Amherst, MA, Awaits: Your Comprehensive Mover’s Guide
Are you planning to relocate to Amherst, MA? Pioneer Valley Storage has put together a movers guide for your easy transition into the neighborhood. The city of Amherst is located in the picturesque Pioneer Valley of Western Massachusetts and is known for being a diverse and inclusive community. With rural farm landscapes as well as downtown areas where you can access any store you might need, you have the best of both worlds. Get to know Amherst!
Amherst, Hampshire County, MA, Community Information
Population: 39,814
Median Rent: $1,376
Median Property Value: $358,700
Known as a quintessential college town, Amherst, MA, offers much more than a vibrant academic community. From its rich history to its arts scene, outdoor activities, and charming New England vibe, Amherst is an ideal place to put down roots.
Founded in 1759 and named after Lord Jeffery Amherst, the town has nearly 38,000 residents and is situated in the scenic Pioneer Valley along the Connecticut River. Amherst has three institutions of higher learning: Amherst College, Hampshire College, and the flagship campus of the University of Massachusetts—in addition to nearby Mount Holyoke College, and Smith College. While many residents are students and faculty, the town has a diverse population of young professionals, families, and retirees. See what else is in the area!
Northeast Dormitories, University of Massachusetts Amherst by Massachusetts Office Of Travel & Tourism lic CC BY-ND 2.0
Explore Entertainment and Local Learning Institutions
The Beneski Museum of Natural History on Amherst College Campus is one of the largest natural history museums in New England. This free museum houses over 175,000 specimens including dinosaurs, early mammals, rocks, minerals, and plants. Stand under the towering skeleton of a T-Rex or get eye-to-eye with a taxidermic polar bear. Kids love the hands-on Discovery Room filled with fossils, shells, bones and more to ignite scientific curiosity. Daily programs and monthly events like Night at the Museum sleepovers provide interactive learning for all ages. Don’t miss this natural history treasure trove right in Amherst.
If you continue your tour around the local colleges, stop at W.E.B. Du Bois Library on the UMass Amherst campus. It’s the tallest academic research library in the world, and it is available to the area’s five higher education institutions. With its distinctive modern architecture, the 26-story tower has become an Amherst landmark.
The Art Scene
Amherst also has a number of museums celebrating the lives of local artists. History and literature buffs will enjoy visiting the Emily Dickinson Museum in downtown Amherst. This National Historic Landmark includes the homestead where the famed poet was born and lived until her death in 1886. See Emily’s original bedroom, stroll through the gardens she tended, and view artifacts that provide insight into her reclusive yet creative life. Guided tours share details about Emily’s writing and publishing process often using her own words from letters. The museum provides an intimate look at the life of Amherst’s most famous resident.
Another must-see attraction is The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art. Illustrator of classics like “Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?” and “The Very Hungry Caterpillar,” Carle and his wife opened up the museum in 2002 to celebrate picture books and their appeal to children and adults alike. The rotating exhibits feature original artwork, hands-on activities for kids, and interactive reading areas. See illustrations from new releases, beloved classics, and iconic Golden Books. Learn about techniques like woodblock printing and digital collage from educational programming.
If you are looking to stroll through exhibits of a variety of artists and styles, the Mead Art Museum houses over 19,000 works spanning centuries and artistic movements, including Tibetan scroll paintings, West African sculptures, and more that you will have to check out in person! Enjoy free admission and tours to explore one of the most renowned college art museums in the country.
Caterpillar, Eric Carle Museum courtesy of Massachusetts Office Of Travel & Tourism lic CC BY-ND 2.0
Dine at an Amherst, MA, Favorite
- Bistro 63: Bistro 63 is a modern American restaurant serving contemporary New England dishes. Located near the Amherst Town Common and Amherst College, this cocktail bar offers a 100% organic wine selection.
- Pita Pockets: Delicious and easy, stop by Pita Pockets on North Pleasant Street for lunch or dinner. They have vegan and vegetarian options available!
- 30 Boltwood: Using fresh, quality ingredients from local farms and purveyors, 30 Boltwood serves only the finest to its downtown audience.
- Crazy Noodles: If you are a fan of noodles in any form, this is the place for you. Offering Italian pasta dishes, as well as Thai cuisine, you will get a mix of everything on this menu!
- Miss Saigon: Miss Saigon has an extensive Vietnamese menu sure to satisfy any craving. The restaurant offers affordable lunch specials, as well as coffee, smoothies, and boba tea.
- Antonio’s Pizza: When you are looking for good pizza by the slice, swing by Antonio’s. Order a specialty pizza for the whole family, or take advantage of the $1 cheese slice deal!
- Honey Crisp Fried Chicken: Are you ready to try the best fried chicken you’ve ever had? Honey Crisp’s Korean fried chicken is double fried for the perfect crunch every time.
Our Neighboring Massachusetts Cities
Northampton, MA
Located west of Amherst is a city of Northampton, which is known for its academic, artistic, musical, and countercultural hub along the Connecticut River. Also, recognized as “Paradise City,” the city downtown is one of the most vibrant in New England. It is home to Smith College for women and is deeply intertwined in the 5-College region. Visitors can check out the Smith College Museum of Art, two historic theaters, and plenty of amazing restaurants.
Springfield, MA
Springfield is located 10 minutes southwest of Amherst and is famous for sports and arts. Dubbed “The City of Firsts,” Springfield was a breeding ground for innovative ideas. Inventions like the first American dictionary, first American gas-powered automobile, first successful motorcycle company, first machining lathe for interchangeable parts, and more. In addition to that, basketball was invented in Springfield in 1891, and the city is a must-visit place for any basketball fan. Walk around the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame to see the more than 400 inductees and get a glimpse into basketball history. If you head over to Indian Orchard, you can visit the Titanic Museum and browse its collection of recovered pieces from the sunken ship. Plan a trip to Springfield soon!
Find Space for Your Belongings in Amherst, MA
Pioneer Valley Storage is here to help you with your relocation to Amherst, Massachusetts. We have three locations around the city to serve you wherever you need the extra space. We offer a wide variety of indoor and drive-up storage units to fit your needs, whether you are looking for something small and temporary or large and long-term. Discover additional features and our current move-in specials for our facility online. You can browse our available storage units from the comfort of your own home to determine which would work best for you.
If you run into any issues or have any questions, you can call or stop by our office on Rocky Hill Road to speak to one of our storage experts. We can help guide you to the ideal storage features to protect your items, and based on what you are looking to store, we can give you a sizing suggestion.
Rent With Us Today!
Already have a pretty good idea of what all you need to store? Try out our online storage calculator for a quick sizing recommendation! We offer 100% contactless storage rentals. Save time and rent your Pioneer Valley Storage unit online today!
Office Location:
Rocky Hill Road
Self-Service Locations:
Elm Street
Federal Street
Katie Mest
About the Author: Katie Mest is a Content Marketing Specialist at Storage Asset Management in York, PA. She specializes in writing about the self storage industry, including storage tips and helpful resources. Outside of work, Katie enjoys spending time exploring the outdoors and snuggling in with a crochet project and her cat, Billie.
