5 things to know about living in Hingham
Home to the original Wahlburgers, this coastal town has more than just burgers.
The coastal South Shore town of Hingham is home to the original Wahlburgers, lots of incredible ocean views, and plenty of history. Hingham Bay is a part of outer Boston Harbor and the Hingham Shipyard is filled with shops, restaurants, and plenty of entertainment.
1. You’ll live in…
… one of the seven local historic districts possibly. The Historic Districts Commission for Hingham works with residents who live in the districts to keep their homes updated and modern while at the same time preserving the historic character of the town, which dates back to the 17th century.
The commission reviews any alterations to the outside of homes – including the doors. Each home may only have a “traditional and appropriate entry door’’ as per the guidelines.
But there are also modern homes in town and, as The Boston Globe notes in a recent article, “the new houses are bigger than the old ones.’’
2. You’ll pay…
… above Boston’s average. The Zillow Home Value Index puts the median home value for Hingham at $673,700, about $200,000 above Boston’s. As with most places in the Boston area, home values in the South Shore town have risen 5.5 percent in the past year and are predicted to rise 1.5 percent within the next year.
For $600,000 to $700,000 you can get a 1,500- to 2,500-square-foot single-family home. Homes near the Hingham Shipyard get above average WalkScores, but for the most part, a car is necessary.
3. You’ll hang out…
… in the great outdoors close to the ocean. The World’s End is a 251-acre Frederick Law Olmsted park with carriage paths, rolling hills, and views of the shorelines. In the summer it can be used for walking, jogging, picnicking, and more, while in the winter it can be used as a path for cross-country skiing.
In case that is not enough, Wompatuck State Park, which has 262 wooded campsites and plenty of walking paths and trails, and Weir River Farm, part of a 20th century country estate and now a functioning farm, are both places to go and get outside.
Highly rated on Trip Advisor, Loring Hall Cinema, an old-timey movie theater in a mid-19th century historic building, is a town favorite for a night out.
Another place to spend the evening is the Hingham Shipyard, which now has shops and dining, but at one point was used to build war ships during WWII.
Though there are plenty of restaurants, including Wahlburgers, Union Fish, and Hingham Beer Works, to eat at in the shipyard, there are also plenty of other seafood options around town.
4. Your kids will…
… go to incredible schools. Three of the elementary schools in town get a 10 on the 1-10 GreatSchool rating and Hingham High School gets a 9.
There are also plenty of family-friendly activities around town, such as going to the beach, seeing a movie, and going bowling.
5. You’ll love…
… the Old Ordinary, which is the home of the Hingham Historical Society’s museum. This historic home from 1688 shows what living in Hingham in the Colonial times would look like, as this home used to be a place travelers through the town would stop and take a rest. The museum offers tours and also has special events throughout the year.
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