Watertown

Situated at the confluence of the Charles River and six major thoroughfares, Watertown Square offers all the conveniences of living downtown, with the heart of Boston just 9 miles to the east. During the Colonial Era, Watertown Square was an essential transportation hub next to a waterfall on the Charles River that kept ships from traveling further downstream. Early settlers built a bridge over the Charles River in 1640, allowing traffic west from Boston to pass through the city. Today, the hub is still alive and well, with rumbling urban streets lined with a number of shopping and dining options, with apartments and condos a short walk away. “It is a pretty big intersection that connects a lot of neighboring towns,” says Alexandria Ashley, a Watertown resident for over 7 years, “there is a lot of hustle and bustle as a transportation hub, but a lot of new businesses and people are coming in so the city is working to make it more of a pedestrian-friendly place where people can walk around and hang out.” U.S. Route 20 runs through Watertown Square, and Interstate 90 is just to the south of the neighborhood, giving residents options for commuting to downtown Boston daily. “It is a very walkable and bikeable area and in a really good spot for public transit,” Ashley says, “some residents in the area do not have cars but can still get around just fine.” However, the rapid pace of development in what some call the "nexus of Watertown" has had a lot of traffic due to the increasing number of pedestrians, cyclists, and cars trying to find a parking space. This has caused some tie-ups on local thoroughfares. As a result, the city has recently enacted several plans to help improve safety in the area. Boston Logan International Airport is 12 miles to the east, and McLean Hospital is about 3 miles north of the neighborhood. While the downtown area has several chain shopping and dining options, the city still offers many local spots for residents to enjoy. For many, the morning starts at O’some Café, a women-owned spot that serves baked goods and hot drinks and is known for its espresso soda. Super Fusion Cuisine II is a small sushi spot that is “my top choice for restaurants for the Boston area, not even just for Watertown,” Ashley says. For a newer side to the city, Bar ‘Cino is a 100% employee-owned Italian restaurant known for its authentic dishes and cocktails. Groceries are grabbed at the Stop & Shop, less than a mile from the neighborhood. Many of the events that take place in Watertown take place at Saltonstall Park, like the Summer Concert Series from the end of June to the end of August. Here, residents can lay out picnic blankets and lawn chairs and enjoy a number of music genres from local bands. Families gather once more for Faire on the Square in September, an annual event with live entertainment, a beer garden, food trucks, crafters and kid's activities. The Watertown Farmers Market offers a more frequent event at the park, with fresh produce and treats available every Wednesday from mid-June to late October. Neighborhood residents can find some open space at the oval-shaped Watertown Square Park at the center of the neighborhood. Those who'd rather be more active in their free time can walk down the Charles River Greenway past historic sites like the Watertown Dam, the Watertown Bridge, the Watertown Docks, and the Watertown Founders Monument. They can also head to the square's northeast corner, where Saltonstall Park’s baseball field and basketball court fill the space between the Watertown Town Hall and the city's Boys and Girls Club. Indoor fun and education can be found at the Armenian Museum of America, home to North America's largest collection of Armenian artifacts. Many of the square's existing buildings are becoming apartments and condominiums. Strictly residential new developments, as well as some mixed-used ones, are working to preserve and restore the historic buildings in the area. Ashley says many of the housing options in the area are often at least two-family residences, such as 50- to 60-year-old condominium complexes on the neighborhood's outskirts, which make up the brunt of the housing market. Prices commonly range from $350,000 to $450,000, with there also being some investment opportunities that can climb up to around $800,000. Children on the west side of Watertown Square will attend J.R. Lowell Elementary School, which receives a B rating on Niche.com, and those on the east side will attend Hosmer Elementary School, which receives a B-minus. The neighborhood's students will come back together at Watertown Middle School, which also receives a B-minus, and finish up at the A-minus rated Watertown High School, which is currently in a temporary location as the city builds its new campus. The high school prides itself on a variety of extracurricular activities, with over 30 clubs and 26 athletics teams to choose from.

East Watertown gets its name from the 80-mile-long Charles River that serves as its southern border. The area is swimming with development, including the recent influx of biotech companies that have spilled over from Cambridge. Apart from being full of opportunity, especially with Boston 9 miles east and the cities of Newton, Waltham and Somerville next door, it is also anchored by a close, supportive community. “When I moved here, I needed a parking spot because you can’t park overnight on the street during winter months,” says Realtor and local resident, Nouné Karapetian with Compass. “A neighbor gave me his spot. That doesn’t happen just anywhere.” Middle Eastern markets, art spaces, multicultural events and fascinating museums, including the Armenian Museum of America, infuse this Middlesex County enclave with energy. One of the newer developments in East Watertown is Arsenal Yards, a mixed-use space that includes apartments, hotels, shops and restaurants. Shoppers come here for retail, such as Ulta Beauty, Old Navy or even The Home Depot. Arsenal Yards patrons can enjoy fried chicken sliders at Buttermilk & Bourbon, a classic southern eatery. Another option is Taffer’s Tavern, the product of John Taffer, executive producer of Paramount Network’s “Bar Rescue.” Fox’s "Hell's Kitchen" celebrity chef and Boston native Jason Santos is launching his newest venture here as well, a casual takeout restaurant called ButterBird. Independent shops can be found at Arax Market, an Armenian and Middle Eastern food market, or Massis Bakery, a popular spot that sells Armenian and Mediterranean pastries and bread. “You end up getting to know the owners of a lot of these mom-and-pop stores, and they greet you like a friend,” Karapetian says. Big-box options are also available, though, at the local Target and Roche Bros., or just 1 mile or 2 north at Trader Joe’s or Whole Foods. East Watertown has an active outdoor scene. Folks can walk and bike the tree-shaded trail that parallels the Charles, stroll along the Watertown Greenway or walk the paths at America’s first garden graveyard at Mount Auburn Cemetery. The Washington Tower is also at the cemetery, open from April through October, and it offers incredible views of Boston in the distance. Arsenal Park is another popular outdoor space, and it features a skate park, picnic areas and athletic facilities. For those looking to join a private golf course, Oakley Country Club is available on the northwest side of the neighborhood. East Watertown is densely packed with low-rise and multi-family properties, rowhouses and townhouses situated close together. These smaller units can sell between $600,000 and $1.5 million. Single-family homes with colonial, Victorian or contemporary architecture tend to start around $800,000 and soar past $2 million. Karapetian notes that prices are increasing as more companies flow into the community. “This used to be a more affordable neighborhood, but the prices are getting closer to Belmont’s.” Many residential streets are lined with sidewalks, and most properties offer private parking space. Some homes have modest front lawn space and backyards, though most residents rely on front porches or balconies for outdoor relaxation. Students can attend Watertown Public Schools, which include three elementary options, one middle and one high school. Hosmer Elementary, rated B-minus on Niche, offers additional enrichment opportunities such as chess, karate and Lego adventures. Other primary choices are Cunniff Elementary, which scores a C-plus and Lowell Elementary, which has a B grade. At Watertown Middle, which scores a B-minus, students can select from an array of extracurricular activities including chess, anime and ukulele clubs. Watertown High School earns an A-minus and offers an engaging news site run by students called The Raider Times. East Watertown is also home to Atrium School, which is a private, A-plus prekindergarten through Grade 8 option. Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) has bus route 70 and 71 stops in Watertown that can eventually connect to the Red Line into Boston. Interstate 90 also runs near the southern border of the neighborhood for those who commute by car. The Boston Logan International Airport is under 11 miles east via I-90 for air travel.

Watertown was one of the oldest settlements of the Massachusetts Bay Colony, and it honors that past with a heavy nod toward the future. Unlike some other neighboring Boston suburbs, Watertown is an active community in and of itself. “It used to be a cozy little blue-collar town,” says Jamie Venezia, real estate agent and owner of Delaney & Venezia, who was born and raised in Watertown. “Proximity to Boston has driven a lot of money into the town, and it’s changing rapidly.” Modern residents enjoy innovative restaurants, parks, public transportation and some of the best access to the Charles River outside of Boston. The West End has a handful of solid restaurants, including Roksana’s Persian Food and Boston-based chain Not Your Average Joe’s. Most of the town’s highest-rated dining destinations, however, are in the more commercial East Watertown. Diners can find the retro Deluxe Town Diner as well as several Armenian delis and bakeries, including Massis Bakery — a local institution since 1938. Watertown, at this point, is probably most known regionally for Arsenal Yards, which bills itself as a modern “urban village.” The Arsenal Yards complex, housed in a repurposed armory, includes locally owned boutiques, national retailers, a movie theater and tons of restaurants, such as Taffer’s Tavern and Kura Revolving Sushi Bar. Arsenal Yards also has a life sciences campus, which is home to several biotech companies. With access to Interstate 90 (the Massachusetts Turnpike) and Soldiers Field Road, getting into Boston for work is quite feasible. There are also several nearby public transportation options. Locals can take their personal bikes or use Bluebikes along the Charles River Greenway. They can also access Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) rail stations, two of which are located within a 2-mile radius of the city. In addition, MBTA buses make stops along Arsenal Street. With several new lab spaces in town, however, some citizens can avoid a commute altogether. There are plenty of ways to stay active in the West End. At Victory Field, the home of the Watertown High School Raiders, the community is welcome to use the track for exercise. “Victory Field is the main hub of activity — people come there for field hockey games and baseball games,” Venezia says. “When the field hockey team is in their state run, they have huge crowds.” Moxley Memorial Playground, which is used by Watertown Middle School, includes amenities like a batting cage, athletic fields and play areas for kids of all ages. “The Charles River is another place people frequent. They run and walk their dogs or go fishing there — my son has caught bass and pickerel,” Venezia says. Locals also have access to cultural sites, including the Armenian Museum of America, which offers documentary screenings and musical performances. Though some homes in Watertown date back to the 1800s, buyers can also find newly built condos and single-family residences as well. While two-bedroom Cape Cods and Dutch colonials in need of updates might list between $500,000 and the upper $700,000s, grand Victorian-era gems or custom new builds with 3,000 square feet or more can go for upwards of $2 million. Due to the high demand for housing in Watertown, condos and townhouses are popular as well. Condos often sell between $500,000 and $1 million and townhouses list anywhere from $600,000 to $1.5 million. “We’ve also got rental communities popping up everywhere,” Venezia says. Annual events in Watertown include Faire on the Square, which takes place each September in Saltonstall Park. Near Halloween and Christmas, locals can head to the Commander’s Mansion for festivals. During warmer months, there is a weekly farmer’s market as well as a concert series, both of which take place in Saltonstall Park. Area children are served by Watertown Public Schools, a district with around 2,500 students across three elementary schools, one middle school and one high school. Depending on a student’s address, they may be zoned for Cunniff Elementary School, which earns a C-plus on Niche, Lowell Elementary School, with a B or Hosmer Elementary School, which gets a B-minus, all of which were recently rebuilt. Next, they may attend Watertown Middle School, which has a B-minus rating. At A-minus-rated Watertown High School, students can participate in the drama program or join the gold medal-winning robotics team. Watertown High also has an impressive field hockey program led by coach Eileen Donahue. Not only have they won the state championships several times, but in 2023, they also set a record for the most shutout games in a row — 37 in all. Those who prefer to send their children to private schools can find Buckingham Browne & Nichols School in nearby Cambridge. It scores an A-plus on Niche and is ranked the No. 2 among private kindergarten through 12th grade schools in Massachusetts. Watertown residents face environmental concerns such as flooding, dry spells and periodic high heat during the summer months. The city has a climate change plan in place—its goal is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and rely solely on renewable energy sources by 2050. One step toward this is the new design for the high school, which will employ heat from geothermal wells. The project is slated for completion in 2026.