Is Sharon the Best Town in MA for Families Who Love the Outdoors?
Nestled between Boston and Providence, Sharon, Massachusetts has steadily built a reputation as one of the state’s best-kept secrets for families who love nature, community, and education. In 2025, this Norfolk County gem is seeing renewed attention from buyers who crave access to the outdoors without sacrificing convenience or quality of life. With a population just over 18,000 and more than 40% of its land preserved as open space, Sharon offers a rare blend of suburban peace and natural immersion that’s hard to find in the Greater Boston area.
The town’s crown jewel is Lake Massapoag, a 353-acre natural lake surrounded by beaches, parks, and year-round recreation opportunities. Families flock to its shores in summer for swimming, sailing, and kayaking, while the fall foliage transforms the area into a picture-perfect retreat. In winter, the lake often freezes over, and locals gather for skating and cross-country skiing. Trails and picnic areas circle the lake, and the nearby Deborah Sampson Park adds ball fields, playgrounds, and family programs that extend the lake’s appeal beyond water-based fun.
What truly sets Sharon apart, though, is the town’s deep commitment to land conservation. Borderland State Park, Moose Hill Wildlife Sanctuary, and Mass Audubon’s hundreds of protected acres offer families unmatched opportunities to hike, birdwatch, and engage in environmental education. In 2025, the town launched a new “Green Sharon” initiative, investing in improved signage, trail maintenance, and native habitat restoration, further solidifying its identity as a town in sync with nature. Moose Hill’s extensive network of trails now includes stroller-accessible loops, making outdoor access possible for even the youngest residents.
Parents looking to raise their children in a community that values both academic and outdoor excellence are taking note. Sharon Public Schools remain top-ranked, with the high school continuing to earn national accolades for academic rigor, arts programming, and college preparation. Outdoor learning is emphasized at all levels. In 2025, Sharon Middle School expanded its environmental science curriculum with the introduction of a solar greenhouse and school-wide composting. Meanwhile, elementary schools now include “nature Fridays,” where classrooms head outdoors for interdisciplinary, hands-on exploration.
Beyond education, Sharon has made key infrastructure improvements in recent years to support its growing popularity. The MBTA commuter rail station allows residents to reach Boston’s South Station in under 35 minutes, making Sharon an ideal location for hybrid and full-time commuters alike. The addition of a new park-and-ride facility and expanded bike racks at the station have improved accessibility and encouraged more sustainable transit habits. Road improvements and the completion of the East Street Trail connector have also enhanced bike and pedestrian access between neighborhoods, parks, and schools.
For working parents, Sharon offers a surprisingly robust set of local services and amenities. The Sharon Recreation Department hosts seasonal activities from toddler playgroups and youth sports to teen hiking clubs and summer nature camps. New in 2025 is a collaboration with the Massachusetts Outdoor Heritage Council to bring family geocaching and orienteering challenges to all ages. Local libraries and the Council on Aging have partnered to host intergenerational nature walks and educational series, emphasizing connection across age groups and fostering community bonds through shared experiences outdoors.
Affordability is another factor that keeps Sharon high on the list for buyers seeking long-term value. As of Q2 2025, the median home price in Sharon is $699,000—below the Norfolk County median and significantly more accessible than nearby Newton or Needham. First-time buyers are increasingly targeting Sharon’s smaller ranches and capes, while larger colonials and custom builds on wooded lots offer room to grow. Zoning changes passed in 2024 allow for the creation of accessory dwelling units (ADUs), making it easier for families to accommodate multigenerational living or generate rental income.
Sharon’s small-town charm is preserved through thoughtful community planning and active civic engagement. The town green hosts farmer’s markets, outdoor concerts, and nature-themed art fairs throughout the warmer months. Local restaurants and cafes are increasingly offering al fresco dining and pet-friendly patios, creating walkable hubs where residents can connect. In 2025, a new local grant funded the expansion of Sharon’s urban forestry plan, planting over 100 new trees along residential corridors and trail entrances to increase shade and support ecological diversity.
The town’s diversity is another notable strength. Sharon is recognized as one of the most culturally diverse suburbs in Massachusetts, and this richness is reflected in community events, schools, and local businesses. Multicultural outdoor festivals, international food pop-ups, and nature walks led in multiple languages are part of the town’s efforts to ensure that all residents feel welcome in its parks and public spaces. The Sharon Friends of Conservation group hosts an annual “Nature for All” event celebrating cultural perspectives on the environment through music, storytelling, and food.
For those who work remotely or are considering blended work arrangements, Sharon’s housing stock is highly accommodating. Many homes feature finished basements, bonus rooms, or backyard studios that can be adapted for home offices. Internet infrastructure in the town is strong, with recent upgrades to fiber-optic service by local providers. Co-working hubs in nearby Foxborough and Canton also offer flexible workspaces for those who prefer a change of scenery, all within a 10–15 minute drive.
Healthcare access and public services round out the town’s appeal. Sharon residents benefit from proximity to major health centers in Boston and the South Shore, while locally, urgent care and pediatric offices are expanding. In 2025, the town finalized plans for a new wellness-focused community center featuring indoor walking paths, fitness rooms, and space for nutrition workshops and outdoor recreation planning. This facility will serve as a year-round complement to the town’s active trail and park network.
Sharon’s resilience to climate and environmental pressures is another draw. With sustainable zoning ordinances, green infrastructure investments, and an active energy efficiency task force, the town is preparing for a future where outdoor access and ecological preservation will only grow in importance. New home construction increasingly includes solar readiness, electric vehicle charging, and drought-tolerant landscaping—all in alignment with the town’s long-term environmental goals.
Sharon’s rare ability to blend small-town simplicity, rich outdoor offerings, academic excellence, and progressive planning continues to make it a standout choice. Whether it’s an early morning paddle on Lake Massapoag, a family bike ride through Moose Hill, or an evening on the green surrounded by neighbors and starlight, the outdoor lifestyle here isn’t just a backdrop—it’s the heart of daily life.
Looking to the future, Sharon is not resting on its laurels. Town leadership has initiated plans for an Outdoor Learning Collaborative—a regional initiative that will bring environmental education directly into schoolyards and public lands, supported by grants and private partnerships. In addition, local youth groups and scouting organizations are now integrating climate resilience into their badge and service project programs, fostering a new generation of civic-minded outdoor stewards. These forward-thinking strategies ensure that Sharon’s values are not only preserved, but actively passed on to the next generation.
🎥 See Sharon in Action
In 2025, with families reevaluating what matters most—community, space, and nature—Sharon continues to check every box. It’s not just a town with great schools and nice homes. It’s a place where you can grow, breathe, explore, and connect. That’s the Sharon difference—and for families who love the outdoors, it’s a difference that matters more than ever.