5 things to know about living in Framingham
The western suburb has plenty to do from drinking at breweries to walking or hiking through state parks.
Located about 20 miles west of Boston, Framingham is diverse in almost all categories. There are a variety of activities in town that range from drinking at a brewery to strolling through at state park.
In Framingham Public Schools there are 67 different languages spoken by the students. You can get yourself a reasonably priced condo or a multi-million dollar historic home. Eating in Framingham is no different – sit down at restaurants from all over the world.
There is even a diverse age range, as you will see college-aged students that attend Framingham State to families with little kids. The Greater Boston suburb has a lot of offer.
1. You’ll live in…
… one of Framingham’s villages, Nobscot and Saxonville. Living in Nobscot, you’ll get more of a suburban vibe, with hints of rural as well. Even though this area has developed quite a bit since its farming roots, it is still one of the most nature-oriented, with plenty of parks, playgrounds, and farms.
Saxonville, though more developed is not without its historic charm, as the village is listed on the National Historic Register. The homes here tend to be from the 19th century and are wooden with mansard roofs.
Back in 2012, Framingham was ranked as the No. 38 best small city to live in America.
2. You’ll pay…
… the median value for the Bay State. The Zillow Home Value Index for Framingham is $338,600, which is almost exactly the same as the state as a whole. Framingham values have gone up 4.7 percent in the last year and are predicted to rise another 1.3 percent in the next year.
For $300,000 to $400,000 you can get a single family home from around 1,500 to 2,000 square feet. The WalkScore is a 39, meaning a car will be necessary to most things around town.
3. You’ll hang out…
… strolling through nature. The New England Wild Flower Society’s Garden in the Woods is referred to as a “living museum.’’ There is 45 acres of botanic garden space with two miles of paths to walk through to see flowers, springs, bogs, trees, and more native New England plants.
Callahan State Park is yet another great outdoor space with 820 acres of land and seven miles of marked trails to hike, horseback ride, fish, and more. In the winter you can cross country ski.
If you are not in the mood to be outside and feel like a brew, you can go to Jack’s Abby Brewing, which is Trip Advisor’s highest rated activity in town. Or if you want to watch some soccer, British Beer Company is another great place to grab a pint.
You can also head over to Danforth Art, which is a local visual contemporary art museum, with rotating exhibitions and a permanent collection.
When you are hungry the world is really your oyster. The top rated Yelp restaurants in town offer an eclectic mix of Mexican, Chinese, Japanese, and American cuisine. You are bound to find something that fits your taste.
4. Your kids will…
… go to a potentially wide range of schools. Many of the public schools in town get a well above average GreatSchools rating, such as Framingham High School, which received a 7. But some of the elementary and middle schools receive rankings well below average.
Along with taking your kids to the Garden in the Woods or one of the many other parks in town, on a colder day you could take them to My Gym Children’s Fitness Center for a variety of classes. Or for a birthday party, Jump Around Parties & Playdates could be a great way to get out some pent up energy.
The AMC Framingham 16 is also always a great option for kids.
5. You’ll love…
… Salem End Road. The Boston Globe recently added this Framingham street to its 2015 top streets to live on in Greater Boston. Thomas Danforth, a Harvard College official and a magistrate, owned the land the town was founded on and was, according to the Globe “sympathetic to the ‘witches’ in the 1692 trials who helped several of them relocate to the area that become known as Salem End.’’
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