Finding community and enjoying convenience in Topsfield
Just under 25 miles north of Boston, Topsfield encapsulates the classic New England small town, complete with green space and a highly rated school system. “It may seem rural, but it has a lot of activity and a real sense of community,” says Realtor Andrea Anastas with RE/MAX 360. Anastas has 21 years of experience in this Tri-Town region, which also includes Boxford and Middleton. “Topsfield reminds many people of a less-populated Winchester,” she says. Main Street anchors the heart of town, with a shopping center and a gazebo on a stretch of grass. Public tennis courts and a playground sit nearby off of Grove Street, as well. While Topsfield’s convenience attracts many homebuyers, its friendly atmosphere keeps residents here for generations. “Families come for its accessibility and appealing price ranges compared to bordering towns. Kids can walk to school, you can get a membership to massive, beautiful parks, there’s a nice town common, a golf course, everything,” Anastas says.
Endless outdoor adventure in Topsfield
Sandwiched between Boxford State Forest and Bradley Palmer State Park, the area allows for plenty of outdoor options. The town is also a part of the Essex County Greenbelt Association, which preserves spots like the Topsfield Linear Common rail trail. Along with protecting land from construction, the association organizes events, such as Senior Strolls and 10K races. The Mass Audubon’s Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary, a nearly 2,000-acre expanse, offers nature camps and hiking spots through various landscapes, including meadows and forests with vernal pools. One of the most popular routes, the Rockery Trail, features a stone bridge, a boardwalk and an over-100-year-old tunnel passage built out of massive rocks, called the Rock Grotto. The 35-mile-long Ipswich River is another outdoor recreation destination for fishing and rowing, with a canoe launch off of High Street. Residents can also swim at Hoods Pond under lifeguard supervision or relax on its sandy beach.
Served by Topsfield and Masconomet schools
Masconomet – also known as Masco – schools are a major draw for families in the Tri-Town region. Niche ranks Masco the No. 4 best district in Essex County, and the quantity of students meeting benchmarks on state testing far exceeds Massachusetts averages. Masconomet Regional Middle and High School share a campus and score A-minus grades on Niche. Before heading to Masco schools, children can begin their education at Topsfield Public Schools. Steward Elementary earns a B-minus for prekindergarten through third grade, and Proctor Elementary scores a B for fourth through sixth grade. About 5 miles away in Danvers, St. John’s Preparatory School offers private all-boys middle and high school education. St. John’s ranks No. 1 best high school for athletes in the state and No. 4 in the country.
Topsfield eateries and shopping big box in Danvers and Rowley
Topsfield has a small town common with a shopping center, public offices and facilities. The dog friendly Zumi’s Espresso café has local art for sale on the walls and occasional live music, making it an epicenter of the town’s culture. Zumi’s also runs altruistic promotions, such as providing free coffee on select days for teachers or for those who clear a 5-gallon bucket of litter from the beach. Topsfield House of Pizza is another classic in the shopping center on Main Street, along with a flower shop, an Ace Hardware, convenience stores and other businesses. Animal owners can pick up essentials at Essex County Co-Op or Petco off of Route 1. For big-box grocers and department stores, shoppers can head to Stop & Shop, Target and Walmart in Danvers or Market Basket in Rowley. Residents also go to Danvers and Rowley for more sit-down dining options.
A small town with plenty of events
One of the region’s signature activities is the Topsfield Fair, a fall extravaganza that dates back to 1818. As the oldest county fair in the country, the event features rides, food, live music, games and even on-site parades and movie nights. The fairgrounds host multiple other events over the course of the year, including concerts and blood drives. The Topsfield Historical Society puts on events, as well, such as the Annual Strawberry Festival, which hit its 55th year in June of 2024. The celebration has car and art shows, along with shops, food and games. Before the weather gets too cold, the town throws the Tomato Festival in mid-September, where visitors can learn, play and shop. It also holds a taste contest for various tomato dishes.
Large residential lots with New England architecture
Most of the properties around Topsfield were built in the mid- to late-20th century, with colonials and Cape Cods being the most common. “The housing market here is like Goldilocks and the Three Bears. There is something for everybody, from starter homes to large upgrades,” Anastas says. Small Capes, townhouses, ranch styles and condo units can be found from $400,000 and into the $600,000 ballpark. Other houses sit on sizable lots along winding country roads, shaded by mature trees. Some areas feature 1- or 2-acre properties, while other streets are more populated and have sidewalks. Single-family homes tend to sell between $800,000 and just over $1 million, though large 6-bedroom estates with private pools, Ipswich River access or tennis courts can surpass $3 million. Another major draw to the area is Topsfield’s CAP Index crime score of 1 out of 10, which is significantly lower than the national average of 4.
Navigating Topsfield, Boston and the North Shore
Route 1 flows about 25 miles south into Boston and another 34 miles north toward Portsmouth and Newburyport. A 22-mile drive along the route leads to Boston Logan International Airport. A portion of Interstate 95 falls in Topsfield, as well, along with Route 97 into Beverly. Ipswich has the closest commuter rail station, followed by Rowley, which both offer about one-hour rides into Downtown Boston.
A small flood-risk zone
Flooding risks are mostly concentrated along the lower end of River Road near the Topsfield Fairgrounds. “While this area has more of a tendency for flooding during the Spring thaw and with heavy rains, it clears up quickly,” Anastas says.
Photography Contributed By
Amanda Beattie
