"Here rest the remains of Elizabeth Poole, a native of Old England, of good family, friends, and prospects, all which she left in the prime of her life, to enjoy the religion of her conscience, in this distant wilderness; a great proprietor of the township of Taunton..." - (Headstone of Elizabeth Poole)
When Elizabeth Poole left England in the early 1600s, she must have known she was a pioneer. However, she might not have known she would go down in history as the first woman to settle a town in the New World, making a name for women before feminism! Maybe she would have been a little less eager if she had known that mobster and career criminal Gordon OBrien would hail from Taunton as his hometown, and she might not have approved of the city providing the setting for the film Shutter Island, but certainly she would have been pleased by Tauntons more reputable characters poet Laureate Joseph Gouveia, Stephanie Cutter, Deputy Senior Advisor to President Barack Obama, and American Idol contestant Nicholas Pedro.
There are nearly 56,000 people tucked into Tauntons 47-ish square miles of land, and there are almost 2 square miles of water for boating and other aquatic activities
"Here rest the remains of Elizabeth Poole, a native of Old England, of good family, friends, and prospects, all which she left in the prime of her life, to enjoy the religion of her conscience, in this distant wilderness; a great proprietor of the township of Taunton..." - (Headstone of Elizabeth Poole)
When Elizabeth Poole left England in the early 1600s, she must have known she was a pioneer. However, she might not have known she would go down in history as the first woman to settle a town in the New World, making a name for women before feminism! Maybe she would have been a little less eager if she had known that mobster and career criminal Gordon OBrien would hail from Taunton as his hometown, and she might not have approved of the city providing the setting for the film Shutter Island, but certainly she would have been pleased by Tauntons more reputable characters poet Laureate Joseph Gouveia, Stephanie Cutter, Deputy Senior Advisor to President Barack Obama, and American Idol contestant Nicholas Pedro.
Moving to Taunton
There are nearly 56,000 people tucked into Tauntons 47-ish square miles of land, and there are almost 2 square miles of water for boating and other aquatic activities. With its close proximity to the major cities of Boston, Providence, Fall River, and New Bedford, many Taunton residents choose this location for an easy commute without the high cost of living found in the suburbs. However, you dont have to leave town to get work if you live in Taunton--a dream come true for many to avoid commuting. The city has a rich history as a major industrial hub, home of the first iron production facility that actually succeeded in Colonial times, then the hottest location for silver, textiles, and transportation in later years.
But will you be underwater?
Are you thinking that the name Taunton rings a bell and not in a good way? You might remember the high drama of October 2005, when more than 2,000 Taunton residents were evacuated from their homes. After significant rainfall, the Whittenton Pond Dam was in danger of failing, and folks were afraid of another major flood like the one that occurred in the 1960s the last time the dam broke down. Fortunately, quick thinking saved the day, and no flood occurred in 2005. After that, the dam was completely replaced, so you can move to Taunton without fear the new dam is sure to be safe for many years to come.
Taunton Neighborhoods
City Center: Rental properties in downtown Taunton are easy to find, which is fantastic because the price is right and nearly everything you need is within walking distance of your front door. You can choose from a wide range anything from studio apartments to three bedroom apartments in complexes and small apartment buildings. The best part about Tauntons City Center is that the architecture is really interesting. Much of it was built in the early 20thcentury. $$$$
East Taunton: The neighborhood known as East Taunton has a very tight vacancy rate, which is primarily because once people move in, they dont leave. Fortunately, apartments run the gamut from studio to three bedrooms or more, so if you arent picky, you will have a better chance of finding something. $$$$$
Longmeadow Road/Dean Street:Diversity characterizes the Longmeadow/Dean Street neighborhood. There are apartments and single-family homes, homeowners and renters, historic buildings and newer construction. The price you will pay for your home wont leave you broke, and if you are like most of your neighbors, you will have an easy commute to work. Really, it is the best of all possible worlds. $
Oak Avenue/Kilmer Avenue: The East Coast is notoriously expensive when it comes to cost of living, but there are still a few areas where you can find budget-friendly prices with the convenience of easy access to the schools and jobs that New England is known for. The neighborhood around Oak Avenue and Kilmer Avenue is one of those spots - you can enjoy an urban lifestyle without paying East Coast prices, and there are plenty of apartments from which to choose. $
Oakland:The Taunton neighborhood of Oakland is an interesting mix. Though it is primarily made up of large single-family homes, there are quite a few mobile homes as well. That means that while it can be tough to find small rental properties other than trailers, large rental homes are occasionally available. Folks in Oakland are predominately a sophisticated bunch, so if you like theater, fine arts, and superior cuisine, you are sure to find lots of company if you choose Oakland. $$$$
Somerset Avenue/Briggs Street: The nice thing about the neighborhood around Somerset Avenue and Briggs Street is that prices are reasonable for a suburban area. Many of the homes are owner-occupied, so there is a sense of community, and residents often carpool to get to work. There are plenty of choices when it comes to rental properties, from studio apartments to two or three bedrooms, depending on what you need. $$
Somerset Avenue/Weir Street:The neighborhood around Somerset Avenue and Weir Street is pleasant for its combination of apartments and single-family homes. While it is an urban area, it doesnt feel as city-like as some other parts of Taunton. You get the best of both worlds convenient access to city amenities, but also a sense of community. $$$
Weir Village: Newer homes characterize the neighborhood of Weir Village, where rents are reasonable and there are plenty of apartments and single-family homes available. Folks in this area often work in the neighborhood, and there is public transportation conveniently located to get them where they are going without paying sky-high gas prices. $$$
Westville: Despite being somewhat pricier than other areas of Taunton, the Westville neighborhood is tough to get into. It is mostly owner-occupied, and very few of the single-family homes are rental properties. There are several apartment complexes that offer a variety of sizes, and they are the best place to start your apartment search if you want to be in Westville. $$$$$
Whittenton: For working in Boston without paying Boston housing prices, nothing beats Whittenton. Here, you get a suburban lifestyle, friendly neighbors, and lovely homes, all the while staying within your budget. The downside is that Whittenton is not a well-kept secret. Lots of people got there before you and they arent planning to go anywhere - so if you want to find a home in this neighborhood, you will have to start your apartment search early and have a lot of patience. $$
Living the Good Life in Taunton
How do Taunton residents spend their down time? Some enjoy the activities on the Taunton Green, which once served as a location for Revolutionary soldiers to train. Others prefer to study the extensive collection at the only Beer Can Museum in the country. Several gorgeous state parks offer all kinds of outdoor recreation opportunities, including boating, swimming, hiking, camping, fishing, and hunting. There are a variety of galleries for the artistically inclined, and fans of historical places have plenty of options, including the United States oldest working fire station. All in all, Taunton has something for you!
