Should I move North of Boston or head to the South Shore? Since Andersen Group Realty started working with Boston home buyers twenty years ago, we have heard this question from clients countless times. Bostonians who crave a more suburban lifestyle can choose from so many vibrant and hospitable communities, how do they decide?

We often start with a sit down conversation about the buyer’s specific needs. For those clients who lead with their desire for a quick commute and easy access back to the city, we usually begin our home search in North of Boston communities like Medford, Arlington or Winchester. Yet, there are just as many buyers who prioritize large lot sizes with ample privacy and who don’t worry as much about distance from the city. We’ve helped many people find their dream homes in South of Boston towns like Milton, Cohasset or Hingham. 

In this blog post, we help you weigh the pros and cons of moving in either direction outside of Boston. Just like during our sit down client conversations, we encourage you to list your priorities before you begin your home search. Read on to learn more about the unique characteristics and charm you’ll find in towns both North and South of Boston. Hopefully, we can inspire you to take a deeper dive and, as always, we are here as your partners in every aspect related to a potential move. Let us help find the ideal suburb for you.

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Going house hunting soon? Read these other posts from our blog.

• 5 Reasons to Buy a Home Instead of Renting
• 5 Things to Consider to Get Your Offer Accepted
• How to Maximize the Value of Your Home Purchase

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Sensational South of Boston

Sometimes we meet buyers who have heard wonderful things about the south shore of Boston but are weary of the commute back into the city. One of the first distinctions we make is the difference between coastal towns further south and those thriving communities just outside of Boston. Towns like Milton, Quincy, and Braintree are still minutes from the ocean but also an easier drive, or commuter rail trip, to a job in Boston.

We can help you explore towns near Boston that retain some urban feel but also offer an escape to a more suburban setting surrounded by parks and hiking trails. The Blue Hills Reservation, spanning parts of Milton and Quincy, offers over 7,000 acres of preserved land for outdoor enthusiasts. We also encourage our clients to consider the financial strength of a potential town and often point out Quincy’s growing biotech sector or Braintree’s popular South Shore Plaza mall.

Life Near the Beach

For those clients yearning to live near the beach, you simply can’t beat the beauty of the coastal towns along the South Shore. From Nantasket Beach in Hull to the quaint harbors of Hingham and Cohasset, you’ll find easy access to seaside living in many communities. We often tell buyers to start with a road trip from Boston, heading down Rte. 93 and stopping along the way to enjoy scenic views, charming downtown districts and fabulous food. 

Living south of Boston also places you closer to Cape Cod, one of the most popular vacation destinations in the country. Choosing to live in a small town like Norwell, Duxbury or Kingston can make weekend getaways to the Cape’s pristine beaches much more convenient. But, before you arrive at the Cape, you’ll have to check out the hub of the South Shore, Plymouth. Home of Plymouth Rock and the Mayflower, Plymouth offers a deep connection to American history.

You can explore colonial-era architecture, visit living history museums, and walk in the footsteps of the Pilgrims. If you wish to live in historic Plymouth but still work in Boston, you can easily jump on a train from the nearby commuter rail in Kingston. Travel back to Boston has become easier than ever now the MBTA has expanded, including its ferry service to Long Wharf from Hingham to Hull. Ultimately, there is little to dissuade you from living your best life south of Boston.

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Want to know more about communities North of Boston? Check out these other blogs next!

• What Are The Top North of Boston Suburbs?
• Which Boston Suburbs Are Best For Families?
• What Makes Winchester, MA Great?

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Noteworthy North of Boston

Considering a move from Boston but want to stay as close as possible to the city? Then the communities just north of Beantown may be ideal for you. 

Nature enthusiasts often choose to move north of Boston to access some of Massachusetts’ most breathtaking natural reservations, like the 600 acres of hardwood forest in Saugus’ Breakheart Reservation. Stoneham, Malden, Medford, Melrose, and Winchester share access to over 2,000 acres of natural refuge at Middlesex Fells Reservation, where visitors can bike, hike and cross-country. We also meet many clients who are avid downhill skiers and crave proximity to the mountains. North of Boston communities like North Andover, Topsfield and West Newbury are an easy drive to the mountains and tax-free shopping of New Hampshire as well as the rugged beauty of coastal Maine. 

The North Coast

Coastal beauty is not exclusive to Massachusetts’ South Shore. We encourage buyers to travel north on Rte. 95 and explore the rocky coastline of Cape Ann all the way up to the beautiful town of Newburyport. Crane Beach in Ipswich and Halibut Point State Park in Rockport are just two examples of the natural wonders awaiting exploration. The North Shore is steeped in maritime history.

Towns like Gloucester, Essex, and Marblehead offer stunning beaches, thriving boating communities and fascinating glimpses into our seafaring past. While traffic can be challenging as you travel further from Boston, the North Shore is well-served by commuter rail lines. Some towns like Blossom Street Pier in Lynn offer scenic ferry services into Long Wharf Boston. We often steer buyers to bustling communities just outside of Boston, like Arlington, Lexington, or Winchester. Towns like Burlington and Woburn are home to growing finance and biotech sectors, potentially offering job opportunities closer to Boston.

Andersen Group’s Cross-Town Expertise

In many instances, we work with clients who are considering towns both north and south of the city. Oftentimes, we are able to leverage our network of professionals to partner with agents who can service our clients in a parallel thread for any communities that are outside of our coverage area. Through this type of partnership, we are able to make sure that our clients have an expert who is knowledgeable about the neighborhoods they are looking in, regardless of where they are looking and how widespread their search is.

Massachusetts’ towns are rich in history, yet continuously evolving. This is why we encourage our clients to do their research and prioritize their wants and needs. There is no better way to explore than to travel to local communities, walk through the downtown area and chat with residents. We love meeting with potential buyers after they’ve explored new areas north or south of Boston. Hearing their feedback allows us to better target the ideal town for each client and continue the home search together.

Whether you’re planning to move either north or south of the city, Andersen Group Realty is here to be a resource for you. While we don’t actively service all towns in the southern part of the state, we have an extensive network of professionals who are experts in the various towns that we can partner with on your real estate needs anywhere in Massachusetts, and all of New England, for that matter.

Looking for the perfect Boston-area home? Discover Andersen Group Realty’s unparalleled services today. Click here to send us an email or call 781-729-2329 to get started.