A historic Massachusetts town of convenience and contentment
Settled in the 1630s, the town of Dedham sits 26 miles southwest of downtown Boston, anchored between the Charles River and Interstate 95. The town motto, “Contentment,” reflects the impressive abundance of amenities offered by the community, from public parks to the upscale Legacy Place open-air shopping mall. “I like that area because it gives people options – there’s regular dining, fine dining, bowling and movie theaters,” says Jay McHugh, who grew up in Dedham and is now a Realtor with LAER Realty. “People priced out of Needham and Westwood can come there and find new constructions and rehabbed Victorian homes and still have the benefit of being close to train stations.” The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority’s Franklin/Foxboro Line runs right through town directly to downtown Boston’s South Station.
While only a few miles from Boston, Dedhams charms make it feel a world away.
This historic Colonial sits on a quiet street just outside the downtown Dedham area.
1/2
From historical Victorians to contemporary builds
The median home price hovers around $735,000, which is well above the national median of $410,000. Listings typically sell within three weeks, twice that of the national average of about 40 days.
Dedham is the location of the Fairbanks House, constructed circa 1641 and the oldest wood-frame home in North America. While the city has a sizable inventory of vintage homes, buyers shouldn’t expect to find many 17th century cabins on the market but rather late 19th century Colonial Revivals and Victorians. Colonial Revivals run through the 1950s, joined by midcentury split-levels, ranch-style and raised ranch-style houses. Homes date all the way up to the 2020s, with New Traditionals continuing to enter the market. “There are estates with dozens of acres that are still being developed,” McHugh says. “It’s a matter of finding 3-4 homeowners who want to sell to one developer so they can carve up the intricate lots and make them into a subdivision.” Typically, builds with 1,500 square feet of space or less start around $500,000. Prices taper off after $1.2 million, though homes with 3,000 square feet and beyond can reach $4 million or higher in the city’s prestigious Dexter neighborhood.
Historic Colonial homes can be found mixed in with newer constructions all over Dedham.
Split Level homes can regularly be found among Dedham developments from the 50's to 70's.
1/2
Dedham Public Schools is the oldest district in the country
Public education has long been valued by Dedham, which in 1644 established the first taxpayer-funded public school in the country. This also makes Dedham Public Schools the nation’s oldest school district. The district receives an overall B-plus from Niche serves some 2,500 students, starting at the B-rated Curran Early Childhood Education Center, where integrated preschool classrooms accommodate students of all abilities. Niche awards Noble and Greenough School, commonly called Nobles, an A-plus and ranks it as the fourth best private high school in the state. The school offers five-day boarding and promotes arts and athletics as well as academics. The institution’s website states that around 1 in 5 students take private music lessons on campus, and that 28 varsity teams have won New England Championships. Northeastern University operates a small campus in Dedham with a soccer field, track and other facilities. “We have a very good relationship with the school,” says Bob Stanley, director of the Dedham Parks and Recreation for almost two decades. “They help us out a lot and let us use their fields, and we let them do the same.”
Dedham Middle School in Upper Dedham.
Dedham High School in Upper Dedham.
1/2
High-end shopping at Legacy Place
Legacy Place is debatably Dedham’s premier shopping center. The outdoor mall offers dozens of upscale boutiques and restaurants, bakeries, a parking garage and the Showcase Cinema de Lux Legacy Place. “Since these high-end stores are generating taxes, income taxes are comparatively low in Dedham,” McHugh says. T.J. Maxx and other stores anchor the indoor Dedham Mall in East Dedham.
Local restaurants encircle Dedham Village’s roundabout and fill Dedham Square, which encompasses parts of Washington and High Streets. Big box stores line Boston Providence Highway.
Stop into the Midway Cafe to enjoy a drink and catch the game in Dedham.
Visit Oscar's in Dedham Square for great drinks and delicious gastropub fare.
1/2
Close to the interstate and MBTA Commuter Rail
Boston Providence Highway divides the town into two, while Interstate 95 hugs the community to the south. This expressway traces the East Coast and forms a partial beltway around Boston. Approximately 24 miles by car, a trip to Boston typically takes 40 minutes or longer. Residents might find it faster to hop on the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) Commuter Rail. The Franklin/Foxboro Line stops by Dedham Corporate Center and other stations on the south side of town, while the Needham Line runs just to the north through West Roxbury. Both lines terminate at Boston’s South Station. Atrius Health hospital is just northwest of town.
Dedham is also home to many pedestrians. “Lots of people walk in the neighborhood, but with the highway right there, there is a lot of driving. It’s a healthy mix,” Stanley says. The Dedham Square Improvement Project added pedestrian signals, handicap accessible ramps and other enhancements to Dedham Square.
I95 is a convenient way for Dedham residents to travel through out the area.
Visit downtown Dedham for historic charm and the many options for shopping and dining.
1/2
Learning the basics of skiing at Blues Hills Ski Area
According to the Trust for Public Land, 3 in 4 Dedham residents are within a 10-minute walk of a park. The Dedham Parks and Recreation Complex features a baseball diamond, a shaded dog park and a boat ramp for kayakers and canoers seeking to explore the Charles River. Wilson Mountain Reservation is just up the road and a popular spot for hiking up to the Wilson Mountain summit, which affords scenic views from an elevation of 295 feet, making it Dedham’s highest point.
Only a few miles to the east, Blue Hills Ski Area is popular for beginners, offering lessons and gently sloping trails. Just on the other side of Interstate 95, Norfolk Golf Club invites members to play nine holes of golf.
Pups love a visit to the dog park at Dedham Parks and Rec Complex.
Humans and dogs alike love to walk through the pristine forest of Wilson Mountain Reservation.
1/2
The James Joyce Ramble is like a literary marathon
Inspired by the endurance required to read the Irish writer’s novels, the James Joyce Ramble is a 10-kilometer race taking place a few days after the Boston Marathon with a literary twist. “The first time I ran it in high school, it started off in the center of town, and you ran through the rich areas before ending up at Endicott Estate,” McHugh says. “While you’re running, you see different people on the sidelines dressed up in costumes and wigs. I thought they were just old Yankee residents outside their doors, but I realized they were dressed up like Joyce and reading from his books, planted there to give the race flavor.” The organizers reward runners handsomely for their efforts. “When you finish up, there’s a band playing, and you get free snacks and beer – and it’s usually the good stuff from the local Harpoon Brewery,” McHugh adds. Proceeds from the race go to Boston’s Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, an internationally ranked cancer hospital.
Other cherished community events include the Flag Day Parade and Dedham Day in late September, where attendees can go on carnival rides, support local vendors and enjoy live music.
Crime and climate in Dedham
According to FBI crime statistics, property crimes increased 78% and violent crimes increased 16% between 2023 and 2022.
Dedham experiences four seasons with humid summers and cold, snowy winters. The town averages roughly 5 feet of snow per year.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
