The Real Story of Life in Manchester-by-the-Sea

There’s a lot of town pride here — and for good reason. People genuinely love living in this small, quintessential New England town. With no hotels allowed by zoning, there’s very little tourism, which means Manchester remains peaceful and community-driven year-round.

Our schools consistently rank among the top ten in Massachusetts, drawing young families relocating from Boston and beyond. At the same time, the town’s natural beauty and quiet charm attract empty nesters whose kids — and grandkids — can’t wait to visit Singing Beach.

Waterfront homes now start around $6 million, and the average home price in Manchester has climbed to roughly $1.35 million. Many residents love living in what we affectionately call “the Village,” though old-town locals sometimes resist the term. But make no mistake — Manchester truly is a village in every sense: Christmas charm, picture-perfect Halloween trick-or-treating, and the best summers you can imagine.

If you love to walk, this is paradise. You’ll find 2-, 5-, and 10-mile loops that wind through quiet, scenic streets with water views and wooded trails. Mountain biking is exceptional here too — with routes for beginners and experts right in town or just beyond.

And the schools? Always top-tier. Raising kids in Manchester-by-the-Sea feels like something out of a storybook — from Sunday volleyball at the beach to the last-day-of-school townwide celebration at Singing Beach. This is a true community, where people know each other, support one another, and are proud to call Manchester home.