in this part of New England for its accuracy, but GPS, Google Maps, and a Vermont Village renaissance are changing that perception.

Renewed interest in the villages of Vermont has changed our views of “Walkabilty”.  As we consider global warming and carbon footprints we are starting to think of walking as something more than exercise, we might do it to get our groceries or visit the library. Nationally, walkability refers to how easy it is to get from here to there on foot.

Because of the rural nature of Vermont, walkability is limited to our few cities and to some villages. I have chosen four great village homes that range in walkability from “car dependent” to “walker’s paradise”. Lets start in the car and work our way to paradise.

This listing in Charlotte Village is very close to the Old Brick Store, the Charlotte Children’s Center, the Charlotte Senior Center, and the Charlotte library. The village of Charlotte is historic, small, quaint and beautiful. Each year the roads close for a Halloween parade.

This Charlotte Village home on Greenbush Road gets a 12 on the walkability scale and is ranked as “Car-Dependent” . The Lake is about 7 miles away, Burlington is about 18 miles away. Public transport in this part of the state is anxiously awaiting a renaissance, but car-pooling is popular and a great way to meet neighbors.

Next on our Walkable Vermont Village tour is Mountain Street, Bristol. This home has a walk score of 51! Even at 51 out of 100, it is considered only “Somewhat Walkable”. But The Bob Cat Cafe, Almost Home and the Bristol Bakery are all walking distance, so 51 is enough for me.

This historic Bristol Vermont home is one block away from the Elementary School (one of the top 3 elementary schools in Addison County) and just around the corner from  Mountain Greens natural foods grocery.

Moving up the Walkability ladder to Vergennes: 125 Main has been both a public and private landmark in Vergennes since 1795. This Vergennes Village home scores a 69! By Vermont walkable standards, this is terrific. This centrally located Vergennes home is walking distance to restaurants, bars, shopping, groceries, and my favorite caffè latte…Vergennes Laundry.

While we applaud the walkability of this village home, we should not overlook its incredible historic detail, quality craftsmanship, and custom woodworking. And the lower level opens to cloistered garden patios and includes a summer kitchen, wine storage, and stone-cellar dining. It is beautiful.

And now the winner of our Vermont Walkability challenge: Heart of the Village Inn in Shelburne scores a whopping 91! A “walker’s paradise” according to WalkScore.com, this  property is in the middle of everything. Walking distance to the Shelburne IGA, Shelburne Wine and Coffee, a local bar, the elementary school, the library, the Lake, and right across the street from the Shelburne Museum. The Heart of the Village Inn is a Queen Anne Victorian and listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Contact me for more Walkable Vermont homes.

Walking image credit: www.co.ozaukee.wi.us