Peabody, MA is a North Shore city with a population of just over 52,000. The city covers a 16 square mile area about 15 miles northeast of Boston on the Ipswich River. Known as an attractive place to live outside the big city while still having easy access to Boston itself, Peabody is home to many families and young professionals who commute to Boston on a regular basis. Reliable public transportation running straight into downtown gives Peabody residents a straight shot into the city.
Like many towns in the area, Peabody began as a farming community in the early 1600's. Later, its desirable location on the river attracted companies looking for hydropower, and several mills were opened in Peabody along the Ipswich. The town became a central tannery serving much of New England and attracted immigrants from all over the world--particularly the Ottoman Empire. At one point, there were so many Turkish settlers that town signs were written in both English and Turkish. Today, the community still has a significant Turkish population. Peabody also retains its reputation as "Leather City," and the high school sports teams are known as the Tanners.
Though Peabody's mills and tanneries closed years ago, other industries have grown to replace them. The Corwin Manufacturing Company has been based in Peabody since the 1900's, when the city became part of the burgeoning automobile revolution. Centennial Park, a major industrial park in the city's center, is home to several large medical and technology companies like Analogic Corp (which employs more than 500 people) and Cardinal Health. And North Shore Shopping Center, one of the largest shopping centers on the North Shore, employs hundreds of area employees.
These growing economic centers are drawing more and more young professionals to the area and offer plenty of opportunities for those who'd rather work in Peabody than commute to Boston or other industrial centers. Peabody's unemployment rate is just 5.3%, significantly lower than the national average of 6.3%, and with promising job growth, the outlook for future careers in the area is definitely good.
Peabody's safety, highly-rated schools, and wide selection of family-friendly activities make it a great place to raise a family. The Peabody public school system has a reputation for great teachers and programs from kindergarten through high school. The Peabody Institute Library on Main Street is an information hub at the center of town, and West and South branches also provide easy access to residents who live further from Peabody Center.
Brooksby Farm is a popular stop for families who want to get out of town for the day; apple picking in season, fresh fruits, jams, and jellies, and a chance to visit or feed the animals make it a favorite among kids, teenagers, and adults alike--especially anyone who loves a beautiful landscape view. The Independence Greenway Bike Route is the perfect place to go for a walk, jog, or ride on two wheels, as the Greenway is a beautifully-maintained paved trail through gorgeous green spaces.
You'll find everything from colonials to more modern split level and neo-colonial homes built in the 1980's and 90's. Peabody's most desirable homes (which also come with steeper price tags) are in the town's northwest corner toward North Reading and Middleton. These homes are mostly large historic colonials, though some new construction has added to those prestigious neighborhoods.
Some central neighborhoods consist of bungalows built in the 1920's and 30's; these are small but lovely homes with an old-fashioned neighborhood atmosphere. In this area, neighborhoods are densely packed and lot sizes are typically fairly small. Relatively new developments around the Winona Pond area offer larger, newer homes as the city expands further. Though the vast majority of residences in Peabody are single-family homes, there are also some condominium buildings, most built 10-30 years ago. These condos typically boast an open floor plan, which offsets their small size. Condos also tend to be significantly less expensive than single-family homes, so they're a great option for singles or young professionals.
As we've already mentioned, the Independence Greenway Bike Route makes it easy to get outside and bike, jog, skate, or otherwise get in a good workout. The Peabody Farmer's Market on Lowell Street, which begins in July each year, brings locally-sourced produce, honey, maple syrup, and other specialties together in one easily-accessible location. A well-developed park system makes it easy to get outside, and community gardens in the neighboring town of Salem make it easy to build a healthy lifestyle for you and your family.
Whether you're already planning to move to Peabody or just looking at options, it helps to have a local real estate agent on your side while you consider options. Movoto agents are area experts who live and work in the same neighborhoods you're considering, so they can offer the insight of a local with the expertise of someone with years of experience in the real estate industry. Feel free to contact an agent today to find out more about the homes available in Peabody!
