Great Barrington (Boston, Stockbridge: homes, public school, community college)

[farm manager]

Hi, Thinking of moving to Great Barrington area and would appreciate info on schools and local economy. Is this area being taken over by weekenders from NY? I ask because being a part of a well grounded community is a large part of my motivation to move there. Thanks

[Dragondog]

Great Barrington is home to Berkshire Community college, and numerous art galleries, the Barrington Brewery , The Barrington Stage company, The Berkshire Bach Company- The Castle Street Cafe has been recommended by the NY Times and Wine Spectator and the town has a nice public school system.

The towns proximity to Stockbridge (The Red Lion Inn) and Lennox (Famous for Tanglewood concerts) make it a weekend getaway for many New Yorkers, and Bostonians. Some have weekend homes here-others decide to live in the area year round.
The towns all have an artsy feel with culture galore, B & B's great restuarants and more.

Most of the regions economy is based on tourism, and related activities, as well as farming.
The areas towns are small in population- and although New Yorkers come to the region, it is by no means 'overun' by them.

[winnie]

Great Barrington is pretty quiet, you are not going to find hordes of NYers there.

Just as an interesting piece of history, and not to detract from the area, but Great Barrington is home to 2 F4 tornadoes within the last 33 years... (worcester area has had F3 and F4 - and 90 deaths).

I don't know what it is, but in the summer we get those west winds and storms coming from central NY and the storms really get rocking in that particular area of Western Mass.

[farm manager]

Thanks to yhose who replied . Your help is very much appreciated