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Bellingham Square

Bellingham Square

Urban Core Neighborhood in Chelsea, Massachusetts

Suffolk County 02150

$649,636 Average Value
$462 Average Price per Sq Ft
8 Homes For Sale

Living in the transit hub of Chelsea

Bellingham Square, at the intersection of the Mystic River and Charles Creek, is the historic district of Chelsea. As the smallest city in Massachusetts with a high population density, Chelsea covers less than 2.5 square miles and has over 40,000 residents. Originally inhabited by the Naumkeag tribe, Chelsea became a manufacturing center in the 19th century and attracted many Eastern European and Jewish immigrants. Today, Bellingham Square still has a large industrial sector that provides many job opportunities, and the peninsula is home to a large Latino population, which in turn, has created a vibrant and lively Latin American food scene. “You see a large number of patrons coming into the restaurants and bars during the weekends,” says Roy Avellaneda, who is a lifelong Chelsea resident, a former city councilor and a Realtor at Metropolitan Boston Real Estate. “Bellingham Square is the hub of Chelsea. It’s where the city hall is located, and all of the buses that traverse Chelsea pass through here.”

Experience the hustle and bustle of the Bellingham Square station.
Experience the hustle and bustle of the Bellingham Square station.
Bellingham Square commuters can enjoy their bike ride along the Chelsea Greenway.
Bellingham Square commuters can enjoy their bike ride along the Chelsea Greenway.
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Triple-deckers and multi-family complexes in Bellingham Square

Sitting on tightly packed, gridded streets, most of Bellingham Square's homes are condos converted from multi-family houses and triple-deckers built between the late 1800s and the 1950s. A large portion of Bellingham Square residents, over 70%, are renters. Individual condo units typically range from around $400,000 to $500,000. More recently developed condominiums and townhouses from the 1980s are listed around similar price ranges and have monthly association fees. Entire multi-family properties and triple-deckers can fetch from $800,000 to $1.5 million. These buildings often appeal more to investors and homeowners who plan to live on one level and rent out the rest. “Chelsea is one of the few communities that offer the Residential Exemption, a property tax exemption clause for homeowners who occupy and live in their primary residences in Chelsea,” Avellaneda says. “So, if you own a triple-decker and you live on one of the floors, you can apply and get a 35% property tax exemption.” There are also several single-family homes with 1,000-square-foot yards listing around $500,000. While flood zones are concentrated around the community’s industrial sections, there are still some residential properties situated in flood zones, and homebuyers may have to purchase flood insurance.

The Bellingham Square neighborhood offers residents tree lined streets with plenty of shade.
The Bellingham Square neighborhood offers residents tree lined streets with plenty of shade.
You will find that Bellingham Square is filled with its fair share of two-story properties.
You will find that Bellingham Square is filled with its fair share of two-story properties.
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Authentic ethnic restaurants by Chelsea Square

Known for its vibrant Latin American food scene, popular restaurants in the area include Rincón Hondureño and El Santaneco Restaurant. One of the community’s staple grocery stores is Stop and Compare Market. “It’s likened to a Latino version of Trader Joe’s,” Avellaneda says. Katz Bagel Bakery is known for its signature pizza bagels and Ciao! Pizza and Pasta serves house-made pasta. Mystic Mall, which is less than a mile away, is the city’s main shopping center and has big-box retailers such as T. J. Maxx and HomeGoods, as well as franchised restaurants. Market Basket is across the parking lot and sits in the same plaza. Farther west, Gateway Center is home to Target, Costco, CVS Pharmacy and The Home Depot.

Rińcon Honduras is a chosen restaurant among many residents of Bellingham Square.
Rińcon Honduras is a chosen restaurant among many residents of Bellingham Square.
El Santaneco Restaurant is another delicious food option loved by Bellingham Square locals.
El Santaneco Restaurant is another delicious food option loved by Bellingham Square locals.
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Riverfront parks along Mystic River and Charles Creek

Overlooking the Mystic River, Mary O'Malley State Park is at the western tip of Chelsea and has views of Tobin Bridge. This popular riverfront park also has a playground, tennis courts and walkways, as well as a large field for picnics. Many pocket parks and playgrounds are also found throughout the area, including Quigley Park, the Chelsea Community Garden and Bellingham Hill Park. Highland Park has a soccer field, and the Chelsea Greenway is a local rail trail that parallels the Silver Line busway. The rail trail also connects Eastern Avenue Station to Bellingham Square Station. In the summer, the Apollinaire Theatre Company performs free public plays at Port Park. For a trip to the ocean, Orient Heights Beach is about 2 miles away, and the Belle Isle Marsh Reservation has a viewing deck for watching planes.

Parks in Bellingham Square offer a place to relax and cool off in the summer.
Parks in Bellingham Square offer a place to relax and cool off in the summer.
Mary O'Malley Park in Chelea is a popular spot for dog walkers.
Mary O'Malley Park in Chelea is a popular spot for dog walkers.
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Proximity to the Boston Logan International Airport

Due to the proximity of the Boston Logan International Airport, which is 3 miles south and right across Charles Creek, locals may be impacted by the aviation noise. To help with noise reduction, the government has implemented the Residential Sound Insulation Program in which install Massport windows that mitigate and block outside noise were installed in area properties for free. Boston and Cambridge are approximately 4 or 5 miles south of the area via U.S. Route 1, which passes through Chelsea. Those who prefer the public transit system can walk to Chelsea Station and take the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority’s Newburyport/Rockport Line, which is one stop away from Boston’s North Station. For checkups or emergencies, Mass General: Chelsea HealthCare Center is right in the city. The neighborhood's CAP Index crime score for robbery is 7 out of 10, which is higher than the national average of 4.

You will catch a glimpse of the Tobin Bridge from many streets in Bellingham Square.
You will catch a glimpse of the Tobin Bridge from many streets in Bellingham Square.
Catching a train ride from the Chelsea train station near Bellingham Square is a breeze.
Catching a train ride from the Chelsea train station near Bellingham Square is a breeze.
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Chelsea Public Schools

Young students may begin primary school at George F. Kelly Elementary School, which is graded a C on Niche. They can then move on to Browne Middle School, which has a C-minus. Both schools offer a dual-language program to help students become fluent in English and Spanish. Chelsea High School scores a C and partners with Bunker Hill Community College for the Early College Program, which lets students take community college classes and provides scholarships to eligible students. Chelsea High also has career pathway curriculums in education, law and health science.

Joseph A Browne School has an overall Niche grade of C-.
Joseph A Browne School has an overall Niche grade of C-.
Chelsea High School in NW Suffolk County has an overall grade of C on Niche.
Chelsea High School in NW Suffolk County has an overall grade of C on Niche.
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Community events and celebrations in Chelsea

Every year, the City of Chelsea organizes Chelsea Day, a street fair event that celebrates the community with a carnival, games, a beer garden, live music and food. In October, locals come together for Dia de Los Muertos or Day of the Dead, with a puppet parade, activities such as skull decorations and paper marigold crafting and refreshments from TravelMug Café. Additional events include the Baleada Fiesta, which honors Honduras’ national dish, summer concerts at Washington Park and the Chelsea Pride Flag Raising.

Christina Xu
Written By
Christina Xu
Photography Contributed By
Kyle Cook
Luke Mancari
Video By
Luke Mancari

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

Interested in learning more about homes in this area? Reach out to Julie Tsakirgis, an experienced agent in this neighborhood.

Parks in this Area

Transit

Airport

General Edward Lawrence Logan International

7 min drive

Bus

Broadway & Shurtleff St

Bus

Central Ave & Chelsea Garage

Bus

Central Ave & Highland St

Bus

Pearl St & Essex St

Bus

Broadway Opp Cross St

Bus

Central Ave & Shawmut St

Bus

Central Ave & Willow St

Crime and Safety

1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime Bellingham Square US
Homicide 5 4
Sexual Assault 3 4
Assault with Weapon 4 4
Robbery 7 4
Burglary 2 4
Motor Vehicle Theft 4 4
Larceny 2 4
Crime Score 4 4

Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com

Demographics and Home Trends

Home Trends

Median Price (12 Mo)
$437,500
Median Single Family Price
$544,500
Median 2 Bedroom Price
$430,000
Median 1 Bedroom Price
$334,500
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$462
Number of Homes for Sale
8
Last 12 months Home Sales
26
Months of Supply
3.70
Median List Price
$439,999
Median Discount From 1st List Price
-1%
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
-1%

Home Facts

Number of Homes in Neighborhood
802
Median Year Built
1920
Avg. Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
1,636
Below the national average
1,936
Average Townhouse Size Sq Ft
2,863
Average 2 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
1,098
Average 1 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
765
Average Studio Size Sq Ft
850
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
3,049

Distribution of Home Values

Source: Public Records

Homes for Sale

Homes for Rent

Interested in learning more about homes in this area? Reach out to Julie Tsakirgis, an experienced agent in this neighborhood.

Average Home Value




Source: Public Records

Property Mix - Square Feet

This Neighborhood Has More Renters

Demographics

Total Population
9,963
Median Age
35
Population Density
39 ppl/acre
Population under 18
29.2%
Above the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
9.5%
Below the national average
19.1%

Finances

Median Household Income
$63,101
Below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$81,941

Education and Workforce

High School Graduates
58.2%
Significantly below the national average
89.1%
College Graduates
13%
Below the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
4%
% Population in Labor Force
69.4%

Weather

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

Area Factors

Somewhat Bikeable

Bike Score®

49 / 100

Very Walkable

Walk Score®

89 / 100

Good Transit

Transit Score®

64 / 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
Bellingham Square