From Bridgewater Iron Works to quiet commuter town
In Bridgewater, spending an afternoon running errands is just as convenient as hiking deep in the forest. The city was once a factory town that specialized in iron production. It has since transformed into a primarily residential suburb with miles of conservation land and a small downtown district. Bridgewater may feel secluded from big-city attractions, but Boston and Providence are both about 30 miles away. “You’re right in the middle of everything, and location is the biggest draw,” says Realtor Tom Dixon with Keller Williams Realty, who has lived and worked in Bridgewater for 40 years. Many of the city’s 28,000 residents commute to Boston or Providence for work, though Bridgewater State University is a major local employer.
Downtown Bridgewater covers all of the resident’s shopping and dining needs.
Your four-legged friends can run free at the Wildlands Trust - Great River Preserve in Bridgwater.
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Fishing at Carver Pond and Lake Nippenicket
Bridgewater has numerous parks, conservation areas and small bodies of water. Folks can fish and launch paddle boats on Lake Nippenicket and Carver Pond or explore the historic factory grounds of the Bridgewater Iron Works Park. The Bridgewater State Forest has 60 acres of undeveloped land, particularly popular with hunters. The city’s location also allows for quick daytrips to the beach. “You’re just 30 minutes to the Plymouth waterfront and an hour from the Cape,” Dixon says. For indoor recreation, Bridgewater Ice Arena has public and private skate times, and Champions offers golf simulations, available for rent by the hour. Golfers can also book a tee time at Olde Scotland Links.
Explore the great outdoors at Carver's Pond in Bridgewater.
Residents can learn to skate or watch competitive high school hockey at Bridgewater Ice Arena.
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Bridgewater condos, townhouses and single-family homes
Outside of downtown Bridgewater and the university campus, the city primarily consists of residential areas, thick with trees and lined with sidewalks. Condos and townhouses are available, though buyers will mostly find single-family options. Housing styles vary, but Cape Cods, ranch- and colonial-style homes are most common. New Traditional builds have continued to join the market in the past decade and typically have the highest price tags, surpassing $1 million. The overall median price in Bridgewater sits at nearly $600,000, which is higher than the national figure.
Condos in Bridgewater offer a more affordable housing option.
Over the past decade, developments have sprung up around Bridgwater, mainly consisting of New Traditional home styles.
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Getting to Providence and Boston in about an hour
Interstate 495 runs through the southwestern corner of the city toward Providence, and Massachusetts State Route 24 leads to Interstate 93 into Boston. Drives to both cities take anywhere from 50 minutes to just over an hour, depending on traffic. Bridgewater’s train station also provides 55-minute commuter rail rides into South Station. The Boston Logan International Airport is about 30 miles away, and the Rhode Island T.F. Green International Airport operates about 40 miles southwest.
Bridgewater-Raynham Regional Schools and an accredited research institution
The city has a joint school district with Raynham that scores a B-minus on Niche. The district has seven schools, and all students finish at B-rated Bridgewater-Raynham Regional High School. For higher education, Bridgewater State University, a public, four-year research institution, offers a variety of undergraduate and graduate programs.
Bridewater students finish their academic studies at Bridgewater Raynham Regional High School.
Bridgewater State University’s sprawling campus sits just outside of downtown Bridgewater.
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ChiliChowda and changing seasons bring the community together
For nearly 30 years, East Bridgewater has hosted the ChiliChowda Festival, where thousands gather for the chili and chowder contests, live music and the Show and Shine Motorcycle Competition. Autumn-Fest, held on the Bridgewater State University campus, celebrates the start of fall with vendors, train rides and activities for kids. “Downtown always has something going on because of the university students and the campus,” Dixon says.
Black Hat brews and shopping trips to Plymouth
The downtown area, centered around a small green square, features cafes, restaurants and shops. Bridgewater has a big brewing scene, with classics including Barrett’s Alehouse and Black Hat Brew Works, which offer indoor and outdoor service, along with occasional live music. Shopping centers off Massachusetts Route 18 and Pleasant Street have big-box stores. Extensive retail options are available at the Colony Place and Kingston Collection malls, about 20 miles away in Plymouth and Kingston.
Grab a locally brewed beer at Black Hat Brew Works in Bridgwater.
Bridgwater residents get more bang for their buck when they shop at Periwinkles Consignment Store.
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Crime patterns and snow protocol
According to Massachusetts Crime Statistics, the overall crime rate increased by about 4% between 2022 and 2023, though violent crime decreased slightly. Generally, Bridgewater's crime rates are lower than the state's.
During snowy winters, property owners must clear their sidewalks, while government workers clear streets and public building perimeters.
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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.
