Northampton

Northampton sits on the banks of the Connecticut River, in the Pioneer Valley of Western Massachusetts. It is home to the prestigious Smith College and nearby to Amherst College, Mt. Holyoke College, Hampshire College and the University of Massachusetts at Amherst.

The city is a cultural center with the Smith College Art Museum, the Academy of Music (one of the six oldest theatres in the US and municipally owned), and a vibrant music scene with venues such as the Iron Horse Music Hall, the Calvin Theater, the Pines Theater, and a number of smaller live music venues.

Northampton is a community of large New England homes, many renovated into spacious apartments, with several parks, an extensive network of bike trails, and a local bus system that links the towns that comprise all of the 5 colleges in the area.

There are 5 farmer’s markets and many local farms providing local produce. The area is rich in hiking trails, lakes, ponds, and rivers.