Getting to Know Massachusetts’ South Coast

The South Coast of Massachusetts extends from Cape Cod in the east to the Rhode Island border in the west, with much of the land sitting along Buzzards Bay. The region is full of farms, wineries, beaches, and history, providing a far more relaxing environment than the major cities on the nation’s east coast.

The region as a whole has a population of a little over 300,000, with over a third of these people living in New Bedford, its largest center. The South Coast is a diverse part of the country with both wealthy and blue-collar areas, fantastic scenery, and some of the nation's best fishing along its expansive coastline.

If you’re considering making a move to one of the towns on the South Coast, you can expect a far different lifestyle than in a big city, but this way of life binds you to your community in a way that urban centers struggle to replicate.

Quiet and Family Friendly

The lifestyle on the South Coast is largely defined by the annoyances it lacks starting with the crowds. If you’ve lived in Boston or Providence, you know that heading to a mall or store means fighting for a parking space, waiting in line, and pushing your way through masses of people.

City life also means giving yourself extra time to get from point A to point B is essential because you’re sure to run into traffic or something else that will hold you up. These issues don’t pop up as much on the South Coast because traffic is sparse, it’s far less crowded, and everything moves at a much more comfortable pace.

You’ll also be happy with the schools in the area, as they are outstanding, and the small population in the area means your child will likely have the same classmates all the way through, which is great when putting down roots in the region. The University of Massachusetts Dartmouth is also found on the South Coast, so your child can continue his or her education after high school without relocating.

Lots of Outdoor Activities

Naturally, the beaches and parks in the area receive a lot of buzz with locals, but, surprisingly, they are often passed over for the more famous beaches on Cape Cod. East Beach, for example, is a beautiful piece of land on the south coast of New Bedford with scenic sea views, historic buildings, picnic areas, a sandy beach, and cheap parking. In short, it provides pretty much everything you could ever want out of a day on the water. Luckily for you, as a local, it's a bit of a hidden gem that doesn't get national, or even regional, attention the way other nearby parks do.

Horseneck Beach State Reservation is the largest, busiest, and liveliest beach in the area. This beach is where you go if you're not so much looking to relax, but want to have a fun day in the sun with like-minded people. The beach has tons of amenities, including a boardwalk, a food bar, and lots of parking, so all you have to worry about is finding your spot near the water after arriving.

Even if you find a house away from the ocean, you'll still have easy access to attractions, such as Fall River Heritage State Park. This park sits right along the Taunton River and is home to a World War II battleship, the U.S.S. Massachusetts. There's also a picnic area for lunch and a meadow for playing with the family. This park is the type of place where you can spend an entire day just exploring and wandering around its grounds, without ever getting bored.

Local Products Galore

If you’ve always lived in a larger center, it’s probably unheard of to have a local cheese producer in your community, let alone a vineyard, but the South Coast has them. Actually, you’ll find numerous wineries and farms, so you can have a party at your new home in Wareham while sampling some cheese from Great Hill Dairy in Marion and wine from Westport Rivers Vineyard. After all, keeping it local cuts down on your carbon footprint and helps support your favorite hometown businesses.

While you're at it, stop by Brix Bounty Farm for some organic produce and Copicut Farms for a free-range chicken, both of which are in Dartmouth. You can create entire meals with products grown and made within mere miles of where you live, which is something that just isn’t possible in many parts of the country.

Commuting is Possible

What about those who work in the city, but would like to live in Somerset, Fairhaven, or Mattapoisett? The good news is that commuting is possible if you’re looking for an affordable, scenic, and family-friendly alternative to buying an overpriced home in Boston or Providence.

You see, Providence is only about 30 miles away from the region’s coastal area, making it an easy daily commute. Fall River is only 18 miles from downtown Providence, as well. In addition, Boston is 60 miles from the region, so it takes about an hour to drive right into downtown, depending on traffic conditions, of course.

By relocating to this smaller, friendlier part of New England, you can have the peace, quiet, and serenity of the countryside all to yourself on weekends, while still making those big-city paychecks.

It is also just a little over 200 miles to New York City from the area. While you wouldn’t want to make the trek every day, it doesn’t take much to get in the car and spend a weekend in the Big Apple, should to lure of the city tempt you.

Relocate Without Losing Anything

There are 11 communities on the South Coast, each with its own quirks, but all providing a quieter, slow-paced way of life. Here, you’ll have the chance to enjoy your time away from the noise and bustle of the city, while still having the conveniences of those major centers close at hand.

We can’t think of a downside to choosing the South Coast of Massachusetts when buying a new home because the area has everything and, fortunately, the rest of the country has yet to figure it out.