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Cushing Square

Cushing Square

$1,479,583 Average Value
$527 Average Price per Sq Ft
10 Homes For Sale

Cushing Square combines city and suburban life in Belmont

In the northern Boston suburb of Belmont, blocks lined by shady trees and centuries-old single-family homes arc around parks and neighborhood business districts like Cushing Square. “Cushing Square is a vibrant commercial center for Belmont,” says Adriana Poole, a longtime resident of Belmont and Realtor at Coldwell Banker Realty. “There's a feeling both of a city and a suburb, it’s a hybrid. There are a good number of single-family homes with big lots for kids to play in, nice schools and a focus on greenery and conservation land, but I live half a mile from Cambridge. We’re a few miles from Harvard Square and just outside of Boston.” The combination of urban walkability and suburban space defines Cushing Square, and its blend of historic homes and modernized schools and recreation areas illustrate the appeal that kind of lifestyle has maintained for Belmont's residents over generations.

Belmont Center has many local businesses offering outdoor seating along Leonard St.
Belmont Center has many local businesses offering outdoor seating along Leonard St.
Cushing Square has a very walkable retail core and offers lots of great restaurants and shopping.
Cushing Square has a very walkable retail core and offers lots of great restaurants and shopping.
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Historic single-family homes and Belmont-wide parking ordinances

Much of Cushing Square is shaded by mature trees, a canopy grown to shade century-spanning blocks of single-family homes. On any given block, houses vary from stately Georgian homes preserved since the 18th and 19th centuries to the many other boxy Colonial Revivals and more creative Tudor Revivals built in the early 20th century. Prices typically range from around $1.1 million to $2.4 million, though smaller-than-average homes can go for less. Condos in small multifamily homes with two bedrooms sell for $650,000 to nearly $1.2 million, while units with three or more bedrooms can go for around $830,000 to $1.5 million. Regardless of the home style residents choose, Moore has one important reminder that applies to all of Belmont: “There’s no parking on the streets from 1 AM to 7 AM. They’re just too narrow – if there was a major event at night that needed firetrucks to come through, it wouldn’t be safe to have cars there. Most properties have at least one deeded space, but there’s parking for rent at a couple of gas stations for quite reasonable prices. There are also some heated underground lots that are a little more expensive.”

Beautiful brick homes are sure to catch your eye in the Cushing Square neighborhood.
Beautiful brick homes are sure to catch your eye in the Cushing Square neighborhood.
Condos are a great way for home buyers in Cushing Square to get established.
Condos are a great way for home buyers in Cushing Square to get established.
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High ratings and a new facility at Belmont Public Schools

Kids will attend kindergarten through third grade at one of a few Belmont Public Schools, including Roger Wellington Elementary School, which earns an A from Niche. Winthrop L. Chenery Upper Elementary School serves all fourth through fifth graders and earns an A-plus. Belmont Middle School is not currently graded by Niche, but it opened in 2023 in the same modern, LEED Gold-level sustainable building as the district’s high school. A-plus-rated Belmont High School has maintained strong academic and extracurricular programs since before the new facility opened. The high school’s arts program is robust, supporting nationally competitive chorus and orchestra ensembles.

Belmont High School has an overall grade of A+ on Niche.
Belmont High School has an overall grade of A+ on Niche.
Winthrop L. Chenery Middle School in Belmont has an overall grade of A+ on Niche.
Winthrop L. Chenery Middle School in Belmont has an overall grade of A+ on Niche.
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Shopping and dining in Cushing Square or Watertown

A modern mixed-use developments towers at the crux of Trapelo Road and Common Street, a center point for the walkable small business district. “There are many great, little stores. The Spirited Gourmet has wonderful wine and cheese. My hairdresser is there. We’re a small town, but there’s basically everything you need in it,” Poole says. Restaurants serving global cuisines line Belmont Street farther from the intersection, including the Persian-cuisine-focused Cafe Vanak and Praline, an authentic French bakery known for its exceptional macarons and croissants. Star Market is a couple of miles down Trapelo Road for groceries. Arsenal Yards is also around 2 miles away, a trendy, walkable outdoor mall that stands across from the old Watertown Mall. While the old-fashioned indoor shopping mall is largely vacant, shoppers still come for big box anchors like Target.

Cafe Vanak has the best Persian food in Waverley Square.
Cafe Vanak has the best Persian food in Waverley Square.
Snag a table at Star Market to enjoy your lunch, a stones throw from the Cushing Square neighborhood.
Snag a table at Star Market to enjoy your lunch, a stones throw from the Cushing Square neighborhood.
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Parks and recreation areas in and around Cushing Square

Cushing Square is bordered by a couple of sprawling recreation areas: Fresh Pond Reservation, known for the tranquil walking paths that encircle its namesake water feature, and Oakley Country Club, home to a private, 18-hole golf course. Small green spaces like Grove Street Park scatter athletic courts and playgrounds throughout the neighborhood. Payson Park’s playground and paths have been upgraded in the last few years. Hundreds of acres of conservation land pockets the town of Belmont farther west of Cushing Square.

Oakley Country Club is a great spot for a game of afternoon golf in Cushing Square.
Oakley Country Club is a great spot for a game of afternoon golf in Cushing Square.
The trails around Fresh Pond Reservation are popular with joggers and walkers from Cushing Square.
The trails around Fresh Pond Reservation are popular with joggers and walkers from Cushing Square.
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Commuting to Boston and Cambridge

Some Boston commuters might cross the Charles River and join the Massachusetts Turnpike traffic on the 8-mile drive downtown. Other commuters travel a mile or two to the Belmont Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority commuter rail station by foot, bike or car. The T takes about 20 minutes to reach North Station. The 73 MBTA bus makes stops along Belmont Street, running directly to Harvard University, about 2 miles from home in Cambridge. McLean Hospital, a notable psychiatric hospital, is less than a mile from Cushing Square within Belmont; Mount Auburn Hospital offers more comprehensive medical care about 2 miles away. Boston Logan International Airport is roughly 10 miles from home.

For easy access to Boston Belmont Commuter Rail in Belmont Hill is available for commuters.
For easy access to Boston Belmont Commuter Rail in Belmont Hill is available for commuters.
Buses run frequently in Cushing Square and offer riders quick access to Cambridge and beyond.
Buses run frequently in Cushing Square and offer riders quick access to Cambridge and beyond.
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Seasonal traditions in Cushing Square

Although Payson Park’s renovations have sometimes warranted a change of location, the Payson Park Music Festival has brought music fans and musicians together for free, weekly summer concerts for more than 30 years. Cushing Square’s business owners like to get in on seasonal event planning as well, hosting everything from Thanksgiving meal wine tastings to the occasional Oktoberfest. Several churches hold services within Cushing Square, including Payson Park Church, which also hosts events like First Friday pizza parties that feature performances by their children’s choir.

Pick up your weekly groceries at the Belmont Farmers Market.
Pick up your weekly groceries at the Belmont Farmers Market.
Try The Hummus Shop at the Belmont Farmers Market.
Try The Hummus Shop at the Belmont Farmers Market.
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Julia Szymanski
Written By
Julia Szymanski
Noel Poage
Photography Contributed By
Noel Poage
Houston Knight
Video By
Houston Knight

Agents Specializing in this Area

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Schools

Source:
GreatSchools: The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process. View GreatSchools Rating Methodology

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Parks in this Area

Transit

Airport

General Edward Lawrence Logan International

20 min drive

Bus

Belmont St & Prentiss St

Bus

Huron Ave & Grove St

Bus

Belmont St & Payson Rd

Bus

Trapelo Rd & Willow St

Bus

Belmont St & Marlboro St

Bus

Trapelo Rd Opp Poplar St

Bus

Trapelo Rd Opp Williston Rd - Cushing Square

Cushing Square Demographics and Home Trends

Housing Trends

Median List Price
$567,500
Median Sale Price
$485,000
Median Single Family Sale Price
$658,500
Median Townhouse Sale Price
$1,025,000
Median 2 Bedroom Sale Price
$310,000
Median Change From 1st List Price
8%
Last 12 months Home Sales
33
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
98%
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$527

Neighborhood Facts

Number of Homes in Neighborhood
1,960
Number of Homes for Sale
10
Median Year Built
1925
Months of Supply
3.60
Average Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
2,159
Above the national average
1,924
Average Townhouse Size Sq Ft
2,658
Average 2 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
1,216
Average 1 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
619
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
6,534

Distribution of Home Values

Source: Public Records

Homes for Sale

Homes for Rent

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Average Home Value





Source: Public Records

Property Mix - Square Feet

This Neighborhood Has More Owners

Demographics

Total Population
7,757
Median Age
43
Population under 18
24.2%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
17.7%
On par with the national average
19.1%

Finances

Median Household Income
$164,101
Significantly above the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$183,120

Education and Workforce

High School Graduates
98.6%
College Graduates
80.8%
Significantly above the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
48.4%
Significantly above the national average
13.3%
% Population in Labor Force
77.7%

Weather

Annual Precipitation
49''
Average Winter Low Temperature
18°F
Average Summer High Temperature
83°F
Annual Snowfall
20''

Area Factors

Bikeable

Bike Score®

51 / 100

Very Walkable

Walk Score®

73 / 100

Some Transit

Transit Score®

40 / 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score

Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.

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Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
NEIGHBORHOOD
Cushing Square
ZhiChao Chen
Space Realty
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