Newburyport earned its place on the map as the birthplace of the United States Coast Guard, and that maritime spirit still shapes daily life here. This small Essex County city hugs the Merrimack River and borders Plum Island, putting beaches, wildlife refuges, and riverfront dining within easy reach of any front door. The walkable downtown, anchored by the Market Square Historic District, packs cobblestone streets and brick storefronts with bookshops, boutiques, and restaurants, making it easy to handle most errands and evenings on foot. Popular neighborhoods like High Street and the South End offer a front-row seat to 18th- and 19th-century architecture, while Plum Island sits at the city's coastal edge.
Renters will find an eclectic mix of housing options, from waterfront apartment communities overlooking the Merrimack to multifamily conversions inside Federal-style mansions and Victorian-era buildings.
