Rockport has a community of people from all walks of life — from the artists drawn to the idyllic landscape to fishermen who make their living off the sea. Visitors flock to the town in the summer for sandy shores and the taste of fresh lobster. Those who stay year-round enjoy winter traditions and a tight-knit public school district. "It's a sweet, small town," says local artist Susan Lynn, the owner of Susan Lynn Gallery & Studio. "With the preserved historical architecture, it really has the feel of an old seaport village."
Welcome signs greet all who enter Rockport.
A Seagull keeps watch over the homes in Rockport.
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Rockport, through the seasons
Rockport shines under the hot summer sun — but it's such an idyllic location that tourists also want a taste. The beaches fill up, and traffic builds in the heart of town. But, there is an unparalleled sense of celebratory activity. Weekly farmers markets start, and the Fourth of July Parade is always a crowd favorite. As the summer wanes, seasonal visitors begin to head out of town. But those who stay enjoy beautiful fall foliage and the annual Harvest Festival. And December is basically a month-long holiday celebration. "During the winter, Dock Square feels like Whoville," Lynn laughs. "The whole town comes out for the tree lighting, and everybody cheers when the lights go on." However, the town tends to empty after New Year's, with many businesses closing and residents heading out of town to escape the bitter winter cold.
Motif Number 1 is a building that stands in the heart of Bearskin Neck and Rockport Harbor.
Halibut Point State Park's rocky shore is a great place to relax in Rockport.
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The thriving artistic community
Rockport is home to dozens of galleries and a thriving artist community. In fact, many say that Rockport is home to the most painted scene in all of America — an old red fishing shack named "Motif No.1." The shack has a whole day-long celebration in its honor. And every year, Rockport hosts participants of Cape Ann Plein Air, an outdoor painting competition attended by some of the country's top artists. But it's not just painting. Movie houses show indie films, a performing arts center puts on dance and theater shows, and a music hall hosts The Rockport Chamber Music Festival. "I'm certainly not the first artist to go: 'Wow, I want to live here!'" Lynn says. "And there's a real community among the artists and local businesses — they all work together to uplift each other."
Dragon Sculpture greets visitors on Main Street outside The Rockport Gallery.
Stop in to Rusty & Ingrid and watch them create beautiful screen prints.
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Fresh lobster and beachy boutiques
The Bearskin Neck peninsula is a corridor of artisan shops and beachy boutiques, interspersed with eateries serving up the catch of the day. Lines form outside Roy Moore Lobster Company, which has an outdoor patio in the back where patrons can glimpse fresh crates of lobsters being brought in off the fishing boat. For a more upscale experience, Feather & Wedge and My Place by the Sea are a white-tablecloth affair, also specializing in seafood. Clothing store displays spill onto the streets, and kids eagerly pull parents toward the nearest ice cream parlor. The area certainly gets busy with summer tourists, but the shops here have so much heart they are beloved by the locals, too.
It's always a good time to get fresh Lobsters at Roy's in Rockport.
Many colorful beach boutiques are found in Bearskin Neck Rockport.
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Public schools with small class sizes
Kids who stay in town for the school year attend the well-regarded Rockport Public Schools system, which has an overall student-teacher ratio of eight to one, meaning kids get specialized attention from their teachers. Rockport Elementary and Rockport Middle both get B grades from the website Niche. And Rockport High, rated B-plus, features standout art and music programs.
The Rockport Elementary School is great place for children to start their eductaion.
Rockport High School displays a large bell outside its door.
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Historic homes and waterside estates
Homes in Rockport could be historic fishing shacks, midcentury colonials or modern construction in suburban cul-de-sacs. Lots are large, often around a quarter-acre, and mature trees create privacy between homes. Rockport has also historically had one of the lowest property tax rates in Essex County. Prices start around $500,000 for smaller Cape Cods and Colonials, but most homes sit between $700,000 and $1.5 million. There are also condo and townhome options ranging from $350,000 to $900,000. And though most homes have proximity to the ocean, those who want their own section of the coast are looking at prices from $2 million to $5 million. However, FEMA categorizes the edges of Rockport as a Flood Zone VE, which means flood insurance may be required.
Rows of wood shingled homes line the streets in Rockport.
Beautiful seaside home stretches along Old Garden Road in Rockport.
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Quarries, beaches and yacht clubs
Rocky and sandy beaches stretch along Rockport's 10 miles of coastline. Most beaches have a resident section for parking, which is helpful during the busy summer months. Halibut Point State Park is beloved for its hiking trails, and for sportier residents, there is also a local Golf Club and the Sandy Bay Yacht Club.
Halibut Point State park is a great place to take the family in Rockport.
View of the Babson Quarry in Rockport.
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Commuter Rail and nearby cities
Rockport is conveniently located along the Boston Commuter Rail, which connects to the big city in about an hour and a half, with a few stops along the way. But usually, when Rockport locals are craving a taste of the city, they travel 4 miles over to Gloucester. Gloucester has grocery stores, big-brand shopping options and a large hospital. However, Boston is the closest option for an International Airport.
Mary Kelly is the proud Broker-Owner of Property Central Inc. With years of real estate experience in a variety of facets, Mary has developed a well rounded understanding of both properties and their markets. Over the course of her career Mary spent several years working for some of the large franchise real estate firms and found they were unable to offer her clients the same commitment to service, ethics, vision and adaptability that were central to her personal customer-centered business model. In 2009 Mary opened Property Central Inc. to bridge the gap and realize her vision for the industry. Raised and educated in Ireland, Mary came to the United States at a young age on her own and created a life for herself. In the process, she moved and lived in a variety of locations, environments and countries. In 1999 Mary relocated to Boston, and after researching the area throughly, choose to settle, raise her family, and build a business in Stoneham.
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