If you’re looking for a quaint New England town near the water, you’ll want to check out Cohasset, Massachusetts. At only 20 miles from Downtown Boston, this town is perfect for folks who need to remain within reach of Beantown’s bustling streets.

Located on the south shore of Massachusetts Bay, this lovely waterfront town offers a lively main street, easy access to watersports, and plenty of food to try out.

So long as you have a healthy love of the water, this community has plenty to offer. But even if you aren’t a seafarer, there is a lot to love, which is why the team at Prevu Real Estate prepared a quick guide explaining why people love living in Cohasset. 

Top reasons to live in Cohasset, MA

• Bayside New England charm 

• Perfect for sailing or fishing

• Happening Main Street 

• Numerous places to dine out 

• Plenty of parks to explore 

• Within reach of Downtown Boston 

Bayside New England charm 

If you love the feeling that comes from exploring storied northeast towns, then you'll love the quintessential waterfront vibes of Cohasset. 

The harbor at Cohasset Cove is the town's beating heart. Many people come to the boats coming and going throughout the day along Veteran's Park near Border Street. This stretch of Cohasset is home to the Olde Salt House, a favorite for savoring the catch of the day while enjoying the sweeping harbor views. 

You can travel along the Cohasset waterfront via Atlantic Avenue, where you can find beautiful homes adorning the rocky shores of areas like Little Whitehead. Some lucky homeowners can access the serene Sandy Cove, a beach flanked by rock outcroppings. 

Farther along Atlantic Avenue, you'll cross the Cunningham Bridge to reach Mink Island. This stretch of Cohasset is where locals can find Sandy Beach, a private beach reserved for Cohasset residents. 

Perfect for sailing or fishing

Part of what attracts people to Cohasset is the protected Cove, which helps shelter boats from the ferocious waters raging just outside of it. 

Cohasset Cove is nestled deep in Cohasset Harbor, where the water can get rough. The waters are much calmer once you pass the dredged-out section leading to the Cove, making them perfect for mooring up boats or docking them. 

Many people living in Cohasset dock their boats in the harbor, either as members of the Cohasset Yacht Club or by renting a space at the Cohasset Harbor Marina. Other folks pay for a mooring and row out to their boat in the Cove. If sailing is your passion, then you are in luck. Of course you can get your own boat, but if you become a member of the Cohasset Sailing Club, you can use one of their fleet to explore the waterways of Cohasset. 

The Cove attracts locals and tourists alike, who come to watch the lobster boats unload their catch or sailboats rigging up for a day of sailing. 

Happening Main Street 

While the waterfront is the main attraction of Cohasset, there is plenty to love about the downtown district as well. 

Main Street is slightly inland and offers the familiar northeast charm you'll find in towns surrounding Boston. For instance, the Red Lion Inn has been around since the 1700s, and people are still having a good time at the Red Lion Tavern to this day. 

On nearby Elm Street, you can find a home belonging to Captain John Smith, one of the first European explorers to land in Cohasset. But Main Street is much more than storied buildings and history. 

During business hours, tourists and locals explore shops like The Barrel and Ports & Company for the latest fashion, while outdoor lovers routinely get outfitted at the Outside In gear store. 

Numerous places to dine out 

When it comes time to grab a bite, you will have plenty of places to eat in Cohasset. At the Cohasset Common, you can find a farmer's market chock full of fresh produce and craft goods from nearby farms. 

You can find people starting their day by grabbing their morning brew and pastry from the French Memories Bakery, Seabird Coffee & Co, or Atlantic Bagel & Coffee. 

Around lunchtime, folks flock to Peel Pizza Company for a slice of pizza, Lenny's Hideaway for authentic Mexican cuisine, or The Blue Oar for a slice of sandwich and soup. 

When it comes time for dinner, Cohasset doesn't disappoint. Ava Cucina and Bia Bistro are where you want to go for Italian delights. Split Rock Beer Garden and the Red Lion Tavern are hot spots to grab a burger and a beer after work. 

If you're looking for fish, you won't have to go far, as Salty Days Fish Co. carries the latest catch of the day for you to enjoy.

Plenty of parks to explore 

From seafood to seaside explorations, you'd think all there is to do in Cohasset is spend time by the water. But there are plenty of outdoor escapes for those who love hiking in the woods, as well. 

Wheelwright Park is a local favorite, offering crisscrossing trails under a canopy of old oak, maple, and sycamore trees. Another prominent attraction is Wompatuck State Park, specifically the American Holly Grove, on the northern outskirts of Cohasset. If you're into rail trails, you're in luck, as the Whitney Spur Rail Trail is right by the Cohasset MBTA train station, taking folks deep into Wompatuck State Park. 

A trip north takes folks towards Hingham Bay, where you can find Nantasket Beach, the town of Hull, and the Boston Harbor Islands State Park. 

Depending on where you purchase a home in Cohasset, you might even have a forest in your backyard. Homes on Atlantic Avenue and Beach Avenue have a large swath of woods to explore, but make sure to mark your trail! 

Golf lovers should make sure to consider Cohasset Golf Club, one of the oldest private clubs in New England. Here, members can enjoy a round of golf any day of the week, or play a tennis match with other members. 

Within reach of Downtown Boston 

Living in Cohasset means there are plenty of ways to reach Boston within an hour or so. 

If you're driving, you can take MA-3A through North Weymouth and Quincy to reach I-93. Or, you can skip the congestion and use 22B to head west towards Pilgrim's Highway to hop on I-93. 

But you are not limited to commuting by car when living in Cohasset. Folks can ride the purple Greenbush line of the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority commuter rail just off North Main Street. This ride takes about 45 minutes each way, making commuting into Boston a breeze. 

If the roadways are too congested, the MBTA ferry based out of Hingham is another great option for locals. The Hingham Terminal is right off MA-3, on Shipyard Drive, and folks can catch a ride throughout the day to Boston International Airport, Rowes Wharf in Downtown Boston, or head to nearby Hull to skip the traffic on the main drag. 

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