Best Places to Live In Massachusetts

There’s a lot to love about Massachusetts, and it’s not just talking about the Patriots. Whether you’re looking for a bustling city with rich history or a quiet suburban town where you can raise your family. 

It also has an incredibly high concentration of universities and high tech research facilities that have helped shape our nation’s history. With so many different places to live in Bay State, it can be hard to know which one is right for you. Here are some of the best places to live in Massachusetts:

How to Choose a Place to Live

Understanding your preferences is the first step to finding the best place to live. Do you prefer a big city or a quiet town? Do you want to be near a lot of nature? Are schools important to you? 

These are just a few things to consider when choosing a place to live. Here are some of the most important ones:

Median Household Income

To better understand an area’s cost of living, it is crucial to consider the median household income. This number may not tell you everything; you want to know about local salaries. 

However, it does give you an idea of how much money people in your area generally make and how much they can spend on things like rent and groceries.

Crime Rates

The crime rate is essential when choosing the best places to live. A city with a low rate is typically safer than those with high crime rates. 

The rate of crime indicates an area’s safety because it measures the number of crimes committed per 100,000 people. The FBI data has all the records of crime rates in different cities.

Public Schools

To find the best places to live, you must consider the available public schools. For example, if you have children and want them to attend academies. 

Then you must look at the quality of those schools before deciding where to settle down. Here are some things to look for when evaluating a city or town’s public schools:

• Variety of educational options 
• Quality of teachers and staff
• Student performance scores (if available)
• Graduation rate
• High standard curriculum
• Student-to-teacher ratio

Cost of Living

You should also consider the cost of living in the area when choosing the best places to live in Massachusetts. The cost of living is essential because it affects your budget and quality of life. 

Remember that housing costs are higher in big cities than in small towns. Additionally, homes with more features, such as pools, can raise your monthly expenses even more.

Best City to Live for Singles: Cambridge

If you’re the best city for singles in the USA, Cambridge City in Middlesex County is a great pick for you. According to FBI data, Cambridge is not among America’s safest cities. So if safety is your top priority, this may not be the best choice. 

However, if you want a city with many young people active in the arts and culture scene (especially at Harvard University), then Cambridge City could be just what you need. 

The cost of living in Cambridge is 115.5, and the median home value of $937,500. This means that it’s more expensive than average but still affordable by most standards.

Top Cities for Young Professionals

Massachusetts is a beautiful state, home to many great cities. In fact, it’s one of the most popular places for young professionals to live in America. 

If you’re looking for a new place to start your career or just need somewhere exciting to visit on vacation. Then this list will help you narrow down your options:

Newton

Newton City is one of the best places to live for young people. Massachusetts Newton City has a high median income, a low unemployment rate, and many educated people. The city has been ranked as one of the safest places in America by Money magazine, with only 1 crime per 1,815 residents annually. 

According to US Census Bureau data, Newton also has the highest percentage of college graduates among all cities in Massachusetts. Regarding housing prices, the median house value in Newton City is around $1,470,000.

Waltham

Waltham City is one of the municipalities for young experts to live in Massachusetts. It is located in Middlesex County and was named after the Waltham watch, developed in the 19th century. 

According to Money magazine, Waltham ranked 15th for the best places to live in 2021. It has a lower criminality rate than surrounding communities such as Needham, Lexington, and Boston.

Best Cities to Raise a Family

The Bay State is home to some of the finest places for families. It offers excellent schools, safe neighborhoods, and plenty of outdoor activities. Massachusetts has it all, whether you’re looking for a small town feel or big city excitement. 

In addition, the personal finance website has recognized MA as the best state to raise a family. It excels in child care, education, safety, and affordability. Here are our picks for the best cities to raise a family in Massachusetts:

Boston

Boston is the capital city and largest metropolitan area of New England. This city has a rich history and culture, with over 300 years of history as an important port city. It is also home to many colleges and universities, including Harvard University, Boston College, and Northeastern University.

Winchester

Winchester is a Boston suburb located in Hampshire County, with some of the highest-rated public schools in the United States. Winchester’s public school system received a perfect score of 10 on the ranking system. 

Also, Winchester boasts low crime rates and access to numerous amenities such as parks and shopping centers. Plus, if you want to get away from it all, the Big City is about a 20 minute drive.

Lexington

Lexington is also one of the best places in Massachusetts to raise a family. Lexington has been called one of the safest places in America, and it’s easy to see why. Its small town charm and old-fashioned values make Lexington a wonderful place to raise children. 

In addition, Lexington has some of the best public schools in the country. The high school graduation rate is over 97%, which means that almost all students graduate with their high school diploma and can go on to college or trade school if they choose.

Concord

Concord is a beautiful city with many parks and recreational activities. It is a great place to raise a family, as the cost of living is low, and the crime rate is significantly lower than in Boston or Worcester. 

However, the median household earnings in Concord are higher than in both cities. This makes Concord not ideal for someone looking to save money.

Top Places in Massachusetts with Outstanding Education System

The education system in Massachusetts is one of the best in the country. However, it’s not as simple as having a good school district. 

If you want to find a city with good schools and an affordable lifestyle. Then you need to consider factors like local property crime rate, taxes, and the job market. Here are the most promising places for education in Massachusetts:

Leverett

Leverett is in Franklin County, one of the best places to live in Massachusetts. That’s because it has an incredible amount of natural beauty and charm that only comes with being nestled in the woods. Still, it has all the amenities necessary for modern living, such as great schools, a healthy economy, and plenty of opportunities for recreation and entertainment. 

Plus, the median home value in Leverett is below $600,000. This makes this town one of the best places to live in Massachusetts.

Worcester

Worcester City is the second largest city in Massachusetts and the capital of Worcester County. Worcester City has a higher criminality rate than other places. This makes it not considered safe to live here by many people. 

However, many things make this place great for living, like its excellent education system and it has a lot of diversity as well. It has many different cultures and rich history, making the city more enjoyable.

Winchester

Winchester is located in Middlesex County, ranked third in the state by Niche for its public schools. The city has two elementary schools, one middle school, and one high school. The Department of Education has recognized each school as the best in Bay State. 

Regarding safety, Winchester has a lower crime rate than most US cities. It has a median home price of $1,200,000, and some neighborhoods have seen an increase in property values over time.

Sharon

Sharon is a little town located in Norfolk County. It has a population of 13,101 and is known as Garden City due to its many parks and gardens. In addition, Sharon has one of the best education systems in Massachusetts. 

This town offers many residents a low crime rate of 2 per 1,000 people, making it one of the safest places to live in Massachusetts. In addition, Sharon is also rich in history and has an abundance of cultural and recreational opportunities. 

Many residents can enjoy concerts at the Sharon Memorial Music Hall or attend plays at the Sharon High School Auditorium. The town also boasts several museums and art galleries that showcase local works by artists from New England.

Top Places for Family Fun

In Massachusetts, you’ll find many great places to live. The state has many small towns and cities, some of which are better suited for families than others. 

If your family enjoys spending time outdoors, you may want to consider living in a town surrounded by mountains or water. Here are some of the best spots:

Provincetown

Provincetown, also known as P Town, is home to many great beaches, but the main attraction is Race Point Beach. This beach is one of the best beaches in Massachusetts. It’s also popular with surfers because of its location on the very tip of Cape Cod. 

This makes it a great place to take your kids if they want some time in the water while still being close to home. There’s also city level nightlife in this beach town if you want an exciting night out while still being able to return home after having a few drinks.

Westfield

Westfield City is also one of the best places to live in Massachusetts for a family. It has an excellent education system, with plenty of schools and colleges within its limits. 

The school district has no high schools and only two middle schools. However, there are still several elementary schools with programs that provide an excellent education for your kids. 

There is a low crime rate here, making Westfield safe for families with young children. You won’t have to worry about your child being robbed or attacked while walking home from school like you would in other cities. 

The cost of living around here is lower than average. This means you can save more money on everyday expenses without sacrificing comfort or quality of life.

Best School: Massachusetts Institute of Technology

If you have children, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) is a great choice for them. It has a reputation for having an excellent curriculum, and it offers an award-winning public library system with branches throughout Cambridge and Boston. 

The MIT Museum is one of the several museums in Massachusetts. The DeCordova Museum offers hundreds of acres of space to explore art installations. In addition to these institutions, Harvard University and Boston College are nearby.

Conclusion

Massachusetts is a beautiful state with many cities that are worth living in. It has a rich history and culture as well as modern amenities. 

The Bay State also offers great places for young professionals, like Newton City or Waltham City. Winchester will be perfect if you’re looking for good schools or safe neighborhoods. If you’re looking for family enjoyment, then Provincetown would be an excellent choice. 

If you need more information about buying or selling a home, contact HOMES by ARDOR today. Our trusted real estate agents will help you find the perfect place to call home.

Steph Wilkinson

In her 25-year career, Steph Wilkinson has been involved in the acquisition, marketing and sales of over $3 Billion dollars of residential real estate. A number of years ago, Steph transitioned into Brokerage Leadership for National real estate brands and tech start-ups. She has served as a Business Strategist for real estate agents and brokerages alike and is also a real estate coach and trainer. In her new role with the Iconic Team, Steph will be responsible for the growth of the team and will be working with all of our agents to increase their productivity and bottom line.