"And the well I promised by Oman's Sea, I am digging for him in Amesbury. His kindred wept, and the neighbors said: "The poor old captain is out of his head."- The Captain's Well, John Greenleaf Whittier
Amesbury is a wonderful New England town nestled between the mighty Merrimack River and the state of New Hampshire. The town was settled as early as 1642. Through the years, Amesbury morphed from a rural farming community into a mill town, one of many on the Merrimack. In its day, the town became famous for the production of carriages (the horse-drawn type) and later automobile bodies. The mill days came to an end with the Great Depression, but the beautiful mill buildings still stand in the downtown area and near the river.
Sitting at the crossroads of Interstates 495 and 95, living in Amesbury makes it pretty easy to shoot down to Boston, about 45 minutes away, or up to the beaches of New Hampshire and Maine
"And the well I promised by Oman's Sea, I am digging for him in Amesbury. His kindred wept, and the neighbors said: "The poor old captain is out of his head."- The Captain's Well, John Greenleaf Whittier
Amesbury is a wonderful New England town nestled between the mighty Merrimack River and the state of New Hampshire. The town was settled as early as 1642. Through the years, Amesbury morphed from a rural farming community into a mill town, one of many on the Merrimack. In its day, the town became famous for the production of carriages (the horse-drawn type) and later automobile bodies. The mill days came to an end with the Great Depression, but the beautiful mill buildings still stand in the downtown area and near the river.
Moving to Amesbury
Sitting at the crossroads of Interstates 495 and 95, living in Amesbury makes it pretty easy to shoot down to Boston, about 45 minutes away, or up to the beaches of New Hampshire and Maine. Next door is the seaport town of Newburyport, a summer haven for many and a pretty big tourist draw. Amesbury is close enough that you'll be able to enjoy the fun, entertainment and shopping that a summer beach town provides yet far enough away to retreat to your own peaceful corner if the tourist crowd gets to be too much.
Amesbury has grown in recent years due to the rising cost of homes and rentals in nearby Newburyport. Amesbury remains affordable compared to its neighbors and is a great option for those who want a good deal. When getting ready to move here, be sure to bring along those all-important documents to secure a place: your ID, credit report, pay stubs and letters of reference.
Neighborhoods of Amesbury
Below are some of the popular areas to settle down in Amesbury. Check out each one before deciding where you'd like to call home.
East Amesbury: This side of Amesbury is the most commercially developed. Bordering on the town of Salisbury, it is also the most direct route out to the beaches. There are apartment complexes and rental homes scattered throughout this area, as well as easy access to Routes 495 and I-95.
Downtown Amesbury: The downtown area has become a very desirable place to live because of the renovation of the old mill complexes. Picture in-town living with quaint brick buildings and maybe a studio apartment or a loft! You can walk to everything you need in this neighborhood.
South Amesbury: There are not too many apartment complexes in this area, which borders the Merrimack River. However, there are some old mills that have been renovated and good candidates for finding a condo for rent.
West Amesbury: There is a lot of open space in West Amesbury, bordering on the town of Merrimac. This is an ideal area to find a home for rent.
Living in Amesbury
Living in Amesbury will make you feel like you've discovered a little gem outside of the rat race. There is beautiful scenery, rolling hills, farms and farm stands, lakes and forests, and the beach is just down the road. The downtown area is picturesque, with enormous hanging flower baskets lining the streets all summer and cozy bars and restaurants to while away the night.
If you want to impress your visitors, you can take them to see Whittier's homestead, which is now an historic site. Whittier lived in Amesbury for 56 years, and his home is now open to the public. The well mentioned in Whittier's poem is not the stuff of fiction, but in fact exists today in Amesbury. Whittier's poem recounts an old seafaring tale, and literary types still come to Amesbury to see the well and the old homestead of the famous Quaker poet from Amesbury.
Lake Attitash and Lake Gardner are both located in Amesbury, providing fun in both summer and winter. There is swimming, boating and fishing on the lakes. Have you ever tried ice fishing? Living in Amesbury, you'll get your chance. There are ice fishing tournaments each year once the lake freezes over.
Lowell's Boat Shop on the banks of the Merrimack is an Amesbury treasure. The boat shop opened in 1793 and still builds its style of hand-crafted wooden boats to this day. In fact, Lowell's is the oldest continuously operating boat building shop in the U.S. Lowell's holds several events throughout the year but even stopping in for a visit is a treat. The shop sits on one of the most picturesque sections of the river that you will ever see.
Amesbury is a great place for all-around living. Arts, cultural, recreation and relaxation can all be found within easy reach. If your search for an apartment to rent takes you to Amesbury, you will feel lucky to have discovered this old town on the river.
