5 Beverly, MA neighborhoods where You'll get the best value for a budget of $700,000

by Jim Armstrong

Here are five Beverly, MA neighborhoods that typically deliver strong value around $700,000, weighing schools, commute, safety, and long-term upside. I’ll give you the “why,” the best buyer fits, and any watch-outs—plus sources so you can sanity-check the claims.

1) Ryal Side

Why it’s a good value:

Schools: Zoned for Ayers/Ryal Side Elementary (9/10 on GreatSchools)—one of Beverly’s top-rated schools. GreatSchools.org
Commute: Quick access to Route 128; ~5 minutes to Beverly Depot for MBTA trains to Boston (multiple stations in town). Keolis Commuter Services
Safety: Western side is average-to-good; overall Beverly scores as safer than many U.S. cities. NeighborhoodScout+1
Value/Upside: Mix of capes/colonials and some updated stock—often trades below direct waterfront premiums of Cove/Farms; benefits from citywide median in the mid-$600Ks–$700Ks with brisk but not overheated demand.
Best for: First-timers wanting a house + yard, school quality, and a reasonable commute.
Watch-outs: Some homes are smaller/older—budget for systems/energy upgrades.

SEE ALL CURRENT RYAL SIDE HOME FOR SALE IN BEVERLY MA

2) North Beverly

Why it’s a good value:

Schools: North Beverly Elementary (8/10) is consistently strong. GreatSchools.org
Commute: Immediate Route 128 access and the North Beverly commuter-rail stop for a lighter park-and-ride feel. Keolis Commuter Services
Safety: Similar to city averages with many quiet side streets. Crime data puts Beverly in the safer half of U.S. cities. NeighborhoodScout+1
Value/Upside: Family-oriented housing stock (3BR colonials/ ranches) typically fits ~$700K better than Cove/Farms. Citywide price trend is stable to modestly rising, supporting steady appreciation.
Best for: Buyers prioritizing schools + car/rail commuting.
Watch-outs: Fewer walkable amenities than downtown/Montserrat.

SEE ALL NORTH BEVERLY HOMES FOR SALE

3) Centerville

Why it’s a good value:

Schools: Proximity to Centerville Elementary (solid local ratings on GreatSchools). GreatSchools.org
Commute: Fast reach to 128; ~8–10 minutes to Beverly Depot trains. Keolis Commuter Services
Safety: Residential feel; citywide violent crime roughly 1 per 1,000—low by national standards. NeighborhoodScout
Value/Upside: Larger lots and 60s–80s homes give you more house for the dollar versus coastal neighborhoods; benefits from Beverly’s tight days-on-market and healthy list-to-sale dynamics.
Best for: Space seekers (yard/garage) who don’t need to be on the water.
Watch-outs: Car-dependent; fewer cafés/shops within a short walk.

SEE ALL CENTERVILLE HOMES FOR SALE IN BEVERLY MA

4) Montserrat

Why it’s a good value:

Schools: Access to strong elementary options and Beverly High; district rates mid-pack to above average on Niche/GreatSchools. Niche+1
Commute: Montserrat MBTA station is in-neighborhood—great for Boston commuters without paying downtown Salem premiums. Keolis Commuter Services
Safety: East Beverly pockets are viewed locally as among the safer parts of town. CrimeGrade.org
Value/Upside: Walkable streets near arts/downtown and train access make it a balanced “value + lifestyle” pick at your price point. City median and quick pendings suggest liquidity if you resell.
Best for: Rail commuters and walkability fans.
Watch-outs: Smaller lots/older housing—expect some cosmetic updates.

SEE ALL MONTSERRAT HOMES FOR SALE IN BEVERLY MA

5) The Cove (Beverly Cove) – selective blocks

Why it’s (selectively) good value:

Schools: Cove Elementary is one of the city’s better-rated schools. GreatSchools.org
Commute: ~5–8 minutes to Beverly Depot or Montserrat; coastal but still commuter-friendly. Keolis Commuter Services
Safety: East Beverly noted as among the safer areas by neighborhood safety aggregators. CrimeGrade.org
Value/Upside: While prime waterfront can exceed budget, inland streets/condos and smaller colonials sometimes trade near $700K, letting you capture coastal lifestyle + long-term demand that supports appreciation.
Best for: Buyers wanting coastal vibe + strong schools without paying Beverly Farms premiums.
Watch-outs: Competition for renovated homes; flood/insurance review near low-lying pockets is smart (case-by-case).

BEVERLY COVE MASSACHUSETTS HOMES FOR SALE

Market sanity check (as of September 2025)

Median sale price: ~$677K (Aug 2025, Redfin). Median list price: ~$735K (Realtor.com). Your $700K budget is right on the money for move-in-ready 3BR homes or updated condos/townhomes across these neighborhoods. Homes average ~21 days on market—quick but workable with prep. See the current Beverly MA Real Estate Market Stats
Home values trend: +1.5% YoY (Zillow ZHVI) with fast “pending” times (~11 days), pointing to durable demand and reasonable appreciation potential.
Schools & safety: Beverly features multiple 8–9/10 elementaries and overall low violent-crime rates relative to national averages—both supportive of long-term value. GreatSchools.org+1

How I’d deploy your $700K (tactics)

Target: Ryal Side / North Beverly / Centerville for max square footage and yard; Montserrat / inland Cove for walkability + train access.
Filters: Prioritize streets feeding Ayers/Ryal Side, North Beverly, or Cove Elementary; add a walk-to-train radius in Montserrat. GreatSchools.org+1
Diligence: Run flood/insurance checks for Cove/Ryal Side low spots; review 100-yr/500-yr maps and elevation certs (property-specific).

This article was created using ChatGPT and edited by Jim Armstrong - Armstrong Field Group @ Aluxetyhttps://armstrongfield.com/