5 things to know about living in Revere
Revere is just five miles outside of downtown Boston.
Though Revere has recently been in the spotlight because of casinos, horse tracks, and controversial new developments, the beachside city is known for a lot more than that.
In the summer months, you might have seen Revere Beach, which is the country’s first public beach, on lists of sandy spots accessible by MBTA. You might have also heard of Kelly’s Roast Beef, which has been around since 1951 and claims to have made the first roast beef sandwich.
1. You’ll live in…
… a place close to the water. Revere is a pretty small city and you are never too far from the beach. In 2013, The Boston Globe put Revere on a list of the 13 top communities in Greater Boston to live in.
“Revere didn’t always have a positive image,’’ John Festa, the city’s director of economic development, told the Globe. “That’s all changing now.’’ The Globe also mentioned that panoramic ocean views are common and are drawing more and more people to the city.
2. You’ll pay…
… quite a bit less than Boston. The Zillow Home Value Index puts the median home value for Revere at $305,300, but the values have gone up 9.8 percent over the past year, which is slightly more than Boston. Zillow expects they will rise 2.9 percent in the next year.
For $300,000 to $400,000 you can get a single-family home from around 1,500 to 2,500 square feet. The city’s WalkScore is slightly above average at 60, with the Downtown, Crescent Beach, and West Revere areas all receiving higher scores.
3. You’ll hang out…
… at lots of good places to eat. There is Kelly’s Roast Beef – a Revere legend, which claims to be the first place to ever make a roast beef sandwich. If you want to see it for yourself, there’s a live cam of the outside of the restaurant.
But that’s not all – there are plenty of other places lining Revere Beach to grab a bite. Figaro’s at Revere Beach is yet another great place to get a sandwich and gets really high ratings on Yelp. Almost all the sandwiches are under $10, and they have awesome names.
Along with plenty of other Italian joints to eat at, you can also get a great (and large) breakfast at B.W.’s Grill, a family-run restaurant, or a quick slice at Bianchi’s, which is certainly in the running for best pizza in the Boston metro.
4. Your kids will…
… go to pretty average schools. Most of the schools in town get a 4, 5, or 6 on the 1-10 GreatSchools rating, with Revere High School getting a 4.
In the warmer months, the beaches should help entertain the kids. Otherwise, proximity to Boston is the big selling point here.
5. You’ll love…
… Revere Beach. A short trip on the MBTA Blue line from Boston, this beach is the oldest public beach in the country. It was designed by a Harvard grad in the late 1800s “for the best use by the public.’’ It was this beach (along with a railroad) that lead to Revere’s growth and development.
Though the area has changed some throughout the years, today Revere Beach is a summer destination for Bostonians and has also become well known for being home to a sand sculpting festival.
Related: 9 questions to ask when viewing an apartment:
To comment, please create a screen name in your profile
To comment, please verify your email address
Conversation
This discussion has ended. Please join elsewhere on Boston.com