Charlotte VT Real Estate
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05445 = a rural surprise teeming with successful agricultural ventures, lovely shoreline, a devoted community, superb education for your children, and a short ride to downtown Burlington - once you're in, you're there. For more information about the area or questions about the local real estate market, contact The O'Brien O'Connell Team today!
The Basics
The Town of Charlotte was chartered in 1762 in the fertile Champlain Valley. 3,500 residents including those operating a large network of working farms enjoy the rolling hills and forest which gently slope down to meet Lake Champlain. Charlotte boasts an abundance of thriving agriculturally-based enterprises, whose roots are in the sugarbush, orchards, dairies, berry farms, vineyard, market gardens, livestock operations, and honey houses. These lands also provide scenic landscapes, community trails, Charlotte Park and Wildlife Refuge, and the popular Mt. Philo State Park. To the north sits Burlington, and south, Middlebury, both of which Charlotte residents make the manageable commute to. The commute is even more convenient by taking advantage of Chittenden County Transportation Authority's (CCTA) Middlebury Link commuter service, which connects Burlington to Middlebury and beyond, through Charlotte, both morning and evening.
Schools
Perhaps one of Charlotte's most celebrated qualities is its school system – so much so, that new families sew roots within its borders for the sake of their children's education alone (the location and bucolic natural beauty are bonuses). The Charlotte Children's Center is a not-for-profit early educational, State-licensed program for children aged 3 months to seven years. It was founded by a group of local parents in the early 1980's, dedicated to providing their children fulfillment through excellence in learning and development. The Charlotte Children's Center maintains a 5-star rating through the state and accreditation through the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) with its rigorous standards of evaluation. The education at the Charlotte Central School, serving children Pre-K through 8th grade, is equally notable, with a 10 out of 10 rating through greatschools.org, and rating 13th in the state by schooldigger.org. After Elementary, Charlotte students move to Champlain Valley Union High School, in Hinesburg, also drawing students from the surrounding towns of Shelburne, St. George, and Williston, making it the largest in the state, with roughly 1400 students. "CVU" was awarded a 10 out of 10 rating by greatschools.org, with a reputation for equal strength in both athletics and the arts.
Around Town & On the Landscape
The growing villages of East and West Charlotte straddle the primary thoroughfare, Route 7. In West Charlotte, you'll appreciate the nostalgia of the old brick corner store. If you continue down Ferry Road toward the lake, you will, not surprisingly, run into the Charlotte Ferry, which takes you, year-round, to the New York side of Lake Champlain and the lovely day trip town of Essex, NY. Travel backward toward Route 7, and you will pass the valued Charlotte Senior Center, and the busy Charlotte Library.
The Charlotte Park and Wildlife Refuge is easily accessed from Route 7, just North. This 290-acre property is a combination of working agricultural lands (both pasture and hay fields), meadows, woodlands, wetlands, and trails where you'll enjoy year-round access for a leisurely walk, or cross-country skiing.
The Nature Conservancy selected Williams Woods to both protect and restore, the area being the best remaining example of a mature clay plain forest, with which the Champlain Valley was once covered. There is a one-mile trail within the 63 acres of these woods, consisting of white oak, red oak, red maple, white pine, shagbark hickory, and white ash. You'll find a great collection of amphibians along the brook, and a barred-owl on the special occasion.
Mt. Philo State Park is a popular destination. With 168 acres climbing to an elevation just under 1000ft. (the top of Mt. Philo), this manageable less-than-one-hour walk/hike is no excuse not to witness one of the most pleasant vistas in the state. Take in the Champlain Valley, Lake Champlain, and the Adirondack Mountains beyond, after a somewhat steep but short hike up the narrow road. Ten campsites, 3 lean-tos, and facilities make your time atop convenient for a picnic or overnight. Mt. Philo, the state's oldest park, remains just as enjoyable in the winter, where you'll find some of the best sledding around.
The Charlotte Beach is just a few miles from the center of town, open from Memorial to Labor Days. With a play area, grilling areas, and of course beautiful Lake Champlain views, the beach is one of many coveted warm-weather hang-outs.
Cedar Beach represents the bulk of Charlotte's lakefront real estate and is a combination of working farms, camps, and luxury homes. Both north and south of the ferry dock, you'll find some of the most sought after shoreline in the state, being on the southern end of Chittenden County, and still a short drive from vibrant Burlington and surrounds.
The Thompson's Point community includes thirty-three camps on the Vermont Historic Register, celebrating the resort architecture of the 1880's and ‘90s. Its history has been written in several volumes, reminiscing of times when the Vergennes lumber trail was based in the waters, big sounds of the steam-driven motors reverberated off shorelines. Years of nostalgia multiply with every summer that passes - Thompson's Point is the history Charlotte was built upon and remains a jewel today.
The opposite side of Charlotte, including the Town's second "downtown", East Charlotte, is marked by the Congregational Church, Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church, Charlotte Grange, and the Charlotte Central School. Although the two sides of town feel quite separate, largely due to busy Route 7 dividing West from East, the people of Charlotte all share a remarkable commitment to their community, through a small town government approach, a number of dedicated not-for-profits, and a dedication to providing outstanding educational opportunities.
The Town is committed to recreational opportunities for its residents year-round. From abundant non-competitive youth sports leagues to Celtic dance, adult boot camp, and the publicly maintained outdoor hockey rink, programming is diverse. Equal commitment goes to conservation and sustainability, with the Charlotte Land Trust and Charlotte Sustainability Network. Of course, commitment to community is a given, as seen through locals events, like the annual Town Party on the Green, and the Fall's Tractor Parade (150 tractors on Spear Street!). The Old Lantern on Greenbush Road, featuring a rebuilt circa 1800's barn, 8-room inn, and abundant green space, promises a plethora of opportunities, with an events calendar boasting fundraising events, live music, wine tastings, and entertainment (not to mention a plethora of private functions including weddings). Of course at least one (if not several) per annum trips to the Sweet Roots Farm & Market are in order, where families pick their own strawberries, raspberries, black raspberries, blueberries, and pumpkins while indulging in creemees and listening to some wonderful live music.
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