Salem, an inclusive, bewitching city in the North Shore
Originally inhabited by the Native American tribe Naumkeag and settled by the English and Europeans in 1626, Salem has transitioned from an important seaport colony by the Naumkeag River (now called North River) to one of the American Planning Association’s 10 Great Neighborhoods in America. Perhaps in response to its past as the site of the tragic 1692 Salem Witch Trials in colonial American history, Salem has become a place where crystal shops and tarot reading parlors stand alongside eerily named places such as Mercy Restaurant, Gallows Hill Road and Witchcraft Heights Elementary School. People here are allowed to be their wonderfully weird selves, and those who are into any form of alternative spirituality will find a community of like-minded people. Others flock to Salem for its brick sidewalks and 18th-century buildings and houses, waterfront location, prominent cultural centers such as the Peabody Essex Museum and proximity to Boston.
Today, Salem has a population of about 44,541 and a median household income of $79,196. Its workforce is largely concentrated in the healthcare, social services, education and retail industries. Top employers include Salem Hospital, the city government and commonwealth, Salem State University and retailers such as Market Basket. The city has also implemented redevelopment plans and economic policies to preserve its cultural identity and strengthen heritage tourism, all while adopting sustainable practices to combat climate change.
Salem is a historic city with modern amenities and conveniences.
Crow Haven Corner offers tarot card readings near South Salem.
Mercy Tavern is a vibrant neighborhood restaurant in Salem, known for its locally sourced food.
Salem Hospital offers comprehensive medical and surgical services to the community.
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From 18th-century homes in historic districts to new condominiums
Salem’s homes sit on befitting street names such as Witch Way, Puritan Road and Witchcraft Road. The current median value for Salem’s homes is $571,000, and houses stay on the market for about 21 days before they are sold. Typically listing between $300,000 and $900,000, most properties are between 1,000 and 2,500 square feet and have limited yard space. Similarly priced townhouses, duplexes and condos in 19th-century buildings, Victorian-era triple-deckers and contemporary developments are concentrated mostly in the northwest sections of the city. Newer constructions and waterfront houses can be in the higher price range.
Known for their iconic architecture, many Federal-style mansions and Greek or Classical Revival homes in Salem Common or the McIntire Historic District date to the 1700s and the early 1800s. “The McIntire Historic District, where Chestnut Street is located, is one of the most architecturally perfect streets in America. It’s a big, wide street that has expensive houses on it, large lots, great architectural style and demeanor,” says Gary Blattberg, team leader and associate at the Gary Blattberg Team with RE/MAX in Beverly. Salem Common also features a unique collection of Victorian-era residential architecture, including Georgian and Queen Anne homes. Derby Street, another historic district along Salem Harbor, pays tribute to the city’s maritime heritage with Federal and colonial-style buildings from the 1760s to the 1820s, when Salem was a leading seaport of the country. The neighborhood is also home to the Salem Maritime National Historic Site, Derby Lighthouse, the House of the Seven Gables and the birthplace of Nathaniel Hawthorne.
Duplex homes in Salem are created out of many 19th-century buildings.
Large Federal-style mansions live on historic Chestnut Street in Salem.
Beautiful Classical Revival style homes date back to the 1700's in Salem.
A unique collection of Queen Ann style homes surround Salem Common.
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Waterfront parks and water activities at Salem
As a coastal city in Essex County, Salem offers miles of oceanfront and public beach access. Locals are often spotted swimming at Waikiki Beach, and Winter Island is a popular destination for boating, fishing and camping. Pickering Wharf, in Salem Harbor, is one of the best places to see sunsets and enjoy the ocean view. The waterfront Forest River Park has a baseball field, a playground and bike paths right along the harbor, and people can swim at one of the two beaches or at the park’s swimming pool. Salem Willows Park has an amusement park, a seaside promenade and space for outdoor concerts and events. Nature lovers can hike along Salem Woods Loop Trail or the Marblehead Rail Trail.
Salem's Winter Island is a popular recreation spot known for it's natural beauty.
Pickering Wharf, in Salem Harbor is one of the best places to enjoy the ocean view.
Kids in South Salem have a blast at the adventurous playground at Forest River Park.
Residents in Salem spend summer evenings at Salem Willow Park enjoying outdoor concerts.
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A comprehensive school system at Salem Public Schools
Salem Public Schools serves over 3,700 students with a student-teacher ratio of 11-to-1. With a C-plus Niche grade, the school district has four elementary schools, a K-8 academy, one middle school and one high school. Salem High School has a special preparatory academy on campus called Salem Prep High School. Here, students are equipped with internship opportunities and can take college-level courses and complete capstone assignments. In addition to an early childhood center, there is another school for those with emotional and biological disabilities, which is called New Liberty Innovation School.
Salem State University has over 10,000 students and offers over 30 undergraduate programs and more than 20 graduate degrees.
Haunted happenings: Halloween in Salem
Halloween is when Salem really comes alive. Every year, the streets are flooded with more than half a million costumed visitors from all over the world. Events like the Endless Nights Vampire Ball, a Haunted Happenings Marketplace and a multimedia show centered around the tarot start in September, and the party continues through October 31. There are walking tours, parades and craft fairs, and the witchy museums also get a lot of traffic.
Don't forget to take a picture in front of the giant Jack at the Haunted Happenings Marketplace.
Have your tarot read at The Salem Psychic Fair.
Spellbound tours in Salem, offers historically accurate and frightening guided walking tours.
The Salem Zombie Walk kicks off in the Common Park and goes through the city.
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Local infrastructures and environmental factors
Salem is on Boston’s North Shore, 16 miles north of the capital city. It’s located close to Interstate 95 and U.S. Route 1, and Boston Logan International Airport is approximately 13 miles away. The MBTA commuter rail stops in Salem as part of the Newburyport/Rockport line, and the train drops people off at Boston’s North Station. Situated in the heart of the city, Salem Hospital is North Shore’s largest healthcare provider and has clinical partnerships with Massachusetts General Hospital.
Because of its coastal characteristics, Salem is affected by the growing climate changes that come with more frequent storms and rising sea levels. Many properties in the city are in designated flood zones, and homebuyers may be required to purchase flood or natural disaster home insurance.
Salem’s weather ranges from about 27 °F degrees in the winter to an estimated 81°F degrees in the summer. The city is cloudy between November and June, and snow is expected between November and April with January having the most snow, averaging about 9.2 inches. In addition, rain is expected year-round, and windy days comprise half the year, from October to April, with an average wind speed of 10.6 miles per hour.
In honor of the events of the Salem Witch Trials
Salem's downtown area, about a half-mile square, is the city’s cultural epicenter, juxtaposing its historical past with modern-day happenings. Here, people can walk along the brick sidewalks dotted with red maple trees and see local shops housed in well-preserved historic buildings. The Peabody Essex Museum, a contemporary architectural masterpiece designed by architect Moshe Safdie, has acquired 22 historic buildings and holds one of the most comprehensive collections of Asian Art. Those who appreciate architecture can walk to adjoining McIntire or Salem Common neighborhoods and see Hamilton Hall, one of the city’s grandest Federal-style residences, Salem Common or the McIntire-designed Clifford Crowninsheld House.
The Salem Witch Trials Memorial honors the victims of past events while serving as an important reminder of both tragedy and humanity. The Salem Witch Museum and the Witch Dungeon Museum offer tours and interpretations of the historical episode, while entertainment venues such as Gallows Hill Museum/Theatre and the Salem Haunted Magic Show put a contemporary spin on its history.
Synonymous with the city’s maritime traditions, Salem is known for seafood fare and waterfront restaurants offering New England classics and views of the waters. Big-box retailers, grocery stores and local businesses, including Market Basket, Walmart and Home Depot, are along the city’s main thoroughfare, Highland Avenue.
The Peabody Essex Museum in Salem is one of the oldest operating museums in the country.
The Salem Witch Trials Memorial honors the 20 victims of the 1692 witch trials.
The Salem Witch Museum provides an immersive look into the historic witch trials.
Gallows Hill in Salem explores the witch trails with history, lore and special effects.
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Relatively low crime rate in Salem
Within the past year, Salem has had a total of 36 violent crimes reported, including assault and robbery, as well as 217 property crimes such as motor vehicle theft and larceny.
On average, homes in Salem, MA sell after 21 days on the market compared to the national average of 49 days. The median sale price for homes in Salem, MA over the last 12 months is $580,475, up 7% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
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