09/02/2026
Narrowing this list down to 5 towns was sooo hard…
They are all unique and have so much to offer
but I narrowed it down to these 5, which have the most small town vibe, at least to me!
✅Topsfield- the closest one to the city, about 25 miles north of Boston
It’s home to the Topsfield Fair, the oldest agricultural fair in the country and has a sweet town center
The median home price is $890,000 and the population is about 6500
✅Groveland-my town! It’s about 30 miles north of the city
Groveland has very little commercial development and was described to me as a “sleepy bedroom” town when we moved here 9 years ago.
Despite that, there’s 5 restaurants in town, ranging from a coffee shop and a Pub to Indian, Chinese and Mexican!
The average home price is $710,000 and the population is around 6800!
✅Georgetown-also about 30 miles north of the city
Georgetown has strict zoning laws that protect the fields and forests, making sure it stays a small town
The downtown area is small and walkable, with Crosby’s Market, a small grocery store, as well as restaurants and pubs
The median sale price is $741,000 and the population of Georgetown is 8500
✅Rowley-about 32 miles north of Boston
The town common has a sweet gazebo with antique shops and the public library
Todd Farm Flea Market is an experience, get there early on Sunday!
The median home price is $949,900 and the population of Rowley is 6250
✅Ipswich-about 28 miles north of Boston
It has a super cute, walkable downtown with great restaurants and shops along the Ipswich River
One of the older towns in Massachusetts, many homes that are still there, were built as early as the mid-late 1600’s!
The median home price is $1,015,000 and the population of Ipswich is 14,000
If you're just starting your search and aren't sure if small towns are for you...
Comment “GUIDE" and I’ll send you my Guide to the Best Small Towns on the North Shore. You’ll learn about the trails, nature access, and commuting time to Boston, depending on the time of day!
Keller Williams Boston Northwest