Living in Newton Massachusetts

Living in Newton offers a lot to families. Located approximately ten miles from Boston, there are multiple options for commuters. Known as the “Garden City,” Newton has many outdoor areas, playgrounds, venues and events geared toward families. Residents enjoy concert and arts series, farmers’ markets, parks, libraries, and many shops and restaurants. The 13 villages of Newton share many similarities, but also differ in terms of size, walkability, shops, and commuting.

There is a main center in each village, but the design, shopping and parking options vary. There is a Starbucks, pizza restaurant, market, and hardware store near the Waban T (green subway line). And many restaurants, coffee shops, banks, and playgrounds near the Newton Centre T. By comparison, Newton Highlands seems to have more nail and hair salons than restaurants. One village is quaint and fairly quiet while another will have heavy traffic during commute hours. Certain villages have an MBTA (green line) stop while other villages offer convenient access to the Mass Pike, commuter rail, or bus.

Real Estate

If you are considering a move to Newton, take the time to drive and walk through the village(s). You will gain a better sense for commute time, activities, schools, and other factors important for your family. The current median home value is $1.31 million (2019), up from $1.15 in 2016. If you have school-aged children, be mindful of homes located in a buffer zone. Individual addresses in a buffer zone can be assigned to either one of two elementary schools and students are assigned a home school by the city. Requests for a specific school are granted based on space availability.

Schools

There are more than 50 private and public schools in Newton, from preschool through high school and including seven colleges, such as Boston College, one of the nation’s leading private universities. The city supports multiple top-rated public schools. There are 15 public elementary schools in Newton and approximately 5,800 students attend kindergarten through 5th grade. The elementary schools feed to four middle schools and two high schools. There are also many prestigious private schools such as Brimmer & May, Fessenden, Jackson Walnut Park, Newton Country Day School, and The Chestnut Hill School, among others.

Each address in Newton is assigned to a school. If you are new to the area or have kids entering school, you can find your district and learn more about each school via the Newton Public Schools website. Also, visit our Newton forum to discuss your questions with other local moms. A great example of the close-knit community is Newton Kindergarten Soccer. The program is for children entering Kindergarten at any of the public elementary schools within the city. Games run by volunteer parent coaches offer a fun introduction to soccer and a great way to meet other kids and families prior to the start of school.

Boston College

Commuting

If you drive into Boston, consider the ease of accessing the Pike. Entering the Pike east of the I95 exchange, for example, can significantly reduce your time in traffic. Note that there is typically more traffic at Exit 17 (Newtonville/Newton Corner) compared with Exit 16 (Auburndale/Waban/West Newton). If you commute to the Longwood medical area, homes in Chestnut Hill, Newton Highlands or Waban offer access to Route 9 or the MBTA. Commuters taking the commuter rail to South Station may prefer homes in West Newton. Keep in mind that the location and open hours of daycare centers can impact commute times. There are multiple public transportation options throughout Newton, but taking kids to activities and classes generally requires a car, especially during the winter. One important factor to know is that overnight on-street parking is not allowed from December through March.

Things to Do

There are many activities available year round in Newton, including a variety of shops and restaurants in Chestnut Hill and within each village center. Families can visit the many parks and outdoor spaces such as the 116 acre Hammond Pond Reservation. Check listings at Newton Community Education for numerous classes and recreational opportunities, including kids’ soccer, crafts, languages, computer technology, music, and bike repair, among many others. There are also cultural and community activities throughout the year coordinated by Newton Community Pride, and dozens of summer camps for kids! Check our local forums for additional ideas and suggestions from other moms.

By Kenneth C. Zirkel – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0

Interesting Facts about Newton

Newton was home to the first archery club in Massachusetts. If you’re interested in archery, check for seasonal events offered in Newton and On the Mark Archery in Weston
The home at Jackson Homestead was once part of the Underground Railroad, a network of safe houses used by enslaved individuals to escape into free states
Although many believe the Fig Newton is named after Isaac Newton, the chewy cookie is actually named after the city of Newton
The population of Newton is approximately 85,000