Nestled just north of Boston, only a few miles from the coast, you’ll find the charming Massachusetts city of Melrose. Made popular by its proximity to the state’s capital, Melrose is known as the kind of town people choose to settle down in, with lush, beautiful neighborhoods, great schools and gorgeous, historic homes. Thinking about relocating to Melrose? Here are our top reasons you should say “Yes!” to this fantastic community.
Table of Contents
Melrose’s Welcoming Community
Melrose is home to about 28,000 people, and the local population is growing every day as more and more people move to the area. Many of the locals here were born and raised in Melrose, and 71% of residents were born in the state of Massachusetts. The city is definitely family-friendly, and in fact 46% of the population is made up by families with kids under 18. Like many New England communities, religion plays a role in the lives of many citizens; 50% of the population is Catholic, and another 8% follow a Protestant sect of Christianity.
Affordable Living Close to Boston
The distance from Melrose, MA to Boston, MA is less than 10 miles, and yet the housing market in this neighborhood is far more affordable. For example, the median property value in Boston is a stunning $ 540,600; in comparison a home in Melrose will cost you nearly $100,000 less. That being said, taxes here are still fairly high, with most families paying more than $3,000 per year in property taxes.
While two-thirds of the Melrose population owns their homes, the final third choose to rent instead, and again we see a huge difference in price between Melrose and Boston. In Melrose, the average apartment costs about $2,400 per month; that same apartment in Boston costs upwards of $3,500 per month. Other costs of living are comparable between the two cities, including healthcare, transportation and utilities.
Enjoy the Melrose Seasonal Weather
Located in the heart of New England and close to the Massachusetts bay, residents of Melrose experience a full four seasons each year. The average temperature in Melrose ranges from 21-82 degrees most of the year. While spring and summer are beautiful and sunny, Melrose is especially beautiful during the fall, when the local foliage bursts into reds, oranges and yellows. Melrose becomes a winter wonderland from November to February, and the area receives about 48 inches of snow per year. Before moving to Melrose, we recommend investing in a solid rake for autumn cleanups, and a strong shovel for getting snow out of your driveway.
There are Beautiful Melrose, MA Neighborhoods
One thing Melrose is known for is its beautiful suburban neighborhoods with low crime rates and large homes. The main zip codes in Melrose are 02148, 02176 and 02180, and the main area codes are 781 and 339. If you haven’t lived in Melrose before, finding a home in the perfect spot can be a daunting task. That’s why we’ve put together some quick information on the best neighborhoods in Melrose, MA!
- Melrose Highlands: This affluent neighborhood in Melrose has a median home sale price of $660,000. However, renting in Melrose Highlands is more affordable than the rest of the city, with an average price of just $1,500 per month. The district is characterised by a mix of single-family homes and apartment complexes, many of which were built before 1940.
- City Center: There are plenty of Melrose, MA homes for sale right in the center of the city, which has a median home price of $514,000. Like Melrose Highlands, the neighborhood features a mix of detached homes and apartment communities. City Center is known for it’s high walkability score, and plethora of historic colonial and victorian homes.
- Fells: Located on Melrose’s south end, this popular neighborhood offers less expensive housing, with a median home price of $490,000. Fells is categorized as a suburban neighborhood with a mix of apartment homes and single-family houses. Homes here tend to be slightly newer than in Melrose Highlands and City Center, with many homes having been built after 2000.
Schools in Melrose are Top-Notch
Melrose is a community that cares about its young people, and nowhere is this reflected better than in their local public schools. The Melrose Public School District includes five elementary schools, one middle school and one high school. Melrose High School offers a well-rounded education, featuring five foreign exchange programs, 22 advanced placement courses and more than 65 clubs and extracurriculars for students to join. It even received a College Success Award for 2019 from GreatSchools.org!
Melrose Has Plenty of Jobs
Will you be looking for a job when you move? You’re in luck, because Melrose has a thriving local economy. The median household income here is $93,434, over $10,000 higher than Boston proper and $36,000 higher than the national median for the United States!
About 16,000 people work in Melrose, where the largest industries include professional services, technology, healthcare and education. The biggest employers in Melrose are the Hallmark Health System and the Melrose Wakefield Hospital, which each employ more than 1,000 workers. Because Melrose is so close to Boston, many residents also choose to work in high-profile positions in Boston’s many tech startups, finance companies and government agencies.
There Are Always Fun Things to Do
View this post on Instagram
Of course, if you’re looking for fun, you can easily hop from Melrose into Boston and explore tons of activities, from the aquarium to Faneuil Hall and more. But if you’re looking for somewhere to relax that’s even closer to home, here are two of our favorite locations for things to do in Melrose:
- Middlesex Fells Reservation: Spanning more than 2000 acres, this nature preserve is one of the most beautiful spots in Middlesex County. In addition to hiking and walking opportunities, you can also bike or go horseback riding on the Reservation’s trails. On spot pond, enjoy catch-and-release fishing, or take out your boat or kayak for an awesome day on the water!
- Ell Pond: Another gorgeous spot to get outside in Melrose, Ell Pond is one of the largest natural features of the city itself, and features. You can walk around the pond or go out on the water; there’s also a dog park for your furry best friend!
Melrose’s Top Restaurants are Delicious
Living in Melrose, you’ll always be close to fantastic restaurants and eateries. Whether you love classic Italian, are craving some Mexican cuisine, or want to enjoy a romantic night at an upscale bistro, there’s something for everyone in Melrose. Here are two of our favorite local hot spots.
Giacomo’s Melrose
Giacomo’s serves up incredible Italian cuisine every night of the week. From their classic antipasto to delicious pasta dishes like frutti di mare, the delectable menu will have you coming back again and again!
- Hours: 11:30AM–2:30PM, 4–10:30PM Monday- Thursday, 4–9:30PM Friday- Saturday, 11:30AM-9PM Sunday
- Website: https://giacomos-melrose.com/
- Phone: (781) 620-1191
- Address: 454 Main St, Melrose, MA 02176
Turner’s Seafood Grill & Market – One of Melrose’s Best Places to Eat
View this post on Instagram
Looking for the freshest seafood in Melrose? Turner’s Seafood Grill and Market has you covered, with a full raw bar, plus classic dishes including New England Clam Chowder, Lobster Bisque, Boiled Lobster and deep-sea scallops.
- Hours: 9AM–9PM Monday-Thursday, 9AM–10PM
- Website: http://www.turners-seafood.com/
- Phone: (781) 662-0700
- Address: 506 Main St, Melrose, MA 02176
Tips for Moving to Melrose
We hope this guide to living in Melrose has you excited about joining this wonderful community. As you plan your move, keep these points in mind:
- Melrose is close enough to Boston to enjoy the city, without the price tag.
- This New England town gets its fair share of snow, so bring a shovel!
- If you love classic colonial and Victorian homes, this is the perfect city for you.
Need help executing your relocation to Melrose? You need the best local moving company in Melrose – Mass Bay Movers. Call (978) 224-8227 to speak with a moving expert now!
