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New Bedford

70 min to Boston

"The Whaling City—gritty, authentic, and finally connected to Boston"

Median Price

$862,500

$230/sqft

School Rating

5.2/10

Good

Appreciation

6.5%

per year

Commute

70 min

to downtown

Financing Considerations

Properties in New Bedford typically may qualify for high-balance conforming loans, though jumbo financing might be needed depending on exact property price.

Learn about loan thresholds, property condition impact, flood/wind insurance, and how vintage homes (common in many MA towns) affect mortgage approval.

✨The Vibe

Historic whaling city with Portuguese heritage, working-class grit, and a waterfront revival—new commuter rail (March 2025) is game-changer

What It's Really Like

New Bedford is Greater Boston's wild card. The March 2025 South Coast Rail launch changed everything—you're finally connected to Boston by train. This is Massachusetts' largest fishing port, with incredible Portuguese culture, seafood, and maritime museums. But public schools are weak (5.2/10), commute is still 70+ min, and neighborhoods vary wildly. If you're betting on gentrification or value authentic character, this has massive upside. If you need schools and safety now, look elsewhere.

Best For

✓Investors betting on South Coast Rail transformation
✓People who value authenticity and culture over perfection
✓Those who appreciate maritime history and Portuguese food
✓Buyers willing to sacrifice schools for appreciation potential

Avoid If

✗You need good public schools (5.2/10 is well below average)
✗You want quick commutes (70 min to Boston even with new rail)
✗You prioritize safety (property crime rates are above average)
✗You prefer gentrified polish over working-class character

🌟Highlights

🚆NEW: MBTA commuter rail to Boston (launched March 2025)

⚓America's #1 fishing port with maritime museums

🍤Incredible Portuguese food scene (best in New England)

💰$862K median with highest appreciation potential (6.5%)

🎨Emerging arts district and waterfront revitalization

🏛️New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park

Insider Tips

💡South Coast Rail launched March 2025—70 min to South Station
💡North End has the best Portuguese restaurants (Rosa Mexicano, Black Whale)
💡Downtown/waterfront is revitalizing—check for new developments
💡Schools are weak (5.2/10)—private school or consider neighboring towns
💡Crime varies dramatically by neighborhood—research carefully
💡New Bedford Whaling Museum is world-class
💡Appreciation potential is highest of all these towns (6.5%)
💡Property taxes ~$16-18 per $1K (higher than suburbs)
💡Large Portuguese/Brazilian/Cape Verdean populations
💡Check flood zones carefully (coastal city)
💡Seaport Cultural District is the hot area for arts/dining
💡This is a bet on transformation—current reality vs. future potential

Demographics

Population

101,000

Median Age

Median Income

$52,000

Economic Profile

Remote Work

4.3%

work from home

Professional Workers

25.5%

knowledge economy

Broadband Access

82.7%

digital infrastructure

Median Commute

25 min

to work

Rental Cost Burden

44.3%

pay >30% on rent

Homeownership

39.9%

owner-occupied

Poverty Rate

18.8%

below poverty line

Unemployment

7.2%

of labor force

Median Home Value

$291K

Census estimate

Data source: Census ACS 2022 5-year

Religious Community

Places of Worship

Churches

Synagogues

Mosques

🌟 Multi-faith community with diverse religious traditions(Diversity Score: 31/100)

Historical Context: Oldest establishment dates to 1807• 8 established before 1900

Data Source: MassGIS 2025 (Updated 2025-02-03)

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