North Shore vs South Shore: lifestyle, restaurants and more... (Boston: sales, to rent) - Massachusetts (MA) - City-Data Forum

JB-SeattleGirl · 09-13-2010, 10:38 PM

My husband and I just moved from Seattle where we used to rent a single family home. We are staying with his parents in Westhampton (about 2 hours from Boston), so we haven't had the chance to cruise along the towns on the North and South shore. We did stayed in the city for a weekend to come to realize that we don't want to live there. We have 2 cars that we need to bring with us, and we were shocked at how little space you get for the big money that you pay in rent.

This is what we are looking for: we are a young couple who work from home, so no problem with commuting anywhere. We like to go to good restaurants on the weekends, movies, and a bar once in a while. We would like to live in a nice, quite and safe neighborhood close to shops. We definitely want a single family house, that is not wall to wall with the next door neighbor. In other words we are looking for space and a good neighborhood.

We are planning heading that way this coming weekend, but we need to set up some appointments beforehand, and we just don't know which shore might be the best fit for us.

Any suggestion is welcomed, if you can give me some specific names that would be great.

Champ le monstre du lac · 09-14-2010, 02:09 AM

On the North Shore I would say the Newburyport area would fit the bill. It has a great downtown with a diverse selection of restaurants, historic architecture, the city and surrounding area has plenty of elbow room. Sales tax free NH is nearby, and some very beautiful beaches and coastline nearby like Plum Island. It's on I-95 which is usually not affected by traffic north of Boston. Boston is about 45 minutes from Newburyport. Other nice areas would be Ipswich (Cranes Beach is fabulous, lots of seafood restaurants) and the Cape Anne area (Gloucester/Rockport).

If you are looking for a suburban setting on the North Shore with a somewhat affordable single family home then Danvers, Peabody, Beverly, and Wakefield are good options.

South Shore is very residential, but Plymouth has a lot of character. It also has plenty of elbow room and oppurtunities for recreation being near the Cape and lots of Freshwater ponds to swim in.

jlyang · 09-14-2010, 06:22 AM

Hi,
I'd also consider where you'd like to go for recreation-- the North Shore is easier for accessing Vermont, the mountains in New Hampshire, the Maine coast, etc. The South Shore would be better for getting to Cape Cod, NYC, Foxwoods/Mohegan Sun casinos, etc.

NewfieMama · 09-14-2010, 02:47 PM

Okay, just a few questions for you:

1. How important is it to you to be near Boston? You obviously won't be commuting, which is great, but are you looking to be close enough to, say, quickly drive to the city to have dinner or shop on Newbury Sreet when you go the urge? Or would you be fine living somewhere like the Cape so long as you had shops and restaurants near you (but a 1.5 + hour drive to the city)?

2. How important is it to be near the water? When somebody mentions the north or south shore, I always assume proximity to beaches is important (it is to me, so maybe that's why I think that).

3. As jlyang mentioned, which do you think would like to be closer to--mountains in VT/NH or beaches on Cape/Islands?

4. Budget? I'm assuming you're renting?

I feel like there are towns on both shores that fit your criteria: safe, quiet neighborhoods with houses that are more spread out, cute town centers with good restaurants/shops/theater, etc. The issue is budget--especially renting. It would probably be $3K+to rent in these towns which is a decent chunk of change to spend on something that isn't a mortgage.

I live on the South Shore and had an easy time finding shops and restaurants I love. That being said, my favorite ice cream place (Benson's) is on the North Shore and I'm a big fan of JT Farnham's fried clams, so I'm sure I'd be happy on the North Shore as well...I'm not much of a help, haha.

Beachcomber4 · 09-14-2010, 05:21 PM

Newfiemama- have you tried Farfars in Duxbury or Nonas in Hingham for ice cream? Both are fabulous.

NewfieMama · 09-15-2010, 07:07 AM

Yeah, we went to Nona's often when we lived close to Hingham center and my in-laws are in Duxbury, so we go to Farfar's regularly. Unfortunately neither comes even close for me to Benson's. I don't mind driving over an hour for an ice cream cone, though

I also love Mad Maggie's which is literally down the street from Benson's--we get all of our ice cream cakes from there.

Beachcomber4 · 09-17-2010, 07:33 AM

Hmmm I think you've issued a challenge here NewfieMama. I might have to try it.

Valerie C · 09-17-2010, 01:16 PM

Mmmmmmmm Benson's... they used to have the very best ice cream, especially for a break while bike riding the back roads of Boxford. I haven't been to Mad Maggie's, looks like it's in the same area that used to be Tredwell's overlooking Lake Cochichawick (or drive over to the airport to watch the planes take off and land. The area's changed so much since I lived in the area with alot of new development along Rte 125. Back in my younger days we would visit China Blossom and eat pounds and pounds of crab legs at the buffet... good times

Sorry for dragging this off topic and down memory lane!

Quote:

Originally Posted by NewfieMama

Yeah, we went to Nona's often when we lived close to Hingham center and my in-laws are in Duxbury, so we go to Farfar's regularly. Unfortunately neither comes even close for me to Benson's. I don't mind driving over an hour for an ice cream cone, though

I also love Mad Maggie's which is literally down the street from Benson's--we get all of our ice cream cakes from there.

lrfox · 09-17-2010, 02:52 PM

Others have pointed out that more info is needed (particularly, budget).

Still, I'm inclined to say that the North Shore may have more places that fit your needs. Newburyport, Gloucester and Rockport are the obvious choices. I like Ipswich too. If you can afford either, Marblehead and Manchester by the Sea are beautiful. Salem is a nice place but may be a little too urban for your liking.

On the South Shore Hingham, Weymouth and Plymouth jump out at me. but none are cheap (Plymouth is probably the most affordable).

For values (since commuting isn't an issue), Fairhaven and Dartmouth (Particularly Russels Mills or Padnaram Village) on the South Coast would be good fits. Westport (Acoaxet or the Point) would be nice as would Marion and Mattapoisett but they aren't super cheap (more affordable than most of the North and South Shore though). Fairhaven gets my vote as one of the best values given the scenic coastal location (look at West Island in Fairhaven, Sconticut Neck or Oxford Village), access to dining and shopping, architecture, history, etc.

The South Coast is about an hour from Boston (give/take) though and about 20-30 minutes from Providence.

cwaggy · 09-17-2010, 05:06 PM

Essex is great with easy access to Ipswich, Manchester and Gloucester and nearby commuter rail. You will need a Lund 16 (thats a small tin boat) and a Labrador retriever to fit right in. Central to restaurants, beaches, woods, shore, NH/ME seacoast and mountains. I can name 15 great chowhound-worthy places no matter if you are N, S or W. of here. ( E of here and you are dining on a boat. ) Better housing value than Manchester by the Sea but same award winning schools. Only downside: Bugs. Its a swamp, after all. Ipswich is busier but is more of a hub since its really out here in Old 1A by itself but it is a great town with amazing coastal and cultural amenities w rail service direct to Boston, a very fine dining and cultural town BTW.