$1,217,875Average Value$797Average Price per Sq Ft1Home For Sale
Porter Square blends walkability with commercial variety
Straddling the border between Cambridge and Somerville, the neighborhood of Porter Square blends culture and commerce. Anchored by Massachusetts Avenue and situated along the MBTA Red Line, Porter Square offers connectivity and convenience amidst a broad variety of stores and businesses. Still, the highly walkable district maintains a neighborhood feel. “Porter Square is a commercial hub with bigger stores and more variety than other neighborhoods like Ball Square,” says Steve Bremis, a local broker and owner of Steve Bremis Realty Group. “It’s a little more commercialized but still intimate at the same time.”
It is very common for the Victorian homes of Porter Square to be three stories.
Exercise and fitness training classes are available near by at The Training Room in Porter Square.
Porter Square residents enjoy the vibes inside Diesel Cafe whether they're in need of study time or some relaxation.
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Multifamily homes and condos dominate Porter Square housing
Traditional New England style homes line the residential streets of Porter Square, tucked behind the busy commercial strip. Framed by narrow sidewalks, many of the Victorian and Dutch Colonial-style homes here have been converted into multifamily homes, split into two to three condo or townhouse residences. Condos start at $464,000 and range to about $1.5 million, depending on square footage. Multifamily homes typically price between $1.3 million and $1.5 million. A few single-family examples round out the housing mix, though less common, and typically price around the $1 to $1.3 million mark.
Modest condos and multifamily options are available in Porter Square.
Victorians are the most common housing type in Porter Square often sitting on tight lots.
Bright colored Victorian homes add character to the tree lined streets of Porter Square.
Newer construction is not as prevelant in Porter Square.
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Shopping center anchors a mix of local and national stores
The neighborhood is anchored by the Porter Square Shopping Center. The shopping plaza features a vibrant array of small businesses, stores, restaurants and art galleries. Notable favorites include Porter Square Books and Café Zing, a relaxed coffee shop that also offers baked goods. National retailers like Michael’s and fast-casual chains like Starbucks and Panera round out the establishments, along with Star Market for groceries. “Hours-wise, you’re going to have longer hours and more around-the-clock service,” Bremis says. Additional dining options are scattered along Massachusetts Avenue, ranging from cafes to bars, and stretch into the surrounding neighborhoods in Somerville, which teem with charming locales.
Porter Square shopping center has all kinds of essentials for its residents.
Porter Square Shopping Center features local restaurants and shops like Page and Leaf Cafe and Porter Square Books.
Porter Square is also home to national chains such as Panera Bread.
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Students can attend highly rated public and private schools nearby
Students are part of the Somerville Public School District, which earns an A-minus overall score from Niche. Prekindergarten through eighth grade kids can begin at the A-rated John F. Kennedy Elementary School. They can then advance to Somerville High School, rated an A-minus with strong scores in diversity and college prep, as well as a high-performing Career and Technical Education program. Parents may also opt to enroll students in one of the many top-rated private and faith-based schools in the area, such as the A-plus-rated Buckingham Browne & Nichols School. Porter Square is also close to prestigious universities like Harvard and MIT.
John F. Kennedy Elementary School in Somerville has an overall grade of A- on Niche and serves Porter Square students from pre-k to eighth grade.
Older students in Porter Square head to A-minus rated Somerville High School.
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Pocket parks offer trails, playgrounds and sports courts
Residents head to nearby neighborhoods for parks and outdoor spaces. Surrounding pocket parks dot the area, offering green tracts with trails and athletic facilities. Sacramento Field is an open space that has a walking loop and community garden. Some pocket parks like Dickerman and Morse-Kelley feature playgrounds. Locals can play a game of ball at the Rindge Baseball Field and adjacent Pemberton basketball and tennis courts.
Parks such as Dickerman Playground are near by Porter Square homes.
Porter Square residents can find a picnic shelter as well as a spot to skate at Somerville's Morse-Kelley Playground.
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Red Line and commuter rail connect to downtown Boston
Located at the crossroads of Massachusetts Avenue and Somerville Avenue 7 miles from downtown Boston, Porter Square provides residents with convenient transportation options. The area is walkable and has access to bike lanes and Bluebike stations. The Porter Square station is served by both the MBTA Red Line and the Fitchburg Line commuter rail, which provide direct connections to downtown Boston and other destinations. Multiple MBTA bus lines pass through the neighborhood as well. Drivers can reach nearby highways including Interstate 93, Route 28, Route 38 and Route 16 for regional travel. Boston Logan Airport is about 8 miles. For medical services, Mount Auburn Hospital is about 3 miles south of the neighborhood.
Porter Square is just a short ride away from downtown Boston on the T.
BLUEbikes are a convenient option for those in Porter Square to get around.
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
Are you familiar with the Porter Square neighborhood?
to let others know what life in this neighborhood is like.
Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime
Porter Square
US
Homicide
3
4
Sexual Assault
3
4
Assault with Weapon
3
4
Robbery
3
4
Burglary
4
4
Motor Vehicle Theft
3
4
Larceny
1
4
Crime Score
3
4
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Porter Square Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Porter Square, Somerville sell after 14 days on the market compared to the national average of 53 days. The median sale price for homes in Porter Square, Somerville over the last 12 months is $1,040,000, down 11% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
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