$628,477Average Value$370Average Price per Sq Ft1Home For Sale
A residential neighborhood offering access to Downtown without the crowds
Perched just south of Salem, Castle Hill is a residential Massachusetts neighborhood that offers a respite from the activity of Downtown Salem, while still being within arm’s reach. Salem attracts 1.8 million annual visitors to its historic city, which is famed for the 1692 Salem Witch Trials. “Salem has become the New Orleans of the Northeast,” says local real estate agent Dan Bernal of J. Barrett & Company. “Huge throngs of people come from land and sea for October, but now also during the summer.” Castle Hill’s location on Salem’s collar draws homebuyers to the small hamlet. “What’s great about Castle Hill, more than anything, is that it’s a short drive to Downtown, but you can get out of the city quickly because it keeps you out of Midtown,” Bernal says. “These days, getting into Downtown is easy, it’s a matter of getting out — it can be daunting when you have 2,000 visitors a day. You get really good at knowing how to stay away from Downtown if it’s not where you’re going.” Still, Downtown Salem’s cultural landmarks and charming restaurants appeal to Castle Hill’s residents just as much as the area’s access to strongly rated schools, many parks, and the Salem Hospital, which sits adjacent to the neighborhood.
New England home styles perched above Salem
A mix of single-family and multi-family homes line the orderly streets of Castle Hill, framed by narrow sidewalks and shaded by a sparse canopy of established trees. The neighborhood sits at a higher elevation than the surrounding area. “It’s definitely hillier than the rest of Salem,” Bernal says. “In the winter, kids will come to Castle Hill to go sledding because it has the best hills.” New England styles are prevalent in the residential architecture; Cape Cods sit beside Dutch colonial vernacular styles and small ranch-style homes. Prices typically land between $400,000 and $800,000 for single-family homes, while multifamily properties can cost around $1 million.
New England style Cape Cod homes are a prominent feature throughout the Castle Hill neighborhood, adding a timeless, charm to the area.
Multifamily properties in the Castle Hill area typically have price tags around $1 million, reflecting the neighborhood's desirable location.
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Access to nearby parks, beaches and athletic facilities
While the facilities at Castle Hill Park and Captain John Bertram Athletic Field offer recreational and green spaces within the neighborhood, Castle Hill boasts proximity to many of the area’s most popular parks. “Castle Hill is very close to a ton of parks in the area,” Bernal says. “You have four or five parks within a few minutes’ drive.” Forest River Park on Pickering Point is 2 miles east and features rocky riverfront beaches, a children’s playground and a public pool that is open seasonally. Salem Woods Highland Park sits adjacent to Castle Hill and offers marked trails for nature hikes through acres of woodland. The Salem Parkway Multi-Use Path runs through the neighborhood and connects south to the Marblehead Rail Trail and north into Downtown.
Children delight in the vibrant play structure at Castle Hill Park in the Castle Hill neighborhood, where they can swing high into the air, race down the twisting slides, and zoom across the thrilling zipline, filling the air with laughter and excitement.
It's a perfect day to explore the scenic trails and lush landscapes of Salem Woods Highland Park, nestled just a short distance from the Castle Hill neighborhood.
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Annual Arts Festival and historic cultural attractions
While the hordes of Halloween visitors make October the city’s busiest month, Salem offers events and social gatherings for its residents year-round. “Everything happens centrally in Salem, mostly around the common and outdoor mall,” Bernal says. Once used for militia training, the Salem Common hosts regular events for all ages, including exhibits, live music series and more. One of Salem’s largest events takes place in Derby Square, the city’s centermost plaza by the Old Town Hall. For a weekend in June, the square fills vendors and exhibits as part of the Salem Arts Festival. The annual fest celebrates art in all forms, from dance and film to music and painting, with a slew of stacked performances and presentations throughout the weekend.
Castle Hill’s proximity to Downtown offers residents easy access to the city’s many cultural attractions, including famed institutions like the Salem Witch Museum and The Witch House, where visitors can delve into the history of the Salem Witch Trials and the city’s past. Other spooky attractions include the International Monster Museum and the many Hocus Pocus movie shoot locations around Salem. Peabody Essex Museum houses a vast collection of modern art and artifacts.
Castle Hill locals spend autumn weekends at the Haunted Happenings Marketplace, enjoying the festivities of Salem Common.
Step back in time and learn about Salem's intriguing history at the Salem Witch Museum, located just a short distance from Castle Hill, where the haunting stories of the infamous witch trials come to life.
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Strong academics within Salem Public School District
Kids in Castle Hill may attend schools within the Salem Public School District, which earns a C-plus from Niche. Horace Mann Laboratory serves kindergarten through fifth grade and funnels into Collins Middle School. Both earn a C grade. At Salem High School, students may opt into Advanced Placement classes or participate in the high school’s Programming and Web Development program. The high school earns a B-minus from Niche. Parents may also send their kids to top-rated private schools in the area, including the A-plus-rated Tower School, which serves prekindergarten through eighth grade. Castle Hill is also close to Salem State University, the oldest and largest public institution in higher education on the North Shore.
Horace Mann Laboratory provides education to the youngest students in Salem MA.
Collins Middle School provides education to the residents in Salem MA.
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Balance between Downtown eateries and convenient big-box retailers
While a few local eateries and shops cluster within Salem’s city center, Bernal says Castle Hill residents usually shop on the city’s outskirts. Shopping plazas along Highland Avenue provide plenty of convenient retail and grocery options, including Walmart, Market Basket, T.J. Maxx and Target. In Downtown Salem, restaurants sit shoulder-to-shoulder in historic brick buildings with charming painted facades. Eateries ranging from elevated lounges to casual stalwarts span cultural tastes. Menus features Indian, American, Mexican and more. Mainstays include the New England Soup Factory, Boston Burger Company and Front Street Coffeehouse, known for its cozy exposed brick interior and specialty drinks. Within Castle Hill, the Tin Whistle sits tucked among residential streets, offering classic American pub fare and outdoor seating. Other favorites closer to home include Far From The Tree Cidery and On the Grind Café.
Crowds flock from near and far to visit Crow Haven Corner, the nation's oldest witch shop, just a short distance from the Castle Hill neighborhood.
Stop by Garcon Super Slice Pizza near Castle Hill for exceptional pizza served in a lively, festive atmosphere, where the friendly staff and delicious pies make every visit a memorable experience.
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Commuting to Boston by train and car
The Newburyport/Rockport Line serves the Salem train station and connects commuters to Boston in about 30 minutes. Buses also serve the station, linking commuters to stops around the city. Residents are close to major thoroughfares like Interstates 95 and 93, and US Route 1. Drivers can link to Boston, 26 miles south, via these highways in under an hour during typical driving conditions. Castle Hill also boasts proximity to Salem Hospital, which sits adjacent to the neighborhood and serves as another draw for residents.
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
On average, homes in Castle Hill, Salem sell after 18 days on the market compared to the national average of 52 days. The median sale price for homes in Castle Hill, Salem over the last 12 months is $623,500, up 25% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
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