Lynn, the largest city in Essex County, sits on the ocean along the North Shore. This city is rich in diversity and contrasts, from comfortable suburban neighborhoods on the city's periphery to a lively downtown of commercial and industrial activity. Just 9 miles north of Boston, this city of approximately 80,000 residents has drawn...
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Lynn, the largest city in Essex County, sits on the ocean along the North Shore. This city is rich in diversity and contrasts, from comfortable suburban neighborhoods on the city's periphery to a lively downtown of commercial and industrial activity. Just 9 miles north of Boston, this city of approximately 80,000 residents has drawn wave after wave of immigrants, attracted by the city's economic opportunity as a manufacturing center through the 19th and 20th centuries.
Lynn's history stretches further back to 1629 when it was settled by colonists from the New England Company out of neighboring Salem. Since then, Lynn has taken advantage of its seaside location and its development first as a farming community and then as a center for shoe and leather manufacturing. Lynn saw its greatest growth after the Civil War when the railroad between Boston and Salem was built through the city. As the 19th century came to a close, Lynn became a favored location for handsome summer residences, many still standing along scenic Lynn Shore Drive, which opened in 1910 and offers spectacular vistas of the ocean.
This boulevard and its impressive stately homes still exist with a strong seawall standing between the road and a long stretch of beach. The desirable expanse of waterfront property and surrounding streets is now known as Lynn's Diamond District. Nearby, just a few minutes along Route 1A, is the urban downtown center of Lynn. A great many shops, restaurants and businesses are located along Broad and Market Streets and in Central Square.
Lynn offers suburban neighborhoods throughout its community, especially at its edges that border the adjacent towns and cities of Salem, Swampscott, Lynnfield, Nahant, Peabody, Saugus and Revere. The city is crisscrossed with major roads including 129, 1A and 107. Lynn has an abundance of landmarks and points of interest as well. The High Rock Tower features an observatory with a twelve inch telescopic lens from which the rings of Saturn and the moons of Jupiter are visible.
A wide range of outdoor activities are available at the 2200 acre Lynn Woods Reservation, the second largest municipal park in the United States. Additionally, there is Lynn's Gannon Golf Course. This city of urban and residential contrasts is regarded proudly by many of its residents who love their city and would live in few other places.
In August 2008, the average home sales price for a single family home or condo in Lynn, MA was $199,685. While this data is collected from the MLS and deemed reliable, it is not guaranteed.
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