8 Things to Know Before Moving to Beverly, MA

Beverly, a city suburb of Boston in Essex County, is situated around forty minutes from the heart of Boston. Beverly is a coastal town that provides the finest of city life—it is adjacent to the beach, has lovely houses, and has low crime rates—making it an ideal place for families. 

Beverly is home to 41,341 people, and that figure has been steadily increasing over the past few years. The city’s adult population is evenly distributed between married couples and singles, with a median age of 40. Approximately 40% of the population consists of households with children aged 6–17.

Here are eight things to know before moving to Beverly, MA.

1. Living costs in Beverly are 31% higher than the national average

Beverly has a cost of living index of 131. An individual living in Beverly can expect to spend $42,731 a year on housing, groceries, child care, transportation, healthcare, taxes, and everything else that is considered essential. This is higher than the national average of $38,433 and is on par with Massachusetts’s cost of living of $42,532.

The median home price is $671,453. Beverly also has very high property taxes; the average Beverly family pays over $3,000 per year in property taxes.

2. Beware of storms in Beverly

Beverly has all four seasons, with all the extremes that come with them, and its weather is very unpredictable. The summers are steamy and hot, with temperatures averaging between 64 and 82 degrees. With an annual snowfall of 44 inches, this community has bitterly cold winters. 

Powerful storms, sometimes known as Nor’Easters, can easily affect Beverly because of its location on the northeastern coast. Blizzards, power outages, and other devastation can result from these storms that form in the Atlantic and can dump as much as three feet of snow at once. 

Typically, Nor’Easters hit between the months of September and April, so it’s important to have your house ready for the season before it starts.

3. Live in Ryal Side, Centerville, or North Beverly

Curious about Beverly’s real estate? You can choose from many different areas and neighborhoods within the city, and each one has its own unique culture and history. 

The little community of Ryal Side is located on the southeastern corner of Beverly, just along the Danvers River. With an average house price of over $453,000, this neighborhood provides some of the nicest waterfront living in Beverly. There are a lot of old homes here, constructed before 1940.

Enjoy the best of both worlds: a suburban setting in North Beverly and quick access to all the action and employment in the city center. The area is well-known for its tranquility, safety, and tranquility, and the majority of the residences were constructed between 1940 and 2000. 

Most of the residences in Centerville are single-family homes that are lived in by their owners. The neighborhood offers a distinctive blend of city life and a small-town ambiance. Nearly all of Centerville’s homes have been constructed before 1970.

4. Work in the healthcare, education, professional, scientific, and technological sectors

Beverly has an average family income of $99,525, which is about $20,000 more than the national average. 

The city’s most popular jobs are in the administrative, sales, and management fields. Healthcare, education, and professional, scientific, and technological services are Beverly’s most important economic drivers. N.E. Hospital Systems and Axcelis Technology Inc. are two of the area’s largest employers, and the tech startup scene is thriving, as it is across New England.

5. Beverly’s public schools are highly rated

The city of Beverly is home to 35 schools, both public and private. Only Beverly High School (BHS) serves as the city’s primary public high school. Among the many academic options available to BHS students are fifteen AP classes and many internships during their senior year. With a student-teacher ratio of 15 to 1, the Beverly Public Schools are incredibly well-rated, serving 4,600 students in grades K-12.

A number of Beverly-based private secondary schools are available to parents as well, one of which being the Beverly School for the Deaf, which is affiliated with the Children’s Center for Communication in Beverly.

6. Boston is 26 miles away

Beverly is just 26 miles from Boston, however, it offers a life apart from the hustle and bustle of city life without the associated costs. Beverly is conveniently located near two North Station/Rockport line commuter rail stops, making it an easy commuter rail stop for anyone working in Boston. 

The Beverly commuter rail offers a tranquil trip that will get you to North Station in downtown Boston in under 45 minutes, perfect for a day of relaxation. Beverly serves as an ideal center for those who wish to drive into Boston or any other part of Northeast Massachusetts. Whether you’re going into or out of Boston, Route 128 passes directly through Beverly.

7. Lynch Park is home to a rose garden

The nickname “Garden City” isn’t out of whack!

With its prime location on the picturesque Atlantic coast, Beverly is home to numerous parks and open areas perfect for enjoying the outdoors. Lynch Park, with its breathtaking views of the Atlantic Ocean and verdant foliage, is the setting for a rose garden that is 95 years old. 

In Beverly, you can spend your warm days lounging on one of many beaches. Have any puppies? Plenty of walking routes and dog parks await you in Beverly!

8. Beverly is home to the world-class Beverly Hospital

Having access to world-class medical treatment without leaving Beverly is a major plus of living in the area. As a Level III Trauma Center, Beverly Hospital has also been recognized as one of the country’s “100 Top Hospitals” by Thomson. 

On top of having an emergency room open around the clock, the hospital also offers inpatient and outpatient services. Members of the pediatric emergency service from Boston Children’s Hospital are available 24/7 to help sick and injured kids and their families.

To Sum it All Up 

Moving to Beverly, MA, offers a mix of advantages and challenges. While the city boasts a coastal lifestyle, low crime rates, excellent schools, diverse neighborhoods, and a thriving job market, prospective residents should be prepared for a high cost of living, unpredictable weather, particularly storms like Nor’Easters, and higher property taxes. 

Ultimately, Beverly provides a unique blend of urban amenities and coastal tranquility, making it a desirable location for those who value both.