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• LOCAL INFO
• Martha'sVineyard Real Estate

Martha'sVineyard Real Estate

• Population: 15,000 to 75,000 in season
  
• Settled: 1642
  
• Square Miles: 87.48
  
• 2011 Tax Rate: Varies per town 
• Best known for: A great vacation spot.
  

Martha's Vineyard is a delightful island off the coast of Massachusetts.  It was first home to the Wampanoag Indian tribe and in 1642 was settled by Europeans. It is believed that the island was named after the daughter of Bartholomew Gosnold an English explorer that first sailed to the island in 1602.  Martha's Vineyard is the largest island on the East coast of America  that is not attached to the mainland by a bridge or tunnel so to visit you will need to board a boat or airplane.  The steamship authority ferry has terminals in Woods hole Falmouth, Hyannis, and New Bedford or hop aboard a Cape Air shuttle and fly.   The island consists of 6 distinctive towns known as Aquinnah (Gay Head), Chilmark, Edgartown, Oak Bluffs, Vineyard Haven (Tisbury) and West Tisbury.  Each town has its own distinctive identity and character.  Vineyard Haven, Edgartown and Oak Bluffs tend to be a bit more commercial or "modern" they still hold fast to their yester year ways with very active water fronts.  Keep in mind that these three towns are the only ones you can purchase alcohol on the island and in Vineyard Haven only with a meal. The other 3 towns are what is known as "dry towns".  To see the island the way it has appeared for centuries you will want to visit the home of the Wampanoags that is Aquinnah, or see the rolling fields, woods and farm lands of West Tisbury and Chilmark.  These unspoiled areas of the island are a result of years of careful planning and preservation by various land planning and conservation groups on the island.    

While there enjoy the sand, salt, art galleries, restaurants, shopping and nightlife!  Visit for a day and rent a bike, scooter, jeep or board the bus with an all day pass and explore the towns at your leisure.  Martha's Vineyard is a treasure to behold.