Calling all minute men
A picturesque area replete with forests, rivers, and ponds, Concord is well known for its rich history and thriving modern environment. The city holds fast to a revolutionary memory, both as the site of the first battle of the Revolutionary War and the home of seminal literary figures across the ages, like Henry David Thoreau, Louisa May Alcott and Doris Kearns Goodwin. Today, the city still looks like a quaint New England colony, with much of that era's architecture on display throughout the town, whether upon remodeled structures serving as businesses or carefully preserved colonial-era homes. Concord offers residents searching for easy access to nature and a connection to American history an appealing place to call home.
Into the woods
Concord's forested landscape lends itself to quiet parks and natural areas, oftentimes located near bodies of water. Emerson Playground offers sports courts and fields, along with a track for athletes to work on their foot speed. Elsewhere, deeper in the natural areas that envelop the city, residents can visit Walden Pond State Reservation, home to the Thoreau cabin site, where Henry David Thoreau wrote Walden, his most well-known and influential book. Residents who want to go back inside can head to the Beede Swim and Fitness Center, which offers visitors the opportunity to use exercise equipment and a pool and take advantage of the fitness center's calendar of events and classes.
History and culture
The Walden Performing Arts Center offers residents the opportunity to enjoy live music, from opera or orchestral arrangements to the Concord Band and musicals from the Concord Players. The culture of Concord is rooted in its sense of history, and the 17 historic sites across the city, including historic homes, the site of the “Shot Heard ‘Round the World”, and the Concord Museum, will have history buffs spinning in their chairs.
Concord homes
The median home price in Concord is $1.5 million, higher than the national average of $412,000, and the average price per square foot is $523. The median sale price for homes in this area is up 10% year over year. Most of the Colonial-style homes that hug Concord's streets add to the sense of history that permeates the city. Homebuyers can shop for properties along the Sudbury River or look at homes closer to the shops and restaurants in downtown Concord, where residents enjoy easy walkability.
Concord Public Schools
The city is served by Concord Public Schools, which has an A rating on Niche and six schools that serve grades Kindergarten-12. Concord Carlisle High School has an A-plus rating on Niche and is ranked in Massachusetts's top 20 public high schools. The school also serves the neighboring city of Carlisle, and students from both areas enjoy access to a variety of clubs and activities like film, writing and class government clubs.
Shopping and Dining
Downtown Concord is home to a bustling shopping and dining district, and the brick buildings lining the streets mostly share a Colonial style – all that sets the district firmly in the present day are the cars, electric street lights and paved streets. Diners can grab a cup of coffee, shop for chocolate or grab a plate of Italian food. Shoppers can bop between local shops and boutiques to peruse home goods, vintage clothing or fine jewelry and the Concord Market or Crosby's Marketplace offer groceries.
Getting around Concord
Concord isn't sliced up by noisy interstates, and residents rely on the Concord Turnpike to cruise around the area. The roadway provides residents with a 40–50-minute commute to Boston, which is about 25 miles away. Public transportation options are also available, like the train service provided by the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority. Hanscom Field is located on the eastern edge of the neighborhood and does have a noise abatement program to keep it down for residents, although the bulk of Concord's residential areas are four or more miles away from the airfield.
Concord Crime
Crime rates in Concord are below the national average, and crime has fallen slightly since 2018. According to FBI statistics, there were 32 violent crimes and 59 property crimes across the city in 2021. The violent crime rate in Massachusetts is 322 crimes per 100,000 people, lower than the national average of 380.7 per 100,000 people. Concord, which has a population of about 18,500, has less violent crime than nearby Boston, which reported 12,710, but Concord has a much lower population than Boston.
Photography Contributed By
Anhella Sanchez
