Newton is an incredible and affluent city in Middlesex County of Massachusetts. It is 7 miles from downtown Boston and is bordered by Brighton, West Roxbury, Brookline, Watertown, Waltham, Wellesley and Needham. Newton has been nicknamed as a City of Thirteen Villages as it is a patchwork of these small villages and does not have a single city center. Each of these villages is exclusive and has its own offices, residential neighborhoods, shops and restaurants. The thirteen villages are Auburndale, Chestnut Hill, Newton Centre, Newton Corner, Newton Highlands, Newton Lower Falls, Newton Upper Falls, Newtonville, Nonantum, Oak Hill, Thompsonville, Waban and West Newton.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the population of Newton was 87,971 in 2013. The town has seen a 4.9% growth in population between 2000 and 2013. Of the 87,971 people residing in Newton, 48.7% were females and 51.3% were males. Currently, the percentage of people aged between 1 and 14 years is 18.4%, 15 to 24 is 15.9%, 25 to 44 is 22.8%, 45 to 59 is 20.9% and 60 and above is 22.1%.
The estimated median income of people living in Newton was $116,612 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 Newton is one of the affluent neighborhoods of the Greater Boston Area. Whites account for 75.6% of the total population; Asians account for 13.1%, Hispanics account for 5.1% and finally, Blacks account for 3.5%.
If you are looking to buy property in this affluent city, the estimated median house or condo value was $742,000 in 2013 and in all of Massachusetts, this amount was $327,200. Newton is one of the expensive neighborhoods after the ones in cities such as Boston and Cambridge. The estimated median house or condo value in Newton was $416,600 in 2000. The mean price in 2013 for all housing units was $864,484. For detached houses, it was $ 968,016 and for townhouses or other attached units, it was $666,791. The mean price for 2-unit structures was $515,931, for 3-to-4-unit structures it was $518,136 and for 5-or-more-unit structures, the amount was $438,462. The median gross rent was $1,673 in 2013. If you’re looking to make a purchase or rent an apartment, Newton is a more expensive city compared to other cities in Massachusetts.
Newton is a peaceful city that has its own special attractions. From historic museums and beautiful rivers with scenic banks to striking restaurants and exclusive shops, Newton is an ideal residential town. Newton has many pubs and restaurants that are open after midnight. If you specifically want to go clubbing, Boston has many night clubs that are not very far from Newton.
The age distribution is almost equal in all the categories, hence, Newton has something for everyone. There are families with young children who visit game centers, parks, rivers and museums for entertainment. There are libraries and historic places for senior citizens and finally young working professionals can visit the popular restaurants and bars.
Newton has beautiful rivers and ponds which add a scenic touch to this city. They are ideal for family picnics and joggers. You do not have to travel far to get to a good restaurant in Newton. All thirteen villages have unique restaurants to satisfy all taste buds. There are also many places of worship in Newton.
Working professionals working in the Greater Boston Area live in Newton. There are many universities in the Greater Boston Area, so students visit Newton sometimes during the weekends. It is a laid back city compared to Boston, Cambridge and Brookline. The peaceful setting is perfect for families and senior adults. Newton is an affluent city with safe neighborhoods and the quality of life is high in this city.
The D line of the MBTA runs through Newton and the average commute time to get to work is 24 minutes. Newton, like the rest of Massachusetts, normally gets cold between November and April with extreme temperatures between January and March when it snows. There are many public and private elementary-middle schools in Newton for families with young children. There are also a few private high schools and universities in Newton. Newton is an expensive place; there are more families, young couples and elderly people residing here instead of young college students. Young college students tend to live in Brighton, Allston or Brookline.
Newton has many restaurants that are always busy throughout the week. Some of the popular ones include Fiorella’s, Lumiere, Sycamore, The Capital Grille, O’Hara’s Food & Spirits and Comedor. From Italian and Japanese cuisines to Thai and New England restaurants, Newton has amazing options for dining. If you are a history buff, visit the McMullen Museum, Jackson Homestead and Museum, Mary Baker Eddy Historic House and Longyear Museum.
The Hammond pond reservation is a beautiful place to spend a lazy Sunday afternoon either relaxing or jogging. It’s a great place for short walks and is dog-friendly as well. Crystal Lake is a breathtaking natural lake dotted with private houses, a beach and two small parks. The Bullough’s Pond in one of the neighborhoods is ideal for bird watching during the summer and ice skating during the winter. Visit the Pulsifer’s Cove as well if you are a nature lover. Saturday nights are fun at the Social Restaurant & Bar, Terry O’Reilly’s Irish Pub, West Street Tavern & Restaurant or Mick Morgan’s. Newton is close to bigger cities such as Boston and Cambridge that have many more restaurants, nightclubs, improve theaters and shopping malls, hence, its location is very strategic.
Newton caters to both nature lovers and city dwellers. It has an eclectic mix of shops and restaurants for people who love to spend their weekends shopping and dining. It is also a perfect place for people who enjoy quiet and scenic neighborhoods.
