5 things to know about living in Wayland
Wayland was ranked the safest town in Massachusetts two years in a row.
Named the safest town in the Bay State two years in a row, Wayland is a peaceful western suburb with Puritan roots.
60 people, including 15 Puritan families, established the Wayland settlement in 1638. It was then incorporated in 1639, according to the Wayland Historical Society. These families were drawn to the “abundant pasturage,’’ the historical society notes, and the town’s commitment to land conservation has continued through to present day.
Here’s the breakdown.
1. You’ll live in…
… a historic home, or at least near one. The Wayland Historical Commission has a historic homes and buildings inventory, providing a list of the properties along with detailed information on each site. Many of these homes are currently single-family private homes that were built in the Colonial Revival style in the late 1800s and early 1900s. One home on the list was even built in 1770.
The Wayland Historical Commission also offers a historic home plaque program where residents can apply to get a plaque for the outside of their home. The commission notes that the “goal of this program is to highlight the long and varied architectural history of Wayland, and to remind residents and visitors of the town’s heritage.’’
2. You’ll pay…
… less than the surrounding suburbs, but still quite a bit. The Zillow Home Value Index estimates Wayland’s median home value at $659,600, an increase of 6.1 percent over the last year. Surrounding towns like Wellesley and Weston have median home values well into the million-dollar range.
For $600,000 to $700,000, you can get a 2,000 to 2,500-square-foot single-family home or condo. Wayland’s WalkScore tends to be around 40, making most of the town car-dependent.
3. You’ll hang out…
… doing outdoor activities. The Wayland Recreation Department slogan is “something for everyone,’’ and it really does seem to be the case. The department offers residents athletic programs in soccer, tennis, and cross country skiing, and workshops, such as jewelry making, soap making, and glassblowing. The events are for kids of all ages and families.
For the summer months, the Wayland Town Beach, which requires a membership, hosts swim lessons, sailing lessons, kayaking, and a variety of sports courts on a picturesque lake.
Other nature spots to see include the regional land trust the Sudbury Valley Trustees protect. The trust was formed in 1953 when Wayland citizens became worried development would destroy rural aspects of their town and the surrounding areas. There are trails to walk on and a variety of programs to participate in.
There are also places to golf – such as Sandy Burr Country Club and Wayland Country Club.
When you’re hungry after all your time outside, there is a diverse range of food options, from steakhouses to Japanese restaurants. One of the top Yelp-rated restaurants in town is a Thai restaurant called Spice & Pepper.
4. Your kids will…
… go to excellent schools. All of the public schools in town get above a 7 on the GreatSchools 1-10 rating scale. Claypit Hill School and Wayland Middle School both get a 10 out of 10. Wayland High Schools gets a 7.
If you’re a kid in Wayland, you are not short on options for activities. The town has many programs for school vacations and also workshops to learn new things.
5. You’ll love…
… the library. Wayland had the first free public library in the state and the second in the country, according to the Wayland Historical Society. The original library was founded in 1848, after Rev. Francis Wayland, who was the President of Brown University, gave $500 to assist the town members in building a library. The current Wayland Library is in a new building that was constructed in 1900.
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