5 MA Suburbs Good Enough To Pull You Away From The City
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I’m sure there are several die-hard Bostonians out there who feel that a move to the suburbs means “selling out”. As wonderful as it is to step out your front door directly into the action, there are plenty of downsides to city living.
First off, apartments go for about $5,000 per square foot – a slight exaggeration, but you get the point! Then there’s the traffic, the unreliable T, the noise… If it feels like it may be time to spread out, settle down or start a family, there are a few suburban towns that won’t send you into total culture shock.
These 5 Massachusetts towns offer their own unique vibes with a taste of the city life you know and love!
1. Hingham
Population: 22,150
Having grown up in Scituate, I’m partial to Hingham. It’s still quaint, beautiful and beachy like my hometown, but offers city access, great restaurants and some pretty trendy bars at Marina Bay. Plus, it’s a relaxing 45-minute water ferry ride away from the city. The Hingham Shipyard is paradise for boaters. Love to sail or cruise, but can’t afford your own vessel? Join the Freedom Boat Club where you can borrow the boat of your choice without all the maintenance work and storage fees! The shipyard is also where you’ll find the best shopping and dining, including the awesome burger joint, Wahlburgers, where famous brothers Mark and Donnie have been known to make an appearance. All of this, just minutes from Nantasket Beach!
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2. Worcester
Population: 182,500
If you can get used to the idea of being a good hour from Boston, Worcester really is a great little city on the rise. It’s landlocked, so you are going to lose your views of the Atlantic, but you gain the advantages of the historic Canal District, featuring a hip farmer’s market, local artisans and retail spots. Affordable, loft-style condos overlook the water, and the canal is great for kayaking in summer and skating in winter. According to Thrillist, the cluster of new restaurants cropping up rival Boston’s hotspots! They recommend Wormtown Brewery Tap Room, Armsby Abbey, The Canal, The Fix, and deadhorse hill.
3. Newburyport
Population: 17,800
Newburyport is another charming, New England seaport like Hingham. It’s the perfect little town for those who appreciate outdoor living and historical charm. Many condos have been created from tastefully redesigned 19th century properties. Nearby Plum Island offers gorgeous walking trails and there are kayak launch points all over town. The Newburyport/Rockport commuter line will get you to North Station in about an hour.
4. Northampton
Population: 28,590
Are you a hippie at heart? Then Northampton, set in the Berkshires, is perfect for you! Coffee shops, vegan restaurants and music venues abound. Clean, artsy and unpretentious, Northampton is a friendly place to walk Downtown with your dog, hike, or enjoy a simple and wellmade meal at simple, fresh restaurants like Jake’s and Paul and Elizabeth’s. Amtrak now offers daily train service into the Back Bay station if you happen to overdose on all that fresh mountain air!
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5. Duxbury
Population: 15,050
The beautiful saltbox style homes of this south shore town are so classically New England. Duxbury is safe, beautiful and perfect for raising a family. The schools are great, and it’s quiet, but definitely not isolated. You have unlimited access to residents-only parking at Duxbury Beach and are only a quick jaunt away from the Cape and Islands! Duxbury is just 25 miles south of Boston, but it feels like another world entirely! Oh, and did I mention that it’s the home of Island Creek Oyster Company??
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Featured Image via Flickr/TimothyValentine