With a population of just over 92,000 people, Quincy, MA is the eighth largest city in the state of Massachusetts--and it is the closest suburb to Boston on the south. Quincy's safety, historic architecture, proximity to Boston, and highly desirable real estate on the coast combine to make it a beautiful place to live.
Quincy is home to plenty of fantastic restaurants, so you won't have to go far to satiate your cravings. The Fat Cat, Fox and Hound, and Genarro's Eatery are a few local favorites for comfort food, a cozy, upscale tavern environment, and authentic Italian, respectively. The boardwalk at Marina Bay is another popular attraction. Take a stroll along the oceanfront, watch the boats slip in and out of the marina, and stop in one of Marina Bay's restaurants and bars for great seafood and drinks.
Adams National Historical Park is another popular stop for tourists and locals. John Hancock, the first signer of the Declaration of Independence, and presidents John Adams and John Quincy Adams were both from Quincy, and the presidential museum and homes are located in the park. A tour starting at the welcome center on Hancock Street takes visitors on a trolley ride, then a guided tour through the homes, then to the impressive Stone Library. If presidential history isn't your thing, the U.S. Naval Shipbuilding Museum or a stroll on the USS Salem might be.
Settlers laid foundations for the first Quincy homes in the early 1600s, and many of the city's first homes still stand--including others that were built as the city continued to expand. Most historic Quincy real estate consists of Georgian colonial or colonial revival styles. Modern neo-colonials are now popular for their bright, open floor plans that appeal to modern homebuyers while retaining a historic look and feel that meshes well in older neighborhoods.
Some neighborhoods are also full of cozy bungalows built in the 1920's and 30's and capes as well. The most expensive homes tend to be in Quincy's city center, the most walkable area of town, or in the Squantum/Marina Bay area, which is a peninsula somewhat removed from the city itself. Waterfront properties are also popular (no surprise there), but they don't tend to stay on the market long, so finding one available might take deep pockets and luck.
Though most Quincy residences are single-family homes, the town does have its share of apartments and some high-rise condos offering views of the ocean or of the Boston skyline, depending on the location.
Quincy is something of a business and financial hub removed from Boston's center. The largest area employers are State Street Bank and Trust Company with 4,033 employees, Blue Cross Blue Shield with 1,911, Boston Financial Data Services with 1,523, and Stop and Shop Corporate Headquarters, with 1,489. Other major area employers include several hospitals, insurance companies, and medical suppliers.
Many professionals also choose to commute into Boston proper, and still others work elsewhere on the South Shore; Jordan Hospital in Plymouth and Talbots in Hingham, and Braintree Rehabilitation Hospital all employ over 1,000 people who travel from Quincy and surrounding areas. Public transportation via commuter rail is easily accessible depending on your proximity to Quincy's center, but most residents do own cars.
When you live in the city, it's particularly important to have a getaway--somewhere to watch the leaves turn in the fall, breathe fresh air unpolluted by exhaust fumes, and take a walk on a tree-lined parkway (or some variation of the above). And Quincy has something for everyone who wants to get outside and explore, whether you're an avid hiker or just out so you can Instagram a pretty landscape.
The biggest, most obvious choice is the 7,000-acre Blue Hills Reservation that starts in Western Quincy and terminates in Dedham. The Reservation offers 125 miles of hiking and biking trails, some beautiful views of Boston's skyline, and activities like horseback riding, downhill skiing, swimming, and even rock climbing on some of the hills' rugged crags.
The city of Quincy also maintains beautiful public parks, which are peppered throughout the city and give you a nearby chance to take a walk or watch your kids play. Squantum Point Park, once used as a Naval airfield and shipbuilding operation, now offers exceptional bird watching, views of Boston across the harbor, sunsets, and picnicking. The Quincy Riverwalk is another popular stop, spanning two miles along the Neponset River Estuary.
Still not sure about your options? Take the time to pause and contact a Movoto agent. Our agents are area experts and locals who can speak with authority about the neighborhoods you're considering. They'll really listen to your situation so they can connect you with properties that fit your needs and that you're really going to love, and they can be your advocate throughout the home buying process.
