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Downtown Framingham

Downtown Framingham

Suburban Neighborhood in Framingham, Massachusetts

Middlesex County 01702

$492,102 Average Value

Bustling city center midway between Worcester and Boston

From streets lined with eclectic shops and eateries to rich cultural heritage and accessible transit options, Downtown Framingham offers a dynamic and engaging urban experience. “Framingham is a very culturally diverse city and often referred to as a melting pot,” says David Ferrini, a Realtor with Coldwell Banker Realty who has more than 20 years of experience selling homes. Ferrini adds that those living here have convenient access to the MBTA commuter rail at the Framingham station, which connects commuters to the nearby major metropolitan areas. However, Framingham itself is home to several major employers. “There’s a lot of business here,” Ferrini says. “The Bose Corporation started here, and T.J. Maxx and HomeGoods are both Framingham-born.” Situated midway between Worcester and Boston and home to a steadily growing population, this up-and-coming city center has plenty to offer.

Diverse culinary scene in Downtown Framingham

Downtown Framingham’s cultural diversity is best exemplified through its culinary scene. Ferrini mentions that residents can find everything from Brazilian bakeries and Russian markets, to Indian eateries and Italian grocery stores. Ferrini also notes two popular local dining spots: “La Cantina is an Italian restaurant located on Route 135 – it’s been through many renditions, but it’s always been a staple of the community,” he says. “There’s also Ken’s Steak House, a multi-generational restaurant on Route 9 with a salad dressing so popular that it’s sold internationally.” Located centrally in Downtown Framingham is the Framingham Station Brazilian Steakhouse, which is housed in the former train station and features a buffet. Residents can shop for groceries at the side-by-side Whole Foods and Trader Joe's situated off Worcester Road.

Local farmers market held at the Downtown Framingham Common

In addition to its thriving culinary scene, Framingham is also home to numerous arts and cultural institutions throughout the community. “The Danforth Museum is a wonderful place – it’s a combined museum and art school that’s been in existence for over 50 years,” Ferrini says. “Amazing Things Art Center is more of a community center for arts and theatre; they have an open mic, they do plays, it’s an all-are-welcome type of place.” Ferrini also mentions that several community events are hosted at the Downtown Framingham Common, including a summer concert series and a farmers market that runs from June through October. “The farmers market is something people really love because it’s all local farmers and produce,” he says.

Housing market has been on an upward trend

“The housing market is extremely healthy, and we have little to no inventory currently – the supply does not meet the demand,” Ferrini says. “And that goes for everything from an apartment rental to condos to single-family homes; the market has been on an upward tick for the last four years.” The majority of residential properties in central Downtown Framingham are apartment units and condominiums, but there are several streets that branch off from the Downtown area that are lined with single-family homes. A majority of these single-family residences reflect traditional-style and Craftsman architecture. “An entry-level home starts around $450,000 and goes up into the millions,” Ferrini says. Most condo units in this area tend to range in price between $300,000 and $700,000.

Outdoor recreation at Farm Pond

Downtown Framingham sits adjacent to Farm Pond, a 151-acre body of water also known locally as the Framingham Pond. Bordering the pond are several outdoor recreation areas, including the Farm Pond Dog Park, a skate park and a playground area. Ferrini mentions that locals can also head to two other nearby ponds: Waushakum Pond and Learned Pond, which both offer small beach areas. Just outside Downtown Framingham is Mary Dennison Park, which features several outdoor ballfields and two basketball courts. Farther north of the area is Callahan State Park, which Ferrini notes is a popular spot for hiking rail trails and cross-country skiing in the wintertime.

Access to MBTA commuter rail at Framingham station

The Framingham train station offers daily service along the MBTA’s Framingham/Worcester Line, a commuter rail that travels into both Boston and Worcester. Interstate 90 runs a couple of miles north of the neighborhood, and Interstate 495 is situated to the west of Downtown Framingham. Bus services are operated by the MetroWest Regional Transit Authority (MWRTA), which operates several fixed routes throughout the city and downtown area. Downtown Framingham has an overall CAP Index score of 7 out of 10, which is higher than the national average of 4.

Students attend Framingham Public Schools

Students in this neighborhood are zoned for Framingham Public Schools, which receive an overall B rating from Niche. Barbieri Elementary School serves students in kindergarten through fifth grade and receives a C rating. Fuller Middle School is rated C-plus, and Framingham High School is rated A-minus. The city is also home to Framingham State University, a higher education institution that offers both undergraduate and graduate programs.

Grace Pitney
Written By
Grace Pitney
Matt Barrett
Photography Contributed By
Matt Barrett
Tony Simonetti
Video By
Tony Simonetti

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Schools

Source:
GreatSchools: The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process. View GreatSchools Rating Methodology

Interested in learning more about homes in this neighborhood? Reach out to Valerie Cohen, an experienced agent in this area.

Parks in this Area

Transit

Airport

General Edward Lawrence Logan International

38 min drive

Train

Framingham

Bus

Banana Lot & Intermodal Center

Bus

Blandin Hub

Bus

Franklin St & Proctor St

Bus

Framingham Mbta Station

Crime and Safety

1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime Downtown Framingham US
Homicide 5 4
Sexual Assault 6 4
Assault with Weapon 6 4
Robbery 7 4
Burglary 7 4
Motor Vehicle Theft 7 4
Larceny 6 4
Crime Score 6 4

Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com

Home Facts

Number of Homes in Neighborhood
65
Median Year Built
1968
Avg. Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
1,836
Below the national average
1,935
Average Townhouse Size Sq Ft
2,345
Average 2 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
853
Average 1 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
672
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
5,662

Distribution of Home Values

Source: Public Records

Homes for Rent

Interested in learning more about homes in this neighborhood? Reach out to Valerie Cohen, an experienced agent in this area.

Average Home Value




Source: Public Records

Property Mix - Square Feet

This Neighborhood Has More Renters

Demographics

Total Population
2,241
Median Age
37
Population Density
12 ppl/acre
Population under 18
23.9%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
9.9%
Below the national average
19.1%

Finances

Median Household Income
$54,908
Significantly below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$80,411

Education and Workforce

High School Graduates
87.2%
College Graduates
21.3%
Below the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
4.9%
% Population in Labor Force
76.7%
Above the national average
65.1%

Weather

Annual Precipitation
49''
Average Winter Low Temperature
18°F
Average Summer High Temperature
83°F
Annual Snowfall
20''

Area Factors

Bikeable

Bike Score®

54 / 100

Very Walkable

Walk Score®

88 / 100

Some Transit

Transit Score®

46 / 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score

Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.

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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.
NEIGHBORHOOD
Downtown Framingham