The median list price for a home in Massachusetts is $419,000, but that number skyrockets to nearly $700,000 when looking for a pad in Boston. According to Zillow, property values in the city have gone up 9.9 percent in the past year, and with the current “seller’s’ market,” prices will only continue to rise. But why pay through the nose to live in the crowded, noisy city when an oceanfront oasis can actually cost you far less? Here are five Bay State towns that feature beautiful beaches and waterfront property for less than $400,000.
1. Hull
Highlighted by the award-winning Nantasket Beach, this small town south of the city has a rich Native American history and later became an important fishing port. Listed at $399,900, 29 Marina Cove Drive is a 2-bed, 3.5-bath condo on Spinnaker Island with 1,894 square feet as well as views of Hull Bay and Boston Harbor from the living room and bedrooms.
2. Revere
Located only five miles from downtown, Revere is home to the oldest public beach in the country. If you’re hoping to snag a spot near the famed Kelly’s Roast Beef, check out 360 Revere Beach Boulevard #216. Listed at $359,900, this 1-bed, 1.5-bath unit in the Atlantica, Revere Beach’s newest condominiums, has a large balcony that looks directly out at the water, a walk-in closet, hardwood floors and an updated kitchen.
3. Sandwich
One of the oldest and most affordable towns on Cape Cod, Sandwich is filled with historic homes and charm. The area also offers the Scusset Beach State Reservation, where you can spend the day camping, hiking, fishing or on the sand soaking up the sun. At $379,000, 145 North Shore Boulevard Unit B in Sandwich provides the amenities of a condo association without the neighbors on either side. This detached property features two beds, one bath, a stone fireplace, patio as well as laundry, and is just steps to the private beach.
4. Wareham
Just south of the Cape Cod bridges, Wareham features many of the same Cape attractions without the traffic. The subsection of Onset has a downtown strip with popular shops and restaurants, and Wareham is also home to much of Massachusetts’ cranberry industry. At $324,900, 130 Pinehurst Drive is a quintessential Cape Cod cottage with cedar shingles and is located directly on the bay. Enjoy the water view, open floor plan and hardwood floors in the 2-bed, 1-bath charmer.
5. Weymouth
For homeowners looking to live close to the water but still have easy access to Boston, Weymouth offers both. Wessagusset Beach, George Lane Beach and Great Hill Park are some of the town’s biggest attractions, and it also boasts three separate MBTA commuter rail stations. Listed at $379,000, 155 Fort Point Road features property lines that go all the way up to the seawall. This 3-bed, 2-bath property is located on a private way on a peninsula and faces due north. A boater’s delight, it offers a mooring and is close to Webb Memorial State Park.
