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Franklin Field North

Franklin Field North

$827,416 Average Value
$382 Average Price per Sq Ft
0 Homes For Sale

Why outdoor lovers are drawn to Franklin Field North

Franklin Field North is home to Franklin Park, one of the gems in the Emerald Necklace of green space that drapes across the Boston area. A wedge of residential streets is tucked alongside the park, which features a zoo, a golf course, scenic paths and picnic groves. Neighbors gather for community events at the park throughout the year, and small markets and casual restaurants serve daily needs. The neighborhood is about 5 miles from Downtown Boston, and a commuter rail station and MBTA bus routes help residents get around the city.

Enjoy a day at the Franklin Park Zoo.
Enjoy a day at the Franklin Park Zoo.
Ellicott Arch is a key feature of Franklin Park.
Ellicott Arch is a key feature of Franklin Park.
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Franklin Park is a hub for outdoor recreation

Franklin Park dominates the landscape, covering about 500 acres on the neighborhood’s west side. Walking trails weave through woodlands and open meadows, including a circuit around Scarboro Pond. Golfers hit the links at the 18-hole William J. Devine Golf Course, and ball fields and tennis courts invite organized games. But the Franklin Park Zoo is the park’s crown jewel. Here, visitors can observe more than 200 different species, from western lowland gorillas to ring-tailed lemurs to Masai giraffes.

William J. Devine Golf Course was established in 1896.
William J. Devine Golf Course was established in 1896.
The 99 Steps in Franklin Field North are a hidden oasis along the trails.
The 99 Steps in Franklin Field North are a hidden oasis along the trails.
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The Franklin Field North housing market

Residential streets in Franklin Field North are narrow and hilly, and cars are often parked on both sides. Common architectural styles include Queen Annes, Colonial Revivals and triple-deckers. Though many buildings date to the early 1900s, some have been updated over the years, with renovated kitchens and modern bathrooms. Multifamily units are standard, as most people rent, and about 75 percent of the neighborhood’s properties are condos. The median monthly rent hovers around $3,200. As for sales, prices typically range from the lower $400,000s to the lower $1 millions, but the median home sale price is around $450,000, which is well below the citywide median. These prices, coupled with the multifamily market, draw investors and owner-occupants to the neighborhood.

Many of the neighborhood's condos can be found in renovated Victorian-era buildings.
Many of the neighborhood's condos can be found in renovated Victorian-era buildings.
Triple-decker homes line the streets of the Franklin Field North neighborhood.
Triple-decker homes line the streets of the Franklin Field North neighborhood.
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What families should know about local public and private schools

Franklin Field North is part of Boston Public Schools, which uses a home-based school-choice system. Students in kindergarten through eighth grade rank their preferences from eligible schools, and the system uses a lottery to determine placement. For high school, the district offers citywide options, and the highly rated Fenway High School is an Early College school conveniently located in nearby Roxbury. If you’re looking for private options, Meridian Academy in Jamaica Plain and The Park School in Brookline both receive A-plus grades from Niche.

With Downtown Boston just a few miles away, Franklin Field North feels like a home away from the city.
With Downtown Boston just a few miles away, Franklin Field North feels like a home away from the city.

Transit access and bikeable streets support local commutes

It’s fairly easy to get around in Franklin Field North. Blue Hill Avenue, the neighborhood’s main thoroughfare, is bike-friendly, and sidewalks line many of the residential streets. Multiple MBTA bus routes connect to other Boston destinations, and the Talbot Avenue commuter rail station serves the Fairmount Line. If you drive, the 5-mile trip to Downtown Boston typically takes about 25 minutes, but it can take twice as long if you use public transit. However, city parking is such a hassle that many residents rely on the public system.

Eclectic dining and neighborhood markets in Franklin Field North

The local dining scene centers on small, independently owned eateries. You can grab a bite at these spots:

  • Island Style, a Jamaican restaurant serving jerk chicken, oxtail and curry goat in a casual setting
  • Murl's Kitchen, known for Rasta Pasta and jerk pork
  • Santo Domingo, a Dominican eatery dishing up generous portions of mofongo, stewed meats and rotisserie chicken
  • El Dugout Restaurant, specializing in fried chicken and refreshing smoothies
  • La Esquina, a late-night sandwich shop serving beef chimis, clubs and other hearty options
Small neighborhood grocery stores like Rosa’s Family Market and Erie Street Market are convenient for daily shopping. There’s also a Stop & Shop on Blue Hill Avenue. At nearby South Bay Center, you'll find national retailers like The Home Depot, Target and Best Buy.

Island Style serves the finest Jamaican jerk and curry around.
Island Style serves the finest Jamaican jerk and curry around.
Happy Supermarket stocks a wide variety of ingredients.
Happy Supermarket stocks a wide variety of ingredients.
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White Stadium is being renovated as a public athletic complex.
White Stadium is being renovated as a public athletic complex.

Seasonal festivals and events bring the community together

Community events keep things lively in Franklin Park and the surrounding Dorchester area. Here are some of the highlights:

  • Winter Festival at Franklin Park, featuring outdoor games, hot cocoa, crafts and sledding
  • The Puerto Rican Festival of Massachusetts, a weekend celebration with live music, carnival rides and traditional cuisine, held in July
  • Dorchester Day Parade, a long-running June tradition
Franklin Park’s White Stadium, which originally hosted student athletes and community events, is being renovated as a public athletic complex. Once completed, it’s expected to become the home of Boston Legacy FC, Boston’s National Women’s Soccer League club, with the team targeting a move into the stadium in 2027.

Comparing nearby neighborhoods to Franklin Field North

If you can’t find the home you’re looking for in Franklin Field North, you can expand your search to the surrounding neighborhoods. Jamaica Plain, also known as JP, borders Franklin Park and has a lively social scene, but home prices skew higher. You can also expect to pay a bit more in the adjoining Codman Square neighborhood. Washington Park, home of Boston Latin Academy, and Wellington Hill, which is anchored by a huge wildlife sanctuary, are options as well, but the median home sale price is still lower in Franklin Field North.

Adrienne Ryan
Written By
Adrienne Ryan
Jaime Grant
Photography Contributed By
Jaime Grant
Joan Wall
Video By
Joan Wall

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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

Parks in this Area

Transit

Airport

General Edward Lawrence Logan International

15 min drive

Bus

Blue Hill Ave & Franklin Park Rd

Bus

Blue Hill Ave Opp Mclellan St

Bus

Franklin Park Zoo & Entrance

Bus

Talbot Ave & Bernard St

Bus

Columbia Rd & Wolcott St

Bus

American Legion HWY Opp Franklin Hill Ave

Bus

Blue Hill Ave & Wales St

Reviews

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Crime and Safety

1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime Franklin Field North US
Homicide 5 4
Sexual Assault 5 4
Assault with Weapon 6 4
Robbery 6 4
Burglary 3 4
Motor Vehicle Theft 3 4
Larceny 3 4
Crime Score 4 4

Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com

Neighborhood Facts

Number of Homes
524
Number of Homes for Sale
0
Median Year Built
1910
Months of Supply
0.00
Average Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
2,099
Above the national average
1,934
Average Townhouse Size Sq Ft
3,360
Average 2 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
1,166
Average 1 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
907
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
4,791

Open Houses

Distribution of Home Values

Source: Public Records

Homes for Sale

Homes for Rent

Average Home Value





Source: Public Records

Property Mix - Square Feet

This Neighborhood Has More Renters

Rental Home Trends

Number of Homes for Rent
16
Median Rent
$3,000
Median Single Family Home Rent
$3,050
Median 3 Bedroom Single Family Home Rent
$3,050
Median Condo Rent
$3,000
Median 2 Bedroom Condo Rent
$2,676

Demographics

Total Population
6,743
Median Age
35
Population under 18
29.8%
Above the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
13%
Below the national average
19.1%

Finances

Median Household Income
$39,612
Significantly below the national average
$79,597
Average Household Income
$70,254

Education and Workforce

High School Graduates
78.9%
Below the national average
89%
College Graduates
15.3%
Below the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
3.7%
% Population in Labor Force
68.6%

Weather

Annual Precipitation
43''
Average Winter Low Temperature
23°F
Average Summer High Temperature
82°F
Annual Snowfall
12''

Area Factors

Exceptionally bikeable

Bikeability®

90 / 100

Moderately walkable

Walkability®

70 / 100

Good public transit

Transit®

70 / 100
Source: Local Logic
Sources: Local Logic

Local Logic measures the walkability, access to public transit and bikeability of any address. CAP Index provides objective, accurate, and consistent data to help measure, compare, and mitigate crime risks.

Nearby Neighborhoods

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
Franklin Field North