House Hunting in Beantown

Yes, it's true! We're really looking into moving to Boston next year. Well, not in Boston, more like around Boston. I left my heart in Boston the moment I stepped onto the commons when I first moved to New England several years ago.

Connecticut is great. Connecticut is beautiful. It is stunning, but I don't like living so far from a big city. We're smack dab in the middle of New York City and Boston and we're not close enough to either to make a quick run into a city when we feel like it. It has to be planned, and I don't like that.

Boston is oozing with colonial history, which I adore. Plus, you've got Salem nearby and the ocean. Oh, and of course the cape is a stone's throw from the city. I dream of spending my summer and fall days exploring Cape Cod. So, to Boston we will go.

There are, however, many, many suburbs of Boston. And since I'm not a complete city gal (like living country, close to a city), suburbs is where we will be seeking. We took our first house hunting trip last weekend to scope out the south shore area. South shore has got to be my favorite Boston suburb. As the name suggests, it's on the shore. The shoreline runs along Cape Cod bay and Massachusetts bay. So, right off the bat it's gorgeous. The main town in south shore is Plymouth. You know....THE Plymouth...the Plymouth where pilgrims stepped ashore on a very small rock and had the first Thanksgiving.

So, our analysis of Plymouth was this - it's a great town to visit. There's a lot of good ol' American history to gander at there and there are some really beautiful spots, but the town wasn't quite quaint enough for our liking. There was a lot of shopping centers and a few housing developments; those are the things I left behind on the west coast and don't care for. So, even though Plymouth has the most affordable housing in the area, we decided to look at some of the smaller towns in south shore. I don't mind paying more for charming.

We then went 5 miles down the road to Duxbury. Oh, Duxbury. Sweet, sweet Duxbury. How I love thee! I would honestly live in a shack to live in Duxbury. I first went there on a very cold December day a few years ago. Even though it wasn't the most beautiful time of year to go there, I found it breathtaking. The houses are all so adorable with colorful clapboard siding on the front and natural wood shingles on the sides, very New England coastal looking. The town also has beautiful beaches and it is lousy with charm. It's full to brim with quaintness. Love it.

Plus, Duxbury was founded by my ancestors. The first settlers there were Mayflower passangers John Alden and Myles Standish, both of whom I directly descend. Whenever I go to Duxbury my first stop is at the Myles Standish burying ground. This is the oldest cemetery in the United States. If you understand my love of old cemeteries, you'd know why this would be such a draw for me. That would just be the coolest for me to live in the town of the oldest cemetery.




We always stop by and say hello to grandpa Standish.


The kids cannot help but play all over Standish's grave. Those cannons are just too tempting.


Adam checking out the old gravestones.


Of course we also visit grandpa John Alden when we're at the cemetery. My blogger friend, Heidi, is also his granddaughter. Hi cousin! :)

After the cemetery, we explored the real estate of the town and found a couple of great leads. Then we headed to the coast in Duxbury. The more beautiful, sandy beaches are designated for residents or to those who buy a pass.


My people, all in a line, walking to shore.


It was a bit chilling in the evening, so Caroline cuddled with her daddy on the beach.

We then left my beloved Duxbury and headed a little north to Scuitate. One of my friends used to live in south shore and she recommended this town and I'm so glad she did! It's a quaint fishing village and, apparently, has the highest concentration of Irish-Americans in the whole state.

The big surprise of Scuitate was the beautiful lighthouse. I had no idea and I adore lighthouses. I took the picture at the top of this post there.

We got to the lighthouse at sunset. It couldn't have been timed more perfectly. I felt such peace and joy at experiencing the beauty of this place with my family.

Me and my girls.

Caroline looking out to sea.

We will be looking at more Boston suburbs in the coming months, but south shore does have a hold of my heart.

Before we can move, however, we must sell our house. Not looking forward to that. We will be working on home improvements over the year (I'm sure I will be posting pictures) and that should take up most of our extra time and money, but if it gets us there, I don't mind.