Beverly, Massachusetts is one of the most diverse and livable communities on the North Shore—a city with eight distinct villages, each with its own character, housing stock, and lifestyle. Whether you’re drawn to the arts scene downtown, the ocean views of Beverly Farms, the family-friendly feel of North Beverly, or the charming vintage cottages of Montserrat, understanding Beverly’s neighborhoods is the first step to finding the right home. Here’s a neighborhood-by-neighborhood guide to Beverly, MA.
Beverly City Center / Downtown Beverly
Beverly’s downtown core—centered on Cabot Street and the MBTA commuter rail station—is the most urban and walkable part of the city. The area is home to the Cabot Theater (a beautifully restored 1920s cinema), an excellent mix of restaurants, coffee shops, boutiques, and galleries, and a growing arts scene anchored by organizations like the Beverly Arts Center.
Housing: The downtown area features a mix of older single-family Victorian and Colonial homes, multi-family two- and three-decker residences, and newer condominium developments. It’s one of the most accessible price points in Beverly for first-time buyers, and it offers unparalleled walkability by North Shore standards.
Commute: The Beverly Depot MBTA station puts you on the Newburyport/Rockport commuter rail line—about 30 minutes to North Station, Boston.
Beverly Farms
Beverly Farms is Beverly’s most prestigious and scenic neighborhood, located on the coast approximately four miles north of downtown. The Farms has an intimate village character—a small town center with shops, a popular coffee shop, and a post office—surrounded by some of the most beautiful residential properties on the North Shore. Many homes here date to the late 19th and early 20th centuries, when Beverly Farms was a summer colony for Boston’s wealthiest families.
Housing: Beverly Farms features large, well-appointed single-family homes—historic estates, shingle-style summer homes, and classic New England colonials on generous lots. Oceanfront and near-ocean properties are among the most coveted on the North Shore. Prices here are the highest in Beverly.
Beaches: West Beach (town-resident access) and Lynch Park offer beach access for Beverly Farms residents.
Commute: The Beverly Farms MBTA station is on the same Newburyport/Rockport commuter rail line, approximately 35 minutes to North Station.
Prides Crossing
Prides Crossing sits between Beverly Farms and the center of Beverly, offering a quiet, wooded residential character with beautiful estate-scale properties. Like Beverly Farms, Prides Crossing was historically a summer colony, and many of its homes reflect that gracious, large-scale character.
Housing: Large colonial revival, Georgian, and shingle-style homes on substantial lots. The area is characterized by privacy, mature trees, and a sense of established elegance.
Commute: The Prides Crossing MBTA station serves the area.
North Beverly
North Beverly is one of the most family-friendly and affordable neighborhoods in the city. Located inland, north of Route 128, North Beverly has a classic suburban character with good access to Danvers, Peabody, and Route 95/128. The neighborhood is served by North Beverly Elementary School and is convenient to Beverly’s public school system.
Housing: A mix of capes, colonials, ranches, and splits at prices that often represent the best value in Beverly for single-family homes.
Access: Route 128 is easily accessible, making North Beverly a strong choice for car commuters heading south or to Route 1.
Ryal Side
Ryal Side is a riverside neighborhood along the Bass River in the southern portion of Beverly, adjacent to the Salem line. It has a distinct, blue-collar character with strong neighborhood pride and a mix of single- and multi-family homes at accessible price points.
Housing: Affordable single-family homes and multi-family properties popular with first-time buyers and investors. One of the most accessible entry points into the Beverly market.
Bass River
The Bass River neighborhood centers on the tidal estuary that defines Beverly’s southern boundary with Salem. This area has undergone significant revitalization over the past decade, with new condominium development alongside traditional residential streets. The Bass River area offers some of Beverly’s most interesting architecture and a proximity to Salem that’s convenient for commuters.
Housing: A mix of older single-family homes, multi-family properties, and newer condo developments.
Montserrat
Montserrat is a quiet, residential neighborhood in western Beverly, near the Wenham and Danvers borders. It has a charming, village-like character centered on Montserrat Road and is known for its stock of well-maintained vintage homes and its proximity to Cummings Center—Beverly’s major employment park that houses numerous tech, healthcare, and professional firms.
Housing: A mix of capes, colonials, and ranch-style homes at mid-range Beverly prices. Popular with young professionals working at Cummings Center.
Centerville
Centerville is a residential neighborhood in the interior of Beverly, generally located between Routes 62 and 97. It offers a quieter, more affordable character than Beverly’s coastal neighborhoods while maintaining easy access to downtown and Route 128.
Choosing the Right Beverly Neighborhood for You
The right Beverly neighborhood depends on your priorities—beach access, commute distance, school district, budget, and lifestyle. Working with a Beverly real estate agent who knows each neighborhood deeply helps you narrow the field and focus on where you’ll be happiest.
Daniel Meegan is a Beverly-based REALTOR® at J. Barrett & Company who has helped buyers and sellers across every Beverly neighborhood. Whether you’re looking for a historic estate in Beverly Farms, a starter home in North Beverly, or a downtown condo near the commuter rail, Daniel can guide you to the right fit.
📞 (617) 388-8500 | 📧 DMeegan@JBarrettRealty.com
Contact Daniel today to explore Beverly’s neighborhoods and find the right home for your lifestyle.