Melrose is a city in the Middlesex County and is part of the Greater Boston Area. It is located 7-8 miles north of Boston. It is a perfect place for people who want to lead a quiet suburban life but at the same time be in close proximity to Boston. It is one of the affluent cities in Massachusetts and is ideal for people who work in Boston but want to go back home to a peaceful neighborhood.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the population of Melrose was 27,690 in 2013. The town has seen a 2% growth in population between 2000 and 2013. Melrose is sparsely populated and hence, it is a very peaceful city. Of the 27,690 people residing in Melrose, 51.5% were females and 48.5% were males. The median resident age of Melrose is 41.4 years. Currently, the percentage of people aged between 1 and 14 years is 18.62%, 15 to 24 is 8.81%, 25 to 44 is 32%, 45 to 59 is 20.45% and 60 and above is 20.12%. Melrose has a fairly young population and is perfect for both young to mid-aged couples with kids and even elderly couples who want to lead a peaceful retired life.
The estimated median income of people living in Melrose was $86,054 in 2013. If you compare that to the median income of the population in Massachusetts, which was $66,768, it’s safe to conclude that Melrose is one of the affluent neighborhoods of the Greater Boston Area. Melrose is dominated by Whites. They account for 87.8% of the total population; Asians account for 3.5%, Hispanics account for 3.3% and finally, Blacks account for 3.2%.
If you are looking to buy property in this affluent city, the estimated median house or condo value was $424,413 in 2013 and in all of Massachusetts, this amount was $327,200. Melrose is one of the expensive neighborhoods after the ones in cities such as Boston, Cambridge and Brookline. The estimated median house or condo value in Melrose was $252,500 in 2000. There is a sharp increase in price mainly due to an upgraded downtown and great amenities.
The mean price in 2013 for all housing units was $417,084. For detached houses, it was $443,650 and for townhouses or other attached units, it was $312,758. The mean price for 2-unit structures was $398,968, for 3-to-4-unit structures it was $464,162 and for 5-or-more-unit structures, the amount was $199,863. The median gross rent was $1,058 in 2013. If you’re looking to make a purchase or rent an apartment, Melrose is slightly on the expensive side but it is worth it.
Melrose has seen a huge transformation over the years. It used to be dominated by elderly couples but in the last two decades, there has been an influx of families with young children. The downtown is small and quaint with its many dining and shopping options. The shops are mainly family-owned and unique. It has both fine dining and normal restaurants to cater to everyone. It is a great city to walk around as it is small and friendly. It is a scenic and charming city with its lush greenery and breathtaking lakes and ponds.
Melrose is known for its laid-back lifestyle, hence, if you want to spend the weekend clubbing, you will have to go to Boston. If you are into good food, nature and arts, then Melrose is a perfect town for you to live in.
Some of the working professionals working in the Greater Boston Area live in Melrose mainly because of its close proximity. There are many universities in the Greater Boston Area, hence, it is also ideally located for parents who are planning to send their children to college in Boston or Cambridge. It is a laid back city compared to Boston, Cambridge and Brookline. The peaceful setting is perfect for families and senior adults. Melrose is an affluent city with safe neighborhoods and the quality of life is high in this city.
You can take the Purple Line (Commuter Rail) to get to Melrose from Boston. You can also take the MBTA bus to travel to Melrose. The average commute time to get to work is approximately half an hour. Melrose, like the rest of Massachusetts, normally gets cold between November and April with extreme temperatures between January and March when it snows. Melrose is a close-knit suburban area with many restaurants and parks.
Without a doubt, Melrose is known for its amazing dining options. From Italian fine-dining options to Japanese sushi, Melrose is an awesome place for food lovers. Some of the best restaurants are La QChara, Ocean Sushi, Turner’s and Liberty Bell Roast Beef and Seafood.
Ell Pond with its beautiful Victorian gazebo provides breathtaking views. It is a perfect place for outdoor activities such as running and picnics. It is also perfect for proposing to your partner as it provides a charming view! Do not miss the annual festival that takes place in Ell Pond. Whispering Oaks Winery is a match made in heaven for wine lovers and if you are into great independent theater performances, do not forget to catch an awesome performance at the Theater To Go.
Melrose has many parks and for pet lovers, there are many dog parks as well. Children can play and have a good time at these parks. Melrose is a beautiful quaint town with a close-knit community.
