Edgartown
Edgartown is the elegant stylist of the island. Known for its stunning Greek Revival architecture and luxurious Dutch Colonials designed by architect Patrick Ahern, Edgartown has taken its commanding whaling captain homes to new heights.
Swimming pools, attached guest houses and protected courtyards are prominent enhancements to homes whose fast-rising prices have reflected that trend. You'll be lucky to find a home under $2 million in the heart of town and that marker is spreading its influence outward towards Katama and South Beach.
Low Taxes
One saving grace to the price inflation of Edgartown real estate is its low tax rate. The real estate tax rate for fiscal 2023 is $2.52, one of the lowest rates on the island.
Buying Property in Edgartown
There are six general areas in Edgartown to buy property, although some areas are further localized by names such as Slough Cove and Turkeyland Cove.
Downtown Edgartown – the heart of town reaching out from Edgartown Harbor toward the Triangle. Prices range from $200,000 of an Edgartown Commons condominium to $8.5M+
South Shore – Homes around Edgartown Great Pond out to the island's South Shore. Recent prices range from $1.725M near the West Tisbury-Edgartown Road to $11M on Wintucket Cove.
Katama – The area close by and overlooking Katama Bay near South Beach. Recent prices range from land on Meshacket to $12.25M at the Bayside neighborhood overlooking the bay.
Central Edgartown – The area bracketed to the north by the Vineyard Haven-Edgartown Road and to the south by West Tishbury-Edgartown road. Recent prices range from $350,000 for a lot on Pennywise Path to $3.3M just off the West-Tisbury-Edgartown Road.
Chappy – The island of Chappaquiddick, accessible by the On Time ferry, a three-car, floating transport that has no schedule and commutes back and forth from a slip near the Edgartown dock to a slip on Chappaquiddick Island. The trip takes about 5-6 minutes, but lines are common in summer. Prices range from $1.6M to $3.3M.
Sengy – Sengekontacket Pond, a large body of water bounded to the northeast by the barrier State Beach, spans two towns, Oak Bluffs and Edgartown. Property runs along the pond edges in places such as Majors Cove and The Boulevard. Recent prices range from $160,000 (land) to $3.45M.
Guest House Zoning
One guest house is allowed on a lot with a single-family dwelling in which the dwelling shall have been in existence for not less than five years. Such guesthouse shall not be larger than 900 square feet in total livable floor space.
The front, side, and rear set back requirements for a guest house shall be the same as those provided for a principal structure in the zoning district in which it is located. The lot on which a guest house is constructed must have a minimum area of 15,000 square feet. Either the original or subsequent building may be designated as a guest house.
Edgartown School
Edgartown is served by The Edgartown School. Enrollment is 348 in grades K through 8.
The school is known for its well-regarded enrichment program which includes NAL, EPGY math program, Edgartown readers, KMO and mock trial. Once eight-graders graduate, they move on to the Regional High School in Oak Bluffs.
The school recently built a new building, replacing its 50-year-old red brick structure. The two school buildings are connected by the gym.
