Edgartown is the Vineyard’s oldest town and, for many buyers, the first place they picture when they think of island life. White clapboard captains’ houses, a working harbor and a lighthouse at the end of the street make it one of the most recognizable small towns in New England. Here’s what living here is actually like, from the people who work out of an office on North Summer Street.
A town built by whaling captains
Edgartown was settled in the 1640s and grew rich on whaling in the 1800s. That history is still standing. North Water Street is lined with Greek Revival homes built for whaling captains, many with widow’s walks looking out over the harbor. Edgartown is also the county seat of Dukes County, so the courthouse and registry of deeds are here, which keeps the village busy all year.
The historic district has rules about exterior changes, so if you’re buying in the village, ask early about what you can and can’t alter.
Neighborhoods
Edgartown covers a lot of ground, and each part feels different.
- The village: walk-to-everything living near Main Street and the harbor. Homes are older, lots are small, and prices are among the highest on the island.
- Katama: south of the village, toward South Beach. More space, newer homes and an easy bike ride to the ocean.
- Edgartown Great Pond and the outskirts: larger lots, pond and water views, and more privacy.
- Chappaquiddick: a short ferry ride across the harbor, with a quiet, rural feel. Read our guide to the Chappy real estate market.
Beaches and the outdoors
South Beach (Katama Beach) is the town’s big ocean beach, with three miles of surf on the south shore. Lighthouse Beach, at the Edgartown Lighthouse, is calmer and an easy walk from town. On Chappaquiddick, Cape Poge and Wasque offer some of the wildest shoreline on the island.
Felix Neck Wildlife Sanctuary, run by Mass Audubon, has walking trails through woods, fields and salt marsh. The Edgartown Harbor is home to sailors all summer, and the Edgartown Regatta has been held every July for over a century.
Year-round life
Summer brings the crowds, but Edgartown has a real year-round community. The Fourth of July parade is a town tradition, and Christmas in Edgartown in December lights up Main Street with a parade, a tree lighting and shops open late.
For families, children attend the Edgartown School through eighth grade, then Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School in Oak Bluffs. Groceries, the library, banks and doctors’ offices are all in town or a short drive away.
Getting around
The village is easy to walk or bike, and the island’s bike paths connect Edgartown to Oak Bluffs and West Tisbury. VTA buses run between the towns all year. Ferries to the mainland leave from Vineyard Haven and Oak Bluffs, about 15 to 20 minutes away by car. The Chappy ferry crosses the harbor in a few minutes.
What homes look like
In the village you’ll find antique captains’ houses, cottages and in-town condos. Further out, there are shingled homes on bigger lots, waterfront properties on the ponds and harbor, and new construction in Katama. Browse current Edgartown homes for sale and Katama listings, or read what’s happening in Edgartown’s market right now.
If you’re touring homes, bring our list of questions to ask at an Edgartown open house.
Thinking about Edgartown?
Our office is at 31 North Summer Street, right in the village. Stop by or get in touch, and one of our agents will show you around the neighborhoods that fit how you want to live.