PODS is a registered trademark of PODS Enterprises LLC. Brewster Flickr/Bill Damon 18 Coastal Towns in Maine for the Ultimate Beach Getaway - Global Viewpoint That said, we've put together this list of the 15 most affordable beach towns in the United States to help your search. Bearskin Neck, with its collection of boutiques, ice cream shops, and restaurants, juts out into Sandy Bay, ending at a rock jetty. The 20 Cheapest Places to Live on the East Coast - Money Inc There's plenty of small-town New England charm to be had here, as well as historic spots like the 1614 landing site of Captain John Smith. Visitors and locals can enjoy plentiful fishing, kayaking, water skiing, or just relaxing on the beach admiring the Atlantic Ocean. Alamy By Elaine Glusac, AARP En espaol May 26, 2023 This small Augusta suburb along the banks of the Kennebec River offers a higher-than-average income . You can splurge at any of its fine dining establishments, like Bistro Zinc and Cafe Boulud. View the entire list of the 50 best coastal towns in the United States. Well known for its coffee, beautiful parks, naval museums, and incredible views of both mountains and sea, Bremerton offers residents and guests the perfect blend of history, culture, and natural beauty, per Bremerton, WA. With a thriving town center and historic sites galore, includingPlimoth Plantationand theMayflower II, Plymouth has all the makings of a premier beach town, though youll need to do a little driving to get to the beach part. Although this does make Bremerton one of the priciest beach towns on our list, it still lies below the Washington median home cost. And check out our Cape Cod Travel Guide for more Cape vacation ideas. Big 7 Travel lauded the Capes Provincetown (No. The 10 Most Affordable Beach Towns, 2021 Edition - realtor.com Stacia's mother, Suzanne, who owns the building and the Transitions Training studio on the first floor, believes the vacancies are due to people being able to work remotely, which makes it easier for them to travel to destinations that are further than Humarock. Q: What is the nicest town to live in in Massachusetts?A: Due to its inclusivity and variety of fun summer events, Provincetown is considered one of the nicest towns to live in Massachusetts. The downtown area features local restaurants, theaters, and galleries in addition to the plethora of naval museums, offering enrichment, education, and enjoyment for people of all ages and all interests. Perched on Mount Desert Island at the gateway to Acadia National Park, this historic resort town still resonates with the Victorian splendor of bygone days, not to mention the backdrop of Cadillac Mountain. Downtown Boston is about 35 miles to the north, and drivers can reach the heart of the city within an hour. The 9 Best Small Towns To Live In Near Boston - Only In Your State historic routes added to the National Scenic Byways program. Believe it or not, rental options remain available near the ocean or lake on both the North and South shores and even on Cape Cod. Tedesco Street leads to Vinnin Square Plaza, where residents can shop at big box outlets, but buyers can find boutique shopping on Atlantic Avenue. As residents of the state for our entire lives, and currently living in Boston, my wife and I (along with our 9-month-old) are looking for a new town to call home. But if residents travel into Cohasset, they will find a collection of restaurants and boutique cafes to explore. At the end of the day, who wouldn't want to feel like they're on a beach vacation 24/7 in their hometown? Newburyport is a great mixture of coastal beauty and unexpected rural tranquility. The cost of living in Savannah is 12.1 percent less than the national average with the average home value at $134,600. 9. Unique View:Portsmouth Harbor Lighthouse. 7 Affordable Beach Towns Enjoy sun, sand and surf in these cities without breaking the bank Travelers have eight beaches and plenty of budget-friendly options in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. These waterfront towns are sure to charm you into a second visit. Marthas Vineyard Camp Meeting Association Tours, Gingerbread Cottages at Oak Bluffs Campground. If you're looking for a great waterfront town with plenty to do and see, Revere is it. If youre looking for affordable lodging, restaurants that grill fresh seafood perfectly, a fun town center to stroll, an array of beaches, a great bikeway, and easy access (via Route 28 and the Bourne Bridge), follow the Bostonians who have a second home in Falmouth. Coast Guard Beach was recently named among the top 10 beaches in America by "Dr. Beach" and among the best beaches in Massachusetts by Boston.com readers. The median home price in Mastic Beach is $242,100, and the average cost of rent is around $1,752 per month (viaNiche). However, up-and-coming beach towns like Long Beach, Washington allow potential homeowners to invest in affordable real estate while enjoying the incredible environment and making an investment purchase for their future. One of the larger communities on Cape Cod, Falmouth has both its busy and picturesque sides. 12 of the Best Small Towns in Massachusetts - PODS Blog 2 Niche users give it an average review of 5 stars. 1. Have a look and see if you don't agree. See More: From the water with Portsmouth Kayak Adventures tour of Little Harbor. Some Maine coastal towns have an unfair advantage. Fitchburg 7. The small town of Rockport, located in Essex County, is only an hour north of Boston and is ideal for commuters. Marblehead is famous for the yacht clubs dotting the shores, from the Marblehead Club, Boston Club, Eastern, Corinthian, and the Dolphin Club. New England is blessed with hundreds of miles of coastline and many popular coastal destinations but which coastal towns are the best beach towns? The self-dubbed Jewel of the Coast is a well-deserved moniker, and this Mid-Coast harbor town of 4,823 on Penobscot Bay is tucked where mountains reach down to the sea. 1, the most painted building in the world.See More: By jeep, in personalized tours from Sweet Shots Secret Spots.Learn More: ExploringRockport, MA. You Can Hike With Goats At Goats To Go In Massachusetts, The Most-Painted Building In The Country Is Right Here In Massachusetts, You Can Spend The Night In A 1920s Police Station And It Will Be A Stay To Remember, Climb 294 Steps To The Top Of The Bunker Hill Monument In Charlestown And You Can See All Over Boston, 8 Amazing Hidden Massachusetts Beach Towns You Have To Visit, This 72-Mile Drive Is the Best Way to See Massachusetts Stunning Coast, This Unspoiled Beach Town In Massachusetts Is Like A Dream Come True, Youll Never Forget A Trip To These 12 Waterfront Spots In Massachusetts. West Springfield Cities With the Best Home Price to Income Ratio 1. The median listing home price is $452,000, which is significantly cheaper than the homes found in nearby beach towns such as Laguna Beach or Santa Monica (viaRealtor). From sandy beaches to an abundance of seafood feast opportunities, theres no shortage of fun things to find in Massachusetts. Suburb in Massachusetts,. Located on Cape Cod's northern tip, Provincetown is known for its fun and vibrant summer attractions. Ogunquit For beachgoers, it doesn't get any better than Ogunquit. The 10 Most Affordable Cities in Massachusetts - NewHomeSource For more information on cookies including how to manage your consent visit our Privacy Policy. But figuring out which one to start with is difficult, so set aside your sandals and read on as we highlight some of the most commutable beach towns near Boston. Required fields are marked *. City Population: 5,412 70 Search Homes for Sale North Adams, MA City Population: 13,326 Living in North Adams, Massachusetts has been a decent experience these last 4 years, but I would not say that this is my forever home. Scan this QR code to download the app now. Average rent (one-bedroom): $1,400. Hull is a tiny community that offers all the charm of an islandwithout the requisite ferry ride. So what makes a good beach town? Bostonians taking the Greenbush Line of the commuter rail can reach Cohasset in 40 or so minutes. Aug 08 2022 New Castle, New Hampshire | Prettiest Coastal Towns in New England Photo Credit : iStock.com/jiawangkun We picked the 10 prettiest coastal towns in New England, from Down East harbors to Victorian island resorts. Orleans grapples with rules to control explosion of short-term rentals, Your California Privacy Rights / Privacy Policy. It's filled with gorgeous Victorian homes that date back from its time as a summer meeting site for Spiritualists who came to communicate with the dead. Cohasset offers up a lot of the scenic views and small-town New England feel without the giant price tag of more popular coastal spots. Yankees 25 Best Beach Towns in New England, first compiled by longtime contributor Steve Jermanok in 2012, is based on an extensive 14-category ranking system that includes scenic charm, accessibility, kid-friendly activities, average summer water temperature, and proximity to fried clams and ice cream. 1. Boat owners can drop anchor in Hewitts Cove or purchase a slip at the Marina. Any town with a population greater than 25,000 will be noted. Clark Beach and Pavilion Beach are the popular oceanfront attractions in the town, but residents can also trek out to Crane Beach for some surfside seclusion. Located on the gorgeous coast of North Carolina, Morehead City is an adorable harbor town with a variety of activities, restaurants, events, and beaches for all ages to enjoy. Everything You Need to Know About Nantucket, Favorite Things to Do on Marthas Vineyard, 10 Prettiest Coastal Towns in New England. Travelers will find history, culture, and plenty of natural beauty in four Massachusetts towns that offer some of Americas best coastal escapes, according to Big 7 Travel. With states like New York, Connecticut, and Rhode Island located nearby, moving there puts you in the center of it all. Boynton said the listing came on the market late in the season. Whale watching is a big draw here, as well as the classic seafood restaurants and stunning beaches. Visitors can spend summers down on idyllic Cape Cod, enjoy leaf peeping in Western Mass during the fall, alpine and nordic ski through parks in the winter, and catch dozens of flowers and cherry blossoms blooming in springtime. Myrtle Beach is one of the most popular summer vacation destinations on the East Coast, making it a desirable place to own a home, whether it be a summer getaway spot or your full-time residence. Fourteen years later, a new lantern room was built at the top. In addition to boasting some of the oldest and most revered California Redwood trees and the stunning Pacific coast, the city is also known for its unique Victorian architecture, creative culture, one-of-a-kind shops, restaurants, and artisanal businesses. Average home value: $749,500. Mass. has 4 of the 50 best coastal towns in the U.S., according to Big These Are The 11 Most Affordable Boston Suburbs To Live In - Movoto by OJO Note that clicking the link below will block access to this site for 24 hours. There are a variety of specialty spots, galleries, used book stores, and eateries that cater to varying tastes. Artists love Massachusetts coastal towns, and Rockport in particular. What are your picks for the prettiest coastal towns in New England? Unique View: Granite-blocked Southeast Lighthouse, perched at on one of the islands iconic bluffs.See More: From the water on trimaran Ruling Passion. One months storage is included in every move, so you can unload on your own schedule without feeling rushed, too. And on one night each summer, the cottages lights up with Chinese lanterns, making it likely the loveliest place on earth. The average home in Long Beach costs only $243,000, while the Washington state average climbs to an impressive $504,000 (viaBest Places To Live). Hammond Castle can be seen from both shore and sea, but its a structure that's far newer than its appearance suggests. 2023 www.wickedlocal.com. A 3-year probe of encrypted phones led to the seizure of hundreds of tons of drugs, What to expect as Moms for Liberty comes to, Maine Senate joins House in supporting greater access to abortions, David Bromstad knows how it feels to shop for a Lottery Dream Home, Inside Look: Prettiest homes this week in Philly, The Sabyasachi for Pottery Barn collection is here, Inside Look: History meets opulence in this Wash West condo, Trinidads Soca Star Lyrikal to headline 23rd Annual South Jersey Caribbean, MLB Over/Under Bet of the Day: June 13, Royals. Population: 2,427 Home Price: $198,900 median purchase price; $836 median monthly rent Crime Rate: Safer than 84% of U.S. cities Unemployment Rate: 3.5% From its breathtaking Colonial architecture to its close-knit community feel, Hallowell is truly one of the best New England cities to live in! The Oak Bluffs resort community is situated on Martha's Vineyard's northeast shore, overlooking Nantucket Sound a dream vacation destination for many. 5/7 Truro: One of the most affordable beach towns in Massachusetts. The median home cost in Morehead City comes in at around $353,849 (viaZillow). Let us know in the comments below! This post was adapted from a2012 Yankee feature by Steve Jermanok. You can also take both food and historical walking tours while exploring the abundance of shops, restaurants, and parks that are also located in the area. Unique View: The twinkling span of the Pell Bridge just after twilight.See More: From a historical point of view, with Newport History Tours.Learn More:Check out ourGuide to Newport, RIand the Newport Mansions. Like a postcard come to life, Rockport is an endlessly photogenicand dry (yes, that means no alcohol) seaside village with loads of characteristic New England charm and a population of 7,500 residents. Despite its old fashioned charm, you can still find modern amenities. The famous gingerbread houses of this Marthas Vineyard town are set among family-friendly environs packed with T-shirt shops, restaurants of every stripe, and one of the oldest carousels still in operation. The town also boasts incredible historic mansions open for tours and a wide array of outdoor trails, beaches, and docks available to explore while breathing fresh ocean air. Photography by Deb Snelson/Getty Images. The less you have to spend on bills, the more you will have to spend on things that matter: like your home, good food, Vineyard Vines, Lilly Pulitzer, Celtics tickets, and just overall good East Coast fun. Home to massive annual sandsculpting competition, plenty of tasty restaurants and lots of little shops to explore, Revere is a great place to bring the whole family for a day near the water. Deerfield Beach, Florida For more content like this follow Real Estate Population: 86,339 Port Arthur even hosts the faith trail, a celebration of the region's historical and contemporary diversity where people are able to walk from the Buu Mon Buddhist Temple. This quiet beach town offers proximity to the greater New York Metropolitan Area while providing a local, small-town feel, perVillage of Mastic Beach. While many beach towns with this stunning scenery have wild home prices, Deerfield Beach, Florida offers a much more affordable housing market with temperate weather and stunning beaches. If you feel like a dip, grab a bike and head three miles to Joseph Sylvia State Beach, halfway to Edgartown. Check out 5 things to do when visiting Eastham for expert food and activity recommendations. Brewster is a laidback option for when you don't want to deal with the worst of the Cape crowds. If you're a scraper, please click the link below :-) Massachusetts native. Unique View: The nations oldest platform carousel.See More: Of the historic cottages on the Marthas Vineyard Camp Meeting Association Tours.Learn More: Exploring the Gingerbread Cottages at Oak Bluffs Campground. Like many coastal Massachusetts towns, settlers founded the area in the 1600s, and Ipswich residents can find history interwoven into this beach community. Nestled on Maryland's Eastern Shore, the residential community of Ocean Pines boasts over nine miles of waterfront property on over 3,000 acres of wooded areas along the Atlantic Ocean, perOcean Pines Association. Jacksonville, Florida. The community offers a wealth of amenities, including five pools, two marinas, over a dozen walking trails and parks, a premier racquet sports complex, and a championship-sized golf course. The median home cost in Bremerton is around $489,912 (viaZillow). 10 Best Small Towns in Massachusetts - Travel + Leisure It's just a short day trip from Boston MA! Listed at $379,000, 155 Fort Point Road features property lines that go all the way up to the seawall. Drivers have to cover about 20 miles, and it takes anywhere from 40 minutes to an hour to get downtown, depending on the traffic. Stacia Boynton, who rents three two-bedroom guest suites on the second floor of her familys business, Creating the Space, in Humarock, still has a suite available for July 1-8 for $365 per night. This is a small town and the people are nice, but the town is also boring in my opinion. Neighboring Gloucester boasts two of the finest beaches on Cape Ann,Good Harbor and Wingaersheek, but youll want to spend most of your evening hours in Rockport. Located just 90 miles outside of Houston, Port Arthur, Texas is easily one of the most affordable beach towns in the United States. Fine white sand and sparkling blue Atlantic waters run up and down the southeast state. One of the oldest and most affordable towns on Cape Cod, Sandwich is filled with historic homes and charm. Receive the latest news and breaking updates, straight from our newsroom to your inbox. They dont get a lot of waves, so theyre great for families or beachgoers looking for calm waters with swimming access. There are also several museums in the town, such as the whaling museum and the Nantucket Lifesaving Museum. New Castle, New Hampshire | Prettiest Coastal Towns in New England. However, the hidden gem of Eureka, California provides the same natural beauty and landscape diversity California is known for at a fraction of the price. And the best part? 8 Amazing Hidden Massachusetts Beach Towns You Have To Visit Rockport, Ma. The scenic college town of Medford, home to Tufts University, is tied for 10th on our list of affordable Boston suburbs. Take advantage of our limited time offer until July 10, 2023. Located on the southern portion of Cape Ann, the small town of Gloucester is a fishing harbor that has been active since the colonial era. Think again. Deepwater ports surround the peninsula, and on the southern side, beachgoers can walk across Ocean Avenue to reach Devereux Beach. Youll find a quintessential village green here, replete with gazebo and bands playing concerts in summer, surrounded by a good selection of restaurants and shops. Featured Review: Current Resident says North Seekonk is a comfortable and quaint town that exudes safety and security.The shops and stores are adequate, with other places close by, and the atmosphere is comforting. 2023 Yankee publishing, Inc., An Employee-Owned company, all rights reserved. You never have to travel too far in the Bay State to reach a lovely waterfront town. For Bostonians seeking a vibrant, coastal community closer to Boston, Hingham may be where they will want to hang their hat. Unique View: Three windjammers making this narrow harbor their home.See More: From the water, on the Schooner Surprise. Gardner 5. As a resident, youll also want to frequent the Wells State Park. Home to just 12,000 full-time residents and 8,000 seasonal residents, Ocean Pines is rich in small-town charm despite its expansive coastline. The best things to do around the city, delivered to your inbox. 2. The island's shoreline is full of beautiful sandy beaches. If you're a human and see this, please ignore it. 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Yet for readers who are in a rush to exit California, my math says you'll be safest in Massachusetts, followed by Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine and Rhode Island. 7 Affordable Beach Vacations to Book This Summer - AARP The brightly colored gingerbread Victorian cottages make this laid-back enclave on Marthas Vineyard a true New England confection. But do you have to move to Boston or another large city in Massachusetts to enjoy all that the state has to offer? Tiverton Four Corners is a picturesque New England village where you can stroll past buildings from the 18th century, meet local artists, and enjoy award-winning dining. Stacker took into consideration factors such as the towns number of beaches, length of shoreline, access to beach-related businesses, weather, swim season length, and more. One of the areas most unique features are the Gingerbread Cottages at Oak Bluffs campground. Have a look and see if you dont agree. These New England coastal towns are perfect for your next daytrip or weekend getaway. Located on Long Island just outside the hustle and bustle of New York City lies Mastic Beach, New York. 5 Commutable Beach Towns Near Boston - Boston Magazine In recent years, Lynn has become a densely populated, culturally diverse community that works to promote young entrepreneurs, artists, entertainers, and more, building a bright community of locals. This price is drastically lower than the Texas state average, which comes in at around $313,000, making purchasing a home in Port Arthur an absolute steal. About 40 minutes north of Boston via I-95, Bostonites thinking of moving to Ipswich can also take the Purple Newburyport/Rockbury Commuter Rail to reach Boston. The town of Scituate acquired the lighthouse from the government in 1916 for $1,000. This post was first published in 2015 and has been updated. Amesbury, MA, USA. 5 Massachusetts towns with waterfront property under $400,000 - Metro US . While I understand that many of the towns in Massachusetts along the coast are very, very expensive, I'm wondering what people think of some of the areas that may still be somewhat affordable ($300/400K) for buying a home. If we were judging beach towns solely on the variety and quality of their beaches, Wellfleet would earn top honors. Beach season is finally here and a beach town on the Cape is the best in the state, according to Stacker. Coast Guard Beach was recently named amongthe top 10 beaches in Americaby Dr. Editors note: Monthly rental prices were rounded to the nearest $25 and home values were rounded to the nearest $100 for ease of reading. 2023 Best Suburbs to Buy a House in Massachusetts - Niche Follow Boston.com on Instagram (Opens in a New Tab), Follow Boston.com on Twitter (Opens in a New Tab), Like Boston.com on Facebook (Opens in a New Tab), 3 Mass. From the coast to the hills, these are the best small towns to visit in Massachusetts. Bostonians taking the Greenbush Line of. Yet its hard to resist the intriguing collection of bookstores, boutiques, and top-notch restaurants in town after a day at the ocean.