Walking to Buzzards Bay beaches, biking to Woods Hole and meeting with friends for dinner at the local market are some of the draws of the West Falmouth lifestyle. At the center of this Upper Cape village rest the unassuming cedar-shingled Quaker Meeting House and the West Falmouth Library. The more commercial section of the village, with small markets and a few restaurants, lies along state Route 28A. Marshes, ponds and harbors dot the landscape to the west and residential streets snake through the area, lined with tall red maple and black cherry trees.
West Falmouth has miles of white sand beaches along Buzzards Bay.
A small sailboats sways in the win in North Falmouth.
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Private beaches and the Shining Sea Bikeway
The town of Falmouth is known for its long shoreline, and in West Falmouth, homeowners have access to miles of beaches along Buzzards Bay, as well as some in the warmer, more protected waters of West Falmouth Harbor. Each year, locals can purchase town beach stickers to park at both Chapoquoit Beach and Old Silver Beach. Some West Falmouth residents don’t frequent either beach, however, because they have deeded access to private beaches, such as Black Beach or Little Island Beach, says Pamela Heylin, broker associate with Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices, Robert Paul Properties, who has lived in West Falmouth for more than 10 years. With the paved, almost 11-mile Shining Sea Bikeway running through the village, it’s possible to take a day trip into Woods Hole or Falmouth Village by bike. The bikeway also passes the Little Sippewisset Marsh, a 26-acre salt marsh that's popular among bird watchers and nature lovers. Boaters without private docks can use the West Falmouth Harbor Landing ramp to launch into the harbor and explore the many waterways. The West Falmouth Library also offers indoor activities, such as story times, knitting groups and guided meditations.
Take in the stunning sunsets from Chapoquoit Beach in West Falmouth.
The Shining Sea Bikeway offers miles of paved road for West Falmouth residents to explore.
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Barbecue nights at the West Falmouth Market
Small shops and restaurants are centralized along state Route 28A, also known as West Falmouth Highway. The West Falmouth Market carries a full range of groceries and serves prepared foods. On Thursday nights in the summer, villagers gather there for barbecue and live performances by local artists, including the Silent Trees, Heylin says. “You can get dinner and then go across the street to Eulinda's for ice cream.” Another well-loved dining spot is Chapoquoit Grill, known by locals as “Chappy Grill.” With a coffee shop and a few locally owned stores in the village, people can walk or drive a short distance for most essentials. The nearest major grocery store is the Stop & Shop in Teaticket, less than 5 miles away, and there are several restaurants and retail shops in Falmouth Village, a little over 4 miles south. The village also has a weekly farmers market from June through mid-October.
Residents live the selection of aged meat from West Falmouth Market.
West Falmouth residents take the short drive to Falmouth Village for more dining options.
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Theater performances and the Falmouth Road Race
Many Falmouth events take place in Woods Hole and Falmouth Village, West Falmouth residents can choose to avoid crowds or drive a short distance to find a regular schedule of festivals. The West Falmouth Village Association organizes Pumpkin Day in October, a meetup at nearby Bourne Farm with family-friendly activities, such as pumpkin picking and pony rides. Along Chapoquoit Road, a troupe of musically talented college students spend their summers rehearsing plays and operettas for the College Light Opera Company. Their performances are held at the Highfield Theatre on the grounds of historic Highfield Hall & Gardens. Villagers can also enter the annual Falmouth Road Race and compete against elite runners from around the world on a 7-mile course from Woods Hole to Falmouth Heights Beach.
People from around the world come to learn at the College Light Opera Company in West Falmouth.
A sign welcomes visitors to West Falmouth.
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Deeded beach access is major factor for homebuyers
In West Falmouth, beach access is one of the biggest determining factors of real estate pricing. Home prices usually begin in the $600,000 to $800,000 range. Options might include a mid-1900s ranch-style or Cape Cod located in the section of the village between state routes 28 and 28A. “You won’t really be walking distance to the beach,” Heylin says. The bulk of listings fall between $1 million and $1.8 million, and buyers sometimes find either a newly built condo with a private garage or a three-to-four-bedroom single-family residence within a few blocks of a beach and with deeded beach access, Heylin says. Waterfront properties start around $3 million and may top $11 million. “On the lower end, it may need a lot of work and might only have fireplaces for heat or be retrofitted with mini splits,” Heylin says. “Some have been in families for generations.” With the possibility of flooding along the waterfront, newly built residences must adhere to strict building codes, and homebuyers may need to purchase additional flood insurance. Falmouth, along with the rest of the cape, is gradually converting to town-wide sewer systems in order to lower nitrogen levels in waterways. Currently, homeowners are responsible for maintaining their own septic systems.
Cape Cod homes are plentiful in West Falmouth.
A contemporary style home stands tall over Chapoquoit Beach in West Falmouth.
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Falmouth Public Schools and the A-plus-rated Falmouth Academy
Children who live in West Falmouth throughout the year can attend Falmouth Public Schools, a district that was honored by the U.S. Department of Education as a Green Ribbon district. Each year, students participate in hands-on learning with nearby scientific research and environmental agencies, including the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute. Preschool through fourth-grade students are zoned for either North Falmouth Elementary School, rated an A-minus on Niche, or the Mullen-Hall School, which earns a B. They transition to Morse Pond School, which receives an A-minus rating and serves children in fifth and sixth grades. Seventh and eighth graders can attend the B-rated Lawrence School. Falmouth High School earns an A. Families can also opt to send their children to private school for seventh through 12th grades at the A-plus-rated Falmouth Academy. Niche ranks it as the No. 1 private high school in Barnstable County.
Kids are eager to learn once they walk through the doors at Morse Pond School.
Falmouth students hit the books at the Lawrence School.
Falmouth High School was given an A for academics by Niche.
Built on a participatory model, parents are integral to learning at North Falmouth Elementary.
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Commuting to Boston or Providence
Most residents rely on cars for travel. State routes 28 and 28A pass through the community, allowing drivers to get around the Cape or commute to work in Boston or Providence, Rhode Island, both less than 70 miles away. Both cities have international airports. About 20 miles from West Falmouth is the Cape Cod Gateway Airport, which offers flights to New York City, Washington, D.C. and Boston. With the Falmouth Hospital in the village and some employment opportunities through Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute, a few residents work locally, but a good portion are retired or telecommute. In the summer months, weekend CapeFLYER trains take vacationers from Bourne to Boston. The station is just over 11 miles north of the village. There are daily ferries running from Woods Hole, about 7.5 miles south, to Martha’s Vineyard, where travelers can take another ferry to Nantucket.
Wastewater treatment plant
Falmouth has already begun converting some parts of town to sewer systems, and the Falmouth Wastewater Treatment Plant is located in West Falmouth. Those who live closest to the plant may be bothered by its smell, and depending on weather and wind direction, residents who live farther from the plant may be impacted as well.
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Kerrin LaFrance,
an experienced agent in this area.
Welcome to the enchanting world of Pine Island, where charm meets waterfront living in the heart of West Falmouth. This picturesque 3-bedroom, 3-bathroom home is a fairy tale come to life spanning a generous 3,800 square feet on nearly an acre of tranquil grounds overlooking Snug Harbor and West Falmouth Harbor! This property boasts a private dock, offering direct deep water access for boating
Immaculate Ranch style home, recently renovated and ready for new owners. Move in condition and expanded into the fully finished walk out basement. Stunning new kitchen off the Fireplaced Great Room which flows into the convenient Sunroom, perfect for games, tv, conversation or to sleep extra guests in a pinch. Primary en suite bedroom, a full bath and two more bedrooms complete this floor.
Welcome to the enchanting world of Pine Island, where charm meets waterfront living in the heart of West Falmouth. This picturesque 3-bedroom, 3-bathroom home is a fairy tale come to life spanning a generous 3,800 square feet on nearly an acre of tranquil grounds overlooking Snug Harbor and West Falmouth Harbor! This property boasts a private dock, offering direct deep water access for boating
Immaculate Ranch style home, recently renovated and ready for new owners. Move in condition and expanded into the fully finished walk out basement. Stunning new kitchen off the Fireplaced Great Room which flows into the convenient Sunroom, perfect for games, tv, conversation or to sleep extra guests in a pinch. Primary en suite bedroom, a full bath and two more bedrooms complete this floor.
A rare - and wonderful - opportunity to purchase a beautiful lot in the well-loved neighborhood of The Knolls in North Falmouth!The lot has been cleared, perc'ed, engineered for a 4 bedroom septic, and is ready to build. One of Falmouth's most respected builders can break ground within weeks. Asking price includes plans ready for Town and HOA approval for a charming 3 bedroom, 2 bath, 1751 sf
Winter rental they 5/31. Located in West Falmouth this 4 bedroom modern Ranch style home is just a short stroll from a private beach and is nestled in a quiet neighborhood between West Falmouth harbor and Old Silver beach. The open concept main floor features a living room, dining and kitchen with vaulted ceilings, a large brick hearth gas fireplace as well as three bedrooms. Lower level boasts 2
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