List of towns that have walkable downtowns around Boston (Newton: middle-class, how much)

[green83]

Hey Everybody,

I plan on visiting Boston this Spring to find a place to live in the suburbs. Mostly interested in the western and northern suburbs. I want to move to a town that has a walkable downtown center that contains little shops and restaurants. I have already heard about newburyport, amesbury, and melrose. Just want to have a list so when we get into boston we will know which towns to explore in the north shore and western suburbs.

Thanks ahead of time for any input

[nipsip]

Marblehead and Wellesley are a couple more.

[Cliff Clavin]

^ Marblehead has a beautiful "old town".

Also Salem and, to a lesser extent, Beverly.

[gf2020]

In addition to all of the others mentioned:

North - Andover, Wakefield
West - Concord

[ogre]

Re Marblehead and Wellesley, they've got the walking kinds of downtowns, but keep in mind, Marblehead to some degree = $, and Wellesley = $$$$$$$$$$.

Natick is more of a nice middle-class town with housing costs that aren't dirt cheap but are more modest than those in Wellesley. Depending on how large a number and great a variety of shops and eateries you want, downtown Natick could offer something of this sort.

Getting a bit more modest in terms of costs, though still not really cheap (no place close to Boston is), Waltham is a small city with a mix of blue-collar, middle class, and some immigrants in its population. Bunch of restaurants downtown, as well as a restored old-fashioned downtown kind of movie theater. Waltham has been discovered some by the young professional crowd in recent years. If you're looking for the charm of Newburyport, maybe Waltham is not for you, but if you can deal with a small city that is a bit faded in some neighborhoods, give Waltham a looksee.

High cost of living, but if you can afford Wellesley and high-end towns with that kind of housing cost, check some of the neighorhoods in Newton. Newton Centre and West Newton are a couple of sections which have some of what you're seeking. Newton is an upscale older suburb. If that type of area holds some appeal, and if you're okay with being close to the city (or would prefer this location), and you've got the housing budget for the more expensive suburbs, check out the Brookline Village and Coolidge Corner sections of Brookline.

[lz1982]

Arlington is another one.

[kmann-sherborn]

West of Boston there are few towns that have much of a walkable downtown. Wellesley and Concord are the best (and are also lovely towns with highly regarded school systems but quite pricey). Natick does technically have a walkable downtown but not a ton to walk to (library, decent town common, cafe, and a very limited number of stores). Holliston's downtown is growing a bit. You can walk to the children's park, tennis courts, Internet cafe, general store, and some cute antique shops, and it's a very nice town with more reasonably priced homes than Wellesley or Concord. However, for things to do, Concord & Wellesley have a lot more to walk to (restaurants, boutiques, art center & historic homes in Concord, etc). I've blogged about walkable downtowns a few times. Please feel free to pm me if you'd like me to send along the articles.

best of luck

[Vermolas]

West: Needham, its where im living now but its extremely expensive in most parts, but its Downtown is just wonderful and its got all that you need: from indian restaurants to hardware and music stores.

North: Check out Rockport, its got commuter rail service directly to boston with about 45 minutes and its an old style New England fisherman town (also like Gloucester) and I remember how much fun I had going there as a kid!

[amisjustes]

How far/near to Boston do you want to live? This will be helpful to answer your question in a most helpful manner.

[green83]

Thanks everybody for the responses. Going up to visit in 3 weeks. Have narrowed it down to a couple areas. towns located by the turnpike and areas of north shore by 93 and 95.
Can't wait and thanks again