Living in Salem
Salem is a coastal city on the North Shore, about 15 miles northeast of Boston, set between Salem Harbor and Beverly Harbor. Founded in 1626, it became one of the busiest seaports in the young United States and was a leader in the China trade. It is also known for the witch trials of 1692; Proctor’s Ledge is now a memorial and Gallows Hill is a city park.
The city has many distinct areas, including the busy downtown, Salem Neck and the Salem Willows waterfront, North Salem across the North River, South Salem along the harbor, and the residential streets of southwest Salem. Salem State University, the largest school in the Massachusetts state university system, has its campuses here.
Homes you will find
- Historic homes from the 1600s to the 1800s, including the Samuel McIntire (Chestnut Street) Historic District
- Two- and three-family homes in many older neighborhoods
- Condos in converted historic houses, older buildings and newer developments downtown and near the waterfront
- Single-family homes on quieter streets in North Salem and South Salem
Salem has several historic districts, so some homes have rules about exterior changes. It is worth checking before you buy if you plan to renovate.
Getting around
Salem station is on the MBTA Newburyport/Rockport commuter rail line, with trains to North Station in Boston. From late May through October, the Salem Ferry runs to Boston from the ferry terminal on Blaney Street. MBTA buses connect Salem with Lynn, Danvers and Swampscott. Route 1A, Route 114 and Route 107 run through the city, and Route 128 is reached through Peabody.
Parks, museums and everyday life
Salem Willows is an oceanfront park dating to 1858, with beaches and a small amusement area. Winter Island is a 30-acre marine park on a former Coast Guard air station, and Forest River Park is home to Pioneer Village, the country’s first living-history museum. Salem Common and the Salem Harborwalk add more space to walk. The Peabody Essex Museum, founded in 1799, is one of the oldest continuously operating museums in the country, and Salem Maritime National Historical Park preserves wharves and buildings from the age of sail. The House of the Seven Gables dates to 1668.
Downtown has many restaurants and shops, and October brings large crowds for the Haunted Happenings festival. Salem runs its own public school system, and families can contact Salem Public Schools directly.
Who Salem suits
Salem suits buyers who want city life with history, museums and the harbor close at hand, plus a train and a summer ferry to Boston. It works for commuters, first-time buyers looking at condos and multi-families, and investors interested in rental demand near transit and the university.
Thinking about Salem? Ask Luis about recent sales and what is on the market now, in English or Spanish.
