A well-connected Boston suburb that values education
Although within the orbit of Boston, the suburb of Needham is an intimate-feeling town of its own with a nucleus of local shops and highly rated educational institutions. “A core reason people buy in Needham is the school system,” says Connor Gillen, 30-year Needham local and real estate agent at Keller Williams Boston Southwest. “It’s the town’s bread and butter. The schools are always in the top 10 in the state.” Residents are also within a few miles of several colleges and a network of green parks. Proximity to Interstate 95 and several commuter rail stations only sweetens the pot, with many residents heading into Boston for work.
Many classic and updated home styles are found on the streets of Needham.
Needham is a close-knit community where neighbors take care of one another.
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Needham Public Schools is a highly acclaimed district
Niche awards Needham Public Schools an overall A-plus and ranks the district among the top 2.5% in the country. The district is also a big source of local employment. “They’re strong in music and sports, academics. It’s not just one component,” says local Realtor Maura Cutting of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Commonwealth Real Estate. Notably, A-rated Mitchell Elementary School has a 60-year partnership with The Needham Science Center, which provides educational kits and live animal visits to students, among other resources. A-plus-rated Needham High and nearby Wellesley High have, according to Gillen, one of the oldest public high school football rivalries in the country. The feud dates to 1882, and the teams play each Thanksgiving Day. “Absolutely everyone comes out for that Thanksgiving game,” Gillen says. Needham residents are within a few miles of Wellesley College, a private women’s liberal arts institution; Babson College, a private business school; and Olin College, a private college with electrical and engineering programs.
Needham High School is a historic building that has helped thousands of Wellesley students.
Many middle schoolers in the Needham neighborhood attend Pollard Middle School.
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Needham’s price points are well above the national median
The median home price stands at about $1.6 million, substantially above the national median of $410,000. Most listings sell in 23 days, almost twice as fast as the national average. A mix of Colonial Revivals, split-levels and raised ranch-style homes populate Needham, with condos and townhouse communities interspersed between verdant subdivisions. Most constructions date from the 1940s through the ‘90s, but the city offers a fair share of early-20th-century Queen Annes. Many of the largest estates, built between the 2000s and 2020s, are in the city’s southwest corner.
Needham has a newly renovated home in Charles River Village, Needham.
Modern updates on classic styles are found throughout the neighborhoods of Needham.
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Local businesses surround Townhall Park
Local businesses encircle Townhall Park in the heart of downtown Needham. The culinary scene features Indian, Italian and American restaurants, plus bakeries and cafes. Residents can also visit a few crafts stores and retailers here. Big box stores are up Highland Avenue at the Newton Nexus shopping center. A family-owned business for four generations straight, Volante Farms has provided residents with fresh produce, sandwiches and homemade ice cream.
Technology firms such as TripAdvisor are major local employers. Some residents commute to Boston or Cambridge for work.
Visit French Press in Needham for great coffee and pastries in a charming atmosphere.
Grab a slice with the family at Needham House of Pizza.
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Sports at Cricket Field and a train in Needham Town Forest
Altogether, the Needham Park & Recreation department maintains 18 parks, fields and playgrounds, including facilities found on public school campuses. The open green space of Cricket Field is “covered on a Saturday morning with YMCA sports teams with kids five and under,” Cutting says. Hidden among the trees and trails of Needham Town Forest, the Martini Junction train chugs along miniature tracks and trestles constructed by Needham resident Jim Metcalf. Metcalf has been managing this 120-foot, model railway for more than 25 years, on top of decorating tree trunks with fairy-sized doorways and bridges. Even if Jim isn’t there to break out the remote-control train, children are welcome to play with toys left behind for their enjoyment.
The sprawling Cutler Park Reservation sits across Interstate 95, with trails and boardwalks inviting anglers to fish freshwater species and canoers to boat the Charles River. Residents play 18 holes at the private, members-only Needham Golf Club, while the Rosemary Recreation Complex offers a pool, splash pad and water slides.
Floats and marchers glide down the streets each Independence Day during the Fourth of July Parade. At the Needham Harvest Fair, attendees can find local produce, climb a firetruck and grab free pumpkins if they arrive early enough. The event usually occurs around the beginning of fall.
DeFazio Park baseball fields in Needham are well-maintained throughout the year.
The playground in Cricket Field in Needham, MA, has trees intertwined between them.
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Going to Boston on the MBTA commuter rail
“Part of Needham’s allure is that you can walk to the train stations that take you into Boston,” Gillen says, noting the city has four Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority commuter rail stops: Needham Heights, Needham Center, Needham Junction and Hersey. By car, Boston’s downtown is about 18 miles away. Boston Logan International Airport sits 20 miles northeast of Needham. Interstate 95 hugs Needham to the east and forms a partial beltway around the city. Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital lies in the center of Needham.
Crime and climate in Needham
According to FBI crime statistics, violent crimes decreased 4% between 2023 and 2022, while property crimes rose 42% over the same period.
Needham experiences warm summers, snowy winters and humid weather year-round.
Licensed in 2014, Julie is committed to guiding and supporting you through every stage of your real estate journey and beyond. Her top priority is delivering a seamless, 5-star experience tailored to your unique needs. Whether you're a first-time buyer, searching for a larger home, downsizing, or investing, Julie provides expert advice and personalized service every step of the way.
Originally from Columbia, MO, Julie has called the North Shore home since 1990. When she’s not assisting clients, she enjoys volunteering in her community, tending to her garden, cooking, and spending quality time with family and friends.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
