Newton

The Massachusetts Turnpike divides the neighborhood and gives residents quick access to Downtown Boston, 12 miles away. The popular school system, convenient transit options and classic home styles make Auburndale a desirable place to live. Valerie Wastcoat, an experienced Realtor with Coldwell Banker Realty- Newton who was born and raised in Auburndale, says, “Auburndale is a suburb with a city feel. People move here for the schools and the commute options while still being close to Boston.” Residents get involved with the community in many ways, including joining one of the more than 80 board committees or running for City Council. Others practice their swing at the Woodland Golf Club or take a stroll around Auburndale Park. Locally owned restaurants keep hungry residents fed with menus packed with tasty bites, and shopping for groceries takes no time with Star Market and Trader Joe’s. Whether residents move in for the schools or easy commute, they’ll find even more reasons to stay in Auburndale. The Auburndale neighborhood offers residents homes with a variety of designs, including renovated Queen Annes from the late 1800s, new contemporary Cape Cods with large windows, simple Cape Cods with wide front porches and post-modernism homes with unique structures. “There are some condos north of the turnpike, and larger homes sit in the south,” Wastcoat says. Most homes sell for $1 million to $2 million, but savvy homeowners might find a 3-bedroom home for $800,000 to $925,000. Those interested in a home in Auburndale shouldn’t hesitate for long, because plenty of units sell in less than a month of being on the market. Almost every home features uncovered parking and moderate yards. Seeing cars parked on the side of the street won’t be a surprise, and the skinny sidewalks give residents a path to follow around the neighborhood. Residents don’t have to travel all the way into Boston to find popular dining destinations. Neighbors love The Knotty Pine, a locally owned restaurant that serves delicious breakfast and lunch items. “Knotty Pine is great, even kids love it.” When hungry residents need tasty dishes to go, they order lunch at Tom’s Pizza and Sandwich Shop. People of all ages visit Ward 4 for a sit-down dinner, and friends meet up at the bar to catch up over cocktails. Just nearby, locals pick up groceries at Star Market. Others drive down Washington Street to shop at Trader Joe’s. Anyone who wants to find new pieces for their wardrobe shop at The Dressing Room or Studio 1851. For more retail options, residents visit Waltham across the Charles River to visit Linden Plaza or the Main Street Marketplace. Residents cheer on athletes running the Boston Marathon every year. The route runs down Washington Street near the Woodland Country Club, and Auburndale residents make the trip to join in on the fun. Newton also draws in Auburndale locals who want to visit the Newton Harvest Fair every October to hop on carnival rides and see live music. Others wait until May for the live public art event, local vendors and arts and craft workshops at Family FunFEST. Kids pack their backpacks before heading off to Williams Elementary School, which gets an A from Niche. Later on, they attend the A-plus-rated F.A. Day Middle School. Newton North High School features a championship-winning chess team and girls' volleyball team. NHS also earns an A-plus. Many private schools, such as the all-boys Fessenden School, sit within and around the neighborhood. Lasell University, a private university founded in 1851, covers the neighborhood's southern area. “We have a great community here. Parents get involved with the schools, too,” Wastcoat says. Norumbega Park, now a sprawling hiking and dog-walking area with over 80 acres of green land, was once the site for one of America’s earliest amusement parks. Today, people walk the trails, look out over the Charles River or relax on a log bench surrounded by towering trees. Some visitors even bring their kayaks to sail out on the river for a day on the water. Parents take their kids further north to play at Auburndale Playground, also known as “The Cove”. The park features basketball courts, tennis courts, a baseball field, walking trails, playground equipment and a fitness equipment station. Those who live on the east side of the neighborhood might take their kids to the Reverend Ford Playground behind the Myrtle Baptist Church on Curve Street. Many residents drive along the Massachusetts Turnpike along I-90 into Boston when it’s time to clock in, but a large number also save on gas by using the MBTA Commuter Rail station in Auburndale, Riverside or West Newton. The MBTA bus lines run along Commonwealth Avenue and takes riders up to Waltham before the route ends at Newton Corner. Residents might also choose NewMo, the city-wide rideshare option for traveling within the city proper, or rent a Bluebike to ride along the sidewalks. The Newton-Wellesley Hospital sits near the Woodland Golf Club. The hospital has inpatient and outpatient care with many specialists under one roof.

Newton is a storied city just under 7 miles west of Boston, a patchwork town comprised of 13 villages that have steadily suburbanized over the course of the last five centuries. Newton Centre is the main commercial hub of this town, boasting the largest downtown area of all these villages. The busy shopping centers and clusters of restaurants are balanced neatly by the community’s plentiful green space. Winding residential streets are lined with tall trees, paved sidewalks and a collection of Cape Cod and Victorian-style houses that lend the neighborhood a storybook atmosphere. With its stellar school district, proximity to the city and thriving restaurant scene, residents can enjoy all Beantown has to offer and still feel settled in at home. Newton Centre is among the most desirable neighborhoods in the area, sporting a variety of home styles reflective of its historical development. Prospective buyers will find four-bedroom Cape Cods built in 1930 available starting at $1.3 million, elevated ranch-style houses built in the 1950s priced around $2 million and Victorian cottages that begin at around $2.5 million. “There’s tons of new construction in the area,” says McKenzie Howarth, a sales associate with Coldwell Banker and area resident since 2016. “The market is extremely strong for sellers, and very competitive for buyers. That’s something that I think people really need to understand about buying here.” Newton Centre students are zoned for the Newton Public School district, Niche’s No. 5 best district in Massachusetts. Children begin at Mason-Rice Elementary School, which scores an A-plus and boasts a student-teacher ratio of 11 to 1. They continue to Oak Hill Middle, also an A-plus, which has served the community since its construction in 1936. Students graduate from Newton South High, another A-plus institution that offers Chapter 74 programs in automotive technology, carpentry, and the culinary arts. Several celebrity alumni have graduated from Newton South, including John Krasinski, B. J. Novak, Eli Roth and Joe Rogan. Parks and green spaces speckle Newton from top to bottom. To the south is Weeks Park, home to six soccer fields that regularly host youth league games. Webster Park and Conservation Area is found on the eastern edge of the neighborhood, where hikers wander the natural, tree-lined trails and rock climbers can be spotted scaling sandstone cliffs. Local dogs will enjoy spending time off-leash at Newtown Centre Playground, the city’s oldest and largest park, which also features playgrounds and athletic fields. To the west, residents can explore the serene banks of Crystal Lake. “People love to go fishing there,” Howarth says. “You’ll always see people casting lines on weekends, from morning to night.” Residents also paddle across the surface in canoes or learn to swim in designated beach areas. For groceries, residents head to Whole Foods on Walnut Street or to the Wegmans in Chestnut Hill just 2 miles away. Just across the street, The Shops at Chestnut Hill features a compact collection of designer retailers and several popular chain restaurants, such as Frank Pepe Napoletana, famous for their New Haven-style white clam pizza. However, the main commercial district of Newton Centre is even closer to home. Four Corners is located at the conflux of Beacon Street, Centre Street and Langley Road and is home to scores of shops and restaurants, including upstart local chain Blackbird Doughnuts and casual neighborhood gastropub Thistle & Leek. While street parking is ample and residents have easy access to Route 9 and Interstate 95, Newton Centre is a stop directly on the D line of Boston’s T light rail service. Many residents commute into Boston for work or head to Bruins games at TD Garden, a trip that takes just under 45 minutes. Locals take I-90 13 miles east to Logan International Airport, though may take the T to avoid traffic and airport parking rates. Newton Centre often plays host to a variety of craft fairs, architectural tours and road races. “The Harvest Fair happens here every fall,” Howarth says. “They bring in a small carnival and vendors who give out samples. It’s a big draw in terms of supporting local business.” The Boston Marathon passes through the neighborhood annually, and residents can always catch a train to TD Garden for Celtics basketball, concerts or stand-up comedy. Boston College, the world-famous Jesuit higher education institution, is located to the east of Newton Centre in Chestnut Hill. The college’s law school makes up the northern portion of the neighborhood, imbuing the community with a college-town vibe.

Newton Corner is one of 13 villages that make up Newton, just 6 miles west of Downtown Boston. Famous Fig Newton bars, first baked at F.A. Kennedy Steam Bakery in Cambridge in 1891, got their name from this community dating back to the late 17th century. The arrival of the Boston and Worcester Railroad in the mid-19th century transformed Newton from a small village with farms into a major manufacturing hub. The area continued to expand residentially through the 20th century, before the construction of the Massachusetts Turnpike in the 1960s resulted in the demolition of several historic neighborhoods and most of Newton Corner’s village center. Residential renovations and construction of mid-rise buildings continue to this day. Farlow Park, the community’s first park listed on the National Historic Register, is a 5-acre facility with a footbridge, toddler area and athletic fields. Burr Park offers a baseball field and a recreation building with game rooms. Eliot Memorial Park and Charlesbank Park are smaller spaces that offer peaceful escapes from the daily routine. Newton Community Golf Course, a public 18-hole course, is in the village's southeastern corner and includes water and sand bunkers. The Oak Square YMCA is 1 mile east and offers two fitness centers and an indoor pool. Many residents spend summer evenings and weekends at the Newton Yacht Club on the banks of the Charles River. The club, which requires membership, hosts annual events and leads boating safety courses. Nearby Daly Rink, an indoor ice-skating facility, resurfaces the ice every hour. The rink is available for birthday parties, public skating times and can also be rented for private use. Newton Corner is home to a variety of chain and independent restaurants. Thai Amarin on Centre Street serves traditional pad Thai and curry dishes, and Social Restaurant and Bar has a diverse lunch and dinner menu with signature cocktails. Sweet Rossella Bakery, located on Vernon Street, is a family-operated, authentic Italian bakery. While Newton Corner does have a Walgreens, it’s necessary to venture outside the village for groceries and other shopping necessities. The closest grocery store is Whole Foods Market on Washington Street. Each May, the community comes out for Family FunFEST, an event packed with art and entertainment and in July, Newton celebrates the Fourth of July with amusement rides and fireworks. Newton also hosts a Harvest Fair each October, a two-day event that includes food, performances and live music. For those looking for something a little more low-key, the annual Newton House Tour, a celebration of local architectural history and design, takes place in May. Homes in this neighborhood include refurbished condominiums and Victorian-style properties that have been converted into two- and three-bedroom townhouses. There are also single-family residences in Victorian and colonial styles built in the late 1800s. Homes here sell for $1.5 million to $3 million, and condos sell for $700,000 to $900,000. Kids may start at Underwood Elementary, which gets an A from Niche, before transitioning to Bigelow Middle, which also has an A. Students may then attend Newtown North High with an A-plus, which Niche ranks as one of Massachusetts's best public high schools. While the village is divided by the Massachusetts Turnpike, much of Newton Corner is still walkable. Located just 7 miles from Boston, commuters can go south to Boston College station and take the Green Line, or head west to Newtonville station for the Purple Line.

History thrives on the streets of Newton Upper Falls. The neighborhood joins other historical hotspots on the National Register of Historic Places, a designation that has maintained the integrity of its array of classic homes—many of which date back to the 19th century. “The historic look and feel is pretty neat,” says Dino Rossi, a local Realtor with RE/MAX Preferred Properties. Townhouses and condos make up most of the neighborhood, but single-family homes with Queen Anne designs wait for future residents. Homeowners have multiple local restaurants within walking and biking distance, such as Little Luke’s Cafe, which occupies an old train station depot. Those who want pieces of history to decorate their homes shop the antiques at Echo Bridge Mall. Although residential and retail spots fill the area, locals have a few parks to choose from when they want to reconnect with nature. They might take their kids to Bobby Braceland Playground or go for a hike at Hemlock Gorge Reservation near the historic Echo Bridge. Newton Upper Falls combines classic home styles and convenient amenities. Many of the homes in Newton Upper Falls were built between the 1800s and the mid-1900s, though there are also some 21st-century condos and townhomes. In addition to being part of the National Register of Historic Places, Newton Upper Falls is also listed as a Newton Local Historic District, which restricts the type of exterior modifications made to historic properties. The homes feature simple designs with limited ornamentation. “I think it keeps everything looking relatively the same as it did 100 years ago,” Rossi says. Whether new or old, properties around Newton Upper Falls share the convenience of the town’s network of sidewalks, making it easy for residents to walk to a nearby bakery or restaurant. Townhouses, duplexes and condos can often sell for $500,000 to $700,000. A handful of single-family homes exist, such as simple stick homes with wide front porches and contemporary homes with tall windows and moderate yards, and they sell for $1 million or more. “If it’s priced properly, it'll be gone within 30 days,” Rossi says. “Maybe even less than that.” Residents are often homeowners, but nearly half the population rents condos or townhouses. Newton Upper Falls has a dense residential layout, but parks and green spaces wait for visitors of all ages. Rossi says the Hemlock Gorge Reservation has a nice walking trail along the Charles River. Residents might practice on the tennis courts at Bobby Braceland Playground while parents take their kids to Emerson Playground for a fun day outside. Emerson Playground also features soccer and baseball fields when young athletes want to play a quick game. Residents have plenty of local dining destinations to choose from when they want to go out for lunch or dinner. Little Luke’s Cafe brought an old train depot back to life when it opened its doors to locals. Hungry residents step inside to order breakfast or lunch to go with their coffee or smoothie. Baltimore Bar & Grill accepts dinner reservations when residents want to plan a night out with friends or family. After an outdoor excursion, locals head right down the street for a bite to eat at Echo Bridge Restaurant & Cafe. “It’s a pretty popular place,” Rossi says, “been there a long time.” The restaurant has been family-owned and –operated since the 60s. Those who need ingredients for a homecooked meal stock up at Stop & Shop. Residents can often pick up staple groceries and premade dishes such as Russian Smetannik at Baza Gourmet Food & Spirits. Locals don’t have to travel far to find interesting retail stores. The Mall at Echo Bridge features multiple unique antique shops, including Echo Deco Antiques and Nina Rachele Decor. Anyone who wants modern clothing options visit Marshalls on Needham Street. Residents head into Downtown Newton every October to see which local vendors set up booths at the Harvest Fair. Visitors enjoy live music, taste delicious food and have fun on carnival rides. Even more festival fun draws in a crowd during the Family FunFEST in May and the July 4th Open Air Market. Young students begin learning at Countryside Elementary School before graduating to Oak Hill Middle. Students at Newton South High School might try out for the champion debate team or boys' swim team. Newton South also features two popular school-led newspapers, Denebola and The Lion’s Roar. All three of these schools earn an A-minus or higher from Niche. Newton Upper Falls is a great commuter location as well, Rossi says. The neighborhood borders U.S. Route 9, sits just west of Interstate 95 and has quick access to the Massachusetts Turnpike. Residents can drive 13 miles to Downtown Boston or hop on the light rail at Eliot Station. The MBTA buses also run through the neighborhood along Eliot Street and take residents to Downtown Newton.

Nonantum, once a predominantly Italian American industrial village of Newton, is now a popular residential community that takes pride in its cultural roots. On a drive through the area, one may notice fire hydrants and street markings painted in the colors of the Italian flag. “It’s less and less an Italian American community, though,” says Robert Vercollone, Realtor with Keller Williams Realty, who has lived in the Boston metropolitan area all his life. “It’s so gentrified now.” With access to highly rated schools and an accessible commute into Boston, the neighborhood appeals to a wide range of buyers. Locals can enjoy several nearby parks and restaurants, as well as homes that are priced lower on average than in other parts of Newton. Along Watertown Street and connecting streets there are a range of eateries — among them Olivia’s Bistro and Tommy Doyle’s. Olivia’s Bistro serves up pizza and pasta and Tommy Doyle’s specializes in Irish pub-style food. “Newton is a relatively affluent town, which has brought along a lot of really nice restaurants,” Vercollone says. “The Bluebird Bar is close to Nonantum. They have a great happy hour and an eclectic mix of food. The owner is a jazz aficionado, so there is live jazz on weekends; on other nights, he spins jazz records on his turntable.” Residents can pick up groceries at the nearby Stop & Shop or head to Trader Joe’s and Whole Foods, which are less than 1 mile from homes in Nonantum. For almost 90 years, the St. Mary of Carmen Society has held an Italian American festival in Nonantum, which is attended by more than 10,000 people each July. The festival includes music, food and carnival rides. Additionally, the Nonantum Neighborhood Association hosts Village Day on the first Saturday in June. This free celebration on Watertown Street is another chance for neighbors to get to know each other better while enjoying food truck delights and entertainment. On the Fourth of July, neighbors can head to Albemarle Playground to see Newtown’s fireworks display. One of the draws for Nonantum is that locals have an accessible commute into Boston. The neighborhood sits directly north of Interstate 90, or the Massachusetts Turnpike, which runs toward downtown Boston. The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) train station is about 1 mile south of Nonantum, and MBTA buses stop throughout the community. Those who need to travel farther can drive about 12 miles to Boston Logan International Airport to catch flights around the globe. Much of the housing that makes up Nonantum was built in the late 19th century and early 20th century, the era of the village’s construction boom. Some of the larger homes have been converted into multi-family condos. Buyers might find a condo priced between $500,000 and $1 million. Townhouses fall into a similar price range, though there are a few newly built townhouses with Scandinavian-inspired architecture. These generally sell for upwards of $2 million. Single-family home styles include Colonial Revivals, Tudor Revivals and Victorians from the early 1900s, but there are also some mid-20th century Cape Cod and split-level houses, as well as the occasional new build. House prices hover between $800,000 and $1.8 million. Nonatum offers several parks and recreational opportunities. Albemarle Playground, on the west side of the village, is comprised of nearly 25 acres, which are home to multiple athletic fields, a pool and a playground area. The park sits just above the John M. Barry Boys & Girls Club of Newton, which offers athletic leagues, after-school programming and summer camps. “It’s also not far from the Charles River—you can canoe or kayak along it,” Vercollone says. Children in Nonantum may begin their learning at Horace Mann Elementary School, which earns an A-plus on Niche. F. A. Day Middle School, located beside Albemarle Playground, also gets an A-plus rating, as does Newton North High School. Newton high schoolers can opt to participate in their international travel program, which begins with hosting an exchange student from countries such as Argentina, Spain and China. After this, Newton students travel to the exchange student’s home country to apply their world language skills and deepen their cultural understanding. Buyers looking for homes in the Nonantum neighborhood may find that some are located within flood zones. The Charles River is prone to flooding, and residences closest to it may need to purchase additional flood insurance.