"To walk through, Winthrop seems quiet, sleepy. It's the sort of place you might go for long, meditative strolls in the restorative sea breeze. Yet it's not difficult to imagine a doomed, gifted and solitary Plath stalking through the town and along its beaches." (Jeffery Round, Sylvia Plath and Winthrop-by-the-Sea')
Oh, that old town "where the North Shore begins", Winthrop drifts to the beat of its own drum. It's hard to beat the sense of antiquity and the beauty of the location here. The whole peninsula may only occupy two square miles of land, but 17,497 folks still make their home here beside the Atlantic Ocean. It may not be paradise, but it's got it's own kind of charm. At least here you get scenery worthy of postcards.
Moving to Winthrop Town
Location is key. It's not just the stunning views, either. You could swim to Logan International Airport if you wanted; you don't even have to have skills like Michael Phelps. Boston is a short ferry or car ride away. And Winthrop Beach and Yirrell Beach offer you perfect settings to relax, watch the ships roll in, and collect seashells. You are probably already convinced, aren't you? Hold on one second! You've got to secure a place first, unless you prefer to sleep on the sand.
Rent or Buy?
That is the question. If you are thinking permanent, purchasing is a great investment; property value rose over 12% last year, which indicates a healthy market. If you won't be here permanently, the choice undoubtedly must be to rent. Lots of places are available, so finding rental homes in Winthrop Town should prove much easier than spotting a shark in Crystal Cove.
Things to Consider
If you hate the sound of airplanes or the smell of saltwater, this may not be the town for you. However, it's important to note that the majority of people love this town for its proximity to such places. In terms of housing, you should also be aware that most rental units don't come with perks like all utilities paid; most only include water and sewage. Don't let that turn you away, though, as this can actually save you money if you use energy wisely.
Kinds of Housing
Townhome and condo rentals in Winthrop Town are there for the taking - a vacancy rate of 8% proves it. If you also consider that about 44% of the city rents, you will have a whole menu of selections to choose from in terms of condos, apartment style houses, and townhomes. Locating hi rise apartments, though, may prove almost impossible. Most of the time you will be going through a broker, which tacks on fees, but can be a big help in finding exactly what you need.
Looking and Preparing
The best time to look is in August or in November. Most leases expire by January or September. Give yourself about three weeks to find a place, but if you are not picky, it could only take an afternoon. Typically, you just have to pay the first and last month's rent along with real estate agent fees. Sometimes a credit score or proof of income is needed, but usually owners in Winthrop aren't too nosy about that sort of financial stuff.
Winthrop Neighborhoods
Most of Winthrop is actually water, and you can't really live on the water unless you want to stay on a boat. No matter where you live, you'll find yourself within walking distance of the water too. That may make it seem like it you could just toss a stone, see where it lands, and live at the closest pad available. Yet within this town, different neighborhoods showcase different features, and your choice could decide whether you have golf balls sailing past your window or seagulls flying overhead.
Cottage Hill: Located right at the head of the peninsula, you'll find a lot of neat seaside cottages here. Area highlights include Public Landing and the Winthrop Yacht Club.
Cottage Park: Any plane lover's dream, this neighborhood is located on the side of the peninsula closest to the airport. Woodside Park provides a great spot to watch those bird-like machines take off over the Boston Harbor.
Court Park: Right next to Cottage Park, this neighborhood is mostly just houses, and is a great area to call home if you like ocean breezes.
Winthrop Center: You'll find the widest selection of housing here, and a great amount of one bedroom apartments. Winthrop Golf Club and Ingleside Park are also here.
Winthrop Beach: Right along the historic Winthrop Shore Drive, you'll discover ample housing and some of the best scenery in town.
Winthrop Highlands: Near Small Park and Grovers Cliff, this neighborhood is off Winthrop Parkway.
Getting around Town
Cars and walking are the main modes within town. Most residents, though, take the subway or other public transit to work if they work in Boston or another surrounding neighborhood. Biking is also quite useful if you are going to a popular spot in Winthrop.
A true ocean town, life here moves to a different pace, just like every New England seaside city should. Yet you shouldn't let the slow pace fool you, even if your house is older than that sea turtle at the New England Aquarium. Just as this chunk of land juts out into the great Atlantic, the people here are attempting to smooth the edges and make the most out of this place they call home. Every day of the week you'll find folks strolling down Winthrop Shore Drive, taking a boat ride in the harbor, building sandcastles at Donovan's Beach, or grabbing a bite to eat Arrowleaf Bistro.
