Living in Quincy, MA: A Complete Guide

Quincy, Massachusetts is one of Greater Boston's most livable cities. With eight miles of coastline, four Red Line MBTA stations, a revitalized downtown, strong public schools, and a diverse food scene, Quincy offers a quality of life that is hard to match at its price point.

Getting Around Quincy

Quincy has four Red Line stations: Quincy Center, Quincy Adams, North Quincy, and Wollaston. From any of these, downtown Boston is 20 to 30 minutes away. The MBTA also runs commuter rail service from Quincy Center. A seasonal ferry runs from Marina Bay to Rowes Wharf in Boston. For drivers, Route 3, Route 93, and the Southeast Expressway provide highway access.

Schools in Quincy

Quincy Public Schools serve approximately 10,000 students across the city. North Quincy High School and Quincy High School are both well-regarded. Several neighborhoods have highly rated elementary schools, including Merrymount Elementary. Quincy also has a number of private and parochial school options.

Parks and Outdoors

Quincy has extensive outdoor amenities. Wollaston Beach is a three-mile stretch of public beach with views of the Boston skyline. Squantum Point Park offers harbor access and walking trails. Blue Hills Reservation, just outside the city, provides hiking, swimming, and skiing. The city also maintains numerous smaller parks and waterfront access points throughout its neighborhoods.

Dining and Culture

Quincy has one of the most diverse food scenes in Greater Boston. North Quincy's Asian food corridor includes dozens of authentic Vietnamese, Chinese, Korean, and Japanese restaurants. Quincy Center's Hancock Street has added 19 new restaurants in recent years. Marina Bay has waterfront dining with Boston skyline views. The city also has a rich history as the birthplace of Presidents John Adams and John Quincy Adams.

Cost of Living

Quincy offers a significantly lower cost of living than Boston proper while maintaining excellent transit access to the city. Home prices are lower than comparable neighborhoods in Boston, Cambridge, or Somerville. Property taxes are moderate for the region. The combination of transit access, coastal amenities, and relative affordability makes Quincy one of the best value propositions in Greater Boston.