Known for its historic downtown and commuting options, Hudson, 40 miles from Boston, is a popular town for homebuyers in the MetroWest region of Massachusetts. “It’s a very vibrant town with a very active downtown that offers a lot of different businesses, restaurants and little boutique shops. It's been revitalized over the last 10 years,” says Elaine McDonald, a real estate consultant with RE/MAX Executive Realty, who has sold several homes in the area. Hudson has just under 20,000 residents, giving it a small-town feel within the Greater Boston region. Residents can stroll along Main Street to browse stores or stop in a restaurant for an artisan pizza. “It’s a very important and big selling point for the town,” says Kristina Johnson, a director of planning and community development for Hudson. The Assabet River runs through downtown, offering scenic views from the popular Wood Park. For those who want a quieter lifestyle while still working in Boston, Interstate 495 is nearby, giving residents an easy start to their commute.
Main Street in Downtown Hudson is lined with delightful shops and eateries.
Downtown Hudson offers a historic charm and modern amenities.
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Shopping and dining in Downtown Hudson
Hudson’s downtown is the place to shop and dine. Old brick shoe factories from Hudson’s industrial era line Main Street, housing eateries that offer flatbreads, bagels, subs and classic diner food. The town has become a destination for craft beer, with several brewpubs and multiple breweries. Residents can stroll downtown and browse shops selling gifts, children’s toys, music and home goods. Hudson also has several chains and fast-food restaurants around the edges of town for residents who need something quick. For big-box stores and national retailers, residents can head west to The Shops at Highland Commons, a large outdoor shopping center with stores like Cabela’s, Ulta Beauty, Michaels and T.J. Maxx. Residents can pick up groceries at supermarkets like Market Street, Shaw’s or Walmart.
Welly's is a must visit spot for elevated bar bites in Downtown Hudson.
Downtown Hudson resident can grab groceries at the nearby Shaw's.
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A fast-moving housing market
Homes are clustered along sidewalk-lined streets in the bustling downtown area. In contrast, in subdivisions farther from the downtown area, homes are spaced farther apart on larger lots with winding streets beside wide roadways with no sidewalks. Most residents rent in downtown Hudson, which has the highest concentration of townhouses and condos. In contrast, neighborhoods outside the urban area, like Park Washington, mainly consist of single-family homes, though there are still some condos, multifamily homes and townhouses. Split-level, Colonial Revival, minimal traditional and new traditional are common housing styles in the area. “If a home is in great shape, we’re still getting multiple offers. Once a home gets up to a certain price range, maybe around $750,000, it slows down. But 80 to 90% of the homes are in the moderate range, so it’s affordable for many buyers,” McDonald says. A new subdivision is being built outside of downtown, but otherwise the town is using old mill buildings and advancing affordable housing projects since Hudson is mostly built out, adds Johnson. The median home price in Hudson is $590,000, slightly higher than the national median of $406,100, reported by the National Association of Realtors. FBI data shows crime in Hudson is significantly below the national average, but violent crime increased 68% from 2022 to 2023. Property crime increased 133% during the same period.
Classic Colonials are common along the street of Downtown Hudson.
Some residents enjoy Condo living in Downtown Hudson.
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Hudson Public Schools earns a B-minus
Hudson Public Schools serves the area, which receives a B-minus from Niche. The school district has three elementary schools and students attend David J. Quinn Middle School and Hudson High School. All schools are located within Hudson.
David J. Quinn Middle School receives and overall grade of B- from Niche.
Hudson High School has a large campus next to the Assabet River in Hudson.
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Commuters use Interstate 90 and Interstate 495
Downtown Hudson is walkable, but most residents who live in the subdivisions on the edges of town are car-dependent. The town does offer public transportation through the MWRTA bus system and has several stops, including Highland Commons, the Hudson Senior Center and Walmart. While many residents commute to Boston, some work locally in manufacturing, technology and education. Hudson is no longer a mill town; it has several industrial spaces that house technology and manufacturing companies.
The town’s location near multiple highways allows residents to commute to Boston, just 40 miles east on Interstates 495 and 90. Residents can also take either interstate for 43 miles to reach the Boston Logan International Airport. UMass Memorial Hahnemann Family Health Center is 15 miles away in Worcester.
Seasonal events in Hudson
Hudson celebrates all four seasons with events hosted by the Hudson Downtown Business Improvement District and the Assabet Valley Chamber of Commerce. In May, ArtsFest allows artists to display their pieces and share their skills with the community through interactive activities. The Hudson Community Fest kicks off the hot summer days with street vendors, craft booths and live music. Starting in June and ending in September, with occasional winter markets, the Hudson, MA Farmers’ Market runs weekly on Tuesdays at the town hall. As the leaves change color, aliens, skeletons and ghosts gather downtown for trick-or-treating in October. Once temperatures drop and the snow falls, winter festivities commence on Main Street, featuring a petting zoo, carriage rides and pictures with Santa. Open year-round, the American Heritage Museum displays and restores tanks and weaponry ranging from pre-WWI to recent history. The museum offers tank driving programs and monthly Living History Weekends featuring tank demonstrations and war reenactments. Residents celebrate religious holidays and attend services throughout the year at local houses of worship, such as Grace Church, Hudson Seventh-day Adventist Church and First United Methodist Church.
Outdoor activities at Wood Park, Riverside Park
Hudson has several parks throughout town that provide residents with space to enjoy the outdoors. These parks include sports fields, natural areas, lakefront beaches and rail trails. Wood Park is a large riverfront green space with open areas and picnic shelters where residents can gather with friends and family. The park has a band shell that hosts a summer concert series featuring various musical performances. Riverside Park is just down the street from Wood Park and is the place to be for sports in town. This park has multiple tennis courts, baseball fields and a recently updated play structure. The Marlborough-Sudbury State Forest has no trail markers, but residents enjoy walking their dogs along the paths and kayaking on the White Pond. Charter Oak Country Club is dubbed New England’s best-kept secret and is a private club with an 18-hole golf course. Due to the number of small rivers, lakes and ponds in and around Hudson, flooding can be a risk, especially after intense storms. The town has a Stormwater Management Program to mitigate flooding.
Celucci Park in Hudson has a skatepark for Downtown Hudson residents to enjoy.
Downtown Hudson residents enjoy walks along the Assabet Rail Trail during all seasons.
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