Newburyport, MA (Boston, Cambridge: houses, purchase, schools)

[HarperT]

Hello, A year ago I moved from the Chesapeake Bay area to Cambridge, MA to be closer to family. I have decided to purchase a house and although I like Cambridge, I am thinking about moving to Newburyport to have more space and be closer to the ocean. I enjoy gardening, knitting,birding, walking and most outdoor activities. I am in my 60's and would just like some thought from people my age that live in the Newburyport area.
Thanks in Advance.....I really enjoy reading all the posts here!!!

[in_newengland]

Hi-- as usual I will jump in because Nature abhors a vacuum. So I'll start and then some more enlightened and informed person can come along and complete what I tried to say.

Newburyport is wonderful. Think Plum Island. Your bird interest will be piqued and there are nature walks all the time to see marshes, birds, and other stuff that your probably love.

There is great shopping, lots of history, the salt air, great old sea captain type houses. You're near Portsmouth NH which is a lot of fun to visit. You can easily get up to L.L. Bean in Maine.

Just being around people closer to your own age would be nice, I would think. People in Newburyport are not mostly students, as in Cambridge -- they are "grown up" (as I like to say) and just don't need to live near Boston for careers.

I go there a lot to take pictures -- just point your camera and there is something beautiful. You've got perfect countryside and open land with all the amenities of culture and interesting people. There is more but there are other people on here too who know more than I do...............

[nbptgal]

Hello,
Although I am not in your age range, I thought i would throw in my opinion. I agree with everything in_newengland said. It is a beautiful city with a lot to offer. The one downfall is finding a home to garden in that you won't have to empty your savings account to purchase. Houses with nice gardens are not always up for grabs. That being said, it is an ideal town to walk around and there is always something to enjoy!
Good luck!

[SwiftCreek]

If you like to garden then you should consider looking in the west side of Newburyport and in Newbury. There are some nice homes in Newbury - and since you don't need to worry about schools, that might be a better option.

[pekinduck]

Newburyport's great, and if you like Cambridge you'd probably love it. If you are looking for more space it might not be the answer. I believe Newburyport was actually *denser* than Boston until a few decades ago! But by all means look around, you might find the perfect place.