Melrose Highlands
Neighborhood in Melrose, Massachusetts
Middlesex County 02176
Ornate Victorian homes common among a wide range of architecture styles
Shaded by a canopy of trees as established as the homes that line them, Melrose Highlands’ residential streets open to rows of stately single-family houses that range in architectural styles. While the neighborhood is known for its ornate Victorian homes, the housing market also includes charming bungalows, Cape Cods, colonial-style cottages and Richardsonian or Queen Anne styles. These can range in size from one bedroom to five bedrooms and are often framed by heavily used sidewalks, neatly landscaped front lawns and an occasional driveway, though street parking is common. Prices for real estate typically range from $600,000 to $1.7 million. Condos and townhouses are also available, costing between $235,000 and $665,000.
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Flanked by recreation, including Ell Pond and Middlesex Fells Reservation
Pocket parks, such as Warren Street Park, scattered around the residential neighborhood offer a corner of green space. Playgrounds and athletic fields attached to the local schools are also hotspots for recreation among kids. South of the neighborhood, Memorial Knoll and Melrose Dog Park provide outdoor spaces along Ell Pond. Locals take the lake trail with their canine companions, skaters hone their skills at the nearby Melrose Rotary Skate Park and recreationists enjoy the adjacent Crystal Street and Lyons Tennis Courts. One of the biggest recreational attractions of the greater Melrose area is its proximity to Middlesex Fells Reservation. “The reservation expands to Stoneham, Melrose and Winchester, so it’s a popular spot for year-round recreation,” Cranley says. The 2,575-acre natural area flanks the eastern part of the town, featuring bounteous hiking and biking trails, paddle boat launches into Spot Pond and a wide range of additional recreational opportunities.
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Top-rated Melrose schools in the public and private sector
Melrose Highlands’ students may attend top-rated centrally located schools, including Roosevelt Elementary School, which earns an A from Niche. Melrose Middle School and Melrose High School are situated next to each other, and both receive A-minus grades. Serving just under 1,000 students, Melrose High School boasts a student-teacher ratio of 13 to 1 and ranks highly in the quality of both teachers and athletics. Private faith-based and Montessori schools are also options, including Greater Boston Academy and St. Joseph School, which both earn A-plus overall grades.
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Victorian Fair is an annual Melrose tradition
While the community boasts a bustling social calendar for locals year-round, Cranley says the Victorian Fair is one of the area’s largest events. Every September, Main Street in the downtown district is closed off as vendors and carnival rides set up along the street. Live music surrounds festivalgoers as they enjoy food tents and various booths showcasing art, exhibits and more. Hosted by the Melrose Chamber of Commerce, the event is a celebration of the community’s past and nods to its Victorian-era homes.Melrose Highlands train station, proximity to highways and the airport
Commuters benefit from the neighborhood’s central train station, and while no highways run through Melrose Highlands, locals are close to Interstate 93 to the west and U.S. Route 1 to the west. Both major thoroughfares connect drivers to Boston within 30 minutes in typical conditions. Boston Logan International Airport is located about 10 miles from Melrose Highlands.Shopping and dining in Downtown Melrose, convenient options nearby seeing redevelopment
Most people head into Downtown Melrose for shopping and dining. “The Downtown District has a ton of thriving eateries, retail stores, wine stores and more,” Cranley says, adding that the area’s high walkability allows for easy access on foot. “Melrose is the size where you can walk to any other place in Melrose.” Melrose Highlands’ network of residential streets is framed by a few commercial thoroughfares, where locals can find a smattering of businesses and restaurants. At the Towers Plaza Shopping Center off Main Street, residents can get groceries at Whole Foods Market, pick up prescriptions at CVS and stop in for a bite at Liberty Bell, a mainstay since 1976 that serves classic American dishes in a cozy atmosphere. Cranely says that while current options close to home remain slim, the neighborhood plans to make an effort toward revitalization. “The shopping plazas in the Highlands are actually undergoing redevelopment,” Cranley says. “They’re building apartments with retail on the first floor, and several buildings are planned for the Highlands on Franklin Street.” Additional plans within the greater Melrose area have gotten positive reactions from residents, Cranley adds. “When I grew up, Melrose was still a dry town,” he notes. “They recently opened a brewery and a couple of wine shops, so they’re gradually catching up with the times.”
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Written By
Christina von Claparede-Crola
Photography Contributed By
Amanda Beattie
Video By
Christian Gortler
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Agents Specializing in this Area
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Mary Kelly
Mary Kelly
Century 21 Property Central Inc.
(339) 229-6334
83 Total Sales
1 in Melrose Highlands
$462,000 Price
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The Edward Realty Team
The Edward Realty Team
Barrett Sotheby's International Realty
(351) 208-1378
56 Total Sales
1 in Melrose Highlands
$1,050,000 Price
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ZhiChao Chen
ZhiChao Chen
Space Realty
(855) 528-1854
159 Total Sales
1 in Melrose Highlands
$950,000 Price
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Maria DiPierro
Maria DiPierro
Atlantic Realty Services
(857) 763-2415
25 Total Sales
1 in Melrose Highlands
$1,000,000 Price
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Praveen Khare
Praveen Khare
Keller Williams Realty Boston Northwest
(857) 380-5573
11 Total Sales
1 in Melrose Highlands
$660,000 Price
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Donald Cranley
Donald Cranley
Responds QuicklyLeading Edge Real Estate
(781) 782-2865
27 Total Sales
3 in Melrose Highlands
$390K - $1.2M Price Range
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
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Parks in this Area
Melrose Dog Park
- Dog Park
Spot Pond
Memorial Knoll
Dunton Park
Warren Street Park
Franklin Field
Ell Pond
Transit
Airport
General Edward Lawrence Logan International
20 min drive
Train
Melrose Highlands
Bus
Warren St & Melrose St
Bus
Walton Pk & Orris St
Bus
Franklin St & Greenwood St
Bus
Franklin St & Ashland St
Bus
Franklin St & Botolph St
Bus
Franklin St & Pratt St
Melrose Highlands Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Melrose Highlands, Melrose sell after 14 days on the market compared to the national average of 49 days. The median sale price for homes in Melrose Highlands, Melrose over the last 12 months is $830,000, up 8% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Housing Trends
Median List Price
$784,500
Median Sale Price
$830,000
Median Single Family Sale Price
$927,500
Median Townhouse Sale Price
$1,325,000
Median 2 Bedroom Sale Price
$461,000
Median Change From 1st List Price
0%
Last 12 months Home Sales
47
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
8%
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$472
Neighborhood Facts
Number of Homes in Neighborhood
1,336
Number of Homes for Sale
7
Median Year Built
1912
Months of Supply
1.80
Average Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
2,023
On par with the national average
1,933
Average Townhouse Size Sq Ft
2,695
Average 2 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
1,171
Average 1 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
718
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
7,405
Open Houses
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Sunday, Jun 1512 - 1:30pm
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Sunday, Jun 1512 - 1:30pm
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Sunday, Jun 1512 - 1:30pm
Distribution of Home Values
Homes for Sale
Homes for Rent
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Average Home Value
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Owners
Demographics
Total Population
4,466
Median Age
46
Population under 18
21.2%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
24.3%
Above the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$102,517
Significantly above the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$137,841
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
94.9%
Above the national average
89.1%
College Graduates
62%
Significantly above the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
18.5%
% Population in Labor Force
70.3%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
43''
Average Winter Low Temperature
23°F
Average Summer High Temperature
82°F
Annual Snowfall
12''
Area Factors
Bikeable
Bike Score®
54
/ 100
Very Walkable
Walk Score®
71
/ 100
Some Transit
Transit Score®
33
/ 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.
Nearby Neighborhoods
Cedar Park
Larger Melrose homes near parks and downtown activity
Downtown Melrose
Transportation and dining option in the core of Melrose
Horace Mann
Traditional New England homes and great schools 10 miles from Boston
Colonial Park
A family-centric Stoneham community about 12 miles from downtown Boston
Greenwood
A Wakefield neighborhood with an MBTA station and elementary school
Melrose East Side
Plentiful parks, well-regarded schools and proximity to Boston
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