If you want North Shore living without giving up access to Boston, Beverly deserves a serious look. The city gives you something many suburbs cannot: four commuter rail stations on one line, plus road access that can support different work routines. If you are trying to figure out which part of Beverly best fits your commute, lifestyle, and housing goals, this guide will help you compare the city’s main station areas and narrow your search. Let’s dive in.
Why Beverly Works for Boston Commuters
Beverly sits about 25 miles north of Boston and has four stops on the Newburyport/Rockport Line: Beverly Depot, Montserrat, North Beverly, and Beverly Farms. According to the City of Beverly profile, the city also benefits from access to Route 128, Route 1, Route 62, and Route 1A.
For many commuters, though, the biggest advantage is the rail line itself. You can travel south to Boston or head north toward Rockport and Newburyport without a transfer, which makes Beverly especially practical if your schedule depends on a consistent train option.
Best Beverly Areas for Commuters
The simplest way to think about Beverly is this: Beverly Depot and Montserrat tend to fit buyers who want the easiest rail commute and more walkability, while North Beverly and Beverly Farms are better for buyers who want easier parking, a calmer setting, and more of a coastal-suburban feel.
That takeaway is based on the city’s zoning approach, station locations, parking setup, and how each area functions day to day. Your best fit depends on whether you value being close to the train, having more space, or keeping driving flexibility in the mix.
Beverly Depot for Walkable Commuting
Beverly Depot is the strongest option if you want to build your daily routine around the train. The station sits downtown at 10 Park Street, and station information from Mass By Train notes access to the MBTA garage at 100 Rantoul Street, along with nearby on-street green-zone parking.
This part of Beverly has the most clearly transit-oriented housing pattern. The city says new housing should generally be focused downtown and near transit, and its MBTA Communities page explains that much of the compliance district is within one-half mile of Beverly Depot.
In practical terms, that often means apartments, condos, mixed-use buildings, and a more urban feel than other parts of the city. If your priority is stepping out your door and getting to the train with minimal friction, Beverly Depot is hard to beat.
Who Beverly Depot Fits Best
Beverly Depot may be your best match if you want:
- A downtown setting
- The most walkable station environment
- Easier access to shops, dining, and services
- A housing search centered on condos or multifamily-style living
The main trade-off is usually space and parking. The same features that make downtown convenient can also mean less private outdoor area and fewer low-density housing options nearby.
Montserrat for Balance and Flexibility
Montserrat gives you a middle-ground option. The station is on Essex Street in central Beverly, is in Zone 4, and includes a parking lot, according to Mass By Train’s Montserrat station page.
Its location between downtown and Beverly’s eastern coastal side makes it appealing if you want Boston rail access without being in the busiest part of the city. Official sources emphasize its central position and proximity to places like Rice’s Beach, Sally Milligan Park, and Hospital Point Lighthouse, which supports the idea of a more mixed, neighborhood-oriented setting.
For many buyers, Montserrat is the sweet spot. You may still get a strong commute setup, but with a little more breathing room and a less intensely urban feel than Beverly Depot.
Who Montserrat Fits Best
Montserrat may work well if you want:
- Good rail access to Boston
- A central location
- A blend of neighborhood feel and convenience
- A housing search that may include older single-family homes, smaller multifamily properties, or attached homes
If you are coming from Boston and want to keep commuting realistic while gaining more day-to-day balance, Montserrat is often worth a close look.
North Beverly for Park-and-Ride Ease
North Beverly is a different kind of commuter choice. The station is along 1A at Enon Street and Dodge Street, is in Zone 5, and offers ample parking plus PayByPhone options, according to Mass By Train’s North Beverly page.
This area functions more like a park-and-ride node than a walk-to-everything station district. Its location near Route 1A and a highway-oriented corridor can be a plus if your workweek involves driving, flexible schedules, or errands that make car access important.
Buyers who choose North Beverly are often prioritizing convenience in a different way. Instead of maximizing walkability, they are looking for a quieter station setup and a residential pattern that likely leans lower-density than downtown.
Who North Beverly Fits Best
North Beverly may be the right fit if you want:
- Easier station parking
- Stronger car access for daily life
- A quieter commute experience
- Housing that may skew more toward detached homes and lower-density settings
If you are comfortable driving to the station and want that extra breathing room, North Beverly can make a lot of sense.
Beverly Farms for Coastal-Village Appeal
If lifestyle matters as much as logistics, Beverly Farms stands out. The station on Oak Street is in Zone 5 and offers free parking and bike storage, according to Mass By Train’s Beverly Farms station page.
The City of Beverly profile describes Beverly Farms as a picturesque area along Route 127 with boutiques and restaurants. With nearby access to West Beach and Beverly Commons Conservation Area, this station area has the strongest coastal-village identity of Beverly’s four commuter stops.
For Boston commuters, Beverly Farms works best if you do not mind driving or biking to the train and want your home search to lean more suburban and coastal than urban and transit-centered.
Who Beverly Farms Fits Best
Beverly Farms may be ideal if you want:
- A coastal-village setting
- Free station parking
- A less dense housing environment
- A home search shaped more by lifestyle and setting than downtown walkability
This is a strong option for buyers who want their commute to stay workable while still enjoying a distinctly coastal part of Beverly.
Last-Mile Options in Beverly
Even if you rely on the train, getting to and from the station still matters. Beverly has a few local transit options that can help fill gaps.
The Beverly comprehensive plan notes that the Beverly Shuttle connects destinations such as Beverly Hospital, Beverly Depot, City Hall, and Cummings Center. That can be especially useful if your day includes work, appointments, or errands beyond the station area.
The city also says the Salem Skipper on-demand rideshare service expanded into Beverly in May 2024. It operates without a fixed route or schedule and is best understood as a flexible last-mile tool rather than a replacement for commuter rail.
There is also MBTA Route 451 between North Beverly Station and Salem Depot, but the city describes it more as a neighborhood connector than a primary Boston commuting solution. If your goal is an easy trip into Boston, the train remains the main story.
Housing Trade-Offs to Expect
No matter where you look in Beverly, it helps to go in with realistic expectations. The city’s transit access and North Shore location support steady demand, and convenience often carries a premium.
The research report notes that Beverly remained expensive by regional standards, with Redfin reporting a median sale price of $756,000 in February 2026, Zillow reporting an average home value of $741,297 as of February 28, 2026, and Realtor.com describing Beverly as a seller’s market in January 2026. While the exact home you buy will depend on condition, size, and location, the broader pattern is clear: the most walkable transit-oriented areas often come with strong competition.
That is why it helps to decide early what matters most to you:
- Shortest possible train access
- Walkability and downtown convenience
- Easier parking and driving flexibility
- More space and a calmer setting
- Coastal character and village feel
When you know your priorities, it becomes much easier to target the right part of Beverly instead of chasing every listing that hits the market.
How to Choose the Right Beverly Area
If you are still deciding where to focus, start with your weekly routine instead of just your wish list. Think about how often you commute, whether you drive to the train, and how important walkability is after work or on weekends.
Here is a simple way to frame it:
- Choose Beverly Depot if you want the most walkable, train-first lifestyle.
- Choose Montserrat if you want a balanced mix of rail access and neighborhood feel.
- Choose North Beverly if you want parking ease and a more car-friendly setup.
- Choose Beverly Farms if you want a coastal-village setting and are comfortable with a park-and-ride rhythm.
The right answer is less about which station is best on paper and more about which one fits how you actually live.
If you are planning a move to Beverly and want help comparing neighborhoods, commute patterns, and available homes, the The North Shore and More Team at eXp can help you narrow your options and build a strategy that fits your timeline.
FAQs
Which Beverly station is best for the easiest Boston commute?
- For many buyers, Beverly Depot is the easiest option because it is the most walkable and sits in the city’s most transit-oriented area.
Which Beverly area offers a balance of commute and neighborhood feel?
- Montserrat is often the best middle-ground choice because it combines rail access with a more central, neighborhood-oriented setting.
Which Beverly station is best if you want easy parking?
- North Beverly is a strong option if parking matters most, since the station is described as having ample parking and functions well as a park-and-ride stop.
Which Beverly area feels most coastal for commuters?
- Beverly Farms has the strongest coastal-village character, with free parking, bike storage, and nearby access to West Beach and Beverly Commons Conservation Area.
Are there local transit options in Beverly beyond the commuter rail?
- Yes. Beverly offers the Beverly Shuttle for local connections and the Salem Skipper as an on-demand last-mile option, but commuter rail remains the main Boston commute solution.
