Salem, Massachusetts is a smaller, but vibrant city located conveniently close to Boston but full of much to see and do in its own right too. Salem is a beautiful seaport town situated right on Massachusetts Bay, and one that boasts many beautiful conservation areas along the Forest River that runs through the town. It’s a city with an eclectic, ecologically-minded vibe, rich history, friendly people, and a small, but thriving LGBTQ community.
A Look at Salem's History
When people think of Salem, one specific part of its history often jumps to mind – the famous Salem witchcraft trials of the 17th century. This is understandable, as these trials brought national and even international attention to the Salem area. The history of Salem goes far beyond its witchy past, however. Founded in the early 1600s by the Puritans who traveled over from England, Salem has always been an important seaport and center of trade and remains so to this day. Today, it is a city with a rich history and a bright, forward-thinking future, offering much to see and do.
A Few Fun Facts About Salem
Read more fun facts about Salem here.
Salem’s LGBTQ Community
Salem is a city that loves and supports its LGBTQ community with a variety of resources, including:
Greater Boston PFLAG is Salem’s local chapter of the national PFLAG organization, which is the largest grassroots organization of its kind in the country. PFLAG is well-known for its mission of supporting LGBTQ people, friends, family, and allies across the country in a wide variety of ways. With 500 chapters and more than 200,000 members in the United States, PFLAG plays a critical role in providing advocacy, support, and resources to the LGBTQ community.
North Shore Pride is a community-based organization committed to serving the LGBTQ community in the greater Salem area. Its mission is to promote the general welfare and unity of the LGBTQ community in the greater Salem area. Throughout the year, the group works toward this mission by providing resources, organizing events, and creating opportunities to build the community. It’s a great way to get connected and become involved.
What's the Weather Like in Salem?
Those who live in Salem can expect to experience all four distinct seasons each year. Summer highs typically reach around 80º in July, while lows in January often drop to around 18ºF. Winters can be cold and quite snowy – with an average of 42 inches of snowfall each year. Salem receives an average of 47 inches of rain per year, and around 198 sunny days. Spring and fall are usually mild and pleasant, and offer plenty of opportunities to enjoy the outdoors.
Can’t-Miss Events in Salem
North Shore Pride is the city’s annual pride celebration for the LGBTQ community. It's a great way to celebrate, connect to the community, participate in important and helpful causes, and especially, to have fun! You’ll definitely want to put this event on your calendar each year.
With the tagline #wickedproud, Boston has been proudly celebrating its LGBTQ community for 50 years. Pride is a weeklong festival full of activities and events intended to celebrate the LGBTQ community and promote inclusivity, equality, respect, and awareness in Greater Boston and beyond. It’s a week you won’t want to miss!
The Best Neighborhoods in Salem
Unlike some larger towns that have one primarily gay neighborhood, Salem’s LGBTQ community tends to be a bit more spread out across the city. This isn’t a bad thing though – it simply means that there are many wonderful neighborhoods in town to choose from.
Perhaps unsurprisingly, Salem has many older, historic federal-style homes, and neighborhoods full of character and beautiful, tree-lined streets. For the religious-minded, it's worth noting that scattered throughout the communities are many welcoming and open-minded places of worship, despite Salem's history of religious intolerance.
The median list price of homes currently for sale in Salem is $478,950, and the median list price per square foot is $392.
Arts and Entertainment
If you’re someone who loves excellent and entertaining films, you won't want to miss the annual Salem Film Festival. It is the largest international documentary film festival in Massachusetts, usually showcasing more than 80 films each year.
The Salem Arts Festival is a very popular annual event held in downtown Salem each year that draws thousands of visitors and encourages community participation in the arts. For more than 13 years, the festival has featured a wide variety of vendors and performance art, and it’s a great way to spend a day having fun with friends.
Parks and Recreation
If you're in the mood for the spooky, and if you love true history, the Salem Witch Museum is a must-see spot in Salem. The museum features life-size stage sets, tours, and a variety of exhibits exploring the Salem Witch Trials of 1692, in addition to exploring modern-day witchcraft.
The Peabody Essex Museum, or PEM, for short, was founded in 1799, making it the oldest continuously operating museum in the United States. This world-class museum has an excellent collection of both historical and avant-garde art and is a great place to spend a day feeling inspired and having fun.
Salem Nightlife
Though not exclusively an LGBTQ bar, Bit Bar is a very friendly and popular nightspot in Salem that should be on everyone's list of must-try spots for a night out. The bar features classic arcade and pinball games, delicious food, and a full bar offering craft cocktails and local beer in a fun, historic setting.
Contact a Salem Gay Realtor Today
If you're ready to make a move to Salem, at www.gayrealestate.com, we're here to help you take the first step toward finding an agent who knows and loves the community, and who can help you find a home and a neighborhood you'll love. We're proud to have a network of excellent realtors in Salem, and we would love to help connect you with the right one. Contact a Salem gay realtor today for a free, no-obligation consultation!
