Waltham

Banks Square is a section of Waltham, Massachusetts, conveniently positioned minutes from multiple transportation arteries, making it a key player in a burgeoning trend of new residents moving to the area. “The secret is out as far as Waltham is concerned,” says Dave DiGregorio, a Realtor with Coldwell Banker Realty, who was born and raised in Waltham and has over 27 years of local real estate experience. “Our market is booming here.” Banks Square, in particular, is ideally located, DiGregorio says. U.S. Route 20 crosses directly through the neighborhood, an east-to-west thoroughfare. Also, Interstate 95 sits just west of Bank Square, and Interstate 90 is located to the south. For those who take public transit, Banks Square offers several Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority bus stops along Main Street and Tavern Road. With such commuting convenience, people who live in Banks Square tend to work all over the area. There’s a big biotech industry in Waltham, so some work in town. Others commute east to Cambridge and Boston or west to Framingham. “Our buyer pools are probably twice the average town, strictly because of our location,” DiGregorio says. According to DiGregorio, people are coming to Banks Square in droves, a mark not only of its location but also of its value, being less expensive than surrounding towns. “I can’t say enough about this town,” DiGregorio says. The housing inventory stock in Banks Square mainly consists of homes built around the turn of the 20th century in the traditional Victorian and colonial styles of the time. However, there has been some new development in recent years, according to DiGregorio, where some of the older structures were torn down in place of new ones. Many Banks Square homes have multi-family layouts — mostly two-family to four-family constructions. DiGregorio says the neighborhood has "a few single families sprinkled in," along with some larger apartment buildings. “It’s all different stripes,” DiGregorio says. “That’s what’s nice about that area.” The neighborhood is lined with sidewalks, too — most of which are handicap accessible — so it is thoroughly walkable. Because the types of homes vary greatly, so do the sizes and prices. Sizes range from 960 to 4,200 square feet, and prices span from $420,000 to $1.4 million. There are entry-level options — like the first or second floor in a multi-family building — that can be purchased for around $450,000 to $600,000. Meanwhile, a newer townhome can sell for $1 million or more. Homes typically last on the market for two weeks or less. “Anything in Waltham sells quickly, and the Bank Square area sells particularly well,” DiGregorio says. Banks Square is right across the Charles River, roughly a mile from a bustling restaurant corridor called Moody Street. “People come from all over to have dinner on Moody Street,” DiGregorio says. He enjoys Tempo, a bistro that serves a range of dishes, from pan-seared sea scallops to Guinness-braised short ribs. “It’s always packed." There's also Domenic's Italian Bakery & Deli, which offers Italian fare made from cherished recipes, like the popular arancini, that date back to the 1800s. For a quick grocery run, there's a Hannaford Supermarket on nearby Russell Street, and those who love a Saturday afternoon browse for second-hand designer and vintage clothing and accessories can stop into Pali Thrifts & Gifts on Prospect Street. Shopping and dining aren't the only fun to be had in and around Banks Square. Residents can enjoy a number of town events throughout the year. Some of the festivities include the Waltham Food, Wine and Craft Beer Festival, the Boston Salsa Festival featuring salsa dancing workshops and performances, and the Waltham Riverfest with live music, vendors, guided walks along the Charles River, a pet parade and more. In terms of nearby recreation in Banks Square and Waltham, “You name it, we have it,” DiGregorio says. The roughly 19-acre Nipper Maher Park is a highlight within Banks Square. The facility includes a spray park for the kids to use in the summer, plus tennis courts and a walking path. Another destination, just north of Banks Square, is the 252-acre Prospect Hill Park, popular for its prime views of the Boston basin. Visitors also enjoy its “beautiful hiking trails and picnic area,” according to DiGregorio. Stanley Elementary, one of the Waltham Public Schools division’s locations, rated a B-minus by Niche, sits within Banks Square, while McDevitt Middle, also a B-minus, is located just outside the neighborhood on Church Street. Waltham Senior High School found 2 miles north, receives a B rating and features the Project Lead The Way STEM Elective Pathways program, where students can choose courses in either the Bio-Med or Engineering pathways. "I can tell you my experience with the school system has been top-notch,” says DiGregorio, whose kids attended Waltham Public Schools.

About 10 miles from Boston and just outside of downtown Waltham sits the Bentley College neighborhood. The area has evolved around the private Bentley University, a business-centric private school that moved from Boston in the early 1960s. “The area has developed over the years but still retains some of its original charm and character,” says Hans Brings, a longtime resident and Realtor with Coldwell Banker. “The neighborhood is a great community to be in.” The campus resembles the prototypical New England university, with green lawns, brick buildings and towering maple trees. Whether a student or a long-time resident, folks can enjoy walking the well-kept campus grounds, attend public lectures, art events or a hockey game. While many students occupy the neighborhood, especially with Brandeis University, also down the road, families and commuters find housing here, as well, that’s more affordable than in Boston. When settling down in the Bentley College neighborhood, homebuyers discover many opportunities through the university’s public programs. Fans cheer on the Falcons in a variety of sports, including football, hockey and soccer. Locals can also catch a play put on by the Arts & Performance Organization at Koumantzelis Auditorium, also where guest speakers typically present. While Bentley University events are major gathering points in the community, the town hosts plenty of activities throughout the year, as well. “There’s always something fun to do here,” says Brings. “It really is the place to be.” On Saturdays during the warmer months, shoppers can hit the farmers market or catch a concert every Tuesday. For the holidays, residents come together for a Santa parade and lighting of the town common, and fireworks explode on July Fourth. Moody Street, dubbed Waltham’s Restaurant Row, serves as the one-stop shop for dining. Moody Street is also where young adults go for a night out at various bars, like Deep Ellum. Wilson’s Diner lies 2 miles away and serves up burgers and fries in a retro-style space off Main Street. College students and long-time residents have been filling the booths and bar stools for comfort food since 1949. Shoppers Café also serves American staples and has live music on the weekends. After dinner, locals can visit Sweet Basil for colorful cocktails. Both Shaw’s and Hannaford are within about 2 miles, and Moody Street also has two authentic Indian grocery stores. Residents use Leary Field for runs on the paved track or for sports activities on the turf. Leary Field also hosts the annual Fourth of July fireworks show, complete with live music and food trucks. The Western Greenway cuts through the Storer Reservation, full of more trails, along with a landmark and museum, housed in an old country estate from the 19th century. This historic attraction is one of two in the neighborhood open for tours and private events, as the Lyman Estate is also right down the road. Prospect Hill Park offers a 3-mile trail for hiking, the uphill climb rewarded with a striking view of Boston in the distance. The Charles River Greenway offers an 8-mile riverwalk, as well, where residents can take in waterfront views just south of the neighborhood. Golfers often get a membership at the Belmont Country Club nearby, though the Newton Commonwealth Golf Course, about 5 miles away, is open to the public. Homebuyers looking in Bentley College may find condos, townhouses and single-family colonials, Capes and ranchers. Three-to-five-bedroom houses typically sell between $850,000 and $1.25 million, but small homes and condos often fall well below this range. Two-bedroom units in complexes or multifamily residences can go for as low as $350,000, while smaller single families can sell under $750,000. Sidewalks line the streets and modest front lawns, and most lots are within walking distance from Bentley University. Kids can begin their education at Plympton Elementary, which scores an overall B grade on Niche and an A grade for diversity. Children may advance to McDevitt Middle, which earns a B-minus, and then onto Waltham Senior High, which has a B. High schoolers have dozens of extracurriculars to choose from, with options ranging from a stock market and financial literacy club to dance theater and an abstract literary magazine. Students also have a chance to participate in a performance series to showcase their talents during open mic nights at a local coffeehouse. The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority, known locally as the T, has a commuter rail station in the neighborhood located across from Central Square in downtown Waltham. T buses also have plenty of stops in the area, though Interstate 95 and Route 20 make trips into Boston or up and down the East Coast easier for those who prefer to drive. Planes take off from Boston Logan International Airport, about 13 miles away via Route 20 and Interstate 90.

Waltham Highlands is a suburban enclave with traditional homes, green spaces and sidewalk-lined streets just north of Waltham’s vibrant downtown and restaurant row. “People love the convenience of the Highlands,” says Hans Brings, a Broker with Coldwell Banker Realty – Waltham who has been selling homes in the area for over 33 years. “You’re close to shops and restaurants, but the Highlands also borders Prospect Hill Park which has miles of wooded areas with beautiful views of Boston.” While Waltham Highlands is primarily residential, the neighborhood is conveniently located within minutes of Interstate 95 and less than 20 miles from Boston. Residential streets in Waltham Highlands are lined by narrow sidewalks and shaded by a collection of towering oak trees. Single-family homes sit side-by-side on modest lots, with plenty of room for a small patio or garden. Most homes were built around the mid-1900s, and homebuyers can find renovated Colonial Revivals, split-levels and raised ranches for around $620,000 to $930,000. “You rarely see two homes next to each other with the same architectural style,” Brings says. “The median price is around the high $700,000s, which is more affordable than bordering towns.” Newer construction built throughout the 2000s includes custom-built Victorian and Colonial Revival estates nestled on quarter-acre lots, with prices ranging from about $1.3 to $1.7 million. According to the CAP Index, the neighborhood has an overall Crime Score of 4. Children in the neighborhood attend the Waltham Public School District, which has an average student-teacher ratio of 10-to-1. Kids begin their education at the neighborhood’s Thomas R Plympton Elementary School, which earned a B from Niche. Older kids attend the nearby John W. McDevitt Middle School, which earned a B-minus. Teens attend Waltham Senior High School, which was rated a B by Niche and features a comprehensive career and technical education department with pathways in culinary arts, automotive technology and more. Nearby private school options include the A-plus-rated Chapel Hill-Chauncy Hall School, a college-preparatory day and boarding school serving grades 7-12. Residents are also less than 2 miles from the private Brandeis University and Bentley University. Residents can walk to the neighborhood’s Drake Playground and enjoy access to a playscape, basketball court, ballfield and a splash pad where kids can cool off in the summer. Less than 2 miles west is the expansive Prospect Hill Park. The wooded green space encompasses over 270 acres and is best known for its network of hiking trails and scenic overlooks. Locals can hike to the summit of Prospect Hill – known as Big Prospect – and take in panoramic views of the Boston skyline from 485 feet high. For groceries, residents are less than a mile from Hannaford along Main Street. Family-owned spots on the thoroughfare include Domenics, an Italian bakery and deli known for its fresh paninis, and Wilson’s Diner, a retro eatery serving all-day breakfast. Waltham Highlands is also less than 2 miles north of Moody Street – a Historic District known as the city’s restaurant row. Locals can walk down the commercial corridor and browse through stacks of comic books at The Outer Limits, grab a coffee at Common Good Co. or sit down for dinner at the upscale American restaurant Tempo. The restaurant also hosts live music every Friday and Saturday. Waltham Highlands is centrally located less than 20 miles west of Boston and minutes from Interstate 95. “Waltham is fantastic for commuting to Boston,” says Brings. The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority provides local bus service to the community, with several stops on Dale Street. For longer trips, the Boston Logan International Airport is about 20 miles from residents. Locals are less than 2 miles from Main Street – the center of downtown Waltham. Popular festivities downtown include the annual Watch City Steampunk Festival. Thousands of locals gather to celebrate the history of steampunk while dressing in Victorian style, enjoying live music and shopping from artisanal vendors. Waltham Highlands is about a mile north of Boston Children’s Waltham, a children’s hospital with 97 pediatric specialties.