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
Tier A
Niche School District Rating A+
lowest: Diversity (A-)
highest: Academics (A+)
FOOD
Tier A
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
Tier A-
Griggs Park + Corey Hill Park + Waldenstein Playground + Amory Playground + Cypress Field + Rose Garden
TRANSPORT
Tier A-
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
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
Tier A
Niche School District Rating A+
lowest: Diversity (B+)
highest: Academics (A+)
FOOD
Tier A-
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
Tier A-
Charles River Reservation + Hammond Pond Reservation + Cold Spring Park + Albemarle + Gallagher Park
TRANSPORT
Tier A-
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
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 architecturally important 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
Tier A
Niche School District Rating A+
lowest: Administration (B+)
highest: Academics (A+)
FOOD
Tier B
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
Tier A
Minuteman Commuter Bikeway + The Great Meadow + Tophet Swamp + Upper & Lower Vine Brook + The Old Reservoir + Willard’s Woods + Hayden Woods + Fiske Hill
TRANSPORT
Tier B
Minuteman Commuter Bikeway + Lexpress + MBTA 62/76 Buses to Alewife Station + MBTA 78 Bus to Harvard Square + Massachusetts Route 2 + Interstate 95
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
Tier A-
Niche School District Rating A+
lowest: Diversity (B-)
highest: College Prep (A+)
FOOD
Tier B
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
Tier A
Middlesex Fells Reservation + Tri Community Greenway + Winchester Boat Club + Winchester Country Club
TRANSPORT
Tier B
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
Tier A-
Niche School District Rating A+
lowest: Administration (B-)
highest: Academics (A+)
FOOD
Tier B
Toraya + Zomsa + Prep Neighborhood Kitchen + Punjab + La Victoria Taqueria
Barismo + The Mill Cafe + Kickstand Cafe
Trader Joe’s + Whole Foods
OUTDOORS
Tier A-
Minuteman Commuter Bikeway + Spy Pond Park + Menotomy Rocks Park + Arlington Reservoir
TRANSPORT
Tier B
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
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
Tier A-
Niche School District Rating A+
lowest: Diversity (B)
highest: Academics (A+)
FOOD
Tier B
My Other Kitchen + il Casale + The Wellington Tavern + Patou Thai + La Victoria Taqueria
Butternut Bakehouse + Sofra + Tatte
Star Market
OUTDOORS
Tier B
Fresh Pond Reservation + Beaver Brook Reservation + Payson Park Reservoir + Clay Pit Pond Park + Town Field
TRANSPORT
Tier B
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
Tier A-
Niche School District Rating A+
lowest: Diversity (B-)
highest: College Prep (A+)
FOOD
Tier B
Juniper + black & blue + The Local + Maugus Restaurant + Cafe Mangal + La Toscana’s + The Cottage
Quebrada + Tatte + Caffe Nero
Whole Foods + Roche Brothers
OUTDOORS
Tier A-
Centennial Park + Hunnewell Field + Boulder Brook Reservation + Ridge Hill Reservation + Brook Path
TRANSPORT
Tier B
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
Tier A-
Niche School District Rating A+
lowest: Diversity (C+)
highest: Academics (A+)
FOOD
Tier B-
Cappella + The Common Room + The James + Little Spoon
Cafe Fresh Bagel + French Press Bakery + Hazel’s Bakery
Trader Joe’s + Roche Brothers
OUTDOORS
Tier A-
Cutler Park Reservation + Cutler Meadows + Memorial Park + Cricket Field + Greene’s Field
TRANSPORT
Tier B
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
CAMBRIDGE
Cambridge
SCHOOLS
Tier B
Niche School District Rating
lowest: ()
highest: ()
FOOD
Tier A
OUTDOORS
Tier B
TRANSPORT
Tier A