We had a fabulous 2-week stay in Rockport! Carson and his family were extremely friendly and accommodating (including the family dog, Coco) and were available any time we needed anything. One evening at 9pm or so, one of our kids needed a pencil sharpener. We texted Carson and two of his kids immediately brought it over - it's the small things that count!
The location couldn't have been better - 2 blocks to downtown Rockport, 2 blocks to Front Beach, and 10min by foot to the commuter rail station (if you need to get into Boston). For the two weeks, it became our outpost for exploring Cape Ann (Gloucester, Manchester-by-the-Sea), the coast of north eastern Massachusetts, and even south eastern Maine (Kittery, Kennebunkport, Ogunquit). Because you're north of the city, traffic is never really an issue (except maybe on weekend mornings near the public beaches). Even on rainy/cloudy days, there is plenty to do other than the beach.
My wife and I were traveling with two young children and the apartment was more than enough space for the four of us. Plenty of closets/storage, a fully equipped kitchen with dishwasher, laundry (a huge plus on a long stay), plenty of extra linens, a great patio with grill in the back, a dining area, large living room with two comfortable couches and ample parking in the driveway (although street parking didn't look like it would have posed any issues). A friend stayed with us one night and used one of the two rollaway beds that were provided. Wifi was great too and plenty fast for Netflix, etc.
I tried to think of anything that could have been improved, but couldn't really come up with anything.
Some highlights from our trip and potential places to visit:
-Hammond Castle
-Halibut Point State Park
-Wingaersheek Beach (especially at low tide)
-Good Harbor Beach
-Singing Beach
-Gloucester Harbor Water Shuttle and Rocky Neck
-Nubble Lighthouse on Cape Neddick
-The Lobster Pool restaurant at sunset
-Chauncey Creek Lobster Pier
-Portsmouth Harbor
-Fort McClary State Park
-Rafes Chasm
-Newburyport & Plum Island