$2,092,745Average Value$1,166Average Price per Sq Ft26Homes 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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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.
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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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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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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.
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
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
4.0Niche User
7/24/2014Niche Review
Safe for the most part - law enforcement are on the ball
5.0Niche User
1/30/2016Niche Review
I've never personally felt unsafe in Harvard Square. There are police when you need them, but for the most part this is a very safe place to live.
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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 41 days on the market compared to the national average of 52 days. The median sale price for homes in West Cambridge, Cambridge over the last 12 months is $1,862,500, up 32% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Welcome to 133 Fayerweather St, a fully electric townhome nestled on a tree-lined quiet residential street. This modern new construction home features an elegant 4-bed, 4-bath configuration, thoughtfully designed for contemporary open living. Upon entry, you're greeted with quality white oak floors, plentiful natural light, open see-through fireplace, and soaring ceilings. High-end Thermador
Sunny and updated 2-bedroom, 1-bath condo with deeded off-street parking tucked away on a quiet dead-end street at the West Cambridge/East Watertown line. This inviting home features an open-concept remodeled kitchen with stainless steel appliances, gleaming hardwood floors throughout, and a spacious living room filled with natural light from oversized windows. Both bedrooms are generously sized
OPPORTUNITY!! A+ location in the heart of Cambridge’s Harvard Square. .. The newly updated home features refinished hardwood floors, high ceilings, and sun-drenched rooms. The updated kitchen includes new stainless steel appliances, glass built-ins, and an eat-in dining area. The living room has space for a home office and an entertainment area. The king-size bedroom offers room for an exercise
The Earnest Longfellow House offers a rare opportunity to customize your Queen Anne Victorian dream home on one of West Cambridge’s most sought-after streets. NOTE: some listing images are renderings of the property showing the potential after renovation based on the Historical Approval in place. Set on a large corner lot walkable to Harvard Square, this historic residence comes with fully
Michael GlenmullenColdwell Banker Realty - Cambridge
Designed by William Ralph Emerson, a prominent architect and relative of Ralph Waldo Emerson, this proud c.1884 Colonial Revival house is beautifully sited together with a c.1840 Italianate carriage house on two separate lots of almost a half an acre just outside of Harvard Square. Both the house and carriage house were extensively renovated in 1998 and have been updated periodically since. The
Well maintained 1-bedroom condo in quiet building, in sought after Cambridge neighborhood. Top floor unit with balcony off master bedroom. Newer recessed lighting throughout. Minutes from Harvard Square, Fresh Pond and Route 2. Convenient to area shopping and public transportation. One deeded parking space included!
CHARLES SQUARE RESIDENCES | NO BROKER FEE -- Welcome to an exquisitely renovated haven in Harvard Square, offering seasonal views of the Charles River and JFK Park. This sprawling home, renovated in 2024, was thoughtfully designed with an open floor plan that seamlessly integrates style and function. The spacious kitchen is a culinary delight, featuring quartz countertops, stainless steel
Live in the Heart of Harvard Square — 115 Mount Auburn Street, CambridgeDiscover the perfect blend of convenience, comfort, and flexibility at 115 Mount Auburn Street, located just steps from the heart of Harvard Square. Our fully furnished one-bedroom apartments are designed to meet the needs of Harvard students, offering a hassle-free move-in experience with flexible start dates and a
One of Cambridge’s most desirable locations! This fully furnished spacious 3-bedroom, 2-bath apartment is ideally situated on Hilliard Street, just steps from Harvard Square, Harvard University, and the Red Line T station. The home features hardwood floors throughout, high ceilings, and charming period details that bring character to the space. Located in a classic Cambridge building with
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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.
