9 Safest Small Communities To Settle On The Atlantic Coast
The Atlantic Coast is not just an incredible place to vacation in summer, but a great place to settle. Besides the abundant beaches, residents on this coast get to enjoy a high quality of life and lots of job opportunities, especially as it hosts some of the country’s metropolitan areas, like New York City and Jacksonville. But more than that, life on the Atlantic Coast is more fulfilling, not just because living near the ocean has been linked to improved health, but because of the easy access to everything from excellent healthcare to quality education, and of course, fresh seafood. However, when planning for settlement on this coast bordering the Atlantic Ocean, safety is an important factor to consider, which is where these charming towns come in. From Narragansett, Rhode Island, to East Hampton, New York, these small communities have some of the lowest crime rates in the country, making them excellent places to live and enjoy the aforementioned features of the Atlantic Coast, and even more as discussed below.
Fernandina Beach, Florida
Fernandina Beach may not be among Florida’s most popular destinations, but it is one of the safest, and when it comes to residency, safety is best chosen over popularity. More than its low crime rate, however, this town on Amelia Island is an exciting place, and home to the Fort Clinch State Park and Main Beach Park, each featuring a beautiful beachfront ideal for relaxation, surfing, and more exciting activities. Additionally, Fort Clinch State Park has a Civil War-era fort offering tours and military demonstrations, as well as waterfront campsites and trails winding through the maritime habitats. More coastal adventures can be enjoyed at the Peters Point Beachfront Park, which has an expansive, sandy beach, picnic facilities, plenty of parking, and showers. Meanwhile, history buffs are always welcome to the Amelia Island Museum of History to learn about the island’s history from its Timucua Native Americans to Spanish and French explorers.
Vero Beach, Florida
This charming little town on the Atlantic coast is one of the best that Florida has to offer. It is also a safe place, with a crime rate far lower than the national and state averages. That said, the town has a long list of attractions that will delight everyone. For art lovers, the Vero Beach Museum of Art features world-class exhibitions, alongside art studios, and performances in a 250-seat auditorium. History buffs have the McLarty Treasure Museum to enjoy views of the ocean and learn about the Treasure Coast, particularly the 1715 Spanish treasure fleet, which shipwrecked off the coast during a hurricane while transporting gold and silver coins from Havana to Spain. The town also has a couple of beaches, including the Riverside Island Beach Park, an expansive shore with soft sand, and plenty of amenities like a playground, covered pavilions with grills, and restrooms.
Bluffton, South Carolina
Safety is one of the reasons Bluffton is the fastest-growing town in South Carolina. Located on the May River, a few miles from the Atlantic Ocean, this town has a significantly low crime rate, plus it is full of things to see and do. For starters, the river is ideal for paddling and fishing, and the Oyster Factory Park has a boat ramp from which to access the water. This park also has picnic facilities, beautiful fields, grills, and a dock for fishing. For golf lovers, the May River Golf Club is in town, featuring an 18-hole course and breathtaking views of the river, manicured fields, and trees. Meanwhile, Bluffton is around 30 minutes from some of the best beach spots in the US, including the Coligny Beach Park in Hilton Head Island. This park is a bustling spot for oceanfront recreation, featuring everything from a splash pad and outdoor showers to a boardwalk lined with oak trees and, above all, an expansive beach with soft white sand and gentle waves.
East Hampton, New York
East Hampton sits beautifully on Long Island, where it is surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean and boasts safe neighborhoods. Living here promises to be pleasurable, especially as the town is loaded with attractions, one of which is the Cedar Point County Park. This 607-acre park is a cool coastal spot to relax, with impressive views of Gardiners Bay. The park features individual and group camping, picnic areas, surf fishing, nature trails, and a beautiful beach. Speaking of beaches, East Hampton has several, with the East Hampton Main Beach being the most popular. This beach is spacious and features fine sand and a deep blue ocean, ideal for surfing, plus the Beach Hut on Main is right on the shore, serving delicious meals with impressive views. Additionally, Montauk Point State Park is in town, on the eastern tip of the island, and offers more exciting oceanfront adventures, including incredible surf fishing, hiking, and cross-country skiing. The park also hosts the Montauk Point Lighthouse, New York’s oldest lighthouse, and the fourth oldest in the US, established in 1796.
Darien, Connecticut
Darien is an excellent place to settle on the Atlantic Coast for many reasons. In addition to its low crime, this town is around an hour and 30 minutes from New York City, placing some of the country’s top attractions within easy reach, including the famous Central Park, which has everything from lakes and zoos to gardens, amusement facilities, walkways, and more. Beyond the convenience, Darien has a considerable number of attractions, one of which is the Cherry Lawn Park. This park has picnic facilities, a community garden, walking trails, a nature center, and sports facilities, including a baseball field and tennis courts. Pear Tree Point Beach is another cool attraction in Darien, and a great waterfront spot for picnicking and boating. Darien is also home to Weed Beach, a peaceful beachfront on Long Island Sound with soft sands, a swimming area, and a playground, making it ideal for families with children.
Branford, Connecticut
Branford is an adorable gem on Long Island Sound, and one of the reasons New England is ranked as the safest in the country. This town boasts a stellar record with crime rates far below the state and national average, according to the FBI Crime Data Explorer. While this alone makes Branford a worthy place to settle, there’s more to be enjoyed here, including easy access to the Thimble Islands, a unique archipelago on Long Island Sound, comprising dozens of islands. Boats depart regularly from the town to this archipelago, plus one can kayak around the islands, see historic mansions, or relax at the Thimble Islands Bed & Breakfast. The town also has Branford Point Beach, where locals can swim, fish, picnic, and enjoy the views of Long Island Sound. Meanwhile, Branford is near New Haven, Connecticut’s third-largest city, placing even more exciting attractions within easy reach. For instance, Branford is around 15 minutes from New Haven’s Yale University Art Gallery, one of the largest art museums in the US, and also the oldest college art museum in North America, established in 1832. The museum houses around 300,000 objects, ranging from African art to American, Ancient, Asian, European, and contemporary art, among others.
Narragansett, Rhode Island
Narragansett, one of Rhode Island’s top vacation hot spots, is also an amazing place to settle, with a crime record that’s hard to beat. Located right on the North Atlantic Ocean, living in this town promises to be exciting, especially as it is home to several world-class beaches, including Narragansett Town Beach. This mile-long beach is a paradise for surfing, swimming, and picnicking, plus it has pavilions, changing rooms, and snack bars. Scarborough State Beach, often regarded as Rhode Island’s most well-known beach, is also in this town, featuring gentle waves, soft sand, and a host of amenities, including outdoor showers, an observation tower, pavilions, and a boardwalk with seating spots. Besides the beaches, Narragansett has plenty more to offer, including historic attractions, like the 1810 Point Judith Lighthouse, and The Towers, which is the last part of a bustling 1880s casino and still a great place to catch public events, such as music, dance, holiday celebrations, and more.
Chatham, Massachusetts
Chatham is a beautiful town on the Atlantic Ocean, specifically on Cape Cod, boasting some of the lowest crime rates in the country. The town is a true coastal paradise to settle in, featuring several unique attractions, including the Chatham Pier Fish Market, one of the coolest places to dine and shop for fresh seafood against the backdrop of beautiful coastal scenery. Those who appreciate nature will have the Monomoy National Wildlife Refuge to enjoy. Covering over 7,600 acres, this refuge offers trails winding through dunes, salt marsh, ocean beach, and other varied habitats, and opportunities to watch birds, wildlife, and surf fish. And of course, Chatham has a couple of beautiful oceanfront spots to satisfy beach lovers, including the Ridgevale Beach, a large shore with soft sand and gentle waves that make it safe for swimming. The Chatham Lighthouse beach is also a great oceanfront spot here, with soothing sands and one of the most beautiful lighthouses on the Atlantic Coast, established in 1808.
Camden, Maine
This coastal gem on Penobscot Bay, an inlet of the Atlantic Ocean, has all one could wish for in an ideal place to live, including a low crime rate. For those particularly keen on an active lifestyle, this town is an excellent choice, being home to Camden Hills State Park, one of the country’s best hiking destinations. This park features over 30 miles of trails spanning more than 5,700 acres, including the 1-mile Megunticook Trail and the 0.5-mile Mount Battie Trail, both of which offer breathtaking views of Camden, Penobscot Bay, and the surrounding islands. Additionally, the park features a well-equipped camping area with over 100 campsites and offers rock climbing opportunities. For winter enthusiasts, the nearby Camden Snow Bowl is among the best in the region, and the only ski resort on the East Coast with ocean views. The establishment features several chairlifts offering stunning views, two terrain parks, and 15 ski trails spanning over 100 skiable acres. Back in town, the Camden Harbor Park & Amphitheater is always open to delight everyone with frequent shows and waterfront scenery.
Settling on the Atlantic Coast
The US Atlantic Coast is a diverse part of the US with something to meet every need. From beach-seeking vacationers to retirees hunting for affordable destinations, this region bordering the Atlantic Ocean has something to satisfy everyone. For those just seeking safe destinations to settle, the Atlantic Coast also has plenty of options to present, and these small communities are at the top of that list. From Vero Beach to Camden, these towns are excellent places to live and enjoy the pleasures of the most historic and most exciting coast in the US mainland.
