5 Commutable Beach Towns Near Boston

People have more work-from-home flexibility than ever before, inspiring homebuyers to buy homes previously a touch out of reach from the office.

After spending a weekend at one of the many beaches dotting the Massachusetts coastline, long-time Boston area residents may ask what is stopping them from picking up and moving to an oceanfront town. There are plenty of beachside villages within commuting distance from Downtown Boston that buyers can explore.

But figuring out which one to start with is difficult, so set aside your sandals and read on as we highlight some of the most commutable beach towns near Boston.

Cohasset

In the southern reaches of the Massachusetts Bay, homebuyers looking for an escape from the confined streets of Boston will come to love Cohasset.

Bostonians taking the Greenbush Line of the commuter rail can reach Cohasset in 40 or so minutes. Drivers have to cover about 20 miles, and it takes anywhere from 40 minutes to an hour to get downtown, depending on the traffic.

Unlike the other towns mentioned below, Cohasset has a small population, and a portion of the land is part of Wompatuck State Park. Cohasset Cove is a deepwater port where boaters can anchor offshore, and there are several yacht clubs in the area.

Seeing that Cohasset is on the Atlantic, there are some incredible beaches in town, from Black Rock Beach to Sandy Beach. While there is no dedicated commercial corridor, there is a Stop & Shop on Route 3A. But if residents travel into Cohasset, they will find a collection of restaurants and boutique cafes to explore.

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Hingham

For Bostonians seeking a vibrant, coastal community closer to Boston, Hingham may be where they will want to hang their hat.

Located towards the northern end of the South Shore of Boston, frequent commuters can take the Greenbush line north to South Station. Residents can hop on Hingham/Hull Ferry at Hingham Shipyard Marina to travel through Boston Harbor to get to the waterfront.

Boat owners can drop anchor in Hewitts Cove or purchase a slip at the Marina. Plus, after a day Downtown, residents can stop in at the shopping centers on Shipyard Drive before heading home.

A popular haunt for Hingham residents is Nantasket Beach to the north, as the beach has fine gray sand and expansive tidal pools at low tide.

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Duxbury

Famously known for the shipbuilding wharfs and drydocks that used to dot the landscape, Duxbury is an idyllic oceanside resort town that is perfect for Bostonites working from home.

Pilgrims moved to nearby Plymouth in the 1600s, and residents soon began exploring the lands farther to the North for their fisheries, ample arable land, and deep water ports. Once residents learned about the pristine Cape Cod Bay, developers constructed a railroad line to take city folks to and from Duxbury.

Downtown Boston is about 35 miles to the north, and drivers can reach the heart of the city within an hour. Residents can also drive to Kingston, then grab a commuter rail train to take them north.

Shipyard Beach is a popular retreat for locals, but new homeowners can find most residents hanging out at the Duxbury Harbor just off Washington Street. There are several designer outlet stores on Washington Avenue, but most shopping is done in South Duxbury, at the intersections of Washington, Chestnut, Depot, Bay, and Standish Street.

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Ipswich

If you’ve had seafood on the east coast, chances are you’ve heard of the Ipswich Clam, and what is better than living in a town famous for shellfish?

Like many coastal Massachusetts towns, settlers founded the area in the 1600s, and Ipswich residents can find history interwoven into this beach community. About 40 minutes north of Boston via I-95, Bostonites thinking of moving to Ipswich can also take the Purple Newburyport/Rockbury Commuter Rail to reach Boston.

Clark Beach and Pavilion Beach are the popular oceanfront attractions in the town, but residents can also trek out to Crane Beach for some surfside seclusion. The yearly Ispwich Chowderfest is another reason to pick up and plant roots in this historic town.

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Marblehead

Known for commercial fishing, boatbuilding, and yachting, Marblehead is a popular destination for local residents that want to remain close to Boston. Drivers can take Route 1 and drive 16 miles south to the city or drive to the Newburyport/Rockport Commuter Rail in Lynn and hop on a southbound train to reach the metropolitan area.

Deepwater ports surround the peninsula, and on the southern side, beachgoers can walk across Ocean Avenue to reach Devereux Beach. Marblehead is famous for the yacht clubs dotting the shores, from the Marblehead Club, Boston Club, Eastern, Corinthian, and the Dolphin Club.

Tedesco Street leads to Vinnin Square Plaza, where residents can shop at big box outlets, but buyers can find boutique shopping on Atlantic Avenue.

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