Melrose, MA is a small city just north of Boston. Home to 26,983 residents, many of whom commute to Boston or surrounding suburbs, Melrose offers diversity, a long history, and beautiful old-fashioned neighborhoods, many of which are full of historic homes. The area was originally explored in 1628, and settlers incorporated as part of Charlestown in 1633. It was a farming community for the duration of its earliest history until the mid-1800s when more railroad stops were added and Bostonians looking for a country home started moving to the area. Today, you'll find cozy homes at more reasonable price points than many other surrounding areas--and a community with good schools and unmistakeable charm.
Though Melrose started out as a farming community, today it's full of cozy neighborhoods and older homes, typically on relatively small lots. Most homes are Victorian or Colonial styles built around the turn of the 20th century. Some have had walls removed to create the more open floor plans that modern homebuyers find attractive. On the east side of town, which residents love for its larger lots, tree-lined streets, and old-world atmosphere, you'll find larger town homes and capes built in the 1920s and 1930s. With a median home price of $449,000, homes in the area tend to be both affordable and attractive.
The older Victorian and colonial homes are often chock-full of beautifully preserved details like crown molding and one-of-a-kind carved banisters and mantles that often mesh beautifully with more modern or eclectic design schemes. Although the vast majority of residences in Melrose are single-family homes, there are some condos and apartments on the market as well.
Residents agree that Melrose's schools are all good options. Because Melrose is considered a very walkable city, there are no school buses. Parents more or less have their pick of any Melrose schools but typically choose those closest to their homes. Plenty of sidewalks make it easy for kids to ride their bikes to a friend's home or to Main Street for ice cream or a movie. And there are plenty of family-friendly activities and facilities in the city itself. In the winter, take the family ice skating on Flynn Rink. During the summer, public swimming pools are a fun way to get out of the house, and nearby Middlesex Fells Reservation is a great place to get out and picnic, hike, or bike out in nature.
Melrose is also considered an incredibly safe Boston suburb. It's rated safer than 70% of U.S. cities in general, and residents agree that they feel safe raising children there. Its "real" Main Street full of small shops and lots of charm make it a true New England town with its own unique character.
If hiking and biking on the Middlesex Fells Reservation isn't your thing, you still have options. Melrose is home to a wide variety of highly-rated restaurants from sushi to Mexican and everything in between. Stop for a cup of joe or catch up with friends at Jitters, a lovely neighborhood coffee shop, or grab margaritas from Mexico Lindo after work. You'll find ethnic foods, bakeries, bistros, and just about everything in between, all within a short drive (or possibly within walking distance) from home.
If you're looking for large, mainstream shopping centers, you'll have to drive a little. While there are many small gift shops, specialty stores, and family-operated businesses in Melrose, you won't find malls or outlets unless you take a drive to Saugus or Burlington. You will find local bookstores, salons, and other local stores to explore in town. It's also relatively easy to take a commuter rail into Boston (you'll find a stop near the Malden line) to catch a concert, a game at Fenway, or to shop in Union Square.
The fact that Melrose is safe and fun to walk and bike adds a few points in its favor when it comes to living a healthy lifestyle. Sally Frank's Farmers Market has also become a Melrose staple, with a huge variety of seasonal produce and even offers some greenhouse choices in an indoor setting during the winter months. During the summer, the market is located at Bowden Park on W. Emerson Street, also a great place for a stroll or a jog during the spring and summer.
The Middlesex Fells Reservation offers well over 2,000 acres of rocky hills and picturesque terrain as well as over 100 miles of trails that cater to hikers, bikers, trail runners, and even some equestrians. It's also a popular spot for cross country skiing, canoeing and kayaking, and fishing on the pond.
If you have more questions about life or real estate in Melrose, talking to a local agent is your best bet for getting answers and finding the perfect home. Feel free to contact a Movoto agent who can listen to what you're looking for and work with you to make your dreams happen. You might be surprised how much easier it is to find the perfect home in the perfect neighborhood when you have an insider helping out!
