Located just 19 miles from Springfield, lies the vibrant and eclectic city of Northampton, MA. This area of the Pioneer Valley is best known for its lively arts and music scene and bustling downtown center. With its beautiful neighborhoods, excellent schools, and strong local economy, it’s never a surprise when we hear someone new is moving to Northampton. Want to know if living in Northampton, MA is right for you? Keep reading for all the details on this fantastic Western Massachusetts community.
Who Lives in Northampton?
About 28,500 people call Northampton, MA home. Just over 87% of the population are considered Caucasian, nearly 7% are Hispanic or Latino, and about 3% are African American. Northampton has a median age of 40, and the largest age bracket in the city is made up of retirees over the age of 65. The gender ratio in Northampton has a split of about 56.9% female and 43.1% male. Northampton is considered the most liberal medium-sized city in America, and one of the most LGBT-friendly spots in the country.
Northampton’s Cost of Living
At just under 15% higher than the national average, the cost of living in Northampton is far from expensive compared to some other Massachusetts cities. However, Northampton is pricier than most other towns in the Pioneer Valley.
The population of home owners and renters are pretty evenly split with 49% of Northampton residents choose to rent and pay about $1,607 per month. Expenses like healthcare and transportation are actually lower than the U.S. average.
People interested in buying a house can expect to see the average price of a home in Northampton around $297,700, which has dropped by nearly 1% in the last year. It’s expected to rise slightly over the 12 months, so now is the perfect time to start looking at Northampton, MA homes for sale.
Northampton Schools
Centrally located within the Five College area, it’s no secret that education has always been a priority in Northampton. You can find the prestigious Smith College for women in Northampton. Smith College is a member of the Seven Sisters — a group of seven top-ranked and highly-selective liberal arts colleges in the Northeast — and a member of the Five College Consortium. Northampton is also home to 15 non-secondary schools — 7 public schools and 8 private schools.
Job Opportunities in Northampton
Wondering where you might work in Northampton? The largest industries in Northampton, MA are Educational Services, Health Care & Social Assistance, and Retail Trade. The top employers include Smith College, the Cooley Dickinson Hospital, the Veterans Medical Center, and L3 KEO. Many residents commute to nearby Springfield and Greenfield for work. The per capita income is about $36,045, which is about $7,000 higher than the national average. Northampton has an unemployment rate of 2.6%, which is well below the national average of 3.9%.
Things to do in Northampton
As a popular destination for residents of nearby cities and towns, there is always something to do in Northampton! Downtown offers shops, galleries, entertainment, breweries, and restaurants in historically preserved buildings.
Named the Best Small Arts Town in America, Northampton is home to many galleries, the Smith College Museum of Art, and the Calvin Coolidge Presidential Library and Museum. Northampton also hosts the biyearly Paradise City Arts Festival, held at the Three County Fairgrounds on Memorial Day weekend and Columbus Day weekend. The Calvin Theater, Iron Horse Music Hall, Pearl Street Nightclub, and the Academy of Music make Northampton a popular stop for national touring music artists.
Northampton hosts a plethora of small shops and incredible restaurants. You can find plenty of both in Thornes Marketplace.
Between Look Park, the Smith College Botanic Garden, amazing farmers markets, and the Norwottuck Rail Trail, Northampton is a perfect place to escape the grind of daily life.
Great Restaurants in Northampton
Delicious food can be found all over Northampton, leaving you with plenty of amazing places to eat. Sylvester’s not only serves some of the area’s best breakfast, but it is also the home of the graham cracker’s namesake, Sylvester Graham. Hungry Ghost Bread is a local favorite for baked goods and pizza. Paul and Elizabeth’s specializes in locally-sourced vegetarian and seafood dishes. Check out Osaka for the area’s best sushi, according to the Advocate’s “Best of the Valley” Readers’ Poll. If burgers and fries are more your style, it doesn’t get better than Local Burger. After dinner, head over to Herrell’s for a scoop (or five) of delicious gourmet ice cream, or grab a crafted cocktail at Tunnel Bar, a vintage train tunnel converted into a sophisticated lounge.
Tips for Moving to Northampton
Join an artsy and progressive community where people love to live.
Enjoy a variety of great things to do, including amazing restaurants and small shops.
Great neighborhoods, rich with historical architecture and beautiful scenery.
Plenty of great jobs in the area for people looking for work.
Get a great education while living in Northampton.
It’s no wonder Northampton is known as the Paradise City! Does living in Northampton sound like its right for you? Sitterly Movers is ready to help you with your move. Our Northampton moving company employs highly trained and professional movers that can get the job done. Give us a call today at 413-737-2641 or feel free to fill out our Request a Quote form to get a free Northampton moving estimate!
