$2,132,238Average Value$1,141Average Price per Sq Ft23Homes For Sale
A picture-perfect snapshot of Cambridge
West Cambridge is the quintessential Cambridge neighborhood. “It’s the Cambridge people often picture in their minds before they get here,” says Charles Cherney, a Realtor at Compass who has lived in Cambridge for 25 years and runs a YouTube channel discussing the city’s neighborhoods. “It has historic homes with period detail. It’s next to Harvard Square, which is what most people think of as the heart of the city. It has aspects of residential living and city living. It has tree-lined streets, and the pace of living is quieter.” In addition to Harvard Square, Concord Avenue, the Charles River and Fresh Pond Reservation shape West Cambridge, hemming in the characteristically irregular streets born of the area’s long history. “You can have a quiet backyard garden and then walk out the door to go to Harvard Square to see a play or be along the river with boats and people coming and going,” Cherney says, pointing out that Huron Village and Harvard University are both also located within the neighborhood. “It’s the best of both worlds.”
Colorful homes line the streets of West Cambridge.
A group of large Colonial inspired homes in West Cambridge.
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"Most famous street in all of Cambridge"
According to Cherney, single-family homes are the most sought-after type of residence in the city and yet are typically in short supply — but not in West Cambridge. “Brattle Street is the most famous street in all of Cambridge. It contains the largest collection of single-family homes in the city and it has a history that dates back to before the revolution,” Cherney says. “It was known as Tory Row — Tories were the ones who supported the Crown — and a lot of those homes still stand today.” These lovingly maintained homes, which are often built in Victorian, Second Empire, Georgian and Colonial Revival styles, are among the priciest in the city. Single-family houses typically cost anywhere from $1 million to $10 million, while condominiums start at around $600,000 for a tiny one-bedroom. Even in the off-season, these price tags don’t lessen competition. “Cambridge is a market that always, in my experience in the last 25 years, has low inventory,” Cherney says. “Now, there are different times with different realities that make this low inventory even tighter or sometimes open it up a little bit. But it’s a high-demand, low-supply market. Most properties sell very quickly, many with multiple offers for over asking price.”
An overview of Brattle Road which run through the heart of the West Cambridge neighborhood.
A row of tightly grouped homes commonly found in the West Cambridge area.
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Off-leash at Fresh Pond Reservation
The 162-acre Fresh Pond Reservation is beloved by joggers and dog walkers. “Kingsley Park is a place for dog owners to gather because you’re allowed to let your dog off-leash,” Cherney says. “Little Fresh Pond Dog Beach is this little body of water where people’s dogs can go for a swim or run into the water to catch a ball or a frisbee.” Its lake, 9-hole golf course and playgrounds are also popular, but the Kingsley Park section is a destination in the winter for other reasons. “It has a gentle slope, so there’s a tradition of families bringing children to sled there when it snows,” Cherney says. West Cambridge creates a weekend park for cyclists and pedestrians along the Charles River by closing Memorial Drive to vehicle traffic. The historical Mount Auburn Cemetery is home to famous “residents,” beautiful walking paths and the Washington Tower’s skyline Boston views.
Take a walk around Fresh Pond Reservation area in the West Cambridge neighborhood.
Residents can enjoy kayaking and rowing along the Charles River in West Cambridge.
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Cambridge’s highly-rated public and private schools
Niche gives Cambridge Public Schools an A-plus rating. Children can attend John M. Tobin Montessori School, which has an A, and Vassal Lane Upper School, which has an A-minus. A multi-million-dollar project is building these schools new facilities, set to finish in early 2026. High schoolers attend Cambridge Rindge & Latin School, which has an A-plus and offers over 70 extracurricular activities. Alternatively, the private Buckingham Browne & Nichols School, which was established in 1883 and has an A-plus rating, teaches pre-kindergarten through twelfth grade on its three local campuses. Shady Hill School is another A-plus-rated private school teaching pre-K through eighth grade in West Cambridge. Harvard University is also a cornerstone in the neighborhood’s history and identity, offering community events, classes and teaching programs for the Cambridge Public Schools.
You'll appreciate the 4 to 1 student-teacher ratio at Shady Hill School in West Cambridge
This is the courtyard at Buckingham Browne & Nichols School in West Cambridge.
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Annual Holiday Stroll, Regatta
Observatory Hill has an annual Holiday Stroll where local shops along Concord Avenue open up to celebrate local artists, designers and artisans while spreading holiday cheer with music, food and drinks. The Head of the Charles Regatta, the world’s biggest three-day rowing event, is another huge yearly event.
Many unique gifts can be found at the Harvard Square Holiday Fair.
Shop the many vendors at Harvard Square Holiday Fair.
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Access to the Red Line
Harvard Square has a stop on the Red Line of the T, bus stops are dotted along Huron and Concord avenues and those who commute by car have easy access to U.S. Route 3. Mount Auburn Hospital is located in the neighborhood and Boston is about 6 miles away.
The MBTA provides bus service to the West Cambridge area which connects to the subway.
West Cambridge residents can catch the Red Line at the nearby T Station at Harvard Square.
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Walk or bike to shopping in Huron Village
Locals can walk or bike to Harvard University and to Huron Avenue, where they pick up groceries, hot and ready food, and bakery items at Formaggio Kitchen, an upscale European grocer. In the village, they can also explore art galleries, shop at boutiques or the local bookstore and eat at restaurants like Base Crave, a family-run Nepalese fusion restaurant. Along Concord Avenue, locals often line up at Hi-Rise Bread Company for its wide variety of freshly baked goods or treat themselves to a fine dining experience at Forage. The Longfellow House, once the home of the poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow and General George Washington’s office during the Siege of Boston, is popular among history buffs.
Visit the local shops and restaurants in the Huron Village area of West Cambridge.
Find a few fashionable items at Cambridge Mercantile in West Cambridge.
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
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Merrill Berkery,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Parks in this Area
Alexander W. Kemp Playground
Playground
Riverbend Park
Trails
River
Cambridge Common Park
John F Kennedy Memorial Park
Basketball
Picnic Area
Trails
Winthrop Park
Picnic Area
Multi-Purpose Field
Fresh Pond Reservation
Dog Park
Fishing
Trails
Larch Road Park
Basketball
Trails
Playground
Longfellow Park
Trails
Multi-Purpose Field
Transit
Airport
General Edward Lawrence Logan International
17 min drive
Bus
Mt Auburn St & Brattle St
Bus
Mt Auburn St & Sparks St
Bus
Concord Ave & Craigie St
Bus
Mt Auburn St Opp Coolidge Ave
Bus
Mt Auburn St & Traill St
Bus
Radcliffe Yard
Bus
Concord Ave & Buckingham St
Reviews
Niche Reviews
3.721 Reviews
2.0Niche User
12/6/2014Niche Review
narrow selection, no excitement. some fun mom and pop shops nowhere to intermingle
4.0Niche User
7/24/2014Niche Review
Safe for the most part - law enforcement are on the ball
5.0Current Resident
7/30/2017Niche Review
i raised my children in Cambridge its very rewarding living here. My children are college graduates now its tine fie me the community environments are nice.people are friendly
3.0Niche User
7/24/2014Niche Review
Okay for a campus town. High cost of housing but costs decrease as proximity to campus decreases
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Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime
West Cambridge
US
Homicide
2
4
Sexual Assault
1
4
Assault with Weapon
1
4
Robbery
3
4
Burglary
3
4
Motor Vehicle Theft
2
4
Larceny
3
4
Crime Score
3
4
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
West Cambridge Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in West Cambridge, Cambridge sell after 42 days on the market compared to the national average of 49 days. The median sale price for homes in West Cambridge, Cambridge over the last 12 months is $1,645,000, up 18% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Discover modern luxury in Cambridge’s Huron Village with this brand-new townhome condo, offering 4 bedrooms, 2 full and 2 half-bathrooms, and four levels of impeccably designed living space. The open-concept main floor features a striking two-sided fireplace and a chef’s kitchen equipped with top-tier Thermador appliances, custom Dell Anno cabinetry, and white oak floors. The top-floor primary
Step into a masterpiece of restoration at this exquisite 5-bedroom, 4.5-bath residence, perfectly nestled in the charming New England enclave of Huron Village. This stunning home is a stone's throw from prestigious BBN and Shady Hill private schools, as well as the world-renowned Harvard University. Revel in top-tier luxury with Wolf and Sub-Zero appliances, complemented by superior craftsmanship
Discover an inimitable blend of privacy and charm tucked away in the coveted Half-Crown Marsh neighborhood! This endearing south-facing single family is filled with light and enjoys lovely views of its lush secret garden, where wildlife and plants thrive. Step onto the inviting front porch and into the spacious entry hall, the open kitchen with dining area awaits on one side and the sunlit living
RARE FIND 3 BED/3.5 BATH/ PRIVATE DECK WITH BACK YARD SPACE. Condo in desirable neighborhood in Cambridge at a moderate price. This sun-filled 3 bedroom condo with 2 master suites has been totally renovated(2020-21) to give you a thoughtfully designed space. The gourmet white kitchen features stainless steel GAS STOVE, HOOD, Dishwasher, and QUARTZ COUNTERTOPS. First floor: Open kitchen with
Welcome Home! Renovated(2020-21) condo conversation. RARE FIND 4 BED/3.5 BATH/ PRIVATE DECK WITH BACK YARD SPACE. Condo in desirable neighborhood in Cambridge at a moderate price. This sun-filled 4 bedroom condo with 2 master suites has been totally renovated to give you a thoughtfully designed space. The gourmet white kitchen features stainless steel GAS STOVE, HOOD, Dishwasher, and QUARTZ
Ideally situated just a block from Harvard Square in the highly desirable University Green, this magnificent and rarely available 4-bed, 5-bath residence spans 2,800 SQFT all on one level. Completely renovated in 2022, this home has been artfully restored to perfection with a well-designed layout offering the highest level of quality in craftsmanship and materials. Sun-filled living and dining
Tracy CampionCampion & Company Fine Homes Real Estate
Chapman Arms is a beautiful ivy covered brick building located in the heart of Harvard Square in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Designed in 1897 by Josephine Wright Chapman, one of the nation's earliest female architects, Chapman Arms is listed in the National Register of Historic Properties, and originally served as student housing for Harvard University. While living at Chapman Arms, all that
Fresh, clean updated 1-bedroom unit in desirable & highly convenient 988 Memorial Drive. Fully renovated in 2023, this unit offers a contemporary decor with fluted oak wall, sparkling kitchen with European style cabinetry, quartz countertops, stainless appliances including a gas range and efficient washer/dryer in the unit. Highly walk-able location - stroll to Harvard Square, Harvard Business
This nice Studio 1 Bath place in the CAMBRIDGE - MT. AUBURN/BRATTLE/ FRESH POND area is available for Now.Boston Pads is not responsible for any errors, omissions and change in price, prior sale, rent and withdrawal without notice. All information from sources reliable but not guaranteed. Photographs, videos, description and information about the properties reflect conditions at the time
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Merrill Berkery,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Owners
Demographics
Total Population
8,400
Median Age
42
Population Density
14 ppl/acre
Population under 18
18.4%
Below the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
25%
Above the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$146,495
Significantly above the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$178,206
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
99.4%
College Graduates
90.2%
Significantly above the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
62.5%
Significantly above the national average
13.3%
% Population in Labor Force
65.4%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
43''
Average Winter Low Temperature
23°F
Average Summer High Temperature
82°F
Annual Snowfall
12''
Area Factors
Biker's Paradise
Bike Score®
96/ 100
Somewhat Walkable
Walk Score®
62/ 100
Good Transit
Transit Score®
63/ 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.
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.
