WINCHESTER
Winchester is a mid-sized inner suburb with great appeal owing to its well-regarded public school system and extensive outdoor and recreational offerings. It developed around the Aberjona River, and two stations along the Boston & Lowell Railroad Line (which continue to operate). It is home to a Montessori School, the private Acera School, the Winchester Boat Club, and the Winchester Country Club. The Mystic Lakes, Middlesex Fells Reservation, and numerous parks contribute to Winchester’s reputation for fostering an active lifestyle.
SCHOOLS
Niche School District Rating A+
lowest: Diversity (B-)
highest: College Prep (A+)
GreatSchools 9 out of 10
FOOD
A Tavola + Studio on the Common + Karma + D’Agostino’s + Eleni’s Mediterranean + Swanton Street Diner
Cafe Nero + The Gingerbread Construction Company
Stop N Shop + Whole Foods
OUTDOORS
Middlesex Fells Reservation + Tri Community Greenway + Winchester Boat Club + Winchester Country Club
TRANSPORT
Winchester Center Lowell Line to North Station + Wedgmere Lowell Line to North Station + MBTA 134 Bus to Wellington Station + MBTA 350 Bus to Alewife Station + Interstate 93 at Stoneham + Interstate 95 at Woburn + Mystic Valley Parkway
ARLINGTON
Arlington is a large suburb, situated just past Cambridge/Somerville, on the way to Lexington. It has three main areas: East Arlington, with Capitol Square and much multi-family homes; Arlington Center, with restaurants and cultural activities; and Arlington Heights, with mostly single family homes. Cut through by the Minuteman Commuter Bikeway, which is built upon the decommissioned Middlesex Central Railroad, Arlington is popular for those commuting to Cambridge and Boston, or anywhere accessed by Route 2 or the Parkways. Massachusetts Avenue is the main commercial corridor. The smaller neighborhoods of Jason Heights, Turkey Hill, Morningside, and Mount Gilboa offer tree-lined living amongst historic homes.
SCHOOLS
Niche School District Rating A+
lowest: Administration (B-)
highest: Academics (A+)
GreatSchools 9 out of 10
FOOD
Zomsa + Prep Neighborhood Kitchen + Punjab + La Victoria Taqueria
Barismo + The Mill Cafe + Kickstand Cafe
Trader Joe’s + Whole Foods
OUTDOORS
Minuteman Commuter Bikeway + Spy Pond Park + Menotomy Rocks Park + Arlington Reservoir
TRANSPORT
Minuteman Commuter Bikeway + MBTA 77 Bus to Harvard Square + MBTA 80 Bus to the Green Line in Somerville + Massachusetts Route 2 + Mystic Valley Parkway + Alewife Brook Parkway
LEXINGTON
Famed in the annals of American history, Lexington is a classic New England suburb. With one of the nation’s premier public school districts, Lexington has long been home to Boston-area academics and leaders. Single family homes predominate, with properties of great historic significance and developments of various eras, including famed mid-century “deck house” tracts. Replete with open spaces and bisected by the Minuteman Bikeway, Lexington is served by the localized Lexpress bus network, and has robust library and senior services.
SCHOOLS
Niche School District Rating A+
lowest: Administration (B+)
highest: Academics (A+)
GreatSchools 10 out of 10
FOOD
il Casale + Mario’s + Upper Crust Pizzeria + Daikanyama + Town Meeting Bistro + Royal Indian + Taipei Gourmet
Tatte + Nouvé Bakery
Wilson Farm + Stop n Shop + Lexington Farmer’s Market
OUTDOORS
Minuteman Commuter Bikeway + The Great Meadow + Tophet Swamp + Upper & Lower Vine Brook + The Old Reservoir + Willard’s Woods + Hayden Woods + Fiske Hill
TRANSPORT
Minuteman Commuter Bikeway + Lexpress + MBTA 62/76 Buses to Alewife Station + MBTA 78 Bus to Harvard Square + Massachusetts Route 2 + Interstate 95
BELMONT
Belmont is a large suburb, adjacent to Cambridge and served by two Commuter Rail stations. With well-regarded public schools and a variety of housing types, Belmont is historically a popular option for academics, business and political leaders, and blue collar workers alike. Belmont features walkable streets, several town center,s, and great open spaces and sports fields. Roughly separated into three areas — the denser east, moderately dense center area, and Belmont Hill, a more exclusive neighborhood of large homes on bigger plots of land — Belmont is conducive to a variety of lifestyles.
SCHOOLS
Niche School District Rating A+
lowest: Diversity (B)
highest: Academics (A+)
GreatSchools 10 out of 10
FOOD
My Other Kitchen + il Casale + The Wellington Tavern + Patou Thai + La Victoria Taqueria
Butternut Bakehouse + Sofra + Tatte
Star Market
OUTDOORS
Fresh Pond Reservation + Beaver Brook Reservation + Payson Park Reservoir + Clay Pit Pond Park + Town Field
TRANSPORT
Belmont Fitchburg Line to North Station + Waverly Fitchburg Line to North Station + MBTA 74/75 Buses to Harvard Square + Massachusetts Route 2 + Fresh Pond Parkway
WELLESLEY
Wellesley is an important suburb served by three Commuter Rail stations, with well-regarded public schools, and mostly single-family housing stock. Wellesley College and Babson College are major institutions in a town interwoven by extensive open spaces and village-like centers.
SCHOOLS
Niche School District Rating A+
lowest: Diversity (B-)
highest: College Prep (A+)
GreatSchools 9 out of 10
FOOD
Juniper + black & blue + The Local + Maugus Restaurant + Cafe Mangal + La Toscana’s + The Cottage
Quebrada + Tatte + Caffe Nero
Whole Foods + Roche Brothers
OUTDOORS
Centennial Park + Hunnewell Field + Boulder Brook Reservation + Ridge Hill Reservation + Brook Path
TRANSPORT
Wellesley Farms Worcester Line to South Station + Wellesley Hills Worcester Line to South Station + Wellesley Square Worcester Line to South Station + MBTA 74/75 Buses to Harvard Square + Massachusetts Route 2 + Fresh Pond Parkway
NEEDHAM
Needham is a mid-sized suburb known for town centers clustered around its four Commuter Rail stations. Needham is largely a commuter community, with mostly single family homes. Bounded by the Charles River and extensive open spaces, Needham offers a suburban lifestyle with ready access to the City. It has seen a large amount of growth in the past several years.
SCHOOLS
Niche School District Rating A+
lowest: Diversity (C+)
highest: Academics (A+)
GreatSchools 10 out of 10
FOOD
Cappella + The Common Room + The James + Little Spoon
Cafe Fresh Bagel + French Press Bakery + Hazel’s Bakery
Trader Joe’s + Roche Brothers
OUTDOORS
Cutler Park Reservation + Cutler Meadows + Memorial Park + Cricket Field + Greene’s Field
TRANSPORT
Hersey Needham Line to South Station + Needham Junction Needham Line to South Station + Needham Center Needham Line to South Station + Needham Heights Needham Line to South Station + MBTA 59 Bus to Watertown Square + Riverside Green Line Station (D Branch) + Interstate 95
NEWTON
Newton is a major suburb famous for its 13 village centers. With a wide variety of density and housing types, Newton is home to a diverse demographic. Newton’s northern neighborhoods have great access to the Charles River, and are served by several Commuter Rail stops. Newton Centre is the largest, village-like “downtown” and is served by the Green Line, as are many of Newton’s other neighborhoods. The southern and western parts of Newton are more residential. Newton has celebrated public schools and its closeness to Cambridge and Boston attract many commuting residents, especially those who value more density and walkability.
SCHOOLS
Niche School District Rating A+
lowest: Diversity (B+)
highest: Academics (A+)
GreatSchools 8 and 9 out of 10
FOOD
Sycamore + Thistle and Leek + MIDA + Grandma’s Kitchen + Buttonwood + Olivia’s Bistro
Mike and Patty’s + Cabot Ice Cream + George Howell + Tatte + Lakon + Salt
Wegmans + Star Market + Trader Joe’s
OUTDOORS
Charles River Reservation + Hammond Pond Reservation + Cold Spring Park + Albemarle + Gallagher Park
TRANSPORT
Auburndale Worcester Line to South Station + West Newton Worcester Line to South Station + Newtonville Worcester Line to South Station + Riverside - Newton Center - Chestnut Hill Green Line D Branch + Numerous MBTA Bus Lines + Interstate 95 + Interstate 90
BROOKLINE
Brookline is part of the urban core of Boston, with a distinctive character that bridges urban, suburban, and estate living. Brookline has premier public schools, an extensive network of parks, and is well-served by transit. With many historic neighborhoods, Brookline has housing stock of all types. A very dog-friendly and walkable community, it is a favorite of academics, medical professionals, and families of all types.
SCHOOLS
Niche School District Rating A+
lowest: Diversity (A-)
highest: Academics (A+)
GreatSchools 8 out of 10
FOOD
Mahaniyom + Blossom Bar + Noah’s Kitchen + Bar Taco + Bar Vlaha + Ganko Ittetsu Ramen + Barcelona Wine Bar + Liyin Rice Roll
Cafe Fixe + Tatte + Maruichi Select + Cutty’s
Whole Foods + H Mart + Trader Joe’s + Star Market + Stop n Shop
OUTDOORS
Griggs Park + Corey Hill Park + Waldenstein Playground + Amory Playground + Cypress Field + Rose Garden
TRANSPORT
Brighton Stops on Green Line B Branch + Saint Mary’s - Coolidge Corner - Washington Square Green Line C Branch + Longwood - Brookline Village - Beaconsfield Green Line D Branch + Numerous MBTA Bus Lines + Massachusetts Route 9 + Interstate 90 at Allston/Brighton