Framingham

Nobscot, a village within the city of Framingham, is a residential community where options abound. “It has an interesting medley of starter homes, farms and mansions,” says Alison Corton, Realtor with ERA Key Realty Services and 20-year Framingham resident. “It’s one of Framingham’s most expensive and most beautiful neighborhoods. There are winding country roads and lots of trees.” With access to parks and farm-fresh produce, the area has a rural feel despite being only 25 miles from Boston. Families can choose from schools within a 1-mile radius or lottery to attend some of the city’s bilingual elementaries. Nobscot Park is well suited for an afternoon picnic or a walk through the woods. “We have a variety of wildlife here. It’s really special,” says Christine Long, the District 1 city councilor of Framingham and Nobscot resident, who notes that it’s not uncommon to see a few woodpeckers and other woodland creatures in the parks. Another popular outdoor space, Garden in the Woods, is a 45-acre botanical garden where visitors can stroll paths lined with native New England plants. Just west of Nobscot is Callahan State Park, which offers 7 miles of trails for hiking and horseback riding. Current restaurant offerings include Honey Dew Donuts, an unofficial gathering spot in the village, and Gianni’s Pizza & Subs, which serves traditional Italian-style pizzas. For fresh produce, Hanson’s Farm sells veggies at their farm stand, or residents can invest in a CSA membership. A few miles west of Nobscot is Eastleigh Farm, which offers fresh ice cream and vintage décor. There are also plenty of shopping options nearby, including Stop & Shop, Whole Foods Market and Trader Joe’s, all of which are within a 2-mile radius of Nobscot. A new mixed-used plaza, which is anticipated to be completed in September 2024, will house apartments and retail space. It is being built beside the McAuliffe Library. Until the 1950s, much of Nobscot’s land was forest and farmland. There are a few remaining homesteads from the 1700s and 1800s, but most available real estate was constructed prior to 1950. Along the curvilinear residential streets, ranch-style, split-level and raised ranch-style homes are prevalent. Prices for these generally fall between $600,000 and $800,000. There are also several Colonial Revivals from the late 1900s, which often sell anywhere from $700,000 to over $1 million. Buyers may also find grand, early 1900s Tudor Revivals and newly built traditional-style homes — these run between $1 million and $1.6 million. Corton says that an “agrihood” is also under development — Baiting Brook Farm, a 55+ community situated in the middle of a working farm. The local school system, Framingham Public Schools, earns an overall B rating from Niche and offers school choice. Parents can tour all the elementary schools and lottery into any that are not within a 1-mile radius of their home. There are bilingual Spanish elementary schools and bilingual Portuguese elementary schools as well. Hemenway Elementary School, which earns a B-plus, is a Multiple Intelligences School. Teachers at Hemenway structure their lessons to meet multiple learning needs and strengths. At B-rated Walsh Middle School, students can participate in the robotics club, which recently went to nationals. Framingham High School, rated A-minus on Niche, offers a variety of extracurricular options, including astronomy and American Sign Language clubs. Though downtown Framingham is just a few miles from Nobscot, the McAuliffe Branch Library has a full calendar of events to keep Nobscot residents busy. On weekday mornings, there are programs for preschool-aged children. In the evenings, art classes and Dungeons & Dragons meetups keep adults and teens occupied. During the summer months, there is a free concert series in the Framingham Centre Common. Corton says that Hanson’s Farm offers haunted hayrides around Halloween. Nearby highways include U.S. Route 20 to the north and Interstate 90 to the south. Both roads lead directly into Boston, which lies about 25 miles east. Approximately 4 miles south of Nobscot is a Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority commuter rail station with a large parking lot.

The historic Saxonville Mills no longer produce wool, but they do continue as a community anchor. Today, more than 80 artist studios, galleries and small retailers – and one popular coffee shop – are scattered across the site’s 10 red-brick mills, which overlook the Sudbury River. “Saxonville has a small-village community feel within the larger city of Framingham,” says Brandon Ward, president of the Friends of Saxonville neighborhood group. Locals tend to be active and engaged, Ward says, and feel a strong connection with the historic mill complex, which has community roots stretching back to the 1820s. Scenic trails beside the Sudbury River and Lake Cochituate are another local treasure. Small starter homes are a hallmark of the neighborhood, Ward says, and many are centered around the mill, not far from Lake Cochituate. One-story “slab” ranchers are the dominant style. “They are all Campanelli ranchers, post World War II dwellings,” says Ward. “The Campanelli Brothers bult tons of the ranchers, which are mirror images of themselves. It was housing stock for the booming population of returning soldiers.” There are thousands of them – built on concrete slabs and once considered inexpensive – across Saxonville and Framingham. Additional housing options include everything from Colonials to recent remodels that evoke a modern farmhouse. Sidewalks link some homes, typically in areas with lots that are a quarter to half an acre. This intimate layout encourages strong community ties. “I think a lot of neighbors, they get along. They know each other,” days Realtor Nelson Zide, of ERA Key Realty Services. Homes start at $385,000 for a two-bedroom rancher and run to $1.6 million for a four-bedroom home in a golf community. A two-bedroom condo is about $400,000. The Framingham Public Schools District provides Out-of-School Time (OST) programming for students before and after regular school hours. Stapleton Elementary earns a B- from Niche while Walsh Middle is graded B. Students interested in robotics at Walsh can join the Walshbots, a competitive club that is part of the VEX Robotics competition league. Clubs at Framingham High School run the gamut and include the Astronomy Club, the Black Student Union, Debate Club, Improv Club and Yearbook Club. The Carol Getchell Nature Trail runs along the Sudbury River and provides prime views of the water. Hikers and bikers alike travel the 4-mile Cochituate Rail Trail, which runs along Lake Cochituate and links Saxonville with the town of Natick. Winch Park, which abuts Framingham High School, has multiple athletic fields, a half-dozen tennis courts and a basketball court. Saxonville Beach on Lake Cochituate is a pretty place to relax from June through August. At Saxonville Mills Café & Roastery the beans are imported directly from Colombia – where the owner has family – and roasted on-site. The cafe menu includes pastries, from blueberry turnovers to empanadas, as well as sandwiches, smoothies and desserts. Across the street, colorful decor and a bright Frida Kahlo mural welcome guests to Saxonville Burrito Company, known for its fresh ingredients and awesome burritos. National retailers and restaurant chains fill Natick Mall and Shoppers World, both about two miles south of the neighborhood. Trader Joe’s and ALDIs are three miles south. Residents can be on the Massachusetts Turnpike, also known as the Mass Pike, in five minutes. This busy artery takes commuters straight to Boston, about 20 miles away. There’s a good portion of the community that commutes, Ward says, and instead of driving some will ride the MTBA commuter rail into the city, a trip of about 45 minutes to an hour. Framingham and the surrounding MetroWest region also have robust office and business offerings. Artists share their work the second Friday of the month during Second Fridays nights at Mill Contemporary Art at Saxonville Mills. Holiday shoppers can stroll the galleries at the mills during the Holiday Market and Open Studios event in December. Natick hosts the Natick Farmers Market every Saturday morning year-round. The Framingham Farmers Market runs from 3 to 7pm on Thursdays. The location varies by season.

From streets lined with eclectic shops and eateries to rich cultural heritage and accessible transit options, Downtown Framingham offers a dynamic and engaging urban experience. “Framingham is a very culturally diverse city and often referred to as a melting pot,” says David Ferrini, a Realtor with Coldwell Banker Realty who has more than 20 years of experience selling homes. Ferrini adds that those living here have convenient access to the MBTA commuter rail at the Framingham station, which connects commuters to the nearby major metropolitan areas. However, Framingham itself is home to several major employers. “There’s a lot of business here,” Ferrini says. “The Bose Corporation started here, and T.J. Maxx and HomeGoods are both Framingham-born.” Situated midway between Worcester and Boston and home to a steadily growing population, this up-and-coming city center has plenty to offer. Downtown Framingham’s cultural diversity is best exemplified through its culinary scene. Ferrini mentions that residents can find everything from Brazilian bakeries and Russian markets, to Indian eateries and Italian grocery stores. Ferrini also notes two popular local dining spots: “La Cantina is an Italian restaurant located on Route 135 – it’s been through many renditions, but it’s always been a staple of the community,” he says. “There’s also Ken’s Steak House, a multi-generational restaurant on Route 9 with a salad dressing so popular that it’s sold internationally.” Located centrally in Downtown Framingham is the Framingham Station Brazilian Steakhouse, which is housed in the former train station and features a buffet. Residents can shop for groceries at the side-by-side Whole Foods and Trader Joe's situated off Worcester Road. In addition to its thriving culinary scene, Framingham is also home to numerous arts and cultural institutions throughout the community. “The Danforth Museum is a wonderful place – it’s a combined museum and art school that’s been in existence for over 50 years,” Ferrini says. “Amazing Things Art Center is more of a community center for arts and theatre; they have an open mic, they do plays, it’s an all-are-welcome type of place.” Ferrini also mentions that several community events are hosted at the Downtown Framingham Common, including a summer concert series and a farmers market that runs from June through October. “The farmers market is something people really love because it’s all local farmers and produce,” he says. “The housing market is extremely healthy, and we have little to no inventory currently – the supply does not meet the demand,” Ferrini says. “And that goes for everything from an apartment rental to condos to single-family homes; the market has been on an upward tick for the last four years.” The majority of residential properties in central Downtown Framingham are apartment units and condominiums, but there are several streets that branch off from the Downtown area that are lined with single-family homes. A majority of these single-family residences reflect traditional-style and Craftsman architecture. “An entry-level home starts around $450,000 and goes up into the millions,” Ferrini says. Most condo units in this area tend to range in price between $300,000 and $700,000. Downtown Framingham sits adjacent to Farm Pond, a 151-acre body of water also known locally as the Framingham Pond. Bordering the pond are several outdoor recreation areas, including the Farm Pond Dog Park, a skate park and a playground area. Ferrini mentions that locals can also head to two other nearby ponds: Waushakum Pond and Learned Pond, which both offer small beach areas. Just outside Downtown Framingham is Mary Dennison Park, which features several outdoor ballfields and two basketball courts. Farther north of the area is Callahan State Park, which Ferrini notes is a popular spot for hiking rail trails and cross-country skiing in the wintertime. The Framingham train station offers daily service along the MBTA’s Framingham/Worcester Line, a commuter rail that travels into both Boston and Worcester. Interstate 90 runs a couple of miles north of the neighborhood, and Interstate 495 is situated to the west of Downtown Framingham. Bus services are operated by the MetroWest Regional Transit Authority (MWRTA), which operates several fixed routes throughout the city and downtown area. Downtown Framingham has an overall CAP Index score of 7 out of 10, which is higher than the national average of 4. Students in this neighborhood are zoned for Framingham Public Schools, which receive an overall B rating from Niche. Barbieri Elementary School serves students in kindergarten through fifth grade and receives a C rating. Fuller Middle School is rated C-plus, and Framingham High School is rated A-minus. The city is also home to Framingham State University, a higher education institution that offers both undergraduate and graduate programs.

In the Coburnville neighborhood of Framingham, you’ll find a variety of architectural styles at different price points. For about $190,000, you can get a top-floor condominium unit in a 1970s low-rise building. There are 1890s cottage-style homes priced just below $228,000 and 1920s Capes going for about $500,000. You’ll also see some two-family homes around the $700,000 mark and modern colonials going for $890,000. <br><br>Students in Coburnville are part of Framingham Public Schools, a district that includes 14 schools. Barbieri Elementary School recently hosted a visiting artist who completed a mural that celebrates the school’s diverse community. Students at Cameron Middle School can participate in after-school activities including the parent-led ski club that meets once per week at Wachusett Mountain. Framingham High School students can select from several extracurricular activities including a Cappella, American Sign Language and ceramics clubs. <br><br>The neighborhood has plenty of options for outdoor recreation. At Cushing Memorial Park, you can stroll the paved walking path or relax on a park bench while the children explore the playground. Watch skaters perfecting their tricks at Framingham Skate Park or let the dogs enjoy a little off-leash fun at Farm Pond Dog Park. You can also take the boat out for a day of fishing on Waushakum Pond, an 82-acre glacial kettle pond. <br><br>Locals will tell you that Framingham Baking Company is the place to go for homemade sheet pizza and baked goods, and Lloyd’s Diner is a popular breakfast spot that serves the best hash browns around. The area’s restaurant scene also includes Framingham Station, a restaurant and an experience. Here you can enjoy a Brazilian all-you-can-eat buffet inside a historic railroad station. At La Cantina Italiana, you can select from a variety of pastas, specialty pizzas and steak and veal entrees. <br><br>Locals can pick up snacks, drinks and other essential items from A.V.’s Market, a small but well-stocked store. You’ll also see residents restocking at area stores including Trader Joe’s, Whole Foods and Stop & Shop. If you’re looking for a community with outdoor recreation, shopping options and a small-town feel, Coburnville is well worth considering.