Considering a move to the Boston area? Or are you ready to make the leap and move outside of Boston’s city limits? We know finding the perfect Boston suburb can be challenging, so we did the heavy lifting for you and found the top spots to consider moving to just outside the city.
There are an overwhelming number of things to consider when deciding where to make your next Boston area move. We considered several factors including home values, school systems, public transportation options, morning commuting time, and community benefits like outdoor spaces, walkable downtowns, restaurants, and entertainment.
Whether you are starting a family, a young professional, a retiree, or somewhere in between, we have picked a suburb for you. Better yet, all these locations are a 30-minute (or less) commute into Boston.
Here are our top four choices for best Boston suburbs to move to, no matter what your criteria.
Best for Families: Winchester, Massachusetts
Median home value: $1,099,500 (according to Zillow)
Average commute to Boston: 30 minutes
Winchester enjoys a top-ranked school system, lively downtown, and lots of outdoor space. These are just a few things for families to love about the town. Families can enjoy spending time outside on either the many walking trails that run through the Middlesex Fells Reservation or around Wright-Locke Farm. There is also swimming, boating, and picnic areas at the Mystic Lakes State Park. During warmer months there are annual community events like the En Ka Fair, which brings carnival rides, food, and family friendly entertainment to the downtown area.
If you are planning to commute to work or just want to make day trips into Boston, it can be easily done in around 30 minutes using the Commuter Rail, which has two convenient stops in Winchester.
Best for Young Professionals: Somerville, Massachusetts
Median home value: $771,479
Average commute to Boston: 20 minutes
Young professionals will enjoy the variety of several Somerville neighborhoods that feature some of the area’s best restaurants, dog friendly breweries, coffee shops, and unique entertainment experiences like axe throwing or the annual Fluff Festival. Expansion within Somerville continues, particularly in East Somerville, where new condo developments seem to be popping up on every corner. Most notably, there have been impressive developments in Union Square, with a vitalized downtown and a new Green Line stop slated to opening up next December. There has also been a flurry of development in Assembly Row over the past few years, which is now brimming with restaurants, an Orange Line MBTA stop, state of the art fitness facilities, and even free yoga on the lawn.
For commuters, Somerville boasts both Red and Orange line stops—with a Green line stop coming soon. On average it’s about a 20-minute commute into the Boston.
Best for Retirees: Newton, Massachusetts
Median home value: $1,163,052 (according to Zillow)
Average commute to Boston: 25 minutes
Newton is a haven just outside the city, made up of 13 villages. Each has their own stroll-worthy downtowns, plenty of parks, and community events like concerts hosted by the New Philharmonic Orchestra, giving each village a small-town feel. There is always something fun to explore solo or with your family. Over the summer months Crystal Lake is a popular location with walking paths along the shore, and a swimming area staffed with lifeguards.
Located about 25 minutes outside the city, Newton provides easy access to all of Boston’s top-notch healthcare services, as well as Boston’s robust restaurant scene and cultural attractions. Both the Green Line and the Commuter Rail have stops in town, providing easy access into the city for those who do not want to drive.
Best for Value Seekers: Quincy, Massachusetts
Median home value: $504,218 (according to Zillow)
Average commute to Boston: 30 minutes
For value seekers, Quincy offers tons of amenities with a price tag much lower than many of the other Boston suburbs. Quincy is an easy 30-minute ride into the city from one of its four Red Line stops or on the Commuter rail, making it a great option for commuters.
Its growing neighborhoods ensure you’ll never be short of entertainment, nightlife, or outdoor activities. Quincy’s downtown has rapidly expanding restaurant options and several new condo developments. The seaside community along Wollaston Beach has walking and running trails along the water with views of the Boston skyline. Bustling Marina Bay’s boardwalk is home to shopping, restaurants, and a lively nightlife. For a slower pace, the homes in the North Quincy neighborhoods are quieter, and many have views of Squantum Bay.
Are you planning a Boston area move? We have some great resources to get you started! Check out our moving check list and use our free move estimate tool to see how much your Boston move will cost. If you aren’t in Boston, check out this page to see if we offer moving services near you.