New Bedford is a very unique city to live in. There are many different things to do in this area. The City of Boston is approx. 1 hour away, Providence, RI is only 45 minutes west, and the cape and islands are only a short distance away. The ocean in this area offers a wide variety of things to do in the summer from boating and fishing to going to the beach for the day. The New Bedford Whaling Museum is a wonderful place to visit as well as the National Historical park surrounding the museum. Once one of the richest cities on the Eastern seaboard, New Bedford has morphed from a whaling giant to a textile Mecca and to its present day status as a hub for new business, recreation and arts. New Bedford's illustrious beginnings stretch back to the 1800s, when whaleboats dotted the waterfront. They arrived from long journeys full of oil, blubber and bone, bringing in millions of dollars to the city. The East's wealthy built massive homes along the streets running from the waterfront, many replete with Widow's Walks, so wives could spy their husbands' ship as it entered port. Many of these historic homes remain, lovingly renovated by residents, or transformed into medical and insurance offices. The waterfront has changed as well, although New Bedford remains a large fishing port. The city has capitalized on its history by revitalizing the downtown area and adding more restaurants, museums and attractions. Now, visitors can walk through the New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park. Created in 1996, the park encompasses 34 acres spread over 13 city blocks and includes a visitor center, the New Bedford Whaling Museum, the Seamen's Bethel, the schooner Ernestina and the Rotch-Jones-Duff House and Garden Museum. New Bedford offers a wide array of services and recreation to residents. The Buttonwood Park Zoo showcases a variety of exotic and domestic wildlife. The park itself is a great place to walk, picnic or paddleboat. New Bedford boasts large, public beaches, with plenty of inlands to set sail. Here you will find no parking fees, easy access and few large crowds. A bike path loops by Fort Taber, which overlooks Clark's Cove and Buzzard's Bay and runs by both the east and west beaches. Fishing still constitutes a livelihood for many residents, but New Bedford has diversified its business pursuits in recent years. Downtown hosts restaurants, banks, stores and dozens of offices. The New Bedford Industrial Park is home to larger businesses, many of which are high technology. And there is plenty of mom and pop stores, as well as chain department stores and shopping plazas, scattered throughout to meet everyday needs. There are approximately 23 public elementary schools, 3 junior high schools and 2 high schools in New Bedford; ensuring getting to school from any point in New Bedford is convenient. New Bedford also boasts several private schools and a new charter school. Buying in this eclectic city remains popular for many reasons, including a varied array of prices and home types. The real estate market in New Bedford remains steady. New Bedford is a very sought after area, and it is easy to see why!