New Bedford, Mass., a Coastal City Undergoing Transformation

“Nowhere in all America will you find more patrician-like houses; parks and gardens more opulent, than in New Bedford,” Herman Melville wrote in his 1851 sea odyssey, “Moby-Dick.”

The novelist wasn’t wrong. Mansions from Melville’s era and even older homes still stand in New Bedford, Mass., roughly 50 miles south of Boston and situated along the Acushnet River on the state’s southern shore. Among those older homes is the Nathan and Polly Johnson House, built in 1800 and the first free home of the abolitionist Frederick Douglass. Around the turn of the 20th century, many multifamily homes were created to provide housing for the large numbers of immigrants working in the local textile industry.

The city has long since has expanded and modernized to include tracts of single-family homes in the north end and apartment buildings downtown, where much of the new residential development is taking place.

“What’s so nice about the city is that it’s so small,” said Christopher Silva, 64, a New Bedford resident. “You get this feeling of community with people in the city especially because of its historical significance.”

New Bedford is, perhaps, best known for its rich maritime history. An important fishing hub since Colonial days, it’s renowned for its flourishing whaling industry of the 19th century. The city remains a major commercial fishing port.

Prospective residents are increasingly drawn to New Bedford, where a price for a home is less expensive, on average, than that in adjacent communities like Dartmouth and Fairhaven. More than 200 housing units were created and completed, or near completion, in 2024, and several public schools in the area have recently undergone extensive facility renovations.

The city has another thing going for it: This spring, the long-awaited South Coast Rail project will be completed, connecting Boston to New Bedford by train for the first time in 65 years. The trip will take about an hour and a half.

“People recognize that it will represent one more good reason to live in New Bedford,” said Mayor Jon Mitchell.

What does a perfect day in the city look like for those who live there? “To start off with, a jog along the Cove Harbor walk,” the mayor said of the 5,550-foot trail that sits atop a hurricane barrier, offering views of Clark’s Cove and the waters of Buzzards Bay.

Many residents might follow that up with lunch from one of the many Portuguese restaurants in the city, a reminder of immigration driven by the city’s maritime industry. Every summer, the Feast of the Blessed Sacrament, one of the largest celebrations of Portuguese culture, takes over the city for several days. “They come from all over to go to that feast,” said Maggie Tomkiewicz, a real estate broker who was born and raised in New Bedford.

To end the day: perhaps a concert or play at the Zeiterion Performing Arts Center, which is currently undergoing a $37-million expansion. “At a time in America where people crave novelty, this is the place that has it,” the mayor said of the city.

Still curious what living in New Bedford is like? Here’s more information to get you started:

Going Out and About

Restaurants and Bars: Downtown: The Black Whale, Cultivator Shoals, Moby Dick Brewing Co. and Cisco Brewers; North End: Antonio’s Restaurant; South End: Churrascaria Novo Mundo
Culture: Set sail on a history expedition at the New Bedford Whaling Museum, frolic through Buttonwood Park Zoo or drop by the Rotch-Jones-Duff House & Garden Museum, a 19th century, Greek Revival property.
Recreation: Go for a jog at Fort Taber Park, a 50-acre, waterfront park. Indoor rock climb at Carabiner’s Climbing and Fitness. At night, visit the Play Arcade.
Groceries/Shopping: Market Basket, Vicente’s Supermarket and Amaral’s Market; Dartmouth Mall for retail

Getting There, Getting Around

Local Buses: The Southeastern Regional Transit Authority serves New Bedford and nine other communities in Massachusetts’s south coast region. Service generally starts around 5:30 a.m. and runs until about 6:30 p.m. A ticket costs $1.50 and reduced fare is 75 cents.
Rail: The South Coast Rail Project will provide commuter service between Boston and New Bedford this spring. Full fare will be $12.25 each way, and the reduced fare will be $6.

By car: Route 140 runs north and south. Interstate 195 and Route 6 intersect the city running east toward Cape Cod and west toward Providence, R.I.

Neighborhoods

Single-family and multifamily homes, depending on the neighborhood.

Downtown: Mostly apartments and condominiums, with many new developments under construction
North End: More single-family homes, a diverse restaurant scene and easy train access
South End: Views of Clark’s Cove, close to beaches and walking trails

West End: Near Dartmouth, with the 97-acre Buttonwood Park

Housing

In 2024, over 200 housing units were completed or nearing completion, according to the city’s Office of Housing and Urban Development.

Total housing units: 44,588
Median gross rent: $1,156
Median list price, December 2024: $414,116
More: Zillow and the U.S. Census Bureau

Schools

Public Schools: 12,505 K-12 students (2024-2025); 25 schools in the New Bedford school system
Private Schools: Among those available are St. Teresa of Calcutta School, Nativity Preparatory School and Nazarene Christian Academy.
Higher Education: Bristol Community College has a campus in New Bedford. The University of Massachusetts Dartmouth is a short drive away.
More info: New Bedford Public School System