Overview
Duxbury is in Plymouth County, Massachusetts, located on the Atlantic coast about 35 miles south of Boston. Its comfortable, residential atmosphere and oceanside location have made Duxbury an ideal retirement destination where active adults can enjoy plenty of outdoor recreation and access to the ocean.
Climate & Geography
Most of Massachusetts experiences a humid continental climate with warm, humid summers and cold, snowy winters, however Duxbury is a part of the coastal plains region of Eastern Massachusetts which has a humid subtropical climate and experiences milder winters compared to the rest of the state.
The surrounding terrain is mostly rolling hills and flatlands interspersed with marshes, lakes, and ponds. As a seaside town, Duxbury's eastern border is made up of Duxbury Beach, a six-mile long barrier beach that separates Duxbury Bay from the Atlantic Ocean. In the west end of town, residents will find several conservation areas and forests situated among local rivers and marches, which are fed by a number of tributaries leading from Back River at the north end of Duxbury Bay.
Recreation, Culture & Entertainment
There are many options for residents to enjoy the outdoors in Duxbury. Along with four other beaches within the town's borders, Duxbury Beach Park is the largest, offering miles of sandy dunes and amenities. The town is also home to nature reserves such as Island Creek Pond, North Hill Marsh, and Powder Point. Active adults will find plenty of opportunities for hiking, camping, swimming, sightseeing, and more.
Duxbury is home to a handful of historical landmarks, art galleries, and museums, including Alden House Historic Site, Myles Standish Monument, and Duxbury Rural & Historical Society. Downtown, residents will find local establishments and a village-like atmosphere.
Cost of Living & Taxes
The overall cost of living in Duxbury is significantly higher than state and national averages, due to housing and home prices that are two-and-half times higher than the national average. Health care is the only below-average cost of living metric, but it is significantly lower than average.
Massachusetts does not tax Social Security benefits and most government employee pension income. However, it also has some of the highest property taxes, ranking among the top 15 states in the U.S. Homeowners and renters who are 70 or older qualify for a refundable tax credit on their state income taxes to offset their property taxes. The combined sales tax rate in Duxbury is 6.250 percent.
Health Care
While there are no hospitals in Duxbury, there are two within 15 miles, both of which are rated high performing by U.S. News in two procedures: Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital in Plymouth and Signature Healthcare Brockton Hospital.