$461,065Average Value$382Average Price per Sq Ft7Homes For Sale
A waterfront town that is "Better Before the Bridges"
For many years, tourists passed through Wareham on their way to other Cape Cod destinations like Chatham or Provincetown. This was made clear in its original slogan, “Gateway to Cape Cod.” But, in early 2020, Wareham officials banded together in a marketing campaign to change the slogan to “It’s Better Before the Bridges.” Relying on its profound cultural heritage, picturesque beaches and locally owned restaurants, Wareham shows visitors that it is so much more than a gate to somewhere else.
“It’s definitely booming down in Wareham. There are multiple beaches, great restaurants and yacht clubs,” says Chris Galavotti, a real estate broker with Kam Realty who grew up in the area. “This was a great town to grow up in. The community helps each other out, schools focus on sports, and the waters are perfect for boating. It may feel small, but it's growing.” Quiet coastal homes rest on streets that lead toward the mouth of Buzzards Bay. Whether wading through tide pools to find marine life, or spending a night out on Main Street, Wareham Center locals can have a beach town feeling year-round.
Wareham Center has easy access to Main Street businesses and the waterfront.
Wareham Center truly is the gateway to Cape Cod with offerings for all.
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Swift's Beach, restaurants on the water and boating on the bay
Probably the most popular outdoor activities in Wareham are boating and heading down to the beach to swim. “The boating culture attracts people who want to buy a beach house and take their boats out,” Galavotti says. “Most people head out to the bay, and there are restaurants and beaches all over you can reach from the water.” Boaters can dock or launch from Zecco Marina, which has 120 boat slips on the western entrance of the Cape Cod Canal. Further inland, folks can catch a ballgame at Spillane Field or head to Lukey Community Park and Playground. Marks Cove Conservation Area has a few hiking trails that wind through the trees and sandy slopes.
Swifts Beach is a private spot open to Wareham residents, with tide pools and shallow water for watching marine life. Kayakers can take to inland creeks while anglers fish along Buzzard Bay. Children explore tide pools to find the occasional hermit crab, and quahoggers wade into the shallows and hunt for clams. Swifts Beach also has a large playground for children who prefer to stay on dry land.
Zecco Marina offers 120 boat slips and dinghy docks.
Swift Beach in Wareham Center is a perfect spot to enjoy the sun and catch up with friends.
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Annual Wareham events and food festivals
Wareham’s local events and festivals honor the area’s long history and modern culture. The Cranberry Harvest Celebration pays homage to Cape Cod’s staple crop. Residents gather at Tihonet Pond in October to watch the berries float to the pond’s surface while local food trucks and live musicians add to the celebration. During Memorial Day Weekend, the Wareham Oyster Festival hosts its annual 5k race, and families and friends gather for cookouts or to listen to live music. The festival itself is a huge event that benefits local organizations like youth sports.
Cozy diners and shopping in downtown Wareham
Wareham Center is best-known for its locally owned shops and restaurants downtown. Though much of the area is car-dependent, people often stroll along Main Street’s promenade and stop in at local convenience stores, diners and boutiques. “Main Street is a good area. Riverside Cafe is big for breakfast and people really like it. El Mariachi’s has great Mexican food,” Galavotti says. “You’ve also got the fire department, a few banks and lots of local businesses.” For dinner, Narrow’s Crossing Restaurant & Lounge is a down-to-earth eatery with classic New England seafood and riverside views.
Further away, folks can travel all over the coastline to find little spots to dock a boat or have a meal. “Onset Beach has great restaurants. It’s also known for its pizza at Marc Anthony's by the beach. The restaurant has been there for a long time, and was just reviewed by Barstool Sports,” Galavotti says. For groceries, folks drive up to Shaw’s on Route 6 or head to Wareham Crossing, an open-air shopping center offering 45 retail stores including Lowe’s, Target, Walmart and Staples. “If you want to get out to shop, find more restaurants or just have more of a city vibe, you can drive to New Bedford or Fall River which are close by,” Galavotti says.
Residents shop for groceries at Shaw's.
Grab a delicious breakfast or lunch at the beloved local Riverside Cafe near Wareham Center.
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Secluded neighborhood with Cape Cods and cottage-style bungalows
Depending on what they’re looking for, homebuyers can find a variety of options in Wareham. “There’s a mix of people here, with retirees looking to downsize or purchase a home on the water, as well as millennials looking to buy a home,” Galavotti says. “Housing can be pretty expensive here, but for the millennial buyer with a solid two-person income, it’s definitely possible.” Scattered around Wareham Center are a few houses that can be found in the $200,000 to $350,000 price range, including small cottages and bungalows in need of repair, as well as a few one- to three-bedroom Cape Cods within a short distance of the waterfront.
Condos and townhouses cost around $400,000 in Wareham Center and consist of a few communities on the north and south ends of Main Street. Swan Landing is a 55-plus community with attached units that have their own small front porches or balconies and single-car garages. British Landing Condominiums and Yacht Club on the south end of Main Street has a fitness center and private water access.
Single-family homes in the $400,000 to $700,000 price range can include ranch-style homes and Cape Cods with small sunrooms and second-story balconies. Small beachfront properties and large new constructions mingle with renovated midcentury New England homes with thatched siding and porthole windows. These larger residences include more space, though some on the water still have small yards. Most houses are within a short distance of Main Street, so some residents may choose to walk or bike to nearby shops and restaurants.
Hamilton Beach/Swifts Beach has bungalows and Cape Cod homes.
Cedar shingled Cape homes are a popular style around Wareham Center.
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Waterfront views and possible flood insurance
Homebuyers considering waterfront properties in Wareham Center should check local flood maps. “It’s definitely important to do your due diligence and get a home inspection. If you’re close to the water, check out the seawall and options for flood insurance. There’s a lot of homework that goes into it,” Galavotti says.
College prep prioritized at Wareham High School
Wareham Center falls within the Wareham Public School district, which is graded an overall C-plus on Niche. Minot Forest Elementary School teaches pre-kindergarten through fourth grade, and Wareham Middle School teaches fifth through seventh. Both schools are graded a C on Niche. Wareham Senior High School is rated a B-minus and is known for its average ACT score of 30. It also has a history of graduates that move on to local universities like Boston College and Brown University. For those who want to send their children a little outside the district, they can head to Upper Cape Cod Regional Technical School for ninth through 12th grade to learn vocational skills like plumbing and electrical work. Upper Cape Cod Tech is graded a B-minus on Niche.
Wareham Middle School serves students in Hamilton Beach/Swifts Beach.
Wareham High School earns a B on Niche.
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Getting to Providence and Boston
Because Wareham Central reaches into Buzzards Bay and is located a bit farther down the Cape Cod peninsula, residents have to first drive northwest to the junction between Interstates 195 and 495. From there, commuters can take the highway roughly 50 miles one way to reach nearby cities like Providence and Boston. The CapeFLYER train route travels from Boston to Cape Cod from the Wareham Village Train Station, offering direct access to Logan International Airport, which is about 55 miles north. The nearest hospital is Tobey Hospital, which is located on High Street in town.
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Tracy Shand,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Parks in this Area
Tidal Flats Recreation Area
Onset Bandshell
Washburn Park
Baseball/Softball
Trails
Hiking
Buzzard's Bay Recreation Area
Marks Cove Conservation Area
Bike Trails
Picnic Area
Trails
Joseph W. Conway Sr. Memorial Playground
Transit
Airport
Martha's Vineyard
107 min drive
Bus
Swifts Beach Road And Grant Street
Bus
Shaw's
Bus
Wareham Center
Bus
Wareham Multiservice Center
Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime
Wareham Center
US
Homicide
3
4
Sexual Assault
3
4
Assault with Weapon
3
4
Robbery
3
4
Burglary
3
4
Motor Vehicle Theft
2
4
Larceny
3
4
Crime Score
3
4
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Wareham Center, Wareham sell after 44 days on the market compared to the national average of 47 days. The average sale price for homes in Wareham Center, Wareham over the last 12 months is $443,847, consistent with the average home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Coastal Year-Round Beach House with Ocean Views ~Perched gracefully on stilts, this coastal beach house offers panoramic ocean views from its expansive windows. The full-width deck at the rear of the house provides an ideal setting for entertaining, allowing you to enjoy the sea breeze and vistas. The home has recently been updated with fresh paint and new flooring, enhancing its inviting
Welcome to 20 Grant St – This 2-bedroom, 1-bath bungalow in the Swift’s Beach neighborhood offers exciting potential. Built in 1948, this single-level home features approximately 600 sq ft of living space on a compact 1,940 sq ft corner lot.This home features a functional four-room layout, with additional space available in the attic. Just 0.4 miles from the beach, this property is a great fit
British Landing Condominium & Yacht Club offers a gated, waterfront lifestyle that perfectly balances convenience, and luxury. Featuring an expansive outdoor atrium, tranquil waterfront walking paths, and a range of amenities including a clubhouse, a fully equipped gym, and a sauna. Its prime location near Tobey Hospital, Besse Park, downtown Wareham, various restaurants, and major highways makes
Family Home or ideal for investor conversion to multi-family, primary structure could become 2-family and Garage could become 3rd unit. Home shows years of Family use but remains sound: will need a light interior and exterior refresh, priced accordingly. Very private Large Back Yard is surrounded by mature Arborvitae and Stockade Fence. Detached 2-story, 2-car garage includes workshop on lower
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Tracy Shand,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Owners
Demographics
Total Population
4,081
Median Age
50
Population Density
11 ppl/acre
Population under 18
17.7%
Below the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
27%
Above the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$51,604
Significantly below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$67,593
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
94.1%
College Graduates
19.2%
Below the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
5.2%
% Population in Labor Force
53.6%
Below the national average
65.1%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
53''
Average Winter Low Temperature
22°F
Average Summer High Temperature
84°F
Annual Snowfall
18''
Area Factors
Somewhat Bikeable
Bike Score®
25/ 100
Car-Dependent
Walk Score®
7/ 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score
Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
