Vinnin Square
Neighborhood in Salem, Massachusetts
Essex County 01970
Townhouses at the Village at Vinnin Square
The Village at Vinnin Square offers townhouses in the southwest corner of the neighborhood, and homes there are most often the ones that come up for sale. “The Village at Vinnin Square is their flagship complex,” Green says. “It’s several hundred units. The surrounding homes were built from the early 1900s into the 1950s. Vinnin Square is mostly a good mix of condos, townhouses and kind of in-between condos that feel like townhouses.” Architectural styles for single-family homes typically include Cape Cods, colonial- and ranch-style homes. Single-family homes usually cost between $500,000 and $700,000, though they seldom hit the market. Townhouses can be priced from $550,000 to $650,000, while condos often have price tags between $450,000 and $600,000. The neighborhood has yet to receive a CAP Index Crime Score from Niche.Parks and putt-putt
The Forest River Conservation Area occupies much of northern Vinnin Square, with hiking trails winding around the 26-acre property. Forest River itself carves its way through the conservation area as well. “Recreation is huge, especially in that area,” Green says. “Every new season, you’re trying to get it all in before it changes. There’s a whole handful-and-a-half of parks nearby, a couple of lakes tucked in, and both rocky and sandy beaches. There’s a little bit of everything.” More trails along the Forest River sit just east of Vinnin Square.The Lynch/van Otterloo YMCA is located on the east side of the neighborhood and offers programs revolving around swimming, basketball, aerobics and more. Tedesco Country Club offers a private 18-hole golf course just southeast, and golfers can also take swings at the public DiLisio Golf Range to the west. Castle Creek Adventure Land, a putt-putt course with go-karts, sits adjacent to the driving range. Off the northwest side of the neighborhood, Salem Woods spans over 150 acres and accommodates hiking, biking, picnicking and wildlife observation. The Massachusetts coastline is less than 3 miles east of central Vinnin Square, meaning residents are within driving distance of the ocean.Swampscott Public Schools serves the Vinnin Square area
Kids in Vinnin Square often head south for the entire Swampscott Public Schools pipeline, and the district earns an overall grade of B-plus from Niche. Clarke Elementary School receives a B-minus, while Swampscott Middle School earns a B-plus and Swampscott High School receives an A-minus. The high school also operates a student newspaper, called the Blueprint, in addition to other clubs revolving around creative writing, robotics, yearbook and more.Historic ties are still celebrated in nearby Salem
With Vinnin Square’s proximity to Salem, that town’s many annual celebrations are within easy reach of residents here. “They have museums with live retellings of the Salem witch trials, an immersive recounting of the witch story and there are tombstones, plaques and markers, all from 400 years ago,” Green says of the neighborhood’s neighbor to the north. “October is big in Salem. It’s honestly kind of a pilgrimage; I’ve met people from across the world. It starts at the end of September and is a month-long costume party.” Because of the hysteria that gripped Salem in the 1600s—hysteria based entirely in myth—the area still draws many visitors for its Halloween celebrations, with some businesses only open for the autumnal season and closed the rest of the year. However, Green says that the city is also working to expand its horizons beyond the witch elements.But history in Salem runs much deeper than the infamous witch trials. The Salem Heritage Trail takes visitors past historic sites tied to the city. “It’s this red line in downtown Salem that you follow,” Green says. “It’s the route that smugglers took to move things out to port when Salem was the state capital during the American Revolution. The lore and history of Salem is worth diving into.” Other celebrations include a Fourth of July fireworks display on the waterfront.And the area’s history is also tied to its maritime traditions. A replica ship on the waterfront is part of the Salem Maritime National Historic Site, which commemorates the area’s seafaring history.
Sports fans in Vinnin Square have access to Boston for Red Sox baseball, Celtics basketball and Bruins hockey games. “Generally, trips to North Station for concerts, basketball games and hockey games are easy,” Green says. “You can take the Green Line like two stops away, and Fenway Park is right there.” MBTA trains follow the Newburyport / Rockport line down to TD Garden, a trip of about half an hour.
Trips to Boston down the coastline or via the highway
Though Vinnin Square does not have any state routes or highways in immediate proximity, smaller roads serve as arteries for residents. “It’s very commutable to the main avenues,” Green says. “Loring Avenue connects up to a couple of the different main routes and thoroughfares that get you into other parts of the North Shore and Salem. You’re only ever a couple of turns away from a main road if you’re driving.” Loring Avenue runs along part of the south side and runs through Vinnin Square.To get to Boston, locals can take Massachusetts Route 1A along the coastline for about 13 miles or use Interstates 95 and 93 for a trip of about 27 miles. Each route can take up to an hour, depending on traffic. Boston Logan International Airport sits about 12 miles south down Route 1A. MBTA buses run along Loring Avenue for public transit, while an MBTA train station about 2 miles south in Swampscott links the area with Boston. “The MBTA is very accessible,” Green says. “Vinnin Square is well-positioned to the commuter rail. That’s the beautiful thing. You’re probably about 30 minutes, maximum, into North Station.”Wide-ranging shopping and dining options are nearby
Vinnin Square is bounded to the south by two central shopping complexes. The Swampscott Mall lies on the west side of Paradise Road, where shoppers can head to a Stop & Shop, HomeGoods or the Gap. On the east side of Paradise Road, Vinnin Square Plaza has a Marshalls and Petco. A Whole Foods is on the same side of the thoroughfare, just south of the plaza. “Vinnin Square itself is just like a major community center,” Green says. “There are big-box stores, little shops and everything in between. There are all kinds of restaurants you can pick up from or sit down at.”In the Vinnin Square neighborhood itself, locals can order Chinese food at Fantasy Island or a variety of menu items at Rizzo’s Roast Beef & Pizza. Vesuvius Salem offers pizza as well, while Periwinkles Food Shoppe has sandwiches and pastries. The Cookie Monstah has freshly baked treats just south. Many locals go about 3 miles north into Salem for more eateries. “We still order from Turner’s Seafood at Lyceum Hall,” Green says. “Their Salem location is an amazing fixture. They run a fishing operation and a beautiful, five-star, sit-down, wood-box New England seafood restaurant. I can’t recommend it enough for the ideal New England seafood experience.”
The Salem Farmers’ Market takes place on a seasonal schedule, typically running from June to October. The popularity of the market has given rise to taprooms and breweries that have recently opened in the area. “In the last 10 years, Salem has found a little home-brewing scene,” Green says. “Far From the Tree Cider is really local in the community, and the same with Notch Brewery & Tap Room. Notch Brewery has a nice beer garden right on the water.” Both breweries are about 3 miles north of Vinnin Square, and Notch Brewery sits across a cove from the Salem Harbor Walk.



Agents Specializing in this Area
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Team Kelleher
Keller Williams Elite
(857) 271-4865
32 Total Sales
1 in Vinnin Square
$560,000 Price
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North Shore and More Team
eXp Realty
(339) 444-2882
28 Total Sales
2 in Vinnin Square
$420K - $1.3M Price Range
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Marcie Gingle
Responds QuicklyWilliam Raveis R.E. & Home Services
(781) 995-4885
64 Total Sales
1 in Vinnin Square
$402,500 Price
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David Brown
Coldwell Banker Realty - Beverly
(339) 666-1240
59 Total Sales
1 in Vinnin Square
$510,000 Price
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Kimberly Lorden
Responds QuicklyAdvisors Living - Gloucester
(351) 999-8291
51 Total Sales
1 in Vinnin Square
$470,000 Price
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Julie Sagan
Responds QuicklySagan Harborside Sotheby's International Realty
(781) 460-6318
75 Total Sales
5 in Vinnin Square
$435K - $675K Price Range
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Vinnin Square Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Vinnin Square, Salem sell after 29 days on the market compared to the national average of 49 days. The median sale price for homes in Vinnin Square, Salem over the last 12 months is $501,000, down 8% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
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Neighborhood Facts
Open Houses
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Saturday, Jun 1412 - 2pm
Distribution of Home Values
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Somewhat Bikeable
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Somewhat Walkable
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Some Transit
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