Acushnet

Coury Heights presents its residents with the opportunity to live in New England cottages on peaceful streets while remaining less than 5 miles away from the bustling port city of New Bedford. “It’s a quiet neighborhood, but not at all out of the way,” says Lori Medeiros, a Realtor with Home and Key Real Estate who has served the area for 5 years. “People are close to shopping in Dartmouth and near the restaurants, hospitals and events in New Bedford. And nature is all around. People love to participate in water activities, like fishing, boating and swimming,” Medeiros says. Situated north of New Bedford, the neighborhood’s homes sit on narrow streets arranged in a linear pattern. Some homes do not include driveways, so street parking is common. The roads do not have sidewalks, but many homes feature shaded, green front yards decorated with flowering shrubbery and backyards encircled by low picket fences. A range of architectural styles is represented in Coury Heights, including New England cottages, Colonial Revivals, ranches and two-family American Foursquares. Primarily built in the 1960s and 70s, homes start at $280,000 for a ranch and go up to $450,000 for a Colonial Revival or Foursquare. Restoration abounds at The Sawmill, a former industrial lumber yard restored to a natural state by the Buzzards Bay Coalition. The park offers tranquil river views and shaded nature trails along the Acushnet River. Locals can jog on the trails or take a kayak or canoe on Mill Pond while watching wildlife like ospreys, ducks and frogs, all of which now thrive in this conservation area. Nature enthusiasts can visit the Hawes Family Learning Center to learn more about the river and conservation efforts. Nature conservation efforts don’t stop at The Sawmill; Fort Phoenix State Reservation and Nasketucket Bay State Reservation are both under 10 miles away and offer coastal views and nature trails. Children can begin school at Acushnet Elementary, rated a B-plus by Niche, then move on to B-rated Albert F Ford Middle. Students are not zoned for a particular high school, but many choose B-rated Fairhaven High, which encourages student involvement through activities like Poetry & Creative Writing Club, Media Productions Club and World Language Club. High schoolers may also apply to attend B-rated Old Colony Regional Vocational Technical High for technical training courses or B-rated Bristol County Agricultural High to participate in technical agricultural programs. Private religious schools and charter schools are also available. Locals can stop by Trucchi’s Supermarket for groceries and other necessities. There are also plenty of options to support local farmers and small businesses at the year-round New Bedford Farmers Market or the Coastal Foodshed. Further small businesses, including antique shops and boutiques, are found in downtown New Bedford. Plus, “If people want to shop at a traditional mall, they’ll usually travel to Dartmouth Mall for a broader selection of stores,” says Medeiros. To go out to eat, residents can stick close to the neighborhood or drive to New Bedford for more options. Casual eateries nearby include Dee’s Hot Dogs for Coney Island dogs or Holiday Bakery for sweet bread and Portuguese pastries. In New Bedford, The Black Whale offers harbor views and innovative, upscale seafood. The Acushnet Public Library hosts seasonal events, like movie nights and story times for kids. Library card holders can check out free museum passes to museums like the New Bedford Whaling Museum to learn more about America’s No. 1 commercial fishing port. Downtown New Bedford hosts more events, like AHA! Night, which is a free arts and culture festival that happens every second Thursday of the month. Residents can enjoy local art every summer by walking around New Bedford’s waterfront for the Seaport Art Walk. The neighborhood is car-dependent, and most residents use their own vehicles to run errands and go to neighboring cities. The Southern Regional Transit Authority has bus routes that operate throughout the Acushnet and New Bedford area, though the nearest bus stops are about half a mile from the neighborhood. The New Bedford Regional Airport offers convenient service to Massachusetts cities through Cape Air. New Bedford will also become part of MBTA’s commuter rail network when a T station opens in 2024.