If you have ever considered moving to Massachusetts but were concerned about choosing between the big-city feel of Boston and the small-town vibe of Stockbridge, an excellent place to consider as a happy medium is Salem.
Salem, Massachusetts is a city rich in culture and history, most notably recognized for its connection to the witch trials of the late 1600s, however, there are other aspects of the city that make it a beautiful place to live. In fact, the town of Salem is named after a Hebrew word, meaning “peace and harmony”.
If you are looking for a new place to move to, here are some considerations for why Salem is an excellent place to live.
Rich Military History
The city of Salem was actually the birthplace of the American military as we know it today.
In 1628, Governor John Endecott was authorized to create an official militia to defend the town. In his decree, he ordered that all men between the ages of 16 and 60 were obligated to serve. The first muster of the militia took place on Salem Common in 1637, over 375 years ago.
This gave birth to the modern-day National Guard, which is a fact that has been officially recognized when former President Obama signed legislation to recognize the birthplace of the National Guard in 2013.
One can visit the Salem Maritime National Historic Site, Fort Pickering on Winter Island, and Fort Lee near Salem Willows to view the military history in the city.
Fascinating Film and TV Culture
A large number of films and TV shows have recognizable locations that are within the town of Salem.
Properties such as Hocus Pocus, Bewitched, Bride Wars, Who Do You Think You Are?, American Hustle, Joy, Chronicle, and The Lords of Salem all have filmed scenes in the city. Many of those locations have been made into small landmarks that fans and tourists can visit and explore.
Of Course, the Witch Trials
It would be remiss to not note the importance of the witch trials in the town of Salem. The history of the witch has been highly documented and ingrained into the culture of Salem over the years.
The trials were a result of paranoia from the Puritans who came and settled in the town in the early 1600s, fearing that a large number of women were turning to witchcraft and devil worship.
While only one original building from the time of the trials still exists today, known as the Witch House, many replications have been made and other landmarks have been noted by tourists as hotspots.
However, aside from the popularity of the witch trials, there are several other great tourist attractions that bring folks into the city.
The Pioneer Village acts as a living history museum that recreates the city of Salem as it would have been in the 17th century. This serves as the first ever established museum when it opened nearly 100 years ago in 1930.
Here, one can see a blacksmith’s shop in action as well as other recreated features like a sawmill, saltworks, gardens, fireplaces, a Wigwam, thatched roof cottages, and more.
Proximity to Boston
Boston is just a 16-mile distance from Salem, where several attractions and events go on. Even if one does not drive, there is a great transit system in the area that can take you anywhere you wanna go.
So if you are someone that likes the feel of the Boston area but thinks the prices of living or the city life would be too much for you, Salem is a great place to stay that would be close enough to do activities during the day or evening, but go home and not worry about long-distance travel.
Even then, there is plenty to do in the city of Salem so you do not have to feel obligated to travel to Boston for entertainment. With a number of different bars, restaurants, and distilleries in the local area, Salem is not just a great place to live, but a great place to settle down.
Education
Many people move to Massachusetts for the opportunities they provide in Higher Education. Notably, Massachusetts is home to Harvard University, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Boston College, and the University of Massachusetts (which has several branch locations throughout the state).
However, one institution is located right in the heart of the city of Salem: Salem State University, which is the oldest and largest institute of higher education on the North Shore, being established in 1854.
Some of the most notable and popular programs Salem State offers include
- Business, Management
- Marketing and Related Support Services
- Health Professions and Related Programs
- Psychology
- Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting & Related Protective Services
- Education
- Biological and Biomedical Sciences
- Social Sciences
- Public Administration and Social Service Professions
- Visual and Performing Arts
- English Language and Literature/Letters.
Even if Salem State University is not your perfect cup of tea, as previously mentioned, Salem is only a short distance away from Boston, which is home to Boston College, Northeastern University, and Suffolk University.
However, one of the biggest stressors for any college student is moving to a college residence hall or apartment complex. We at College Bound Movers are experts at moving folks from place to place, including new college students.
Aside from moving services, we also offer storage solutions for folks that need the extra room or need to store items during the school year or summer vacation.
Our Salem Movers are Here to Help!
If you are considering moving into the Salem area, we want to help you with all of your moving needs!
We at College Bound Movers serve several areas in New England, New Hampshire, and Connecticut areas. We do not focus on solely short-distance moves, either. Even if you want to move across the country to the Salem area, we can provide you with great resources to make your move as smooth as possible.
With affordable rates and friendly service, we are dedicated to making the moving process as seamless as possible. If you want to learn more about the services we offer or request a free estimate, visit our website or contact us today!
