Wareham

In White Island Shores, there are dirt roads, Fourth of July sack races and neighbors who know each other's names. “It’s an intergenerational community – folks have lived here all their life,” says John Kelly, former White Island Shores Community Association President. “People know each other – they call each other aunt and uncle.” Two ponds border the neighborhood: White Island Pond, which can only be accessed by members of neighborhood community associations, and the public Glen Charlie Pond. Modest Cape Cods and simple bungalows with clapboard siding sit on gentle hills, some of which can see the water in pocket vistas. Located in East Wareham, the neighborhood doesn’t have much commercial development, and locals must travel about 5 miles south to grocery shop or go out to dinner. But locals like it that way – secluded and shaded by the shore. White Island Shores borders two ponds. To access White Island Pond, from which the neighborhood gets its name, one must be a member of The White Island Shores Community Association or a similar neighborhood association – the neighborhood has more than one. “You aren’t forced to be a member, but it's highly encouraged,” Kelly explains. “You have to be a member to access beaches, fishing and things like that.” Locals love to hang out by the shore, sunbathing and swimming, or take their boats onto the water. Nearby Glen Charlie Pond, which spans 166 acres and has 6 miles of shoreline, is open to the public, stocked with fish and has a boat launch. Plus, Kelly says, “We are surrounded by tens of thousands of acres of open space for hiking, hunting, camping, fishing. People love it.” To the west, the 12,000-acre Myles Standish State Forest is the largest tract of its kind in the region, encompassing part of the towns of Carver and Plymouth. Bikers, hikers and horseback riders traverse nearly 50 miles of trail while sailors take their boats onto the water. To the east, the Red Brook Wildlife Management Area offers residents a scenic, undeveloped outdoor experience. The multiple community associations around White Island Shores ensure there's always an event happening somewhere. It just depends on the association. “There’s everything from horseshoes to bean bag races,” Kelly explains. “They change year to year, depending on who runs a particular program. Sometimes, an ice cream truck shows up and gives free ice cream to kids. On the Fourth of July, there are sack races and fireworks on the beach. It’s very Norman Rockwell-esque.” Homes in White Island Shores sit on gridded streets without sidewalks. Some are paved, and some are laid with dirt. This isn’t a planned community. No two houses look the same – although many have clapboard siding – and lots are different sizes. Mature oak, cedar and pine trees dot the landscape, while wild brush and shrubs are scattered on roadsides. Potential homebuyers can find a bilevel, bungalow, ranch-style or Cape Cod property in the $250,000 to $450,000 range. Colonial Revival homes typically cost between $400,000 and $550,000, while waterfront properties with docks and decks run between $700,000 and $800,000. “It’s a summer-based community,” Kelly says. “There are a lot of summer homes without permanent residents.” Students are zoned for Plymouth Public Schools. They can attend South Elementary School and Plymouth South Middle School, which get B’s from Niche. They can finish their public education at Plymouth South High School, which gets a B-plus and offers nearly 20 College, Career & Technical Education courses, including cosmetology, engineering technology, electrical and culinary arts. Aside from a 7-Eleven convenience store with a Dunkin’ inside, the neighborhood is almost entirely residential. But 5 miles south in East Wareham, there’s a Stop & Shop grocery store, Ocean State Job Lot discount store, The Home Depot, Tractor Supply Co, CVS pharmacy and more. To eat out, residents can head to well-known chains like Chilis or choose something local like Bailey’s Surf N Turf – known for their prime ribs and crab cakes – and Charlie’s Place, which has been around for 50 years, serving made-to-order pizzas and sirloin burgers. White Island Shores is about 60 miles south of Boston and 50 miles east of Providence. “Most of the roads are dirt,” Kelly explains. “I like it. It keeps people off them and decreases traffic, so kids can play safely, ride their bikes and things like that.” Plymouth Avenue, which turns into Wareham Road, was dirt until Redbrook, a new residential community just north of White Island Shores, was constructed. Now, the neighborhood’s main thoroughfare is paved and gets a lot more traffic. At the local 7-Eleven, a bus stop leads between Cranberry Plaza and Buzzards Bay Train Stations, as well as between Main Avenue and Walmart at Colony Place.