Suburbia from Boston’s city limits to the Blue Hills
Kept apart by the crooked ramble of the Neponset River, Milton is the first town south of Boston’s city limits. Bridges, bike trails and commuter lines connect the two neighbors, however, allowing Milton to find a suburban sweet spot where citylike streetscapes can slowly transition into the forested hills that cradle the southern metro area. “It’s a unique community in that you could feel very rural in one section near the Blue Hills, but you’re very much in the city in others, where you could walk over the line into Dorchester in Boston,” says Erin Feeney, broker/owner of Ceres Real Estate, which is located in Milton. “If you’re not from here, you’re coming in from Southie or Dorchester and are used to a neighborhood vibe, Milton is a place where you can cultivate those types of connections.” While Milton’s residents might have different desires for space between neighbors or distance from the nearest T station, they’re all in agreement on some of the most important aspects of the community: ample green space, plenty of community events and access to exceptional public and private education.
Residents of Milton would share they feel a strong sense of community.
A beautiful sign greets you as you enter Milton.
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Diverse suburbia and MBTA multi-family development in Milton
Over the centuries in Milton, sloping forests and agricultural lands developed into country estates, trolley-centered industry towns and, eventually, settled suburbia. The preserved styles of the 19th and 20th centuries, including plenty of classic, boxy Colonial Revivals and Dutch Colonials, make up much of the town’s housing. More ornate styles from the same time are also available, as are simple Cape Cods, ranch-style homes and split-levels that built up through the prewar era and midcentury. Sidewalks line the blocks of neighborhoods like eastern Milton Hill, where close-together lots create a streetscape between urban and suburban. Homes sit far apart on winding, forested streets in areas like Brush Hill. The median single-family home price is $980,000, more than double the national median of $406,100 reported by the National Association of Realtors.
After the passing of the MBTA Communities Act, some Massachussetts Bay Transit Authority-served municipalities like Milton have been compelled to change zoning near transit centers to allow for multi-family housing. Through a local referendum, Milton residents voted to defy the change. In early 2025, the Massachusetts Supreme Court upheld the need for impacted communities to comply, but it's unclear how this will affect Milton's housing market in the coming years.
Historical homes can be found on every corner in Milton.
Some homes in Milton have large two car garages.
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Attending Milton Public Schools or Milton Academy
Milton Public Schools earns an A from Niche. While many of the district’s academic and extracurricular programs are well-regarded, Milton’s French immersion program is its best-known. Students learn all core subjects in French beginning in elementary school, and demand is so high that enrollment is often left to a lottery system. “Some people come to Milton specifically for the French program. The school system is terrific. But there are also great private options. Milton Academy is globally recognized; it’s considered a top-tier private school,” Feeney says. A-plus-rated Milton Academy also earns Niche’s designation as the best private K-12 school in Massachusetts and offers day school and boarding.
The Charles S. Pierce Middle School is a highly rated, public school located in Milton, MA.
Cunningham Elementary School in Milton offers a diverse academic curriculum.
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Driving and taking the T into Boston from just outside city limits
Milton is overwhelmingly a bedroom community to Boston’s major medical, financial and higher education employers. Commuters drive less than 10 miles on the Southeast Expressway to Downtown Boston, but Feeney advises that traffic will make it feel much longer. Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority operates limited bus service within Milton, as well as a few stops on the T’s Mattapan Trolley, a Red Line extension largely used for connections to busier commuter lines. A few stops along the Boston Logan International Airport is around 12 miles away. Health care is available within Milton at Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital – Milton.
Residents can grab the train at Central Ave MBTA Stop in Milton.
With its proximity to Downtown Boston, its no wonder why folks love living in Milton.
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Biking on the Neponset Greenway and exploring Blue Hills Reservation
Along its namesake river, cyclists and joggers travel between a series of parks on the Neponset Greenway Trail. Several green spaces sprawl throughout the city, including parks centered around athletic fields or water features and a few golf courses. Milton’s southern slopes carry into the Blue Hills Reservation, a massive state park known for high-point hiking trails, swimming and picnic areas around Houghton Pond and the gentle, seasonally snowy slopes of the Blue Hills Ski Area.
Stop by Cunningham Park to take in some hitting practice in Milton.
Houghton's Pond in Milton offers waterside trails for hiking enthusiasts.
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Shopping and dining in Dorchester and nearby malls
Outside of Boston’s extensive shopping and dining scene, Milton is home to a handful of business districts of its own. A cluster of restaurants and specialty businesses collect along the intersection of Eliot Street and Central Avenue, with plenty more across the river on Adams Street in Dorchester. Just outside Milton, big-box names anchor strip-style and mall-style shopping districts long Interstates 93 and 95 like South Shore Plaza and University Station. Houses of worship, including a few churches and a synagogue, are scattered throughout town.
Craft and Cru prides themselves on having fine wine and beer available for Milton residents.
Residents stop in to Steel and Rye for a quick bite or enjoy their stay at the full restaurant.
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The Forbes House Museum and Milton community events
History buffs can explore the collections of one of Milton’s wealthiest 19th-century families at the Forbes House Museum, a preserved estate packed with global artifacts and artwork. Modern musicians are the center of many Milton community events, whether they’re performing outside of town hall during the midweek summer concert series or starting up Celtic folk songs during the second day of the annual Milton Music Fest
A a slice of History, head to the Forbes House Museum in Milton.
The Eustis Estate Museum is a must see for history lovers in Milton.
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Crime data, weather patterns and airplane noise in Milton
The Milton Police Department contributes crime data and records of other police activity to the Town of Milton's annual report. During the 12-month periods covered in the 2022 and 2023 reports, overall incidents decreased by around 1.2%.
Milton experiences four seasons in a year, including hot summers and snowy, freezing winters.
A couple of Logan Airport flight paths cut through the center of Milton. While overhead planes aren’t likely to rattle the windows, they can halt conversations until they pass. Milton’s Airplane Noise Advisory Committee continues to petition local, state and federal aviation authorities for solutions to this continued source of noise.
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Zhen Guo A Braintree resident for many years, Zhen Guo has a deep knowledge of the Greater Boston area offering her clients high-quality customer service and expert advice. A Chinese immigrant from Chongqing Municipality in Central China, Zhen came to the states in her younger years. Boston’s diverse culture and vibrant lifestyle won her over. She settled and quickly understood the importance of not just owning a home but owning your “Dream Home”. Together with the Deborah M. Gordon team, Zhen is the connection to the Mandarin/Chinese speaking community and social media market.
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