Massachusetts

Kentucky, with Frankfort as the state capital, is a southeastern state surrounded by Ohio River in the north and the Appalachian Mountains in the East.

Kentucky Derby, a renowned horse race held at Churchill Downs on the first  Saturday in May, is home to the state’s largest city, Louisville. The race is preceded by a 2-week festival and celebrated in the Kentucky Derby Museum year-round.

They say it is where America started. In Plymouth, Massachusetts. The place where the first European settlement was set up in 1620. That momentous occasion served as a harbinger of what was to come because to this day, this progressive New England state continues to act as a national compass in terms of transformation.

It first emerged as a farming, fishing and whaling centre, from which it morphed into the original American industrial heartland.

Towards the end of the 20th century, the Old Colony State would undergo a drastic reinvention as a high-tech and artistic powerhouse in what is now famously dubbed “The Massachusetts Miracle”. That reinvention has since gone on to inspire a rustbelt-reinvention all over the globe.

Today, the Greater Boston area alone boasts more IT brainpower than in some major European countries.

Massachusetts has firmly established itself as an academically prestigious state, and it is not surprising that technology and education remain its biggest industries.

Indeed, WalletHub ranked it the most educated state in America in 2017, with the Commonwealth state coming in at No.3 on the list of most innovative states.

The personal finance website also placed Massachusetts 6th overall on the best states to raise a family, with strong ratings particularly in education & child care, health & safety, affordability, and family fun – just the perfect recipe for anyone looking for a desirable place to set up home.

The best places to live in Massachusetts are strewn all over The Bay State. The closer you are to jobs-rich Boston, the higher the cost of living. The farther away you move from “The Hub”, the slower life gets, but do not misconstrue this to mean boring.

Below, we list our best recommendations.

1. Waltham, Massachusetts

Waltham

In the Money Magazine Best Places to Live in America 2017 list, occupying the No.13 slot was humble Waltham, a town near Boston in Middlesex County with a population of 62,500.

The town gets its name from the Waltham Watch Co., an assembly line watch factory that produced more than 40 million watches and clocks in the 19th century.

Waltham is within close proximity of Boston (less than 10 miles) and there are two local universities based in the area: Brandeis University and Bentley College.

Unsurprisingly, the city has an active nightlife and also features an eclectic dining scene, with over 260 bars and restaurants to choose from, most of which you will find on Moody Street.

The town’s entertainment scene also includes five museums, several parks and theatres.

Household incomes average $75,205 per household, with major employers including the likes of online marketing company Constant Contact, defence contractor Raytheon, and Student Universe, a tech firm that provides students with discount travel services.

2. Lexington, Massachusetts

Lexington,

Lexington was named #1 on the 2017 Best Places to Live in Massachusetts by Niche, and it is a name you are probably conversant with. That is because it is here that the first shots of the American Revolutionary War were fired.

The community of almost 33,000 residents commemorates the early days of the struggle for independence on the first Monday of April every year without fail.

It was only fitting that such a site of national importance become a decent town long after the shots died down, and that is exactly what became of Lexington. The area has some of the best performing public schools in the whole country, with little crime rate to talk about.

Cost of living is high, though, with median home values standing at a hefty $736,600, but the residents likewise enjoy some of the highest median household incomes in the nation at $149,306.

3. Leverett, Massachusetts

Leverett

If peace and quiet are ranking factors in your location evaluation criteria, you cannot do better than Leverett.

Located in Franklin County, Leverett makes it to our list due to its affordable cost of living in relation to the perks you get to enjoy. The serenity and picturesque surrounds aside, the small town of just 2,000 residents is served by a highly ranked school district, with an almost non-existent crime rate.

Life is affordable for a place of its stature, with home values averaging $343,900. As a resident, however, you will have to contend with the fact that there are no bars, restaurants or movie theatres in the area.

You could say Leverett encourages an old school type of lifestyle because it makes up for this dearth through an abundance of natural attractions and to-do’s.

4. Cambridge, Massachusetts

Cambridge

This is that Cambridge, the small town that is home to two of the world’s leading institutions of higher learning: Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and Harvard University.

If hanging around a stupidly smart crowd sounds like your idea of a fulfilling life, few places in the whole wide world can guarantee you that as much as this Middlesex County city of 108,000 residents.

But it’s not like it is all work without play, Cambridge. The area has one of the liveliest nightlife, with plenty of awesome bars and restaurants, and amazing arts centres to boot.

Homes in Cambridge fetch at $581,700 on average, which is just about the going rate for a two-bed one-bath condo.

5. Winchester, Massachusetts

Winchester, Massachusetts

Winchester is a suburb of Boston that is home to 22,000 people. This is one of those towns designed particularly with family in mind. In fact, Winchester has been widely viewed as such since as early as the 1970s, and it is a distinction the town has held ever since.

As with virtually every family town in Massachusetts, Winchester’s school district is one of the best performing in the nation, earning the highest possible score of 10 on GreatSchools.

There are few incidences of crime in the area, and the town is an easy commute to the big city.

Mystic Lakes is a favourite hangout spot for residents whenever they want to swim, paddle, sail or ice-skate.

But life in Winchester doesn’t come for cheap.

Budget $1,565 for rent per month, on average. And if you are looking to splash on a dream home, you will find many options in the area, although this should set you back $738,200 on average.

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6. Newton, Massachusetts

Newton, Massachusetts

Newton was named by TIME’s Money Magazine as the 26th best place to live in the United States.

The affluent town of 88,000 people comprises 13 villages. It is well-known for its outstanding public schools, leafy green streets and historic homes whose median value stands at $739,700.

The Garden City, as is often called, is less than 10 miles from Boston, but this commuter town has a flourishing economic life of its own. The job market is extremely healthy, and the biggest employers include the Newton-Wellesley Hospital and Boston College.

Newton residents enjoy high incomes necessary to cushion them from the high cost of living, with households taking home $121,000 on average each year.

7. Sharon, Massachusetts

Sharon

Speaking of Money Magazine, Sharon may not have made it to the esteemed TIME publication in 2017, but it has been a constant feature over the last several years. Niche.com lists it as the second-best place to live in this New England State.

Located in Norfolk County, Sharon is home to 18,000 people. Its proximity to Boston has seen it benefit from the numerous jobs available, and the high employment rate has been bolstered by the many other jobs in nearby Providence, as well as the Route 128 tech corridor.

These high-paying jobs sees families in the area take home a hefty $124,444 on average.

The natural beauty of Sharon gives it an air of a remote suburb, with 40% of the town remaining an open space.

This beauty has also seen it become a famous summer resort, with the cherished Lake Massapoag a major attraction for both residents and visitors alike who go here for picnics, swimming and enjoying the famous Memorial Beach concerts.

Sharon is highly diverse, and its exceptional public schools encompass 30% of non-white students.

8. Provincetown, Massachusetts

Provincetown

If you fancy having a home within close proximity of alluring beaches, no place in the Codfish State beats Provincetown.

P-town, as it’s known to its 3,000 residents, is situated at the very tip of Cape Cod, and it is a booming tourist destination for this one reason. Visitors flock to its shores in their droves across all seasons, winter included. For the beaches. And art. And something else.

Amazingly, P-town has managed to maintain its unique identity despite many decades of positioning itself as a cultural hub in the area. What will strike you most about Provincetown is its strong artistic flair that is evident in every little corner within its precincts.

It is chock full of varied craft stores and art galleries, complete with centres set up to promote visual arts and writing.

Provincetown is also famous for its large LGBTQ community, doubly so in summer. In fact, America’s oldest gay bar, The Atlantic House, can be found here. But it has a history of something rather different: hosting intellectuals.

Homes in Provincetown have a median value of $473,500.

9. Marblehead, Massachusetts

Marblehead

Next up our list of 15 best places to live in Massachusetts is Marblehead, a suburb of Boston located in Essex County where more than 20,000 residents call home.

Crime rate in Marblehead is slightly higher than most of the entries on this list, but don’t take that to mean Marblehead is unsafe. It is anything but; just that what constitutes crime in some of these areas could be, for instance, making off with a bottle of wine after a fancy get-together.

Families in Marblehead earn a combined $102,993 per household on average. Their kids are educated with some of the sharpest brains in the country, in public schools that have a near perfect score on GreatSchools.

Marblehead is also keen to foster a sense of community, and this also trickles down to the students through the Marblehead High Schools booster club which awards academic scholarships for success on the field (and off of it).

10. Sudbury, Massachusetts

Sudbury

Sudbury is a beautiful town located in Middlesex County that has it all going for it.

Crime in the area is a foreign concept to the 18,400 residents who live here. Its public schools are widely regarded and considered to be among the best in the state.

Lincoln-Sudbury Regional High School students, for instance, have been acing it in science, mathematics and English subjects in the MCAS, hitting a minimum score of 90% in the last several years.

The town has easy access to medical care, with grocery stores, restaurants and shops within a short drive. Sudbury is a close-knit community, and its folk often come together for many events, including movies, holiday dinners and more.

The major downside to living in the area, even as some residents admit, is the high cost of living. Homes average $640,700, but rent is surprisingly affordable at $569 on average. But finding a rental in the area is not at all easy.

Median household income in Sudbury is $165,745.

11. Wellesley, Massachusetts

Wellesley

Wellesley is a typical Massachusetts town.

It is renowned for its outstanding school district, something that is evident from the high number of students who attend colleges in the area.

One of the most notable includes Wellesley College, a sight to behold thanks to its sprawling campus that perfectly marries the charm of old with modern buildings, with lush landscapes and trees everywhere. Babson College is similarly appealing.

The 29,000 residents who live in this Norfolk County town are spoilt for choice when it comes to outdoor activities, with miles upon miles of trails that pass through every place imaginable, an arboretum and quiet parks.

Like many other proud towns in the Commonwealth state, Wellesley has several distinctive shops, examples of which include the Blue Ginger restaurant, Wasik’s Cheese Shop and Wellesley Books, all treasured by locals and visitors to the town.

The area is synonymous with a high quality of life, albeit with an equally high cost of living. The homes, which fetch at a whopping $936,900 on average, are bound to lock out many.

12. Concord, Massachusetts

Concord

Concord is a special town in American history as it is here that the battles that sparked the American Revolution were fought; the battles of Concord and Lexington.

The town of more than 19,200 residents also has a great literary history, homing an elite group of authors that included Ralph Waldo Emerson, Henry Thoreau, Louisa May Alcott and Nathaniel Hawthorne.

Their work has been preserved in the rustic and snug wood-paneled town library which has a dedicated transcendentalist wing.

Concord is an alluring proposition for anyone looking for some of the best schools in the state, varied amenities like shops and restaurants, and basically anyone who can spare $702,400 on average for a home.

There are less costly options, some as low as $400,000 for a three-bed two-bath single-family property, but generally the cost of living in the area is a little steep.

13. Newburyport, Massachusetts

Newburyport

Newburyport has a long seaport history which has seen it become a hot tourist spot. But the welcoming town is also an amazing place to call home, as the 18,000 residents who live here have found out.

Though not as high as some places on this list, the residents of this Boston suburb enjoy high wages that average $85,556 per household

Commuting to the state capital also takes a little longer, but good thing is it is a bearable drive. If you are keen on making a positive impact on the environment, you can always leave your car behind and opt for the train instead as the city has a commuter rail stop.

Crime rate in Newburyport is moderate, and the town has a wealth of local dining spots that serve everything from local favourites to New Orleans-style fare.

Homes here are a bit more affordable at $444,200 on average.

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14. Beverly, Massachusetts

Beverly, Massachusetts

Next town on our list of 15 best places to live in Massachusetts is Beverly, one of the oldest cities in The Old Colony State.

It is located just 16 miles from Boston and the 40,670 residents enjoy a fairly low cost of living, with median home value standing at $369,600.

At $72,837, the average wage is above the national average. This, coupled with a crime rate that is relatively low, makes it an excellent choice for many, including families who have the additional bonus of taking their children to high-performing schools.

Beverly makes for easy commuting to Boston, but the presence of many restaurants and local attractions in the area means the residents don’t have to hop on the commuter train during their off-hours.

15. Longmeadow, Massachusetts

Longmeadow

Last but definitely not least, is Longmeadow, a town in Hampden County that is home to a little under 16,000 people.

The dreamy town is the definition of quaint, but that is not to mean life is slow here. The public school system is one of the best in the state. Longmeadow High School is a classic example; its students consistently outperform in their college entrance exams, and 96% of the graduates proceed on to college.

The high school music program performs exceptionally well during its nationwide travel competitions, bagging numerous Grammy Awards in the process.

What else you will love about Longmeadow is the affordable cost of living, at least compared to the other alternatives on this list.

Median home value is at $334,300, and depending on location, you can get a three-bedroom or four-bedroom single-family property for a hundred grand cheaper than that.

Cape Cod, a hook-shaped peninsula of the U.S. state of Massachusetts, is a popular summertime destination. It’s the site of quaint villages, seafood shacks, lighthouses, ponds and bay and ocean beaches.

In the large town of Hyannis, the John F. Kennedy Museum is the first stop on the Kennedy Legacy Trail through downtown, where ferries depart to the resort islands of Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket.

An arm-shaped headland on the east of Massachusetts, Cape Cod is often considered synonymous with ‘beach’ and offers some of the best beach destinations not just in the United States but in the world.

Featuring a boundless stretch of astounding coastline, historic sites, natural attractions, and tropical flora and fauna, Cape Cod is among the most-visited places on earth.

The Bay is divided into four sections namely the upper, the middle, the lower, and the outer cape. Wellfleet, a town in the Outer Cape, consists mostly of the National Seashore of Cape Cod Bay.

While there is plenty to do in Cape Cod, beach activities such as swimming, kayaking, jet-skiing, boogie boarding, boating, whale watching, and fishing are some of the most popular around the entire region.

Find below a list of the top beaches in Cape Cod Bay and discover what each of them offers you.

1. Craigville Beach

Craigville Beach

Regarded as the most famous beach in Barnstable, Craigville is a public beach located in Nantucket Sound. There is also a private beach, Covell’s Beach, nearby. Unlike the usual private beaches in Cape Cod, Craigville’s parking is open to non-residents for a parking fee.

The huge beach has clear, smooth sand and picturesque landscapes.

Come summer, kitesurfing becomes one of the most popular activites in the area. Swimming and sunbathing are also highly enjoyed here.

Though the beach is a favorite spot for college students and teenagers, the area sees all kinds of tourists.

The long, beautiful stretch of beach has several public amenities on offer such as showers, restrooms, boardwalk, swimming lessons, and even lifeguards. Craigville Beach is disabled accessible. There are rental shops from where you can rent chairs and umbrellas.

2. Monument Beach

Monument Beach, Massachusetts

Located in the town of Bourne, Massachusetts, Monument Beach is an extensive, tropical beauty that looks out onto the entrance of Cape Cod Canal. Despite its size and location, the surroundings are amazingly serene and not overcrowded at all.

The dock that sits close to the beach offers brilliant views of the sea. You could also jump off into the waters from here in cannonball-style.

The waters at the beach are calm and idyllic for families with kids. Lifeguards patrol the area.

Public facilities offered at Monument Beach include concession stands, restrooms, boardwalk, picnic areas, bathhouses, and a huge parking space.

Windsurfing and beach volleyball are widely-enjoyed activities at the beach.

3. Grays Beach

Grays Beach

Also known as Bass Hole Beach, Grays Beach is located in Yarmouth, Massachusetts and is a nice, saltwater beach on Cape Cod Bay.

The beach is at the opening of Garden Creek and has a long boardwalk that extends over a salt marsh partway to the beach. The boardwalk offers gorgeous views of tropical flora and fauna and marine life.

Even though the beach is not too large, there is a spacious picnic area which features a gazebo.

Across Dennis’ Chapin Beach, Grays Beach is open to the public and has lifeguards for your safety. There aren’t any showers or food stands at the beach but you can bring a packed lunch and make a picnic out of it.

There are restrooms available for public use.

The size of the beach and the low tide water makes it perfect for children to swim and splash around while adults can enjoy laying on the sand.

4. Sea Gull Beach

Sea Gull Beach, Massachusetts

Sea Gull Beach is on the Sea Gull Beach Road in Yarmouth, MA and is just west of Parker’s area. The largest and the most famous beach in Yarmouth, Sea Gull is widely popular among teenagers and young adults.

Quite a few seagulls can be spotted around the area.

The beach is quite large which makes ample space for visitors to lounge around, relax, and enjoy water activities. The water at Sea Gull is amazingly calm and ideal for a refreshing splash. The sand floor is soft and clean and is great for sun-basking.

Sea Gull Beach has a spacious parking space and is also a great spot for windsurfing and beachcombing.

Facilities at the beach include bike racks, attendants, showers, food stalls, restrooms, swimming lessons, and is also disabled-accessible.

5. Cahoon Hollow Beach

Cahoon Hollow Beach

Located in Wellfleet, Massachusetts, Cahoon Hollow Beach is one of the most popular beaches in the town and sees a lot of visitors around the year, mostly youngsters and those in their twenties and thirties.

The Beach has an amazingly melodramatic landscape with giant sand dunes on one side and the Atlantic Ocean on the other. There are two long pathways between a 75-foot sand dune and the beach parking lot.

The Wellfleet Beachcomber, a widely-popular seaside restaurant and bar, is highly famous among youngsters.

Public facilities include lifeguards, restrooms, food stalls, attendants, volleyball area, and two separate options for parking. The beach gets fast full on weekends and public holidays so arrive early in the morning.

6. Mayo Beach

Mayo Beach

Overlooking Wellfleet Harbor, Mayo Beach is within proximity to the Breakwater Light. The long, grassy beach has a picturesque landscape.

Parking at the beach is free for all. There is a playground across the street at Baker’s Field.

During high tide, the beach waters are perfect for swimming. For beachcombing enthusiasts, there are lots of various specimen of seashells on the hard sand floor around the beach.

Mayo Beach is also an ideal spot for yoga enthusiasts who like practicing by the beach.

Common facilities at the beach include bike racks, restrooms, and boardwalk. Many restaurants are located near the adjoining dock area.

7. Ballston Beach

Ballston Beach

The beautiful Ballston Beach, located in North Pamet Road, Truro, overlooks the enormous Atlantic Ocean and has gorgeous golden hills at its backdrop.

An inspiration to Truro artist Edward Hopper, Ballston is a fairly huge beach with a nice, smooth sand floor. The waters provide idyllic waves for boogie boarding and surfing.

There are residential houses on both sides of the beach but that doesn’t prohibit Ballston from being highly popular among beach-goers.

Public facilities at the beach include restrooms, parking space, and accessibility for the disabled.

8. Town Neck Beach

Town Neck Beach

Located in Sandwich, MA, Town Neck is a fun beach escape for youngsters and adults alike. The popular Cape Cod Bay Beach is backed by the significant Sandwich boardwalk which is prevalently used by visitors to jump into the water, an enjoyable activity in the area.

The beach is rocky and has several dunes in the background. Town Neck’s location near the entrance of Cape Cod Canal complements the beach with picturesque views of boats entering and exiting the Canal.

The water here is rather calm and there are attendants on lifeguard duty for the safety of visitors. The tranquil waters also make Town Neck a great option for swimming and kayaking.

The parking lot is a short walk from the beach and is highly spacious.

Other facilities at the beach include restrooms and beach chairs and umbrellas.

9. East Sandwich Beach

East Sandwich Beach, Massachusetts

A stunning stretch of coastline on Cape Cod Bay, East Sandwich Beach can be found lying behind a line of grassy dunes beyond a row of beach cottages. Located on North Shore Road, the beach is huge but sees lesser crowd making it perfectly serene and relaxing.

The sand here is soft and waves not too high. There are rock jetties around the area and smaller dunes to walk around.

The parking for East Sandwich Beach is a short walk from the beach and takes you over a small dune.

Restrooms, lounge chairs, and umbrellas are available for public use. There aren’t any food stalls but you can bring your lunch and enjoy a picnic at the beach while your kids build sandcastles.

10. Sandy Neck Beach

Sandy Neck Beach, Massachusetts

Considered among the highly-revered beaches in Cape Cod Bay, Sandy Neck is a six-mile-long beach typically acknowledged for its off-roading trails.

The water here is comparatively colder to most other southern beaches in Cape Cod but it is still amazing for swimming. This barrier beach has a pebbly exterior but offers brilliant views of the ocean.

Off-roading, a huge sport here, is restricted early in the season due to the shoreline being a breeding ground for the threatened species of piping plover.

The access to Sandy Neck begins at Sandwich, however, the beach itself is in Barnstable which enables inhabitants of both townships to get special deals on periodic beach stickers.

11. Breakwater Beach

Breakwater Beach, Massachusetts

One of Brewster’s most famous beaches, Breakwater Beach is a mile-long, sandy beach which flows across Cape Cod Bay.

During mid-summer, the water temperature stays a mild 65 to 70 degrees making the beach highly apt for swimming in the afternoon or evening.

Pleasant dunes line the seashore and the sand floor is full of shells and marine life – a great opportunity for kids to beach comb around the spectacular jungle gym. An ice cream truck frequents the area and is quite a refreshing delight for kids and adults alike.

Occasional sailboats can be spotted around the area brought ashore during low tide and remain stranded here.

There are no lifeguards on duty at Breakwater Beach but some common public facilities such as portable toilets and snack and refreshment carts can be found in the area.

12. Coast Guard Beach

Coast Guard Beach

Often considered as one of the top 10 beaches in the United States, Coast Guard beach has been recognized for its awe-inspiring vistas by several magazines, channels, and reviewers.

A part of the Cape Cod National Seashore, Coast Guard paints the perfect picture depicting the brilliance of Cape Cod Beaches. The amazing landscape includes marshlands and stunning dunes.

Though the beach is highly popular and sees a lot of visitors, it is not difficult to find a quaint spot if you don’t mind exploring around a little bit.

Large waves at the Coast Guard beach creates great opportunities for boogie-boarding and surfing.

The parking at the beach is not very large and is for residents only, however, non-residents can park at the nearby Little Creek parking lot and hop on the shuttle that runs every few minutes.

A boardwalk runs right to the beach making it accessible for the disabled.

There are lifeguards, showers, restrooms, and even handicap chairs available at the beach.

13. Nauset Light Beach

Nauset Light Beach

Another jewel in the crown of Cape Cod National Seashore, Nauset Light Beach is a mile-long sandy beach backed by gigantic dunes and brilliant views. Located in Eastham, the beach is among the most popular ones on the Outer Cape.

Marked by the notable Nauset Lighthouse, the beach is connected to the adjoining parking area by a wooden staircase. Nauset Light Beach is a hit among families and has a huge observation area within the parking space that offers great views and superb photography options.

The large waves here make it ideal for swimming, boogie boarding, and surfing.

Public amenities at the beach include shower areas, restrooms, lifeguards as well as beach chairs and umbrellas.

14. Mayflower Beach

Mayflower Beach

Revered as the most scenic beach in Dennis, Massachusetts, Mayflower Beach is not just highly admired but also a great hit among family vacations in and around the town.

With small tides, large coastline, lifeguards, and tide pools, Mayflower almost has everything that can make it one of the most ‘family-friendly’ beaches in the United States.

A boardwalk brings you from the large parking space to the beach which makes the beach conveniently accessible.

Though there are no showers around the beach, other public facilities such as restrooms, picnic area, chairs for the disabled, and food carts are readily available at Mayflower Beach.

The beach was named as one of the best in the US in 2011 by the popular Parents Magazine.

15. Skaket Beach

Skaket Beach

Skaket, located in Orleans, MA, is a large stretch of fine sand shoreline that engulfs one of the most beautiful beaches in Cape Cod.

An amazing spot for sunset lovers and photographers, the beach offers gorgeous sunsets every evening.

Skaket’s warm water are seamlessly fitting for swimmers while the amazing flats during low tide make room for long strolls by the beach. Kite flying is also an active sport in the area. Friendly tropical critters inhabit the tidal pools during low tide.

A great spot for watching boats as they travel to and from Rock Harbor, Skaket Beach can contain many visitors on any given day. Its huge 175-cars-at-a-time parking space makes driving to the beach effortless. Space fills faster during weekends, sunny days, and public holidays.

Several amenities for public use can be found near the beach, some of which include lifeguards, showers, restrooms, picnic area, chairs for the disabled, and food and drinks stalls.