5 things to know about living in Scituate
The coastal town has plenty to do for those who love water views.
Nestled in Boston’s South Shore, the town of Scituate does not lack in coastal charm. The town has almost 30 miles of ocean and river coastline and residents are not willing to see it be destroyed.
Though summer seems a long time from now, Scituate is the perfect place to think about when you are dreaming of a summer’s day.
It has plenty of beaches, boat tours, lighthouses, ocean views, and only is 25 miles from Boston.
1. You’ll live in…
… a place very close to the water. Scituate is only about 17 square miles, so no matter where you live in town you are never too far away from a look at the ocean.
In recent years, there has been an emphasis on creating more housing in town. In 2012, Scituate was ranked on Boston Magazine’s Best Places to Live thanks to the new development in town and an energizing of the waterfront area. As seen in the town’s recent 2015 housing production plan, new development does not seem to be stopping anytime soon in the area.
2. You’ll pay…
… about half a million. The Zillow Home Value Index puts the median home value for Scituate at $509,300. The values have gone up 4.8 percent over the past year and are predicted to rise another 1.9 percent in the next year.
For $500,000 to $600,000 you can get a single family home around 2,000 to 3,000 square feet. WalkScores for most addresses in Scituate are well below average, therefore a car is a necessary asset to get around town.
3. You’ll hang out…
… by doing a water activity (or at least being near the ocean). The number one TripAdvisor thing to do in town is to see the Scituate Lighthouse, which is owned by the Scituate Historical Society. The society has done a variety of repairs to preserve it over the years since the lighthouse was built in the early 1800s.
Other water-related activities include Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary where you can whale watch or fish. But if you would rather just relax or swim, there are five different beaches you can visit in town and six designated swimming areas.
If you are in the mood for history, head over to the Lawson Tower, which was built in the early 1900s. Though it is merely a water tower (that is no longer functional) it looks like something from a European castle. Visitors like to climb the 123 steps to the top for the amazing views.
When you’re hungry, there are plenty of waterfront options, many of which offer seafood. The number one rated Yelp option for waterfront dining is Satuit Tavern, which serves up seafood and pizza.
4. Your kids will…
… go to excellent schools. All the public schools in town get above a 7 on the 1-10 GreatSchools rating. Wampatuck Elementary School scored a 10 and Scituate High School scored a 7.
Along with plenty of family-friendly beaches, the Scituate library has many programs for kids to promote reading. Also, the Little House of Arts is a local studio where kids can take a variety of art classes.
5. You’ll love…
… the Widow’s Walk Golf Course. The 18-hole golf course is next to the North River, close to the ocean, and was ranked one of the best new golf courses in America by Golf Digest when it opened in 1998.
As the New York Times noted in 2010, Widow’s Walk is “known as America’s first environmental demonstration course,’’ meaning it was built with input from conservationists. The Widow’s Walk website mentions that the course has been designated an Audubon International, Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary.
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