Malden

Situated between Malden and Medford, Edgeworth is a suburb known for its central locale and accessibility to exciting amenities. “The vast majority of people choose Edgeworth for its proximity to the Malden Center Orange Line and walkability to the downtown area, which has just undergone a huge transformation in the last few years,” says Realtor Kristin Gennetti at Century 21 North East, who has over 18 years of experience selling in Greater Boston. “The atmosphere is really social and diverse, as well. It’s always been tight knit.” With all of the restaurants, public transit and downtown happenings a short walk away, residents here don’t feel like they need a car, despite being 5 miles out of Boston. For those looking for a suburban feel without sacrificing accessibility to urban amenities, Edgeworth provides a blend of both. There are a few major outdoor spaces for recreation and relaxation, including Devir Park, which Gennetti mentions was just redone. Devir has soccer and baseball fields, a playground and tennis and basketball courts. MacDonald Stadium on Pearl Street is one of the area’s most utilized public spaces. It features a track for running and walking, as well as an artificial turf field that is often used for youth sports and special events. Right next door to the stadium, there is a Fitness Court at Callahan Park, which is a free area with equipment and a QR code that grants access to fitness challenges and guided training videos. The Fitness Court is a national fitness campaign partnered with healthcare providers, who have a goal to provide a free outdoor gym within a 10-minute bike ride of every American. Edgeworth residents have easy access to the area’s shops and restaurants. Folks can enjoy dinner at All Seasons Table, an Asian Fusion restaurant, which serves sushi, rice and noodle dishes and hosts live jazz on the weekends. Mystic Station is another popular place for relaxing on a patio, martini in hand. Other options include the numerous sub shops and Pisa Pizza on Pearl Street, which has been serving up pies to the community for decades. When it’s time to restock the pantry, Malden has several stores including Stop & Shop and Super 88, an Asian grocery store with low prices. Balaji Indian Groceries is another small specialty store with a variety of food and spices, and Wegmans and Target are also within 2 miles. Gennetti mentions that another draw to Edgeworth is its 2-mile proximity to Assembly Row in Summerville, an outlet mall with brands from Saks Off 5th and Coach to Reebok and Nike. One main event in Edgeworth is the Italian Feast Fair in honor of Saint Anthony. Participants can sample authentic food from about 100 vendors, pick up a souvenir or partake in the procession of the streets. The area is also an internet café and gaming hotspot. At Mixer eSports + Café on Pleasant Street, lattes meet video and board games. Boda Borg is an amusement center inspired by those in Sweden, where groups can venture on different “quests” to complete physical and mental challenges. Students in Edgeworth are zoned for Malden Public Schools, which include five kindergarten through Grade 8 schools and one high school. Children may begin their education at Beebe School, which rates a B-minus on Niche. Here, students share the love of reading through events including noun parades and read-a-thons. Students can then head to Malden High School, rated B-plus, and can participate in an array of extracurricular activities including step team, animation cartoon club and ping pong club. One of the most popular educational draws to Edgeworth, though, is the Mystic Valley Regional Charter School, which enrolls students from kindergarten through Grade 12. Mystic Valley earns an A-minus on Niche, which also places it in the top 10 best charter schools in the state. Single- and multifamily colonials, condos and apartments make up most of Edgeworth’s housing options. Properties were built throughout the 20th century, with a few late 19th century builds, and most have vinyl siding. Some homes have modest front yards, lined by sidewalks and tree boxes. Both houses and smaller units often fall between $550,000 and $750,000, and monthly rent for apartments tends to start around $2,000 for two bedrooms. With the recent transformation of Malden’s downtown area, vibrant apartments have been erected along Pleasant Street and are growing in popularity. While some homes have garages or private parking space, street parking can be necessary, and at times, difficult to find. Improvements on Pleasant Street in the past few years have made the area more walkable and drivable, which has increased property values, according to Gennetti. Interstate 93 is easily accessible, which is a big draw for commuters into Boston. For those who prefer public transit, Malden Center is within walking distance and has the Haverhill Line commuter rail and Orange Line access. Boston Logan International Airport is about 7 miles away. Other facilities, including churches of various denominations and the Malden Islamic Center can be found in Edgeworth, with the closest temple being a couple blocks north of Pleasant Street. Health care is also available within 2 miles at CHA Everett Hospital.

Maplewood, an area east of Malden’s center, is just outside of downtown Boston. The large neighborhood consists primarily of housing along quiet suburban roads with a number of recently updated parks within walking distance from the front yard. The neighborhood’s northern end offers a more spread-out space than other parts of the neighborhood, with roads and public transportation options tying everything together. The neighborhood’s main streets converge into Maplewood Square, which is the area’s heart where residents are likely to run into someone they know. It’s also the spot to shop for fresh produce and grab a bite to eat. “The area is more affordable than other parts of Boston—that’s what it is known for,” says Michelle Tenaglia, a Coldwell Banker Realtor who has been serving the Boston area for almost 6 years. The Malden area has always been a popular commuting spot, as “the train line is right there and there are tons of buses,” Tenaglia says. Many residents use the Malden Center station to hop on the orange line to downtown each day. Locals also can be seen strolling the streets or biking the Northern Strand Bike Trail, which cuts through the middle of the neighborhood. For car rides, locals can use Broadway and Eastern Avenue to easily reach Route 1. Logan International Airport is 7 miles away for trips outside of Massachusetts, and CHA Everett Hospital is 2 miles to the south. Residents can relax in the cozy diner setting at Franny’s in the Maplewood Center, which serves breakfast, lunch, dinner, and drinks. Residents can head into the neighboring Malden Center and grab a French or Korean-inspired treat at Tous Les Jours or a scoop of ice cream at Jay’s Pizza & Ice Cream. The Maplewood Meat Market and Maplewood Fish Market are nearby grocery options, or locals can head to 99 Asian Supermarket in Broadway Plaza. Just across the street from many Maplewood homes, Trafton Park is a recently renovated park that is often abuzz with activity. Fun seekers can enjoy the new playset and updated baseball diamond while their furry friends romp around the neighboring dog park. Locals can also head down to Howard Park, which is next to Malden Catholic High School, where games for both school and recreational teams are common sights at the soccer and tennis courts. Houses in the Maplewood area commonly adopt Cape Cod and Foursquare designs, with a number of split-level homes scattered around the neighborhood. Most residences offer plenty of driveway space and modest backyards shaded by local pine and maple trees. The area also offers some newly constructed, single-family properties and larger residences that have been converted into condominiums. Prices tend to range from around $550,000 to just over $1 million. Families opting for public education can send their children to one of Malden's kindergarten through eighth-grade schools, such as Forestdale School, which receives a B-minus rating on Niche. At the B-plus rated Malden High School, students can select from 15 Advanced Placement courses and participate in a wide range of service and cultural clubs. Students in Maplewood also have the option to attend the A-minus rated Mystic Valley Regional Charter School, a public kindergarten through 12th grade school that serves children of Malden and surrounding communities and was rated the No. 5 charter school in Massachusetts by Niche. When it comes to Malden events, many locals can be seen getting excited about the Malden Porchfest in mid-May. Sometimes referred to as the event of the year, Porchfest includes 100 different bands at 47 different locations from local businesses to people’s front lawns. The festival also has a number of food and drink vendors driving around the different venues. Locals can also be seen at the Maplewood Festival, which is an open-air festival in September that features local artists, music and dancing and tons of activities for kids.

Oak Grove in the City of Malden has stunning turn-of-the-century Victorian homes and its own T station. Residents here enjoy a blend of old-world charm and modern convenience. Realtor Kristin Gennetti with Century 21 North East says the market is hot in Oak Grove for single-family homes and multifamily properties. “I just listed a 3,000-square-foot Philadelphia-style multifamily home, had an open house over the weekend, and now it has 17 offers,” she says. On Wyoming Avenue, there are some 1900s Philadelphia-style multifamily homes with gabled roofs and separate front entrances that are going for about $750,000. On Summer Street, there are Victorian homes and large multifamily houses, including a canary-yellow home from the 1900s that is fetching $1.2 million. There are Victorian styles from the late 1800s in need of a little attention on Beltran Street, another walkable street with many other 19th-century homes. On Earl Street, which is lined with large Victorians and multifamily homes that feature front porches and balconies, there are also some Garrison-style houses priced just below $570,000. Students in Oak Grove are part of Malden Public Schools, which has a B rating from Niche. The district includes five kindergarten-through-eighth-grade schools and one high school. Kids in Oak Grove may start at Beebe School, which gets a B-minus rating from Niche. Students may then attend Malden High School, rated B-plus, where they can participate in an array of extracurricular activities including step team, animation cartoon club and ping pong club. Gennetti notes that Rockland Montessori School, for children ages 3 through kindergarten, is an excellent option for little ones. “It’s a tight-knit, nurturing school where students are given an amazing foundation in learning,” Gennetti says. “Students from other cities attend here, too.” Plus, the Montessori school’s schedule is in line with Malden Public Schools. Like other neighborhoods in Malden, Oak Grove has its share of attractive outdoor spaces. Check out the view of surrounding areas from Pinnacle Trailhead, a hiking area in the northern part of the neighborhood. During the summer months, go swimming at Holland Memorial Pool on Mountain Avenue. The public swimming pool includes a separate wading area and on-duty lifeguards. Just behind the pool, kids can play on the newly designed playground at Coytemore Lea Park, a public space that also offers basketball courts and a walking path. Go for a stroll along the Spot Pond Brook Greenway, a path that connects Oak Grove to Malden Center, also known as Downtown Malden. Malden Center borders Oak Grove to the south and serves as the area’s hub of restaurants and cafes. “It’s a big gaming destination, “Gennetti says. “You’ll see internet cafes where people order tea and play esports.” There are also a variety of restaurants with patios to take in the surrounding views with a martini in hand. For those who prefer to spend the evening right in Oak Grove, grab take-out from Asia Gourmet, a spot that locals say has large portions and great prices. Dairy Delight, located on Main Street, is the neighborhood go-to for ice cream, slushies and the popular tornado, soft serve blended with cookie and candy pieces. “It’s so cute and has the best ice cream in town,” Gennetti says. “We go there all the time.” For groceries and other essentials, pick up a few items at Oak Grove Variety, a small shop with a big selection, or head to the Stop & Shop in Malden Center. In addition to Oak Grove’s stunning architecture and variety of parks and restaurants, it is also a convenient neighborhood with its own train station. Interstate 93 and Highway 1 are also close by, and downtown Boston is just 5 miles south.

On her "Tigerlily" album, 90s singer-songwriter Natalie Merchant, wrote, “Go west, paradise is there.” While she may not have been singing about the West End neighborhood in the City of Malden, there are plenty of folks who will tell you that this area of the city is a true architectural paradise. Realtor Kristin Gennetti with Century 21 North East notes that the West End is a more expensive part of the city, but for a reason. “These period homes are just gorgeous,” Gennetti says. “People love the renovated, old-style homes.” Plus, the gently curving streets with names like Pine Street and Maple Street eventually coalesce around Fellsmere Park. This is a leafy, historic community for those who put aesthetics at the top of their list. On Clifton Street, a two-lane road with sidewalks and meticulous landscaping, you’ll see stunning Victorians and late 1800s Colonials that go for about $995,000. There are more Victorian homes on Prospect Street priced around $685,000 and some 1930s Colonials going for about $675,000. Classic 1980s colonials on Pamela Circle are priced around $780,000, and beautifully restored 1900s Cape Cods on Glenwood Street fetch a little over $600,000. Blues, tans, creams and stark whites present a consistent aesthetic to the neighborhood, while numerous evergreens and deciduous trees enhance the suburban atmosphere. Homes can be clustered close together in some parts, encouraging a cozy, pedestrian vibe. Indeed, with curving streets reducing through traffic, most people will find the neighborhood friendly to walkers, and major paths like Fellsway East are lined with sidewalks in both directions. West End students can attend Malden Public Schools. At Beebe School, nearly 1,000 students attend kindergarten through Grade 8. There's a 14-to-1 student-teacher ratio, and Niche gives the school a B-minus overall. Malden High maintains the same student-teacher ratio, even though it has double the student population. Niche gives it a B-plus overall. Students have access to eclectic extracurriculars like step team, animation cartoon club and ping pong club. Rockland Montessori School is another neighborhood option for children ages three through kindergarten. Rockland follows the same school calendar as Malden Public Schools. The neighborhood is home to a beautiful outdoor space called Fellsmere Park, which was designed by the famous landscape architect, Frederick Law Olmsted. The park is built around a pond and is a popular place for walking, jogging and picnics. “You’ll also see folks sledding here in the winter,” Gennetti says. At Amerige Field, athletic amenities abound; there's a baseball diamond, playground, soccer fields and tennis courts. For a more immersive experience, the neighborhood's north side borders Middlesex Fells Reservation, which features extensive walking trails. When folks head out for an evening dinner, Gennetti says they often walk to the downtown area, also known as Malden Center. This hip area is being developed with luxury residential properties, even while historic facades remain. It has the effect of drawing in creative eateries. Friends tend to gather at The Pearl Street Station Restaurant, a popular spot for lunch, dinner and karaoke. The restaurant, which locals boast its lively atmosphere, serves a variety of barbecue dishes in a renovated railroad station. Another local favorite, District Kitchen, is a self-described modern and authentic Chinese restaurant that serves hand-crafted dumplings. Interstate 93 is a mile to the west, and that's a key way for residents to reach Boston, only 8 miles south. I-93 also passes through the center of Middlesex Fells Reservation, making it convenient to hop onto any of the various trailheads. But the neighborhood's core thoroughfare is Fellsway East, which can be taken south 2.5 miles, across the Mystic River to Assembly Square, which contains a Trader Joe's. Public transportation is an option, as buses run south along Fellsway.