Mansfield offers a suburban lifestyle with commuter-friendly access
Mansfield offers a suburban lifestyle with a central location off Interstate 95 between Boston and Providence. This, along with access to the MBTA commuter rail, makes the area a practical choice for commuters. Mansfield’s neighborhoods are densely settled, with a mix of single-family homes and newer developments that attract young families drawn to the town’s highly rated public schools. Residents make use of a variety of local amenities, from concerts at the Xfinity Center to recreation at Fulton Pond and other green spaces. Shopping and dining options are plentiful at Mansfield Crossing Mall, contributing to a well-rounded community atmosphere that balances convenience with a sense of small-town familiarity.
Ponds, parks and golf provide green space for community gatherings
Outdoor adventures reflect the town’s balance of gathering spaces and natural retreats. Mansfield Center is home to several parks where residents can attend larger town events like vendor markets and the annual fair. Fulton Pond offers a walking loop around the water and is also popular for birdwatching. Mansfield Memorial Park, located next to the public library, includes a playground and athletic fields and courts. South Common is the town’s central green space, hosting seasonal events like the fall Arts and Crafts Show. Overlooking the Common is the Congregational Church of Mansfield, a historic structure that blends Gothic grandeur with the simplicity of a New England meetinghouse, marked by its copper steeple. On the south side, TPC Boston is a private and exclusive golf club. “Hundreds of conserved acres surround the course, which are also used for hunting, another big attraction here,” says Dan Kelleher, a local Realtor with Keller Williams Elite.
Colonial Revivals and New Traditionals shape the housing market
Mansfield offers a broad range of housing options, from modest cottages to expansive custom builds. Most residential streets are lined with sidewalks, maintained through town regulations. Single-family homes dominate the landscape, with architectural styles that include Colonial Revival, Cape Cod, split-level and New Traditional designs. Prices start around $310,000 for smaller homes on half-acre lots, while stately properties with multiple acres can reach upwards of $1.8 million. Homes priced above $500,000 typically include attached garages. For those seeking lower-maintenance living, Mansfield also has several townhome and condominium communities, some dating back to the late 1970s and others built as recently as the late 2010s. Units range from $240,000 for compact spaces under 800 square feet to over $800,000 for multi-level homes with more than 3,000 square feet.
Italian spots, pubs and a music venue mold the town’s social core
The community’s commercial and cultural scene is centered around local eateries, shopping malls and large-scale entertainment. Cibo Matto and Trattoria Della Nonna are well-known for their Italian fare, while Pushkart Café draws a steady crowd for breakfast and brunch. Fresh Catch is a go-to for seafood, and Jimmy’s Pub & Restaurant and Flynn’s Irish Pub are popular gathering spots for casual meals and drinks. Mansfield Crossing, an open-air shopping mall, offers a mix of national retailers and smaller boutiques. Nearby, The Fresh Market provides upscale grocery options, while Shaw’s is a more traditional supermarket. The Xfinity Center stands out as a major venue that brings energy to the town, hosting big-name musical acts in its outdoor amphitheater. “The Xfinity Center is a big deal, but we’re not always a big fan of it because it can bring a lot of traffic,” Kelleher says. “They did put a new on-ramp onto Interstate 495, which helps significantly."
Mansfield’s top-rated public and private schools
Students are served by Mansfield Public Schools, which earns an A-minus from Niche. All four of the district’s schools are located along East Street, giving students a campus-like experience as they move from elementary through high school. Robinson Elementary School serves kindergarten through second graders and holds a B rating, while Jordan/Jackson Elementary School serves grades 3 through 5 and is rated B-plus. Qualters Middle School and Mansfield High School both receive A-minus ratings. High schoolers can participate in a variety of student clubs, including Bentley’s Buddies, which involves working with therapy dogs.
St. Mary’s Catholic School offers a private, co-ed option for kindergarten through eighth graders and shares its campus with St. Mary’s Church, a Catholic parish that serves the local community. Another private co-ed option is Al-Noor Academy, a Muslim school for grades 6 through 12 that holds an A-plus rating from Niche.
Interstate 95 and the MBTA commuter rail serves the area
Interstate 95 runs through town, and residents are about 30 miles south of Boston and 20 miles north of Providence. For air travel, Boston Logan International Airport is the larger hub, while Rhode Island T.F. Green International Airport in Providence provides a more accessible alternative. “It’s smaller than Logan without as many flights, but you can park your car and get into the airport much quicker than you can at Logan,” says Kelleher. Mansfield Station provides MBTA commuter rail service, with trains running to Boston and to Providence. The station also serves as a pickup point for the MBTA bus, which offers direct service to Logan Airport.
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Written By
Mary Beth Greene
