Georgetowne - Boston, MA

Before its incorporation in 1838, Georgetown began as New Rowley, an industrial center and the West Parish district of what is now Rowley. British settlers from Yorkshire arrived in Rowley in 1638 and set up plantations, gradually expanding the community with the growth of farming, milling, shipbuilding and shoemaking trades.

The first shoe store opened near West Parish in 1810, triggering the spread of prosperous commercial shops. Shortly after, inventor Paul Pillsbury revolutionized the shoemaking industry by designing a peg-manufacturing machine that sped up the process of attaching soles to heels. The area's continued success drove the demand for more housing and manufacturing, eventually inspiring West Parish residents to push for separation from Rowley.

Despite the town's many transitions, one landmark has remained virtually unchanged for centuries: the Captain Brocklebank House. Once the home of Samuel Brocklebank, the house now serves as a museum operated by the Georgetown Historical Society. In the 17th century, Brocklebank rallied villagers to join the fight to stop the American Indian uprisings during King Philip's War. Several other prominent town figures owned or occupied the house over the next few centuries, and the building's downtown proximity made it a focal point of every expansion.

Georgetown may not have the eclectic arts scene Bostonians treasure, but the town's picturesque beauty and community involvement make it a place residents happily come home to. Pulitzer Prize-winning authors John Updike and Paul Harding both got their start in this idyllic New England town, and the location features prominently in Updike's novel "Rabbit Is Rich."

Travel to the center of Georgetown for traditional American eateries and pizza parlors. The town's small dining district is spread around the intersections of East Main Street, West Main Street, North Street and Central Street, so you can scope out options in one quick drive.

Start your dining excursion at Holloway's Bar & Grille, a renovated restaurant at Black Swan Country Club, where the floor-to-ceiling windows treat diners to stunning views of the scenic course. After testing their mettle on the green, local golfers love to meet family at this upbeat restaurant for discounted prime rib on Thursday nights and brick-oven pizzas on Monday nights. For a taste of coastal New England flavor, try the popular lobster BLAT, a seafood sandwich topped with bacon, lettuce, avocado and tomato. Bring a group of friends to share the generously sized appetizers, whether you prefer loaded skillet nachos, stuffed Colcannon tater tots or fried calamari.

For pizza or deli-style sandwiches, grab takeout at Niki's Roast Beef and Pizza. The low prices and friendly service make this neighborhood pizza joint a great weeknight choice. In addition to signature pies with toppings like shaved steak or fresh barbecue chicken, you can opt for cheesy calzones or tasty variations on favorite subs, such as the Steak Bomb or Chicken Bomb.

Most residents journey outside of Georgetown for high-energy nightlife. However, the town is not without options for a drink after work, with pub-style restaurants serving a selection of beer and cocktails.

Just beyond Georgetown's western border lies Pub 97, a cafe known for its extensive burger menu with 97 mind-blowing combinations. The restaurant has garnered criticism for unpredictable service and lack of substitutions or customizations in meals, so be willing to follow the chef's lead. Satisfy a taste for savory and sweet with the Big Kahuna, a burger topped with pepper jack cheese, pineapple and General Tso's sauce, or think outside the bun with the signature Loaded Potato Burger; a beef patty on a bed of mashed potatoes, topped with bacon, cheddar and a secret sauce.

Georgetown doesn't have its own public transportation or a system of bike-friendly roadways. The nearest MBTA rail lines bypass the town, picking up passengers in the neighboring cities of Haverhill and Rowley. Walking between the restaurants and shops downtown takes no time at all, but the distance between residential areas and local stores makes driving a necessity everywhere else.

With an average commute of 30 minutes, Georgetown residents rely on cars to reach their destinations, frequently traveling down I-95 toward Boston. The affluent, propertied community and lack of recreational attractions make Georgetown an out-of-the-way spot for many Greater Bostonians, limiting the demand for cabs and ride-share services. While it may be possible to arrange black-car pickups from services like Uber, be ready to pay a premium rate for this unfrequented route.

Keeping yourself active won't be a challenge in Georgetown. State and local conservation efforts have fostered the area's breathtaking forestland, providing numerous sites for outdoor sports and social events.

Drive south on Central Street to reach Georgetown-Rowley State Forest, a 1,100-acre rustic backdrop for peaceful horseback rides with the family or nature outings with your pets. Challenge yourself to navigate the winding forest pathways, but be sure to obtain a backup map from the state park website for a detailed layout of the trails. When the weather warms up, the trails are ideal for hiking, hunting and bike riding, and in the winter, the park is repurposed for skiing and snowmobile rides.

For all-in-one recreation, visit Camp Denison at Baldpate Pond State Park, and enjoy family-friendly entertainment ranging from fishing and kayaking to shuffleboard and basketball. Set up a picnic in the free pavilions at this 44-acre park, and work off your meal by trekking through the color-coded trails or chasing the kids around the playground. Plenty of trash cans line the trails for visitors with pets, and the grounds accommodate campers with marked tent sites.

Community events frequently take place at American Legion Park near downtown Georgetown. The park's basketball, baseball, volleyball and tennis facilities cater to sports fanatics, and music lovers congregate at the Kiwanis music pavilion for free summer concerts. Introduce yourself to the locals by stopping in at the annual Party at the Park in the summer or by marching in the Horribles costume parade in the fall.

Georgetown serves as the final stop for many affluent families interested in settling down without any anticipated plans of relocating. Considering that a car is necessary for most occupations and entertainment, the overall cost of living is nearly three times greater than the national average, making Georgetown one of the most expensive places in the country to put down roots.

Few residents move away from this quiet community, and homeowners greatly outnumber renters, so don't expect to find many vacancies. Plan to pay a monthly rent of $1,200 to $1,400 for a one-bedroom apartment, or track down rentals in the $900 to $1,200 range by settling just outside of Georgetown's boundaries in nearby Haverhill or Rowley.

Georgetown houses few commercial stores within its largely residential landscape, and the majority of those businesses fall within the central downtown area. When you want to hunt down deals on home goods or buy new clothing, you may have to drive out to Newburyport, Haverhill or Boston to find high-end stores and niche boutiques.

Shoppers who want boutique styles at affordable prices head to the Closet Exchange. Located in nearby Needham, this shop stocks vintage and consignment goods. Find the perfect new bag, some jewelry, jeans, a dress or whatever you need.

Head to Newburyport where you can stock up on imported food, home decor and clothing accessories at Ganesh Imports and Best of British. Rely on Ganesh Imports for an ever-changing inventory of artisan jewelry and exotic printed clothing to spice up your wardrobe, or turn your home into a bohemian haven filled with Eastern sculptures and woven rugs.

At Best of British, lovers of all things European can find authentic English groceries and other odds and ends. Buy a bone china pot, blended loose-leaf tea and chocolate-dipped biscuits to serve at your next party.

Food shopping allows more flexibility as grocery stores around Georgetown provide pantry staples without requiring excessive travel. Crosby's Marketplace, a small franchise, is the only major grocery store within Georgetown's boundaries. The personable staff, close-knit atmosphere and locally grown products make residents feel at home in this neighborhood store, but the expensive prices and limited specialty items may send you in search of more options. If you love chasing the harvest for fresh seasonal finds, take a 20- to 30-minute drive to farm stores in nearby towns, including Ingaldsby Farms and Nason's Stone House in Boxford.