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Porter Square

Porter Square

$1,233,547 Average Value
$804 Average Price per Sq Ft
2 Homes 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.”

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Christina von Claparede-Crola
Written By
Christina von Claparede-Crola

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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

Transit

Airport

General Edward Lawrence Logan International

16 min drive

Bus

Elm St & Mossland St

Bus

Somerville Ave & Mossland St

Bus

Elm St & Porter Sq Shopping Ctr

Bus

Elm St & Cutter Ave

Bus

Elm St & Cedar St

Bus

Elm St & Saint James Ave

Bus

Elm St & Porter St

Crime and Safety

1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime Porter Square US
Homicide 2 4
Sexual Assault 1 4
Assault with Weapon 1 4
Robbery 4 4
Burglary 4 4
Motor Vehicle Theft 3 4
Larceny 4 4
Crime Score 3 4

Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com

Porter Square Demographics and Home Trends

Housing Trends

Median List Price
$850,000
Median Sale Price
$875,000
Median Single Family Sale Price
$1,868,000
Median Townhouse Sale Price
$2,510,000
Median 2 Bedroom Sale Price
$760,000
Median Change From 1st List Price
-2%
Last 12 months Home Sales
29
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
-32%
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$804

Neighborhood Facts

Number of Homes
642
Number of Homes for Sale
2
Median Year Built
1915
Months of Supply
0.80
Average Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
1,942
On par with the national average
1,926
Average Townhouse Size Sq Ft
2,650
Average 2 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
1,078
Average 1 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
753
Average Studio Size Sq Ft
450
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
3,484

Distribution of Home Values

Source: Public Records

Homes for Sale

Homes for Rent

Average Home Value





Source: Public Records

Property Mix - Square Feet

This Neighborhood Has More Renters

Demographics

Total Population
3,521
Median Age
34
Population under 18
18.1%
Below the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
7.5%
Below the national average
19.1%

Finances

Median Household Income
$149,915
Significantly above the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$179,508

Education and Workforce

High School Graduates
99.6%
College Graduates
84.2%
Significantly above the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
47.2%
Significantly above the national average
13.3%
% Population in Labor Force
86.2%

Weather

Annual Precipitation
43''
Average Winter Low Temperature
23°F
Average Summer High Temperature
82°F
Annual Snowfall
15''

Area Factors

Biker's Paradise

Bike Score®

92 / 100

Walker's Paradise

Walk Score®

96 / 100

Excellent Transit

Transit Score®

83 / 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.

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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.
NEIGHBORHOOD
Porter Square