Located in Middlesex County just a few miles north-west of Boston’s metropolitan center, Arlington is a stunningly beautiful suburb well known for being one of the most desirable of Boston’s peripheral communities. Like Boston, Arlington has a history that stretches back to the first English settlers of America. Arlington is a descendant community of Menotomy, a community established in 1635 when the English first landed on the continent. Paul Revere’s famous night-time ride took place here, and many important Revolutionary relics are still located here. Nowadays, Arlington is a residential community first and foremost, and is known to be home to several notable people, including Director of the Secret Service Mark J. Sullivan and actor Olympia Dukakis.
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Arlington, MA Population & Demographics
The town of Arlington has a population of 45,304 distributed over 5.1 miles at a population density of about 8,800 people per square mile. The median age here is 40.7, which is a little older than the Massachusetts average of 39.5. The median household income in Arlington is $108,389, which is about 1.3 times higher than the average household income for the state of Massachusetts, being $81,215.
Arlington is a fairly homogeneous place, with 76% of the population being Caucasian, as well as a significant Asian community which makes up 12% of the community’s population. Arlington’s gender ratio is fairly skewed towards females, being 54% of Arlington’s population.
Arlington’s zip codes are 02474 and 02476, while the area codes are 339 and 781. Arlington’s neighboring communities include Mystic Lakes, Mystic River, and Alewife Brook. Meanwhile, Boston sits eight miles to its south-east, and is only a short twenty minute drive away.
Thinking about moving to this community, but wondering if Arlington is a safe place to live? You’re in luck, because Arlington is rated A+ on AreaVibes for crime! Arlington is among the safest of Boston’s suburbs, making it highly desirable. The total crime rate is 82% lower than the national average, while violent crime is 80% lower, and property crime is 83% lower.
Cost of Living in Arlington, MA
The periphery communities of Boston being expensive should surprise no one, and this does not change with Arlington, with the cost of living here being 45% higher on average than other places in America, according to Payscale. Homes in Arlington are more than 1.5 times the cost of a home in Massachusetts, with the average home costing you $642,200. If you choose to move to Arlington, you can also expect to pay more for utilities, transportation, and groceries. While not as expensive as Boston, renting here is expensive, with an average monthly rent of $1,958.
Arlington has some of the inflated costs you’d expect out of an area nearby a city, but the costs are well worth the price, few places in Massachusetts are better than Arlington!
Arlington, MA Schools & Colleges
If you choose to move to Arlington, you will be served by the excellent Arlington Public School District. This is an advantage, as many of the schools here are excellently rated and highly sought after, with 89 percent of schools within the district being rated as “above average”. Some highlights in terms of local schools include Dallin Elementary School, rated 8/10, Ottoson Middle School, rated 9/10, and Arlington High School. Rest assured, your child will be sure to succeed while you’re living in Arlington!
Arlington, MA Climate & Weather
Arlington’s climate is very typical of the Boston area. Lots of rain, lots of snow, nice summer months contrasted by rather bitter winter months. You can expect lows of 18 degrees Fahrenheit during the winter months, and highs of 82 degrees Fahrenheit during the summer months. Arlington experiences more than the average amount of rainfall when compared with the rest of the United States, with 48 inches per year as compared to 38. Meanwhile, Arlington also experiences far more snow on average, with 53 inches as compared to 28. The best times to visit Arlington, in terms of comfort rating, are June and August.
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Best Neighborhoods in Arlington, MA
Arlington is among the best of Boston’s suburbs, and also has plenty of smaller communities within it to check out! Check out some of your neighborhood options below:
The most expensive part of town is its center, which should go without saying. Meanwhile, those looking to be the closest to Boston may want to look into buying property in East Arlington, which has surprisingly affordable property prices. Those looking for the most affordable Arlington properties should try out Mystic Valley Parkway.
If you want to make yourself a part of any of these communities, you should check out the latest listings for homes for sale in Arlington, MA.
Jobs in Arlington, MA
Those planning on making a living in Arlington should know that wages have been stable while cost of living has been going up, according to Payscale. The most popular positions of employment are Mechanical Engineer, Senior Software Engineer, and Principal Software Engineer. The largest employer in the area is Tufts University. The average salary for a worker in Arlington is $87k a year, while the average hourly wage is $19.93.
Arlington is a place with plenty of economic opportunity, particularly in the field of information technology. Check out the latest listings for jobs in Arlington, MA here.
Things to Do in Arlington, MA
Moving to the wonderful town of Arlington means plenty of opportunities to visit entertaining attractions that are fun for the whole family, as well as plenty of opportunities for great shopping. Check out shopping centers nearby like the Arlington Village Shops for all your shopping needs! You should also check out some of the best things to do in Arlington, MA below:
Spy Pond Park
The biggest and most notable park in town, this beautiful attraction on the banks of Spy Pond is home to wonderful walkable paths and a baseball field, and is a wonderful place to relax after a stressful day. This park is a favorite among Arlington locals.
56 Pond Ln, Arlington, MA 02474, +17813163880
Robbins Farm Park
If the kids are extra energetic that day and you need somewhere more for play than relaxation, Robbins Farm Park is the place to be in Arlington. Containing plenty of equipment for play, this park even has skateboarding facilities.
61 Eastern Ave, Arlington, MA 02476, +17813163880
Arlington, MA Additional Attractions:
Places to Eat in Arlington, MA
Alongside its host of things to do, Arlington is also home to plenty of great eats! Check out some below:
Menotomy Grill
Looking for a foray into the pub life while living in Arlington? This gastropub serves both excellent alcohol and great food, from wings to other traditional dishes of America’s east coast. For eats and drinks, there are few places better than Menotomy!
25 Massachusetts Ave #8602, Arlington, MA 02474, +17816481775
Victoria Taqueria
The food of Central America has reached even here on the east coast, and Victoria Taqueria is an excellent demonstration as to why: excellent, authentic food with just as excellent and authentic ingredients make Victoria Taqueria worth visiting for any Mexican food lover in Arlington.
12 Medford St, Arlington, MA 02474, +17818595503
Moving to Arlington, MA Pros & Cons
Pros:
- Beautiful natural surroundings
- Historic community
- Safe
Cons:
- Quite pricey
Ready to take that last step and start your journey to making Arlington your new home? Give Mass Bay Movers a call! Our crew of highly-trained professional movers will ensure your move is a stress-free process at affordable rates! Call now or fill out our online form for a free quote!
