Quiet, slow-paced town near Providence
Settled in 1636, Seekonk is a suburban Massachusetts town about 5 miles east of Providence. “It’s family-oriented and slower paced,” says Tiffany Weigold, a Realtor with Keller Williams Elite, who has over three years of experience. “You can slow down life in Seekonk.” Compared to Providence, Seekonk is more residential, with quiet neighborhoods, pastoral landscapes and a modest selection of local businesses. There are a few farms, and agriculture has historically been an important industry here, but today many residents commute to employment hubs like Providence, Newport or Boston for work. “The people who are coming in are buyers looking to stop renting,” Weigold says. “You’ll have more space to live in Seekonk — more acreage and more equity.”
Diverse housing market with spacious lots
“There’s a good mix of homes,” Weigold says. “You’re going to get smaller cottage style, bungalows and a lot of ranches — it’s typical to Massachusetts.” Most of Seekonk’s single-family homes are from the mid- to late 20th century, but there are a handful of historic homes dating as far back as the 18th century and Colonial Revivals built in the past 20 years. Newer homes are generally larger, set in sidewalk-lined subdivisions with manicured lawns. Older styles are often set along country roads and feel more rural, with larger lots and mature trees. Some may include additions like workshops or horse stables. “You have some space...,” Weigold says. “The typical backyard in Seekonk is 0.3 or 0.5 acres.” The median home price in Seekonk is about $570,000, compared to $430,000 in Providence, but $900,000 in Boston.
Seekonk Public Schools receive high marks from Niche
Seekonk Public Schools earns an A-minus from Niche. The district has about 2,000 students, and all its schools are rated B-plus or better. At Seekonk High, teens can take dual-enrollment courses at Rhode Island College for college credit.
Playgrounds, pocket-sized parks and preserves
There are a couple of playgrounds and pocket-sized parks around Seekonk, like Seekonk Veterans Memorial Park, but most of the town’s green spaces are conservation areas with dense forests, dirt-packed trails and protected wildlife. The Gammino Pond Preserve is a popular picnic spot where folks can fish for largemouth bass and drop a painted rock in the Kindness Garden. Nearby, the 200-acre Audubon Caratunk Wildlife Refuge offers a 2-mile tree-shaded trail that leads by clear running streams, pond views and hardwood trees like sugar maples and white oaks; birders can be on the lookout for over 100 species of birds, including purple martins, tree swallows and even wild turkeys. At Teamworks Seekonk, there’s pick-up volleyball and basketball, as well as sports leagues and tournaments for all ages. Golfers can join the historic Ledgemont Country Club, dating to 1924, to enjoy its 18-hole course, tennis courts and swimming pool.
Historic local businesses and modern retail
While Seekonk’s shopping and dining options aren’t as extensive as neighboring Providence, the town still offers a good balance of familiar national brands and unique local businesses. “Seekonk has a ton of those little shopping plaza strips and restaurant franchises, like Chick-fil-a,” Weigold says. Lining U.S. Route 6, there are big-box retailers like Target, Hobby Lobby and Walmart alongside fast-food eateries and small businesses, including medical offices, fitness studios and salons.
“Then they have their own little family-owned-and-operated restaurants,” Weigold says. Dating back to 1745, the Old Grist Mill Tavern is a bar, restaurant and historic landmark all in one. Rebuilt twice — once after a fire caused by a runaway banana truck — it now serves hearty New England fare like clam chowder, lobster rolls and locally brewed ales in a rustic setting by the Runnins River. Other highlights include Chardonnay’s Restaurant, an elegant spot with New American cuisine that’s been a staple for over 30 years, and family-owned Scialo's County Bakery for fresh pies, pastries and pizzas. There are also several farms in town for locally sourced produce, including Four Town Farm for fresh berries, flowers and pumpkins.
Events at the Seekonk Speedway
NASCAR and community events are held regularly at the Seekonk Speedway, as well as thrill shows with high-octane fun like spectator drags and fireworks. “It’s the Daytona 500 of Massachusetts,” Weigold says. “It’s a destination for families, if you’re into that kind of thing.” On Sundays, the Seekonk Flea Market is held at the speedway with hundreds of vendors, selling everything from antique curios and handmade crafts to vintage clothes and collectors' items. The Great Halloween Festival is one of Seekonk’s biggest events, with spooky traditions like zombie archery, pumpkin bowling and the giant candy corn tree.
Getting around from Seekonk
Interstate 195 and U.S. Routes 44 and 6 pass through Seekonk; the former leads directly to Providence, 5 miles away, and takes commuters to Boston, 54 miles away. “You’re 15-20 minutes from the city of Providence or Fall River, and you’re an hour from Boston,” Weigold says. “You’re right where you need to be if you want to find an employment opportunity.” Public transportation is limited, but Greater Attleboro Taunton Regional Transit Authority and Rhode Island Public Transit Authority buses stop just outside town by Attleboro Station, which also offers a commuter rail. Rhode Island Hospital is 5 miles away, and Rhode Island T.F. Green International Airport is 12 miles away.
Environmental factors
Summers are warm and humid, and winters are cold, with 38 inches of snow annually. Bristol County is at moderate risk of flooding and hurricanes.
