Things to Love About Peabody, Massachusetts

1. The Northshore Mall is one of the many reasons Peabody is a favorite destination for shoppers.


2. Great location. Peabody is conveniently and centrally located near major highways route 128, route 95, route 1, and route 93. This convenient location leaves many residents feeling like they live in “the center of the world.” Want to get to Boston? Only 30 minutes or less during normal traffic. How about ski country? Just up the road a couple of hours and you are on the slopes in no time. Peabody is just a short distance from Logan International Airport and close to Beverly Municipal airport.


3. Brooksby Farm is an orchard and working farm that’s owned and managed by the City of Peabody. Brooksby Farm offers over 275 acres for cross country skiing, high school track races, and trails for walking.
   
   Truly, Brooksby Farm is a local favorite all year round. In the fall residents and visitors pick their own apples and enjoy hayrides. Children visit the outside stables and watch the animals roam. There is also a petting zoo. During the summer a camp program is offered on site. During the winter the retail store is open.
   
   Brooksby Farm is conveniently located near the North Shore Mall, so it’s easy to stop at the farm for fresh vegetables and fruit on your way home after a shopping trip. Brooksby Farm is available for weddings and other functions as well.


4. Low property taxes. Peabody has one of the lowest tax rates on the North Shore. The property taxes are currently only $7.76 per thousand. Peabody is partly able to create these low property tax rates due to the mix of industry and businesses that gives the city a strong commercial tax base. Some important areas for jobs and businesses are the North Shore Mall, Centennial Park, and Lahey Clinic.


5. Peabody has its own Municipal Light Plant that has the lowest rates on the North Shore. In addition to great rates, a 20% discount is granted if you pay your bill early. That’s quite a savings.


6. Peabody has its own water treatment plant and several pumping stations making Peabody self sufficient for its water supply.


7. Peabody is known for its annual International Festival, held every September. The International Festival is sponsored by the city and attracts people from all over New England to experience ethnic foods, music, dance, and art. The event usually attracts over 50,000 people each year. The International Festival is a showcase for and celebration of the deeply multi-cultural community of Peabody and its various ethnicities. This year's festival will take place Sunday, September 9, 2007 from 11:30AM to 5:30PM in downtown Peabody.


8. Excellent restaurants. Specific recommendations include:
   
   
   • Petrillo's. Great Italian food. They also have a take-out that's great
     when you're in a hurry. You need reservations on weekends.
   
   
   • Wardhurst. This family-owned restaurant specializes in Greek cuisine and has been a long time favorite for many Peabody residents.
   
   
   • Land 'n Sea. Famous throughout the North Shore. Their fried clams are some of the best you can find anywhere and their famous roast beef sandwiches are great too.
   
   
   • Su Chang's. "The best" Chinese food with great atmosphere and service to go along with it.
   
   
   • Other recommended restaurants are: Legal Seafoods, Brothers Cuisine, Joe's American Bar and Grill, Carraba's, Bertucci's, Family Fare, and Century House.
   
   
9. Golf. The Meadow at Peabody is a public golf course owned and operated by the city. The course is challenging and the views are spectacular, especially in the fall. In 2005 and 2006, the Boston Business Journal rated The Meadow at Peabody the 8th Public Best Golf Course in the state. Peabody also hosts a private golf course owned by Salem Country Club.
   


10. A new Peabody / Lynnfield YMCA just opened its doors last fall. This state of the art facility offers swimming (inground pool), exercise programs, activities, and summer camp programs. A great addition to the city and a great place for families.


11. Peabody has a transfer station where residents can bring up to 1500 pounds a year at no charge and the Department of Public Works has a recycling center at its base on Farm Avenue. Peabody also hosts a Household Hazardous Waste Day every June for disposal of hazardous materials. There are also two composting sites owned by private companies where residents can bring their organic recycling materials.
    


12. Peabody is a city of 50,000 people but has a small town feeling to it. Peabody is a melting pot of various ethnic groups coming together.


13. Public transportation convenience. Options include commuter shuttle bus, MBTA bus (with a direct route to Boston), Coach co. service, Logan Express service, and commuter rail service.


14. The city of Peabody boasts one of the most popular elderly programs around. The Torrigian Center sponsors everything from knitting to exercise programs. A wonderful way for our elderly community members to be social and productive.


15. Within the last 3 years, Peabody has built 2 new elementary schools and boasts at least one registered nurse in every school.


16. The Christmas concert held each year at the Peabody City Hall is a very enjoyable evening which features a symphony orchestra. Last year the Boston Symphony Orchestra gave a free concert there.


17. Peabody provides terrific recreational programs for adults, children, and teens of all ages. Sports programs such as basketball, soccer and baseball are among favorites not to mention football as well. The sports programs for the children are excellent in quality and have produced several professional baseball players and an Olympic Medal swimmer. If you want to move to the grove there are programs as well. Art progams also are a big hit. The local libraries also have programs that they sponsor as well for all ages.


18. George Peabody House.


19. Peabody City Tanner Common Summer Concert Series.


20. Peabody Historical Society.


21. City of Peabody 4th of July Events.


22. North Shore Computer Society.


23. Three Peabody Library branches: Main Street, South Branch, West Peabody Branch.


24. Perfecto’s Coffee Shop.


25. Woodbridge Assisted Living


26. Brooksby Village

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The following RE/MAX Advantage Real Estate agents contributed to this list:

Donna Baigelman
Web Site: www.NorthShoreHomeInfo.com
Email: donna@NorthShoreHomeInfo.com

Kate Fabrizio
Web Site: www.northshorehomes4u.com
Email: kate@katefabrizio.com

Todd Finn
Web Site: www.toddfinn.com
Email: todd@toddfinn.com

Bernie and Anita Horowitz
Web Site: www.NorthShoreHomeInfo.com
Email: bernie@NorthShoreHomeInfo.com
Email: anita@NorthShoreHomeInfo.com

Judy Lima
Web Site: www.hometeamnewengland.com
Email:judithlima@comcast.net

Karyn Reardon
Web Site: www.megsteam.com
Email: karynreardon@comcast.net

Also contributing:

Colleen Bertolino, assistant to Kate Fabrizio

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RE/MAX Advantage Real Estate's Peabody, Massachusetts office:
515 Lowell Street
Peabody, MA 01960
Phone: 978-535-3122
Fax: 978-535-6087