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West Roxbury

West Roxbury

$928,352 Average Value
$531 Average Price per Sq Ft
25 Homes For Sale

Why Boston homebuyers are drawn to West Roxbury

Tree-lined streets and historic homes bring suburban vibes to West Roxbury, one of Boston’s southern neighborhoods. Once a farming community, the area is home to parks, woodland and trails, some following the path of the Charles River. While you’ll enjoy more green space here than in Downtown Boston, you won’t have to sacrifice city conveniences. Centre Street is a walkable thoroughfare with locally owned shops and restaurants serving globally inspired cuisine, and commuter rail and bus routes allow for easy commuting.

West Roxbury is home to Brook Farm, a historic site where a Transcendentalist-inspired community took root in the 1840s.
West Roxbury is home to Brook Farm, a historic site where a Transcendentalist-inspired community took root in the 1840s.
Historic homes and mature trees line the streets in West Roxbury.
Historic homes and mature trees line the streets in West Roxbury.
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West Roxbury has homes and prices to suit a wide range of budgets

Condos and townhomes are usually available, but single-family homes dominate the housing mix. Some Craftsman bungalows, Colonial Revivals and American Foursquares date to the early 1900s, and midcentury ranch-style and Cape Cod homes add a little variety. Mature trees shade the sidewalks and small front yards. “Some of the streets there are just gorgeous,” says Linda Burnett, a real estate agent with Insight Realty Group who’s been selling in the area since 1989. Sale prices start in the lower $300,000s for basic condos and climb to the mid-$2 millions for luxury townhomes in gated communities. Many single-family homes fetch prices closer to the median home sale price of $740,000. If you’re thinking about expanding your search, the town of Dedham has a higher median home sale price, but its residential property tax rate is a bit lower. Roslindale, another Boston neighborhood with suburban charm, offers a lower median home sale price.

West Roxbury offers many single-family homes, some dating to the early 1900s.
West Roxbury offers many single-family homes, some dating to the early 1900s.
Colonial Revival homes are common throughout the neighborhood.
Colonial Revival homes are common throughout the neighborhood.
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Local parks have walking trails and other outdoor amenities

Each of West Roxbury's parks and green spaces has distinctive charm and character. Millennium Park, built on the site of an old landfill along the Charles River, spans about 100 acres with miles of trails, sports fields, a playground and a canoe launch. At some of the park’s high points, you can take in views of the surrounding Blue Hills. Visitors to the D. Blakely Hoar Sanctuary try to spot birds and other wildlife on the walking path that weaves through woods and wetlands. The Brook Farm Historic Site offers a quiet retreat with a hiking trail adjacent to The Gardens at Gethsemane Cemetery.

Millennium Park has sports fields and playgrounds.
Millennium Park has sports fields and playgrounds.
Many of West Roxbury's green spaces are dog-friendly.
Many of West Roxbury's green spaces are dog-friendly.
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Students can attend highly rated public or private schools

West Roxbury is part of the Boston Public Schools district, which uses a home-based school choice method for K-8 students. Families are given a customized list of schools that’s tied to their home address, and students are assigned based on their ranked preferences and availability. One nearby option is the highly rated Lyndon K-8 School, which partners with the local YMCA to offer before- and after-school programming. The neighborhood is home to two highly rated all-boys private high schools: The Roxbury Latin School and Catholic Memorial School. Niche ranks Roxbury Latin as the No. 1 all-boys high school in the state.

The Lyndon K-8 School is a highly rated public school option.
The Lyndon K-8 School is a highly rated public school option.
Roxbury Latin School is a highly rated all-boys high school.
Roxbury Latin School is a highly rated all-boys high school.
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Shopping and dining options surround Centre Street

West Roxbury offers an eclectic dining scene. Here are some of the highlights:

  • Recreo Coffee & Roasterie, a farm-to-cup coffee shop that sources its beans from the owners’ family farm in Nicaragua
  • Sharon Korean Kitchen, featuring homestyle specialties like bibimbap and kimchi fried rice
  • Corrib Pub & Restaurant, an Irish-American joint with a loyal neighborhood following
  • Boston Ale House, an upscale sports bar serving craft beer, cocktails and pub grub
  • Sugar Baking Co., known for tempting baked treats, especially its signature “Bramble”
You’ll find a wealth of local shops in this area, too. Residents enjoy browsing through places like:
  • Pretty Moon Mercantile and Tea Bar, specializing in gifts, home goods and fragrant tea blends
  • Top it Off, where you can buy women’s clothing and stylish accessories
  • Roche Bros., a neighborhood supermarket with a full deli and bakery
In nearby Newton, you can indulge in more retail therapy at The Shops at Chestnut Hill, a mall that’s home to the only Bloomingdale’s in Massachusetts.

Recreo Coffee Shop serves up fresh Nicaraguan coffee in West Roxbury.
Recreo Coffee Shop serves up fresh Nicaraguan coffee in West Roxbury.
West Roxbury residents can pick up groceries at Roche Bros. supermarket.
West Roxbury residents can pick up groceries at Roche Bros. supermarket.
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How to get around Boston from West Roxbury

Sidewalks make the neighborhood walkable, but most residents rely on cars or public transit to get around the city. Centre Street, West Roxbury Parkway and VFW Parkway are the primary thoroughfares, and the 14-mile drive to Downtown Boston usually takes about half an hour in light traffic. Commuters have access to three MBTA commuter rail stations: West Roxbury, Highland and Bellevue, all connecting to downtown. Several MBTA bus routes serve the area as well, and parts of VFW Parkway have dedicated bike lanes.

Seasonal events fill the social calendar

The neighborhood hosts events throughout the year, many of which are coordinated by local organizations like West Roxbury Main Streets. “The community is very active and engaged,” Burnett says. “The people who live there love it — and they like to celebrate it.” Examples include the annual West Roxbury Art Walk, where locals display their artwork in the storefront windows along Centre Street. In June, runners hit the streets for the Corrib Classic 5K and celebrate with beer and barbecue afterward. The Corey Street Farmers Market, typically held on Sundays from June through October, hosts vendors selling everything from fresh produce and seafood to artisan cheeses and baked goods.

Adrienne Ryan
Written By
Adrienne Ryan
Anhella Sanchez
Photography Contributed By
Anhella Sanchez
Derek Fowler
Video By
Derek Fowler

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

Parks in this Area

Transit

Airport

General Edward Lawrence Logan International

23 min drive

Train

Highland

Train

West Roxbury

Bus

Lasell St & Temple St

Bus

Centre St & Corey St

Bus

Opp 650 Vfw Pkwy

Bus

Weld St & Alward Rd

Bus

Weld St & Corey St

Bus

Weld St & Russet Rd

Bus

Vermont St & Carroll St

Reviews

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Crime and Safety

1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime West Roxbury US
Homicide 3 4
Sexual Assault 1 4
Assault with Weapon 2 4
Robbery 2 4
Burglary 3 4
Motor Vehicle Theft 3 4
Larceny 2 4
Crime Score 1 4

Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com

Neighborhood Facts

Number of Homes
4,254
Number of Homes for Sale
25
Median Year Built
1935
Months of Supply
2.10
Average Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
1,709
Below the national average
1,933
Average Townhouse Size Sq Ft
2,443
Average 2 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
1,213
Average 1 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
706
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
5,662

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 Owners

Rental Home Trends

Number of Homes for Rent
79
Median Rent
$3,130
Median Single Family Home Rent
$3,750
Median 4 Bedroom Single Family Home Rent
$5,000
Median Townhouse Rent
$3,300
Median 3 Bedroom Townhouse Rent
$3,300
Median Condo Rent
$2,800
Median 2 Bedroom Condo Rent
$2,800

Demographics

Total Population
12,108
Median Age
48
Population Density
7 ppl/acre
Population under 18
19.1%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
25.6%
Above the national average
19.1%

Finances

Median Household Income
$122,563
Significantly above the national average
$79,597
Average Household Income
$153,789

Education and Workforce

High School Graduates
96.8%
College Graduates
70%
Significantly above the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
41.1%
Significantly above the national average
13.3%
% Population in Labor Force
72.9%

Weather

Annual Precipitation
53''
Average Winter Low Temperature
19°F
Average Summer High Temperature
81°F
Annual Snowfall
10''

Area Factors

Moderately bikeable

Bikeability®

60 / 100

Moderately walkable

Walkability®

60 / 100

Some public transit

Transit®

50 / 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
West Roxbury