There is something about Amherst, MA, that draws people back again and again, or lures them to settle for life. It may be the combination of intellectual vitality, natural loveliness, or community life.
Whatever it is, living in Amherst provides a quality of life that many visitors fall in love with immediately. Here’s how so many who come to attend school or work here end up setting down roots in this New England town that is famous for being the home of Emily Dickinson and the Very Hungry Caterpillar.
1. Five College energy throughout the year
Amherst is the center of the Five College Consortium: Mount Holyoke College, Smith College, Hampshire College, Amherst College, and UMass Amherst. The consortium provides a constant stream of lectures, performances, art exhibitions, and NCAA sporting events.
Residents frequently attend free concerts, movie nights, or gallery openings. Intellectual and cultural life is abundant and inclusive here, perfect for families and life-long learners.
2. Pedestrian Centers and Handy Public Transit
Downtown Amherst, North Amherst Village Center, and the college neighborhood districts are pedestrian-friendly. Restaurants, cafes, bookstores, and supermarkets are all within a block or two for most residents.
The Pioneer Valley Transit Authority (PVTA) offers comprehensive bus coverage throughout the town and into the surrounding communities like Northampton, Hadley, and South Hadley, free to students and very affordable to everyone else.
3. Nature in Every Direction
One of the greatest advantages of living in Amherst is the ease of leaping into nature. There are trails, forests, and rivers everywhere here.
These include the Robert Frost Trail, which runs through forests and ridges just a short distance from town, and the Mount Holyoke Range State Park which offers vista hikes mere minutes from downtown.
The Connecticut River is flows through the town next door, Hadley, and is always ready in the warm months for paddling, jet skiing, or picnicking..
4. A Robust Agricultural Culture
Agricultural life is part of the community lifestyle. Families may pick apples or strawberries in season, buy fresh maple syrup on roadside stands, and participate in seasonal farmshares as part of the Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program.
Local restaurants and co-ops make purchases from local farms a point of emphasis, and the Saturday Amherst Farmers Market is an old tradition that takes place from spring to fall.
5. Convenient Access to Large Cities
Amherst might have the impression of being hugged in by Western Massachusetts hills, but it is well-positioned for quick city-fix excursions. You can reach:
- Springfield in about 35 minutes
- Hartford, CT, in about 1 hour
- Boston in under 2 hours
- New York City is a bit over 3 hours by car or bus
Whether you’re heading to a conference, flying out of Bradley International Airport, or just on a quick weekend getaway, city access is convenient.
6. Four States Within an Hour’s Drive
Amherst is perfectly located at the crossroads of New England.
You can pop into Vermont for skiiing or hiking in less than 45 minutes, visit Connecticut for outlet shopping or theme parks in approximately 40 minutes, or take a drive to Rhode Island’s beach towns in less than two hours.
Even New Hampshire is only a little over an hour’s drive away. For the quick road-tripper, this location can’t be topped.
7. Chilling Towns Just Down the Road
Amherst’s charm spills over into, and dare we say it, is influenced by, neighboring towns:
- Hadley provides fertile fields, picturesque bike trails, mesmerizing river views, and a blend of big-box retailers and village markets.
- South Hadley includes Mount Holyoke College’s arts scene, Village Commons dining and Skinner State Park hikes.
- Northampton offers a bohemian atmosphere, featuring art galleries, independent bookstores, and a vibrant music scene.
- Pelham, Belchertown, and Shutesbury provide tranquility, seclusion, large properties, and proximity to the Quabbin Reservoir.
8. Festivals and Events that Build Community
Amherst celebrates its local culture with year-round events. WinterFest, the Sustainability Festival, UMass Homecoming, Juneteenth Jubilee, and the Merry Maple Tree Lighting are just a few.
Events like Tell It Slant Poetry Week, which honors Amherst-born poet Emily Dickinson, draw national attention. These events foster a strong sense of connection among residents.
9. Public Resources that Make a Difference
Families are enriched by high-functioning public schools which are renowned for their excellence in academic and cultural programs.
The Jones Library system provides stimulating programs for adults and children, and youth sports leagues and after-school activities keep children active and engaged.
All of these resources make Amherst not only a town to reside in, but a community to flourish in.
10. A Welcoming, Diverse Community
For a fairly small New England town, Amherst is fairly diverse. International students and guest scholars add cultural richness and worldliness to the population.
Celebrations, cuisine, and friendships tend to follow, so Amherst feels open and hospitable to newcomers of every stripe.
Considering a Move to Amherst, MA?
Whether you’re drawn by the colleges, the community, or the calm pace of life, Amherst has a way of turning short stays into lifelong commitments.
From art and academics to nature and neighborhoods, it’s easy to see why so many fall in love with living in Amherst and never want to leave.
PHOTO: Residents, students & visitors at the 2023 edition of the annual Amherst Block Party, held downtown.
