Why Live in West Somerville
West Somerville is a neighborhood known for its diverse housing options, including Colonial Revivals, Queen Anne styles, and Workers Cottages, featuring architectural details like pillared balconies, front porches, bay windows, and gabled roofs. Condos range from refurbished units in early 1900s triple-deckers to luxury penthouse units in new duplexes. The area also has multi-family properties and single-family homes, though they are less common. Street parking requires residential permits, and the roads are narrow with sidewalks. The neighborhood is home to parts of the Alewife Brook Parkway, which includes athletic courts, a playground, Dilboy Pool, and Dilboy Stadium. The Alewife Greenway Bike Path and Alewife Brooks Reservation offer trails for joggers and cyclists. Local grocery stores include Whole Foods Market, Stop & Shop, and the Somerville Mobile Farmers Market. Teele Square, a nearby hub, features bookstores, coffee shops, and restaurants such as Five Horses Tavern and Redbones Barbecue. The Somerville Arts Council organizes events like the Ignite Festival and the annual Illuminations Tour. Interstate 93 provides access to Boston and Boston Logan International Airport, both 6 to 10 miles south. Neighboring towns like Cambridge and Medford are 2 to 3 miles away. Public transportation options include the T at Medford/Tufts and Davis stations, MBTA buses, and biking. Schools in the area are highly rated, with Somerville Public Schools, West Somerville Neighborhood School, and Somerville High School offering strong academic and extracurricular programs. Tufts University is also nearby, providing a range of study programs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is West Somerville a good place to live?
West Somerville is a good place to live. West Somerville is considered fairly walkable and very bikeable with great transit options. West Somerville has 6 parks for recreational activities. It is very dense in population with 26.6 people per acre and a median age of 34. The average household income is $93,711 which is below the national average. College graduates make up 56.4% of residents. A majority of residents in West Somerville are renters, with 76.1% of residents renting and 23.9% of residents owning their home. A
local real estate agent serving West Somerville can help you decide if this neighborhood is the right one for you. Learn more on our
West Somerville neighborhood guide.
Is West Somerville, MA a safe neighborhood?
West Somerville, MA is safer than the average neighborhood in the United States. It received a crime score of 3 out of 10.
How much do you need to make to afford a house in West Somerville?
The median home price in West Somerville is $340,000. If you put a 20% down payment of $68,000 and had a 30-year fixed mortgage with an interest rate of 6.74%, your estimated principal and interest payment would be $1,760 a month plus property taxes, HOA fees, home insurance, PMI, and utilities. Using the 28% rule, you would need to make at least $75K a year to afford the median home price in West Somerville. The average household income in West Somerville is $94K.
What are the best public schools in West Somerville?
The best public schools that serve West Somerville are:
What are the best private schools in West Somerville?
The best private schools that serve West Somerville are:
What are the most popular zip codes in West Somerville, Somerville, MA?
What are the most popular neighborhoods near West Somerville, Somerville, MA?
Are home prices dropping in West Somerville?
Yes, home prices in West Somerville are down 7% in the last 12 months.
Home Trends in West Somerville, MA
On average, homes in West Somerville, Somerville sell after 18 days on the market compared to the national average of 70 days. The median sale price for homes in West Somerville, Somerville over the last 12 months is $344,000, down 25% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Median Sale Price
$344,000
Median Single Family Sale Price
$344,000
Median Townhouse Sale Price
$585,000
Median 2 Bedroom Sale Price
$585,000
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$211
Number of Homes for Sale
1
Last 12 months Home Sales
163
Median List Price
$340,000
Median Change From 1st List Price
-1%
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
-25%