Fairhaven

North Fairhaven is a neighborhood located on the south coast of Massachusetts, overlooking the Acushnet River and Buzzards Bay. In the early 19th century, the area was the second-largest whaling port in the country. These days, it's known for its charming New England dwellings, local businesses, and proximity to the water. "I consider Fairhaven as a whole to be a great community," says Ellie Wickes, a Realtor with Sotheby's International Realty in Westport. "You still have that sense of fishing culture running through it." Molly Armando, a Realtor specializing in the South Coast of Massachusetts, echoes Wickes's thoughts. "You're close to major highways, so you can get around easily. At the same time, you also get access to the water — there's the beach, state park, and marinas, so you have the amenities of the city but still get to enjoy coastal life." North Fairhaven is also across from New Bedford, which shares its whaling industry history. Because of this, residents head in and out of New Bedford frequently, treating the city as an extension of their neighborhood. Despite this, Armando says that Fairhaven residents still maintain a strong sense of identity in their community: "People who grow up in Fairhaven tend to stay in Fairhaven. Generations of families have settled here, and because of that, it's created a really friendly and community-oriented place." Most properties were built during the 19th century. Classic New England architecture is the most common: Homes here are mostly Cape Cods or colonial-inspired designs. According to Armando, the cost of homes in North Fairhaven tends to be lower than in the surrounding areas, which serves as a draw for many potential homebuyers. "As you move down south, you get more vacation houses, like cottages, but the majority of residences here are year-round," Armando says. Prices start at $350,000 and go up to $650,000. Some parts of the neighborhood have sidewalks, which residents bike or walk on. The schools here fall under the Fairhaven Public Schools District. Leroy Wood Elementary enrolls 450 students in kindergarten through fifth grade, and it earns a B-plus overall from Niche. Hastings Middle School also has around 450 students and receives a B. Fairhaven High School, with over 600 students, is rated B overall by Niche. It's often referred to as "the castle on the hill" due to how impressive the architecture is: The building looks like a grand Victorian mansion. It was donated in 1906 by Henry Huttleston Rogers, a prominent American industrialist and financier. Livesay Park is within the neighborhood, but most people head down to Fort Phoenix State Reservation to enjoy time in the outdoors. The park is open from sunrise to sunset, offering amenities such as a playground, basketball court and picnic area. Residents often fly kites or walk by the beach to take in ocean views. "It's lovely when the weather warms up," Armando says. "Especially at night — you get a great view of all the stars in the sky." Visitors can also see the historic remains of Fort Phoenix, which dates back to the American Revolution. Armando says some of her favorite restaurants are located "at the tail" of Fairhaven, the southernmost part of the town. One is Off the Hook Bar & Grill, a seafood restaurant overlooking the water. "The food is delicious, and it's so fun during the summer and spring because they have outdoor searing," Armando says. "You can even pull up in your boat and order something." Another option is Bocca, an Italian restaurant offering upscale dining. "It's perfect for special occasions, like a birthday or anniversary," she says. Residents get their groceries and other essentials from places like Walmart or Stop & Shop. The North Fairhaven Improvement Association holds meetings on Thursdays of each month, organizing community service opportunities and fun experiences for the entire Fairhaven community. They also partner with local organizations, such as the Lions Club and Boy Scouts, for events like the Father's Day Road Race. Other events include an Easter egg hunt, a Fourth of July parade and the annual Benoit Square Lighting. The south end of North Fairhaven is bordered by Interstate 195, allowing residents to travel to other cities easily. New Bedford is about a 3-mile drive away, while other destinations like Cape Cod and Providence are less than 45 miles away. Residents can also get around with the Mattapoisett Rail Trail, a 4.5-mile paved route for runners and cyclists. Armando says she once "had a client who purchased a home solely because it was close to the bike trail; it can be essential to some people." North Fairhaven's CAP Index crime score is 3 out of 10, compared to the national average of 4. That means crime rates are lower here than in the U.S. on average.

Nestled between New Bedford Harbor and Buzzards Bay, the quaint neighborhood of Pope Beach has made its glistening waterfront views the center of attention. The tranquil essence of the bay is reflected by the community that inhabits it. Picturesque sunrises make walks along the shores a part of the daily routine. The sandy beaches offer patches of rocks to climb while listening to the seagulls, and the town’s wide streets allow for leisurely bike rides without the stress of too many vehicles passing by. Winters are quieter, and year-round residents enjoy watching snow fall, and boats pass across the harbor from shore. As warm weather returns, so do a handful of seasonal homeowners and their families who aim to make summer memories with the coming generations. Named after the Pope family, who were early settlers of the area, Pope Beach has slowly grown to what it is today. Residential streets run perpendicular to Sconticut Neck Road, the mainline of the beach town, and are lined with mature trees and ample yard space to landscape. Many of the homes in this area were built in the mid to late 20th century, with ranch and bungalow-style houses featuring heavily, plus a handful of unique homes, some stilted along the waterfront. Homebuyers can expect to pay $250,000 for two-bedroom homes and $550,000 for four-bedrooms. “Buyers can get a home on the coast for a reasonable price and have the charm of historic New Bedford nearby,” says local expert Liz Moses with Home and Key Real Estate LLC. Homes showcasing a waterfront view can reach prices closer to $1 million. Students in Pope Beach are zoned to Fairhaven Public School District, where Fairhaven High School is known as the “Castle on the Hill.” In 2017, the campus was named the most beautiful public school in Massachusetts by Architectural Digest. Fairhaven’s classrooms, which look beautifully frozen in time since its construction in 1905, contrast the school’s progressive outlook on the future. The school received a National Special Olympics Banner for its inclusion efforts in 2022 and earned an A- score on Niche.com. Younger students will spend their elementary days at Leroy L. Wood Elementary, which has an A- score, according to Niche.com, and attend middle school at Elizabeth Hastings Middle School, where class sizes do not surpass 13 students. Pope Beach is home to several parks offering various attractions and scenery. Along the Phoenix Bike Trail, the Little Bay Conservation Area offers 70 acres of viewable nature where visitors can enjoy lunch at one of many beach picnic tables that provide a coastal breeze to cool off. Also found along the trail is a pier that offers a spot to fish while taking in the views. Those looking to relax can swim along the beach and graze through cattail patches stretching from Pope Beach down to the shores of Cove St. Scenic Vista. Residents can cure their hunger with a lobster roll from Bayside Lounge, which features outdoor seating and live music. Found just a short walk away is Mac’s Soda Bar, best known for its breakfast menu, and Sivalai Thai Cuisine, serving traditional Thai dishes that taste as good as they look. The closest grocery stores, Stop & Shop and Walmart, are located on Sconticut Road, 2 miles north on the other side of Route 6. The shopping development is also home to a few fast-food chain restaurants, alongside a handful of stores and pharmacies like Marshalls and Walgreens. Fort Phoenix State Reservation, which can be seen from the shores of Pope Beach, offers bayside scenery and historical abundance. Visitors can travel back in time by getting an up-close look at cannons from the American Revolutionary War. A summer mini-trip favorite is West Island Town Beach, just a short drive south of the neighborhood. “A lot of residents visit in the warmer months. It’s a local favorite and has a beach town vibe of its own,” says Moses. The site offers swimming in the summer months and panoramic views year round. Pope Beach residents can take in the sights of their own secluded shores or seek out busier attractions in the surrounding area. No matter where you spend your time on this New England peninsula, the views impress all the same.

You might say that West Island feels a bit like Fantasy Island: over half of the 535-acre territory is devoted to state park land. Long nature walks, secluded beaches with sparkling clear waters, chances to observe a variety of birds – it’s all part of the lifestyle here. Residents even banded together in the 1980s with a Save West Island campaign, keeping development off the waterfront. This a tightknit community on Buzzards Bay, with a penchant for preservation. All residential streets are on the west side of the island, placed on long streets with rustic names like Balsam Street, Dogwood Street and Cottonwood Street. Modest midcentury home styles really lean into the beachy vibes of West Island, giving you a sense of ease and calm. If you’re looking for a property to renovate, you can find cottages in the low $500,000s with period details intact, allowing you to customize the look. But if you want something more move-in ready, look for renovated ranches in the mid $600,000s. Not only will these have modern updates like quartz countertops and gleaming hardwood floors, but you’re also likely to see lot sizes over a quarter acre. Residents have access to Fairhaven’s highly praised public schools. Leroy Wood Elementary enrolls over 450 students in grades K-5, and maintains a 13 to 1 student-teacher ratio, helping it to earn an A-minus grade from Niche in the teachers category. Elizabeth Hastings Middle sits near a cluster of commercial amenities, making it part of a convenient loop for residents who want to drop off children and run errands. It enrolls a similar number of students as Leroy Wood Elementary, and has a variety of clubs for students to join, from the eco conscious Green Team to the tech savvy Genius Squad. Fairhaven High is a well-recognized local landmark. With Gothic brick and limestone features, including gargoyles, the school is sometimes referred to as "The Castle on the Hill.” In 2017, Architectural Digest Magazine voted it the most beautiful high school in Massachusetts. There are plenty of outdoor amenities to busy yourself with, but locals put West Island Town Beach as a top choice. Summer brings out the swimmers and snorkelers, and year-round you’ll find people strolling the sandy stretches and fishing. “Fairhaven started out as a fishing community, and you can see that culture is still very strong today,” says Ellie Wickes, a Realtor with Sotheby’s. The beach is connected to the West Island State Reservation, which contains two miles of trails winding through 300 acres of preserved land. With a mix of coastal forests and wetlands, you’re bound to encounter birds, turtles and deer. When you want to congregate with neighbors, paddle up to the West Island Marina, where you’ll find Off the Hook Bar & Grill – the popular eatery plans to serve up tacos and smash burgers again when it reopens in May 2024. For groceries, it’s a short drive inland to Fairhaven, where Interstate 95 and Route 6 intersect. With large stores like Walmart and Stop & Shop, you’ll have access to all the groceries you need for a home cooked meal. Calm, cozy, quiet and immersed in nature, the neighborhood of West Island is for those who seek a more secluded life.

Sometimes you want to be in the center of it all: Oxford is the neighborhood in Fairhaven most known for being a major retail center, drawing visitors from around the area. This locale is situated at the confluence of Route 6, Interstate 95 and Route 240 – the major thoroughfares of Fairhaven. But Oxford is more than a commercial center. It’s a suburban haven with neat residential streets leading to the waterfront. Most of the homes here are priced in the mid $400,000s. While ranches are a common sight, they’re often done up in wood shingle siding, giving a real sense of New England style to the neighborhood. Dutch Colonials are well represented, too, adding to the quaint feel of Oxford. Most streets have sidewalks, and the quiet, leafy environs encourage a slower pace of life. You can take many streets all the way to the waterfront, passing bungalows along the way. Oxford may have its bustling side, but it’s still very much a coastal community. Oxford is also home to many of Fairhaven’s lauded public schools, so you’ll also see neighbors frequenting the area for reasons other than commercial amenities. Leroy Wood Elementary enrolls over 450 students in grades K-5, and maintains a 13 to 1 student-teacher ratio, helping it to earn an A-minus grade from Niche in the teachers category. Elizabeth Hastings Middle sits near a CVS, making it part of a convenient loop for residents who want to drop off children and run errands. It enrolls a similar number of students as Leroy Wood Elementary, and has a variety of clubs for students to join, from the eco conscious Green Team to the tech savvy Genius Squad. Fairhaven High, which sits near Route 6, is a source of local pride. The impressively designed school, full of Gothic brick and limestone features, is sometimes referred to as "The Castle on the Hill.” In 2017, Architectural Digest Magazine voted it the most beautiful high school in Massachusetts. Also in Oxford is the Old Stone Schoolhouse, built in 1828 as Fairhaven’s first public school. When it’s time to dine, residents have a range of choices, from Chinese to Mexican cuisine. For a restaurant with a contemporary feel, many go to Bocca. Inside you’ll find exposed brick walls, along with velvet and leather booths. Charcuterie boards liven up the menu, as do appetizers like bacon jam scallops. But Italian comfort food is the main event, with dishes like butternut squash ravioli. With large stores like Walmart and Stop & Shop nearby, you can also grab groceries for a home cooked meal. When you want to get outside, the 12-acre Livesey Park has plenty of space for you to roam. Ball fields, tennis courts and playgrounds offer other forms of recreation. Many locals visit for the wildlife and scenery, thanks to the picturesque greenery and small bodies of water dotting the park. You can even pick up the Fairhaven Bike Path if you want a different way to explore the park. Bike enthusiasts are also close to the Phoenix Rail Trail, which begins near the bay in historic downtown Fairhaven and takes you through marshes and farmland on the outskirts of town. If the contrast between cozy coastal vibes and commercial amenities is exciting to you, check out Oxford.

Buyers can get property for less than $1 million in Sconticut Neck, a Fairhaven peninsula with a rocky coastline and a sleepy vibe. Seaside cottages, quiet fishing boats and rocky beaches are hallmarks of this small cape, where the population doubles in the summer. Interest in Sconticut Neck is growing. New housing developments are under construction, and prices inched towards seven figures. But the town of Fairhaven wants to keep Sconticut Neck as rural as possible. “Historically, it’s been a very rural part of town despite having an island connected to it. The town desperately wants that preserved,” says Jason Lanagan, Realtor with New Bedford-based Lanagan & Co. and a Fairhaven resident. “It’s not an area they want to see turned into a Scituate or a Cape Cod town.” The main draw of Sconticut Neck is the ocean. Fishing, boating and swimming are popular activities here, and neighbors appreciate the quiet feel compared to nearby Cape Cod. People lay in the sun and walk their dogs at Pope Beach, a small rocky coastal area tucked into a neighborhood, and they hike near the muggy marshes on the south end of the peninsula, which has about 3 miles of trails. The Revolutionary War-era Fort Phoenix State Reservation, located north of Sconticut Neck, has athletic courts and fields, a playground, swimming areas and views of the harbor, great for sunset watching. Sconticut Neck Road is the main thoroughfare, and it runs down the middle of the peninsula, splitting it in half. Off the main road, modest Cape Cods, tiny ranch-style houses and colonials sit right next to each other on leafy streets with cherry trees and blooming bushes. Gray-shingled, Nantucket-style residences pop up closer to the waterfront. Midcentury ranch-style houses can cost $530,000, log cabins can go for $800,000, contemporary houses can go for $1.4 million, split-level houses with private beach can cost $2 million and gray-shingled multifamily houses can go for $2.9 million. The median sale price for a single-family home in Fairhaven is $377,800. Sconticut Neck is rural and secluded, but it’s only a few miles away from all the conveniences of modern life. From the southernmost point in the peninsula, it’s 4 miles to Sconticut Square, a shopping plaza at U.S. Route 6 and Sconticut Neck Road. Ocean State Job Lot, Staples and Dunkin all operate there, and stores like Stop & Shop, Marshalls and Walmart are nearby. “That’s what’s so interesting about Fairhaven. Sconticut Neck is a beach community that’s very rural, but it’s 2.5 miles away from a supermarket and the retail corridor of Route 6,” Lanagan says. Off the Hook Bar & Grill serves fried fish, lobster rolls and painkillers to patrons on its dockside outdoor patio in the summer. Italian eatery Carmine’s at Candleworks draws Sconticut Neck residents into New Bedford for a dimly lit, cozy dining experience. Kids living in Sconticut Neck year-round can attend school through the Fairhaven Public School District. The district has four schools and a B-plus rating from Niche. Close to the peninsula is LeRoy Wood Elementary School, which has an A-minus rating. After fifth grade, kids move on to Hastings Middle School and Fairhaven High School, rated B. The palatial high school building came online in 1906. Henry Huttleston Rogers, a Fairhaven native who made a fortune in the oil industry, donated the school. It’s commonly referred to as the “castle on the hill.” U.S. Route 6 and Interstate 195 are minutes away from Sconticut Neck. New Bedford is about 7 miles away, Providence is 38 miles northwest and Boston is 65 miles north. The state is close to extending the commuter rail from Boston to nearby New Bedford, giving locals another way to reach the capital city. Cape Cod is about 32 miles northeast of the neighborhood, a roughly 40-minute drive. But people come to Sconticut Neck because they don’t like the craziness of Cape Cod, says Lanagan. “It’s not ever going to be Falmouth or Eastham. They want to keep it rural and true to its nature. I know that for sure,” he says.