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Osterville

Osterville

Neighborhood in Barnstable, Massachusetts

Barnstable County 02655

$1,650,290 Average Value
$822 Average Price per Sq Ft
20 Homes For Sale

From Oysterville to Osterville, a popular summer destination

Osterville, one of the town of Barnstable’s seven villages, began as a shipbuilding and oystering community. By the late 1800s, word of Osterville got to Boston, and it began to transform into a luxury summer home destination. “Today, Osterville has become a comfortable place for top magnates of industries to spend their summers,” says Jamie Regan, senior vice president of Compass Osterville, who has lived on the cape for more than 40 years. “It has one of the finest private golf course communities, Oyster Harbors, that’s on the banks of the Cotuit Bay — their sunset views are just amazing.” Miles of coastline bordering bays and the Nantucket Sound allow plenty of opportunities for sailing locally made Crosby catboats or lounging in the white sand at Dowses Beach. Those who prefer golf and tennis have two private courses to choose from, and there are always events taking place in the center of the village. With designated scenic roads running through the area, many people begin their days with a stroll down the village’s tree-lined sidewalks, passing yards filled with blue hydrangeas.

Visit Osterville a tight-knit community in Cape Cod.
Visit Osterville a tight-knit community in Cape Cod.
Relax with your feet in the sand at Dowses Beach in Osterville.
Relax with your feet in the sand at Dowses Beach in Osterville.
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Enjoying the Nantucket Sound and miles of bay access

Some of the main draws for Osterville are its access to recreation and its natural beauty. With 5 miles of shoreline along the Nantucket Sound and 17 miles of bayfront coast, most people spend a good portion of their time enjoying the water. Sailors come to the Crosby Yacht Yard to purchase custom catboats, which they can sail in West Bay and beyond. Kayakers, fishermen and swimmers all flock to the shores as well. Dowses Beach, open only to Barnstable residents, is a sandy beach that borders the sound and East Bay. There are wooded walking paths and a children’s garden at the 8.5-acre Armstrong-Kelley Park, as well as a shaded picnic area. On rainy days, families can visit the Osterville Village Library to listen to story time or participate in arts and crafts workshops. Members of the Wianno Golf Club and Oyster Harbors Club can use their 18-hole courses and tennis courts, and the village also has tennis and pickleball courts that are available for all locals to use.

Osterville residents take in the Cape Cod scenic spots by water.
Osterville residents take in the Cape Cod scenic spots by water.
Sailboats gently blow sway in the wind of a bay in Osterville.
Sailboats gently blow sway in the wind of a bay in Osterville.
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Boutiques on Main Street and fresh produce from the Osterville Farmers Market

Osterville’s walkable downtown area is home to high-end boutiques with everything from vintage silver barware and summery household décor to clothing and shoes for an evening at the Wianno Golf Club. A handful of art galleries showcase the work of local painters and artisans as well. Fancy's Market, where community members have come to shop since 1839, has a well-stocked maze of aisles loaded with fresh microgreens, local honey and peach pie. Around noon, the store is bursting with people who come for Boar’s Head sandwiches and subs. Wimpy's Seafood Cafe & Market, another long-time fixture, carries seafood and prepared foods, such as lobster rolls and fried clams. Crisp specializes in flatbread pizza, and North Sister Café offers vegetarian and gluten-free options for breakfast and lunch. Boaters head to the Chart Room at Crosby's to enjoy sunset views while dining on clam chowder and swordfish. Osterville also has a weekly farmers market on Fridays from late spring through early fall — shoppers can find Cape Cod-grown heirloom vegetables, baked goods and farm-fresh eggs.

Pick up some fresh threads at Reel Island Co of Osterville.
Pick up some fresh threads at Reel Island Co of Osterville.
Shop for fresh vegetables at the Osterville Farmers Market.
Shop for fresh vegetables at the Osterville Farmers Market.
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Osterville Village Day and other summer events

Since the mid-1800s, Osterville has been a popular summer retreat. Today, the Osterville Village Association and the Osterville Village Library both plan a long list of events throughout the year, though the highest concentration of festivities takes place in the summer. The library’s annual Summer Soiree is a series of lectures, outdoor concerts and kid-friendly activities, including visits from Frisbee-catching dogs and an inflatable whale. Osterville Village Day takes place each June, and participants come in themed attire to enjoy a day of festivities kicked off by a road race. Although the majority of homeowners are part-time residents, “They’re always trying to plan things for year-round residents and bring the people who are second homeowners back down to enjoy seasonal events,” Regan says. There’s a chocolate festival in February, and the Christmas Open House and Stroll takes place in the middle of December.

Kids can build and paint owl houses at the Osterville Public Library.
Kids can build and paint owl houses at the Osterville Public Library.
Osterville artist show off their work at the Osterville Village Day.
Osterville artist show off their work at the Osterville Village Day.
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Shingle-style homes in Osterville

Osterville housing includes everything from modest mid-1900s ranch-style homes to multi-million-dollar waterfront residences in the Oyster Harbors golf community. “Some people think of Chatham as the nicest place on the cape, but Chatham doesn’t have a community like Oyster Harbors or a beach like Sea View,” Regan says. Traditional Cape Cods and ranch-style homes with three to four bedrooms line the streets closest to state Route 28 and some of the side streets near the center of the village. A few start as low as $550,000, and others run upwards of $800,000. Shingle-style and Dutch Colonial-style homes with gambrel roofs start around $1 million, and in the Wianno area, they often list between $3 million and $5 million. On Little Island, along Sea View Avenue and within Oyster Harbors, homes are built to maximize views of the bays or the sound and to withstand the forces of nature. There are a few remaining homes from the late 1800s, but many of those closest to the wind and waves were rebuilt after 2000. Depending on size, acreage and distance from the water, prices range anywhere from $2 million to $12 million, though one estate on Wianno Head recently sold for nearly $23 million.

Gray shingle homes are very popular in Osterville.
Gray shingle homes are very popular in Osterville.
Dutch Colonial-style homes with gambrel roofs start around $1 million dollars in Osterville.
Dutch Colonial-style homes with gambrel roofs start around $1 million dollars in Osterville.
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Travel around Osterville and beyond

Though many people take advantage of private docks, moorings and marinas to access the cape’s scenic spots by water, there are several land-based travel options as well. State Route 28 crosses through the northern portion of Osterville, providing a direct — though sometimes congested — thoroughfare around the cape. There is a Cape Cod Regional Transit Authority bus stop at the corner of Tower Hill Road & Main Street. The buses take riders east to the Cape Cod Mall in Hyannis and west to Woods Hole. In Hyannis, about 6 miles away, those who need to get to Boston can fly out of the Cape Cod Gateway Airport or catch the CapeFLYER trains, which run on weekends during summer months.

A jet ski heads out of the Bay to the open ocean in Osterville.
A jet ski heads out of the Bay to the open ocean in Osterville.
Public transportation makes it easy to get around Osterville.
Public transportation makes it easy to get around Osterville.
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Barnstable Public Schools and the A-plus-rated Cape Cod Academy

Year-round residents can send their children to schools within Barnstable Public Schools, a district that earns a B-plus on Niche. Osterville children begin their education at West Villages Elementary School, a B-plus-rated school serving kindergarten through third-grade learners. For fourth and fifth grades, all Barnstable County students may attend Barnstable United Elementary School, which gets a B-minus score. Barnstable Intermediate School, with a B-minus rating, covers sixth through seventh, and B-plus-rated Barnstable High School teaches eighth through 12th grades. At Barnstable High, students can gain real-world experience in fields including hospitality, environmental science and medicine. There are also highly rated private schools nearby, including Cape Cod Academy in Osterville and Falmouth Academy in Falmouth. Both receive A-plus ratings.

West Villages Elementary School in Marstons Mills has a brilliant staff and faculty.
West Villages Elementary School in Marstons Mills has a brilliant staff and faculty.
Barnstable United Elementary School serves children in grades 4-5 and has an enrollment of 712.
Barnstable United Elementary School serves children in grades 4-5 and has an enrollment of 712.
Barnstable Intermediate School is dedicated to creating an equitable learning community.
Barnstable Intermediate School is dedicated to creating an equitable learning community.
Barnstable High School is a traditional public school with a modern campus.
Barnstable High School is a traditional public school with a modern campus.
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Preserving Osterville for future generations

Though many generations have enjoyed spending their summers in Osterville, years of human activity have impacted the waterways and other natural resources. The town of Barnstable, along with the entire cape, is working to transition to sewer systems in an effort to lower nitrogen levels in the water and soil. As the project will roll out over several years, homeowners with aging septic systems may be required to update them to more modern ones in the meantime. Another concern for Osterville residents is the proposed Avangrid wind farm, which would place turbines in the Nantucket Sound and electrical cables under Dowses Beach. Several groups are lobbying against the project due to concerns over its possible effects to the cape’s environment.

East Bay in Osterville offers calm waters for families to take kids out and enjoy the water.
East Bay in Osterville offers calm waters for families to take kids out and enjoy the water.
Catch stripers from the jetty at Dowses Beach in Osterville.
Catch stripers from the jetty at Dowses Beach in Osterville.
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Ginny West
Written By
Ginny West
Photography Contributed By
Shawn Miller
Matthew Bloch
Video By
Matthew Bloch

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Schools

Source:
GreatSchools: The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process. View GreatSchools Rating Methodology

Interested in learning more about homes in this area? Reach out to Bonnie Filiault, an experienced agent in this neighborhood.

Parks in this Area

Transit

Airport

Martha's Vineyard

96 min drive

Crime and Safety

1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime Osterville US
Homicide 1 4
Sexual Assault 1 4
Assault with Weapon 1 4
Robbery 1 4
Burglary 1 4
Motor Vehicle Theft 1 4
Larceny 1 4
Crime Score 1 4

Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com

Demographics and Home Trends

Home Trends

Median Price (12 Mo)
$1,200,000
Median Single Family Price
$1,350,000
Median 2 Bedroom Price
$660,000
Median 1 Bedroom Price
$447,500
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$822
Number of Homes for Sale
20
Last 12 months Home Sales
132
Months of Supply
1.80
Median List Price
$1,400,000
Median Discount From 1st List Price
4%
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
15%

Home Facts

Number of Homes in Neighborhood
2,507
Median Year Built
1977
Avg. Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
2,342
Above the national average
1,936
Average Townhouse Size Sq Ft
2,481
Average 2 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
1,170
Average 1 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
556
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
20,037

Open Houses

  • Saturday, May 3
    11am - 1pm

    17 Ebenezer Rd, Osterville, MA 02655

    $574,900

    • 3 Beds
    • 2 Baths
    • 1,267 Sq Ft
    • 17 Ebenezer Rd
    • New 12 days ago

    Great 1267 sq. ft. 3 bedroom, 2 bath Cape on large lot in Osterville. First floor bedroom and 2 front to back bedrooms with a bath upstairs. Renovated kitchen with new cabinets and stainless steel appliances and new flooring. good sized living and dining room with new flooring and slider out to a large deck, all vinyl replacement windows and new front door. A very large newer shed on the large

    Team 300 Today Real Estate

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Distribution of Home Values

Source: Public Records

Homes for Sale

Homes for Rent

Interested in learning more about homes in this area? Reach out to Bonnie Filiault, an experienced agent in this neighborhood.

Average Home Value




Source: Public Records

Property Mix - Square Feet

This Neighborhood Has More Owners

Demographics

Total Population
4,942
Median Age
58
Population under 18
14.3%
Below the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
37.8%
Above the national average
19.1%

Finances

Median Household Income
$107,579
Significantly above the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$141,161

Education and Workforce

High School Graduates
99.1%
College Graduates
56.1%
Above the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
28.6%
Above the national average
13.3%
% Population in Labor Force
58.7%

Weather

Annual Precipitation
46''
Average Winter Low Temperature
23°F
Average Summer High Temperature
78°F
Annual Snowfall
6''

Area Factors

Somewhat Bikeable

Bike Score®

40 / 100

Car-Dependent

Walk Score®

38 / 100

Minimal Transit

Transit Score®

21 / 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score

Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.

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Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
NEIGHBORHOOD
Osterville