5 things to know about living in Ipswich
A North Shore town just shy of an hour away from Boston, Ipswich has been praised for its Crane Beach, which National Geographic ranked one of the top 10 family-friendly beaches in the whole country.
Ipswich’s early residents included farmers, fishermen, shipbuilders, and traders. Over time various textile industries in town fluctuated and in 1868 the Ipswich Hosiery Mills was started, eventually becoming the largest stocking mill in the U.S.
Now, you’ll find historic homes, beautiful scenery, fresh seafood, and a quaint New England town that’s great to visit or live in.
Check it out.
1. You’ll live in…
… or near a historic home. The town of Ipswich has always been a small town, which “may be why Ipswich has such a large number of well-preserved 17th and 18th-century houses: they were cherished as the homes of ordinary townsfolk who could not afford to modernize them and make the kind of changes that might have spoiled their simple Colonial architecture.”
According to the Ipswich Historical Commission, the town’s large Architectural Preservation District has 308 houses or empty lots it protects, the oldest of which are from the 1600s.
2. You’ll pay…
… close to half of a million dollars. The Zillow Home Value Index puts the median home value in Ipswich at $450,800. Home values went up only 0.4 percent in the last year, which is quite a bit lower than the rest of the Boston area. Values are expected to increase 1 percent in the next year.
For $400,000 to $500,000, you can expect to get a home that is around 1,500 square feet with historic charm near the water. There is no specific Walk Score for Ipswich — there are some walkable parts, but for the most part you would likely need a car.
3. You’ll hang out…
… outside on a farm, the beach, or even near a river. The Trip Advisor top-rated thing to do in town is to go to Crane Beach, which is operated by the Trustees of Reservations. According to the Trustees, Crane Beach is not only know for its miles of coastlines and beautiful sand, but also because it “is also among the world’s most important nesting sites for piping plovers, a threatened bird that was nearly hunted to extinction in the 19th century for its eggs and feathers.”
Near Crane Beach is the Castle Hill on the Crane Estate, also operated by the Trustees. You can tour the 59-room Stuart-style mansion, which is still furnished with period pieces. Castle Hill is also known for its wide array of wildlife, such as deer, fox, turkey, and songbirds.
There are also a variety of local farms that you can tour, such as Russell Orchards, Marini Farm, or Appleton Farms.
If you are in the mood for some history, you can go to the the Ipswich Museum, which was founded in 1890 as the Ipswich Historical Society. The museum houses a wide collection of art that has a direct connection to the town. The museum “is anchored by two significant properties: the 1677 Whipple House and the 1800 Heard House … Both properties are filled with original architectural detail, furnishings, and artifacts that give visitors an intimate glimpse into the lives of early Ipswich residents.”
When its time for a drink, you can get a cold one (and food) at the Ipswich Ale Brewery, which has been around for 25 years. The top-rated restaurant on Yelp is The 1640 Hart House, which calls itself “The quaintest place in all New England” and is an old world tavern in a farmhouse.
4. Your kids will…
… go to pretty good schools. There are only four public schools in town listed on the 1-10 GreatSchools rating scale and they all receive above a 5, with the highest ranking being a 7. Ipswich High School gets a 6.
5. You’ll love…
… Clam Box. Both a local favorite and a place worth traveling to, Clam Box has been open since 1935 and is still serving up amazing fried clams. On their website they note, “Although we don’t claim to have invented the fried clam we believe we have perfected it. Whether you eat in our comfortable dining room or out on our deck, you’ll be sure to enjoy the best fried seafood New England has to offer.”
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