$687,026Average Value$438Average Price per Sq Ft0Homes For Sale
Downtown Wakefield is a central bedroom community for Boston
Downtown Wakefield is a bustling neighborhood that centers around a stretch of Main Street between two local water sites: Crystal Lake and Lake Quannapowitt. Laurie Hunt, a local Realtor with North Star R.E. Agents who lives in Wakefield, lists out several reasons as to why people are drawn to the city and its downtown area specifically: “You’ve got proximity to the highway, good public transportation, and excellent education system, and downtown Wakefield itself is very charming with some great shops and restaurants,” she says. “Then, of course, there’s Lake Quannapowitt, which is very popular for outdoor recreation.” Wakefield is a well-known bedroom community in the Boston metro area. Although it sits less than 15 miles from the heart of the East Coast hub, rush hour traffic sometimes can make the drive take more than an hour.
Victorian homes and multifamily units sell fast
Homes for sale are listed on the market for only 16 days on average in Downtown Wakefield, selling in significantly less time when compared to the national average of over 50 days. “In downtown, there are a lot of beautiful, older Victorian homes, which have either remained single-family homes or been converted into multifamily properties with separate units,” Hunt says. “You’ll also find a few younger condominium buildings around the downtown area.” Single-family homes rarely come on the market, but they typically sell between $650,000 and $1.2 million when they do. Multifamily units like duplexes, condos and townhouses range from approximately $360,000 to just over $900,000. With an average home value of $720,000, the homes here remain lower than the Boston metro area average cost, which hovers around $890,000.
Victorian homes with mature trees are common in Downtown Wakefield.
Spacious townhouses offer modern living in Downtown Wakefield.
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Students attend Wakefield Public Schools
Wakefield Public Schools serves the students in this neighborhood and receives an overall B rating from Niche. School choice for elementary education is offered, but primary students living in Downtown Wakefield are automatically zoned for Woodville School, which is rated B-plus. Galvin Middle School is also rated B-plus, while Wakefield Memorial High School earns a B. The high school offers more than a dozen athletics, including gymnastics and ice hockey teams.
The Woodville Elementary School was built in 2003, offering a diverse and inclusive environment.
The Galvin Middle School strives to serve students in grades 6-8 in Wakefield, MA.
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Lake Quannapowitt and nearby parks offer outdoor recreation
Residents living in Downtown Wakefield have access to several outdoor recreation options; one of the most popular spots is Lake Quannapowitt, which borders the neighborhood to the north. “People like to walk around the lake and check out the seasonal farmer’s market on the shoreline,” Hunt says. “There’s also Quannapowitt Yacht Club, but it’s not as fancy as it sounds; it’s more of a community club for anyone who boats on the lake, whether it’s a motorized boat or kayak or something.” Other city parks in the neighborhood include Spaulding Playground and Veterans’ Field, which features a range of athletic amenities. “Breakheart Reservation is another prominent outdoor area in Wakefield, where people go for the trail system,” Hunt says. The reservation, which covers over 650 acres of land, is just over 4 miles from Downtown Wakefield.
Spaulding Playground is a peacful lakeside playground in Downtown Wakefield.
Town Common bandstand hosts summer Movies by the Lake in Downtown Wakefield.
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Local shopping and dining along Main Street
Downtown Wakefield is brimming with shopping and dining amenities, most of which line both sides of Main Street in the heart of the neighborhood. Hunt lists Inspire Café and Harrington’s as a couple of the local favorites: “The café’s big message is inclusion and community, which people really love, and then Harrington’s is an Irish pub that hosts local jam bands every Wednesday,” she says. “Downtown also has a small specialty food market called Farmland.” In addition to Farmland, residents can grab groceries from Shaw’s supermarket just a few blocks from Main Street. Chain establishments like Dunkin’, CVS Pharmacy and Ace Hardware are scattered throughout the area.
Harrington's Irish Pub in Downtown Wakefield serves classic pub fare and has a bar.
J’Adore boutique features handbags and accessories in Downrtown Wakefield.
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Getting to Boston via interstate or commuter rail
Downtown Wakefield residents have proximity to several major highways, including Interstates 95, 93 and Route 28. The on-ramp for I-95 and Route 28 is just over 2 miles from the neighborhood. Commuters can head west on I-95 to access the north-south I-93, which takes drivers into Boston. Wakefield’s commuter rail station and bus services also connect to Boston: “The public transit offered here is a huge draw, especially for people working in the city,” Hunt says. Boston Logan International Airport is an 11-mile trip from town. Melrose Wakefield Hospital is less than 4 miles from Downtown and has a 24-hour emergency department.
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
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to let others know what life in this neighborhood is like.
Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime
Downtown Wakefield
US
Homicide
3
4
Sexual Assault
3
4
Assault with Weapon
3
4
Robbery
3
4
Burglary
4
4
Motor Vehicle Theft
4
4
Larceny
4
4
Crime Score
3
4
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Downtown Wakefield Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Downtown Wakefield, Wakefield sell after 17 days on the market compared to the national average of 55 days. The median sale price for homes in Downtown Wakefield, Wakefield over the last 12 months is $552,000, down 13% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Welcome to Wakefield.Fully renovated 5 room,2 bedroom first floor apartment.Eat-in kitchen with all new appliances. Dining room has a ceiling fan and hardwood floor. 2 good size bedrooms, and 1 full bath. New washer and dryer in unit, off street parking for 2 cars, and a large yard. Close to Lake Quannapowitt, downtown,commuter rail and all major highways.A must see.
Cozy, low-cost one-bedroom apartment for rent in Wakefield. Fantastic location in a highly desirable neighborhood off Chestnut St. Located just a few blocks from Lake Quannapowitt, Commuter Rail, and Wakefield Town center where you have local restaurants, shops, and grocery stores. Very easy access to I-93, 95/128, and a short distance to the North Shore and the city of Boston.Available
Completely RENOVATED apartment in a prime Wakefield location! Ideally situated within walking distance to MBTA Commuter Rail to North Station, local shops and restaurants along North Ave and Main St as well as scenic Lake Quannapowitt. Just minutes to I-95 and less than 3 miles to Lynnfield Marketplace. This bright ONE BEDROOM unit beautifully blends modern updates with original details. High
Completely RENOVATED apartment in a prime Wakefield location! Ideally situated within walking distance to MBTA Commuter Rail to North Station, local shops and restaurants along North Ave and Main St as well as scenic Lake Quannapowitt. Just minutes to I-95 and less than 3 miles to Lynnfield Marketplace. This bright STUDIO unit beautifully blends modern updates with original details. High
Completely RENOVATED apartment in a prime Wakefield location! Ideally situated within walking distance to MBTA Commuter Rail to North Station, local shops and restaurants along North Ave and Main St as well as scenic Lake Quannapowitt. Just minutes to I-95 and less than 3 miles to Lynnfield Marketplace. This bright ONE BEDROOM unit beautifully blends modern updates with original details. High
Welcome to this bright and updated 2-bedroom unit offering a fully applianced eat-in kitchen and separate dining area. Features include hardwood floors throughout, new windows, fresh paint, and updated bathroom and electrical fixtures. Enjoy the comfort of gas heat and central AC. Ideally located in downtown Wakefield, just steps to the commuter rail, local shops, restaurants, and major highways.
Local Logic measures the walkability, access to public transit and bikeability of any address. CAP Index provides objective, accurate, and consistent data to help measure, compare, and mitigate crime risks.
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.
