WESTPORT AND SOUTH DARTMOUTH, MA

On the shores of Buzzards Bay between Fall River and New Bedford, the towns of Westport and South Dartmouth offer a haven of country and coastal quiet. Villages, vineyards, and farms dot winding back roads. Enjoying close proximity to shopping in the busier northern ends of each town, as well as easy highway access for trips to Boston, Providence, and Cape Cod, these communities extend southerly to bays, inlets, rivers, and beaches that remain largely as they have been for many decades. This is a place of retreat, whether your home here is year-round or seasonal. With a distinct flavor to each neighborhood, options abound for finding the bliss you seek.

ACOAXET VILLAGE – WESTPORT, MA

Just west of the point where the Westport River meets the Atlantic Ocean, you’ll find the village of Acoaxet. As with much of the coastline in southeastern Massachusetts, this area was primarily used for cattle grazing and fishing, until the Industrial Revolution led to its discovery and reinvention as a summer retreat for factory owners from nearby Fall River and New Bedford. The resulting turn-of-the-century cottage style architecture has had a lasting impact on even new construction in the area. Weathered cedar shingles, Adirondack chairs, and a decidedly laid-back vibe permeate all once you’re past the fork in the road in Adamsville (and we kid you not – it is an actual fork). Enjoy golf, tennis, or pickleball at the Acoaxet Club. Sufficiently isolated that the village once attempted to secede from the Town of Westport, this is old New England summering at its finest.

CHERRY & WEBB BEACH – WESTPORT, MA

On the shore opposite Acoaxet Village, the Town of Westport’s Cherry & Webb Beach provides a sandy point favored by shore birds and humans alike. Parking is by town resident pass only, and there’s a long walk through the dunes before reaching the shore, making it a much quieter destination than neighboring Horseneck Beach State Reservation, which is among the Commonwealth of Masachusetts’ most popular beaches. Enjoy sand and surf on the Buzzards Bay-facing side of this point, or walk around to the river side to watch hermit and horseshoe crabs scuttle about. Access to this area is truly one of the best privileges of homeownership in Westport.

WESTPORT POINT – WESTPORT, MA

Reaching into the Westport River and dividing it into the West and East Branches, Westport Point extends south from the center of town. Meander down Main Road to arrive at the port that was the heart of the town’s economy for more than one hundred years. Settled as farms in the early 1700’s, the Point is still home to stone walls that once delineated these original settlements. Fishing and whaling soon surpassed agriculture, and buildings like the Paquachuck Inn were constructed to accommodate the growth. Today, the commercial bustle of the past has been replaced by some of the best local farm- and sea-to-table options. Notably, Westport Sea Farms has been raising oysters in the Westport River since 2009, and offers al fresco dining on the docks that echoes the relaxed spirit of this area.

PADANARAM – SOUTH DARTMOUTH, MA

“The Village,” located on the inlet of Apponagansett Bay, is home to the New Bedford Yacht Club and a handful of shops, galleries, restaurants, and local businesses leaning toward all things maritime. Here, coastal homes enjoy proximity to this small stretch of commercial properties, as well as easy access to the nearby city of New Bedford and its wealth of urban offerings. Less suburban than much of South Dartmouth, yet with the distinct feel of a small New England seaside village, Padanaram is one of the treasures at this edge of the Buzzards Bay shoreline.

NONQUITT – SOUTH DARTMOUTH, MA

To the southwest of Padanaram, the gated community of Nonquitt enjoys a beach and boat ramp accessible only by residents. Real estate offerings in this area are rare, as legacy properties are often passed from one generation to the next. Spacious summer homes with expansive yards, cedar shingles, and wide front porches are the standard here.

ROUND HILL – SOUTH DARTMOUTH, MA

Continue further south to Round Hill, where much of the community is gated, but the beach remains accessible to town residents with a beach sticker. In addition to large homes, condominium units in the former Green Mansion are among the options for housing in this waterfront neighborhood. The sandy stretch of beach along Buzzards Bay is complemented by a wide swath of salt marsh that is home to herons, osprey, and other shore birds.

LITTLE COMPTON, RI

The heart of the Farm Coast, Little Compton’s character is defined by its meadows, cornfields, coastal ponds, and woodlands. It is unique in Rhode Island for its Agricultural Conservancy Trust, which funds the preservation of open space in town and has resulted in the protection of over 2,100 acres to date. It is also home to The Commons, the last of Rhode Island’s town commons. Near it you will find galleries, local artisan craft shops, cafes, antique shops, and roads that are lightly traveled.

TIVERTON, RI

The Town of Tiverton is on the National Historic Register, and is home to Tiverton Four Corners, a Rhode Island village dating from the 17th century. This quaint seaside town is a paradise for those who appreciate the quiet of country life. With fine art galleries, cozy shops, and unique dining nestled in among miles of stone walls and pastoral scenes, Tiverton is a place to enjoy a slower pace amidst natural beauty.