5 things to know about living in Arlington
Arlington sometimes gets overshadowed by iconic early American towns like Plymouth, Lexington and Concord, but it also has some patriotic roots. Samuel Wilson, who would later be known as Uncle Sam, was born in town, a fact residents still celebrate. The town has an Uncle Sam Committee and an Uncle Sam Day. A few years ago it even dedicated an area known as Uncle Sam Plaza in the center of town.
The town, only six miles from Boston, has plenty of other history, especially from the American Revolution, and is not afraid to show it. But that doesn’t mean you can’t find great restaurants, schools, and things to do today.
Check it out.
1. You’ll live in…
… a home with some history. The Arlington Historical Commission has as 29-page list of homes within its historic districts, and has valuable information about how to search primary sources to find out your home’s history. Arlington is also split up into a few different neighborhoods, such as East Arlington, Arlington Heights, Morningside, and Jason Heights.
You can expect the area’s usual housing-style suspects — Colonial, Queen Anne, Victorian. If you are not ready for a single-family home, Arlington also has plenty of condos and townhouses on the market.
2. You’ll pay…
… close to what you would pay in Cambridge. The Zillow Home Value Index puts Arlington’s median home price at $620,700 and Cambridge’s is only slightly more. Home values have gone up 6.8 percent over the past year and are expected to increase another 2 percent in the next.
For $600,000 to $700,000, you can expect to get a historic home with about 1,500 to 2,000 square feet of living space. Arlington gets a Walk Score of 65, meaning it is somewhat walkable. Neighborhoods that score higher are East Arlington, Arlington Center, and Brattle.
3. You’ll hang out…
… in and around Spy Pond Park. It’s Trip Advisor’s No. 1 ranked thing to do in town. You can take walks around it, rent canoes or kayaks, fish, and paddle board. There is also a playground for kids.
If you are in the mood for some art, you can go to the Cyrus E. Dallin Art Museum in the historic Jefferson Cutter House. Currently it is closed for renovations, but when it’s open you can see the sculpture work of Cyrus E. Dallin, who “is regarded as one of the most important sculptors in American art.”
For more history very close to the museum, you can see the Uncle Sam Memorial Statue, which is also near Arlington Town Hall and a variety of shops and restaurants. If you haven’t had enough history, you can also visit the Old Schwamb Mill, which has been around for hundreds of years and is still producing wood. You can also take tours of the area.
Over in the East Arlington neighborhood, as The Boston Globe points out there is a lot to do, such as “the 1920s-era Capitol Theatre, sister cinema to the Somerville Theatre; Barismo, a destination for serious coffee lovers; and Quebrada, a cozy bakery that looks straight out of Bavaria.”
When it’s time to eat, there is a wide variety of food in town, but the No. 1 rated restaurant on Yelp is La Victoria Taqueria, known for its authentic Mexican food. Still hungry for dessert? Head to Boyle’s Market or The Scoop N Scootery.
4. Your kids will…
… go to amazing schools. Every public school in Arlington gets at least an 8 on the 1-10 GreatSchools rating scale. Bishop Elementary School scored the highest with a perfect 10 score, but Arlington High School was right behind it with a 9, as were Brackett Elementary School and Dallin Elementary School.
5. You’ll love…
… Minuteman Bikeway. The paved road winds through 10 miles of Bedford, Lexington, Arlington, and Cambridge, passing “through the area where the American Revolution began in 1775.” You can bike, walk, run or even taking up skating on the trail. According to its site, “Connecting to the Alewife ‘T’ Station in Cambridge, the bikeway provides an easy way for bicyclists and pedestrians to travel to and from subway and bus lines, serving to reduce automobile traffic in the area.”
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