Historic Massachusetts town near Cape Cod
Settled in 1640, Bourne is a quiet town on Cape Cod's outskirts, about 56 miles south of Boston. "It's pretty — the beaches are clean, the streets are well-maintained, and we have great emergency services," says Sharon Lucido, broker and owner of Lucido Real Estate, with over 14 years of experience. "If you want to keep to yourself, you can, and if you want to go out and meet people, you can do that too." Once home to Wampanoag tribes and later shaped by Colonial industry, Bourne offers coastal living with historic, small-town charm. The town isn't a major employment hub, so many folks commute to larger cities for work. "I think the culture is a lot of fishermen and commuters," Lucido says. "You get low taxes, an easy commute to Boston and beautiful views."
Capes, Colonials and waterfront estates in a fast-moving market
Bourne's homes are diverse and generally date to the 20th century, but there's new construction and a handful of historic Colonials too. "Some are waterfront, which could get up to $3 million, and some are only worth $300,000,” Lucido says. “It's a very large price range." Newer homes are spacious Colonial Revivals in subdivisions or tucked-away waterfront estates, while older homes are a mix of ranch, Cape Cod and Colonial styles.
The median home price in Bourne is $580,000, compared to $900,000 in Boston. "If the house is priced right, it's selling in a matter of a weekend of the first open house," Lucido says. "Bourne's taxes are the lowest around, and you also get trash pickup right at your doorstep."
Academic and athletic opportunities at Bourne Public Schools
Bourne Public Schools earns a B-minus from Niche. The district serves about 1,500 students, allowing for small class sizes with a student-to-teacher ratio of about 11-to-1. At Bourne High, students may take dual-enrollment courses for college credit at Cape Cod Community College and Massachusetts Maritime Academy. The school also has a robust athletics department; in 2023, the baseball team won the state championship, and in 2024, the girls' volleyball team also won their state championship.
Beaches, Buzzards Bay and biking in Bourne
Bourne offers a range of outdoor spaces, with playgrounds, beaches and walking trails spread throughout the town's coastal landscape. "There are a few parks, dog parks, playgrounds — a lot to offer by the Cape," Lucido says. "The beaches are all around us. Scusset Beach is big, and they have food there." Buzzards Bay Park includes a splash pad, picnic pavilion and waterfront walkways where folks can fish for striped bass. "That's a main attraction," Lucido says. Nearby, the 14-mile Cape Cod Canal Bikeway is a popular route for joggers and cyclists, stretching along the canal with ocean views and fishing spots. Bourne Scenic Park is a highlight for camping, while C. Clark Park in Sagamore Beach is a go-to for sports like baseball, basketball and pickleball.
Modest New England shopping and dining scene
Most of Bourne's businesses are locally owned, but there are a few franchise shops and restaurants at Bourne Bridge Crossing Shopping Center, including Starbucks, Jersey Mike's Subs and PetSmart. "There are a handful of very good restaurants in Bourne, but you can't really walk to them," Lucido says. The Lobster Trap Restaurant & Fish Market has been a staple for over 50 years, offering freshly caught seafood to take home and tranquil views of Buzzards Bay for those who dine in. After dinner, there are old-fashioned sundaes at Betty Ann's Dairy Freeze. Gray Gable's Market and Market Basket are the town's only grocery stores.
Bourne Historical Society and town traditions
In April, thousands of daffodils bloom along the Cape Cod Canal during Daffodil Days, a weeklong celebration with crafts and live music hosted by the Bourne Historical Society. The society also maintains the Museums at Aptucxet, a historic 12-acre site featuring restored buildings and exhibits highlighting the town's Colonial and trading history. In September, Cape Cod Canal Day lets locally owned businesses and residents connect while enjoying food, games and crafts. "It's a big event," Lucido says. "There are a lot of food trucks, vendors where you can buy jewelry and paintings, and a road race along the canal."
Getting around from Bourne and summer tourism
State Route 28 and U.S. Route 6 pass through Bourne, leading 56 miles north to Boston. There's also a park-and-ride where folks can take the Plymouth & Brockton Street Railway Co. bus to Boston. "It's right by the Sagamore Bridge," Lucido says. "They get right on there, and an hour later, they're in Boston, so that's a really big plus for buyers right now." Tobey Hospital is 5 miles away in Wareham, and Cape Cod Gateway Airport is 20 miles away in Barnstable.
Cape Cod's population swells in summer with tourists and seasonal residents, and though Bourne isn't a tourist hub, the influx still impacts local traffic. "The problem is the bridges are in between to get to the Cape, so people are coming and going in every direction, and it just gets backed up."
Cold winters and flooding vulnerability
Summers are warm and humid, and winters are cold, with 30 inches of snow. Coastal neighborhoods are more vulnerable to flooding. "Some areas require flood insurance, like Sagamore Beach and some parts of Buzzards Bay, but it all depends on where you are," Lucido says.
