what coastline town is located nearest to Boston

[lrfox]

Originally Posted by tonyandclaire89

Hi All,

In your opinion what picturesque coastline town is located nearest to Boston that has affordable housing, low crime rate and has all the major convenciences such as; shopping, schools, entertainment, medical facilities, etc...

In Maine? or in all of New England?

In Maine, Kittery and York are probably going to fit your description the most, but I'd know better if I had a price range.

In all of New England, I'd say Salisbury MA and Perhaps Manchester MA (possible even Rockport MA) on Boston's North Shore. South of Boston- Hull MA, Kingston MA, Plymouth MA, Fairhaven MA and Westport MA (Perhaps Mattapoisett or Marion as well) would probably be the MOST affordable (read: they're still expensive). Little Compton and Tiverton RI are nice too.

Out of all of the ones I listed, I like Westport MA the best... I think it's a true hidden gem and one of the most affordable coastal towns in Southern New England (outside of York and Kittery, it's probably the cheapest of all of the ones mentioned). It's got rolling farmland that hasn't changed since the 1800s lined with old stone wall with fields that roll down to the scenic Westport river which widens at the mouth into Westport Harbor (one of the most picturesque and quaint fishing villages you'll find outside of Maine) which empties into the Atlantic Ocean at the Vinyard Sound. On either side of the river mouth, you have some of the prettiest beaches in New England (Horseneck Beach/ Gooseberry Island State Park on one side and Acoaxet on the other). The town is about 45-50 minutes South of Boston, but 20 minutes from Providence RI and about 15 from New Bedford MA so it's not totally isolated. The neighboring city of Fall River is getting commuter rail service to Boston soon, so expect prices to jump after that.Take a drive through sometime I have yet to meet someone who was unimpressed.

Hope that helps.

*Edit* Just saw your second post. I think Westport, Fairhaven, York, and Kittery may offer the most bang for your buck. The others you may be forced away from the water a ways in order to find something reasonably priced. I love Kittery and York is nice as well. Both are about 1.5 hours' drive from Boston though and you can't find anything in Maine closer than that. It's hard to beat the beauty of those towns though.

[CoastalMaine]

Gees Ir, my daughter went to Tabor Academy in Marion. I would never call that an affordable town. Or Mattapoisett. Very tony and highly wealthy people there.

[lrfox]

^I suggested Marion and Mattapoisett because you can find some places in the more inland parts-- closer to Route 6-- of town that are very reasonably priced (a LOT cheaper than Boston area towns). You're right though, go down towards the water and it gets pretty pricey. A lot more expensive than most of the towns anyone here has listed and it can get tony. I guess growing up in the area, the "wealthy" towns were places like Duxbury, Hingham, Norwell, etc and Mattapoisett and Marion were a tier back, but they can certainly get expensive. Away from the water, close to 195 and 6 it gets better though. I have a friend who lives in Mattapoisett, right in the center of town ("Mattapoisett Village") in a nice old house and his mom is a teacher and his dad is a carpenter... not trust funders or lottery winners either. It depends on where you go, towards the water, forget about it... it's super pricey.

Westport and Fairhaven though... still pretty reasonable even at the water (West Island in Fairhaven is gorgeous and there are ocean front homes for sale for >$400k).

Tabor Academy though, eh? Fantastic school. Good for your daughter.

[CoastalMaine]

Yah. It about killed my pocketbook. She had a scholarship, but it was still highly expensive. A college education for high school. But she's that bright. There wasn't enough of a challenge in public school here on the lower Cape. It's been a good thing for her because it really does open doors to just have that on your resume'. 18k her first year and year 4 had shot up to double that!!!! That's just room and board. Just like college. Eeek!!!! That's a LOT of haircuts, tanners, and shampoo sales!!! roflmao

[moughie]

Originally Posted by mainebrokerman

crabapple cove

Excellent suggestion

[retiredtinbender]

Originally Posted by CoastalMaine

too funny! How recently was this Tin?

Lord, I was at Pease from 1979 to 1982 when I went to England. Lots of good times in Portsmouth. SAC's best kept secret we used to say.