11 Best Places To Call Home In Atlantic Coast In 2025
Since the start of the decade, suffocated city dwellers have been swapping out urban conveniences for the relative quiet of small coastal towns. And the jig is finally up: More and more Americans are answering the call of the mighty Atlantic. Now, they’re laying down roots in towns up and down the Eastern Seaboard and exposing a secret locals fought hard, and ultimately failed, to keep between just them: that the magnificent Atlantic Coast abounds with idyllic enclaves at nature’s doorstep where a soothing and salty sea breeze is always blowing.
Gloucester, Massachusetts
Gloucester is a quick drive north from Boston, but far from the city in every other sense. For those who seek it, Gloucester offers lively nightlife in its legendary Gloucester Docks district, but the quaint, compact town also lends itself perfectly to quiet living, without skimping on the culture. Locals rave about the Hammond Castle Museum on Hesperus Avenue, and the HarborWalk offers a fascinating glimpse at Gloucester's history via visits to 42-story posts. The average home price is slightly more expensive, at $759,274; however, these prices are worth it in this beautiful and memorable coastal town.
Provincetown
“P-town” is how locals affectionately refer to tiny Provincetown at the tip of Cape Cod, and it’s easy to see why they love it. Commercial Street, P-town’s pedestrian-friendly central artery, is lined with restaurants, bars, shops, and all manner of entertainment and is itself a spectacle. Cast members pedal by on bicycles, announcing their upcoming show at Provincetown Theatre. To get a feel for friendly P-town, head to Town Hall and partake in one of the town’s most quintessential activities: people-watching. This town is also home to local health centers and a public school district, which is great for families with kids.
Freeport, Maine
Every single October, thousands of jack-o-lanterns cast an orange orb across the façade of L.L. Bean’s flagship Campus in Freeport during the Camp Sunshine Pumpkin Festival. On Halloween, all of Main Street flings candy at hordes that flock to their doorstep for the annual Trick-or-Treat event. These events are just some of the reasons residents say there’s more to life in Freeport than just shopping. The sticky buns at Isabella’s are another. Take Main Street all the way to the water to find Harraseeket Lunch and Lobster Company, another local favourite. Roughly 10 minutes south of downtown is Winslow Park, beloved by locals for its trails and coastal views. Average listing prices in P-town hover around $982,000 according to Realtor.com.
Portland, Maine
Portland owes part of its popularity to the pandemic: The housing market is red hot in hip Munjoy Hill, and many owners are newly arrived from (Insert overwhelming city here.) Some residents say the new buzz increases the quality of life, along with the cost of living, in Maine’s so-called Forest City. Portland offers unbeatable access to nature and incredible views, like Casco Bay by sunset as seen from beautiful Portland Harbor. Housing prices in Portland are just slightly above the national average at $695k, according to Realtor.com.
Annapolis Royal, NS
Crossing the causeway (Prince Albert Road) to Granville Road, you’ll see why so many in search of a peaceful place to live flock to Annapolis Royal. Formerly known as Port Royal, the tiny town wears its unique history as Canada’s first permanent European settlement proudly. But history isn’t all Annapolis Royal offers. The Bay of Fundy broods just outside its front door, opening up a universe of options for outdoor entertainment. Plus, major centres like Halifax and Saint John are just two to three hours away by car, or, in the latter’s case, by ferry from nearby Digby.
Lunenburg, NS
Few locations can claim to be as idyllic as Lunenburg. The gem of Nova Scotia’s South Shore offers perfectly preserved 18th and 19th-century architecture in what feels as close to a traditional fishing village as one can possibly get. Its UNESCO World Heritage status helps Lunenburg preserve the quaint vibe of its historic Old Town, a manifestation of the urban utopia dreamt up by Lunenburg’s British settlers. Wander down to the port to see Lunenburg's crown jewel: The Bluenose II, an iconic sailing vessel that, along with its predecessor, is known across North America for dominating races during the "glorious ages of sail" in the mid-20th century. Learn all about it at the Fisheries Museum of the Atlantic on Bluenose Drive.
Despite booming tourism and increasing housing costs, Lunenburg continues to welcome newcomers who are lured by its charm and convenient location just 97 kilometres from Halifax.
Beaufort, South Carolina
At the bottom of Port Royal Island lies beautiful Beaufort, a charming town with great weather and singular southern appeal. The town of 15,000 sits at the edge of Port Royal Sound in South Carolina’s Low Country, so boating is big, and having one lets you get the most out of life in Beaufort. Head down to Bay Street at the water’s edge to see Beaufort at its best.
The heart of town is in The Old Point, which sits beside Crescent Street. Here, Beaufort’s incredible history in the Civil War (and Civil Rights Movement) is on proud display, as is the case at Beaufort History Museum at the corner of Craven and Carteret streets. But one of Beaufort's biggest draws is Old Sheldon Church ruins, about 26 minutes north of town.
New Bern, North Carolina
Many of New Bern’s 30,000 residents would prefer to remain, as it has managed to do for so long, off the radar. Yet newcomers continue to flood the cozy North Carolina town. New Bern natives may bemoan the traffic and housing prices arising from its latest boom (the town is an especially popular choice for retired military personnel), but the shops, restaurants, and bars throughout the town’s lively walkable downtown are truly hard to resist. Visit New Bern, and see why residents are more than happy to continue keeping it a secret. Be sure to visit the 18th-century Tryon Palace, a lovingly restored residence of the state's former royal governor, as well as the adjacent North Carolina History Center.
Cape May, NJ
Cape May touts itself as the Nation’s Oldest Seashore Resort and rivals only San Francisco for the highest number of Victorian homes in the country. Though regarded by some as a retirement town, Cape May’s multiple music and arts festivals throughout the year keep it young and enjoyable compared to other tiny towns on the Jersey Shore. Cost of living is creeping up in Cape May, though, as many flock to the beautiful scenery found in Cape May in the wake of COVID.
Cape May is also home to the Harriet Tubman Museum. The architect of the underground railroad lived in Cape May in the early 1850s. A more physical challenge? Climbing the 199 steps up Cape May's iconic lighthouse in Cape May Point State Park.
Newport, RI
Newport’s residents love their city in Rhode Island. Some even swear off crossing the bridge altogether. With only 25,000 residents, Newport punches above its weight in festivals, food, and entertainment, though larger events do require a road trip to a nearby city, many of which are within two hours’ drive. Newport swells with tourists in summer, as host of the world-renowned Newport Folk and Newport Jazz festivals, but winter’s cool envelopes the town in a calm energy until April, when Newport marks the arrival of spring with the Daffodil Days Festival.
Newport is known for its mansions, and the most awe-inspiring of them all is The Breakers. Check out the Vanderbilts' former Gilded Age mansion.
Bar Harbor, ME
This cozy area of Maine is known as the great gateway to Acadia National Park, one of America’s most-visited. That makes Bar Harbor the perfect jump-off point for outdoor adventures, including taking the scenic Park Loop Road or Thunder Hole, a nearby inlet on the rocky shores of Acadia National Park.
But Bar Harbor itself is reason enough to venture so far up the eastern seaboard. Its modern conveniences and accessibility (there’s even a direct ferry to Nova Scotia) make Bar Harbor ideal for singles or families seeking an alternative to city living.
From Maine’s rugged shores to South Carolina’s sun-kissed islands, the Atlantic Coast is experiencing a renaissance. Once-sleepy seaside towns now hum with new energy as urban escapees rediscover the joy of salt air, history, and community. While housing costs rise with demand, so too does the energy and livelihood of these charming coastal towns. The Atlantic’s secret is out—life is richer, calmer, and infinitely more rewarding where the ocean meets the horizon.
