A culmination of art and tech in Somerville’s squares
Right alongside Cambridge and north of Boston, the city of Somerville continues to grow as a top destination for startup companies, innovation and art. Many graduates of nearby universities, such as Harvard, MIT and Tufts have moved to Somerville and launched billion-dollar tech companies, including Formlabs and Recorded Future. The city’s creative side is evident throughout many streets, colorfully decorated with sculptures and murals. The Somerville Arts Council has sponsored many of these projects, and a 2019 ordinance also states that 5% of the budget for new public developments must be allocated to Arts and Creative Enterprise (ACE) space.
Somerville is divided into numerous squares, some residential and others, more urban. “Most of them have restaurants and parks within walking distance, so they basically operate like small towns,” says Wendy Carpenito, the owner-broker of Carpenito Real Estate. “Places like Union Square or Davis Square are especially well-known for their great commercial pockets and lively atmospheres.”
Despite numerous access points to the T, locals don’t need to go to Boston for parks, restaurants, schools and shopping. “Somerville is incredibly close to downtown Boston, and that’s a huge draw,” Carpenito says. “But it's an exciting place all on its own. There’s something for everyone.”
With area employers including Tufts University and Mass General Brigham, many of Somerville’s nearly 80,000 residents work in education and health care. Restaurants and retail are also major industries here, especially due to the ever-expanding Assembly Row mixed-use shopping, dining and entertainment space.
A statue of a couple sits at the heart of Davis Square.
Many students attending Tufts University live in West Somerville.
Commuters in Ten Hill use the bus and the orange line train to get around.
The city of Somerville is home to many tech companies including Formlabs.
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Navigating Somerville and riding the T
While residents can easily walk to different spots within their neighborhoods, Interstate 93 is close by. A 5-mile drive southeast leads to downtown Boston, while heading north will lead to Vermont. Cyclists can rent a Bluebike, a rideshare company that has numerous docking stations throughout the city and Greater Boston.
Numerous routes on the T will lead into Boston and to major commuter rail lines, which service outlying areas. Subway options include the Red Line at Davis Square and the new Green Line extension in areas like Union Square and East Somerville. Additionally, the Orange Line services Assembly Row. Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority buses stop throughout the city, as well.
Flights take off from Boston Logan International Airport, about 5 miles away. Travelers can access the airport from the Red Line or via I-93 and Route 1A. Boston Logan offers hundreds of direct flights to both domestic and international destinations.
Eats, drinks and shops on The Row
Many notable restaurants and independent boutiques line the streets of Davis and Union squares. However, since it’s opening in 2014, Assembly Row has become Somerville’s biggest shopping and dining district. Situated along the banks of the Mystic River in a former Ford Moter Company factory, this mixed-use development offers big-box grocers and retailers, entertainment spaces and a LEGO Discovery Center. Many people work within Assembly Row, as well, and gatherings include farmers markets, charity runs and fitness classes. The space sits right off an Orange Line stop, bringing in visitors from all over Boston. Restaurants like Legal on the Mystic for fresh seafood or Ernesto’s Pizza are popular sit-down spots after a day of shopping.
Davis Square makes up Somerville in MA.
Enjoy a walk along the Mystic River in Ten Hill.
Come visit Gio Giraffe outside Lego Discovery in Assembly Row in East Somerville.
Assembly Row near Ten Hill offers a large plaza with different shopping store options.
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Finding nature within an urban landscape
Somerville is sprinkled with numerous recreational hubs, some of which have an element of history, like Prospect Hill Park. In addition to its wide-open green space, it was the hill where George Washington first raised the American flag in 1776. A stone monument was built to honor the event, and a climb to the top leads to panoramic views of Somerville and Boston’s skyline. Conway Park is another popular spot with shady sugar maple trees and several athletic facilities, like a hockey rink and baseball diamonds. Children can cool off at the splash pad in the summer or glide down the aluminum slides on the playground. Shaded trails meander through Powder House Park, and boaters can access the Mystic River and sail all the way to the harbor.
Even the city’s most urban neighborhood, Davis Square, offers a hint of nature. Right off the loud, busy streets, bikers and joggers can enjoy the Somerville Community Path, a quiet reprieve from all of the activity. The path not only provides a space for exercise, but also an alternate and less crowded route to the Red Line.
Prospect Hill Park is a prominent landmark in Somerville.
Enjoy the miles long trail at Somerville Community Pathway in Davis Square.
Ten Hill has a lot of wildlife due to the nearby Mystic River.
Conway Park is nested in the neighborhood of Somerville-Middlesex.
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Artistic expression throughout Somerville
Murals and art installations in neighborhoods like Union Square bring Somerville to life. The city celebrates its creative residents with plenty of events, like Somerville Open Studios each Spring, when hundreds of local artists open their studios to the public. Residents come together in Davis Square each July when the annual ArtBeat Festival returns. Since 1937, the event has celebrated the city’s culture with live music, vendors and art workshops. Tufts University’s centerpiece for the arts is the Aidekman Arts Center, which hosts rotating exhibitions that feature contemporary pieces, student work and a permanent collection.
The Somerville Theatre has hosted plays, musicals and concerts since 1914, with notable acts including Adele and Phish. Just across the river, residents can visit Chevalier Theatre for a concert or comedy show. Some of the venue’s previous live performers include Frank Sinatra and Ringo Starr.
Studio B offers a variety of arts and crafts at YART in Davis Square.
A mural on display outside the Somerville Music Spaces in the Teele Square neighborhood.
The Somerville Theatre in Davis Square offers balcony seating for live performances.
The village of Ten Hill is located in Somerville just outside of Boston.
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Public and private grade schools and world-renowned research universities
The Somerville Public Schools district earns an A-minus grade on Niche. The district’s eight elementary and kindergarten-through-eighth grade schools all feed into A-minus-rated Somerville High. Students here are separated into four communities based on last names. This program allows counselors and assistant principals to better focus on the needs of individual students.
Families can choose from various nearby private schools, many of which offer faith-based curriculums. A popular prekindergarten through 12th grade option in Cambridge is the International School of Boston, which scores an A-plus. The academy provides boarding accommodations and a French-English bilingual program.
Somerville is also sandwiched between two colleges. “Some students are in the area, but it's not strictly a college town,” says Carpenito. Tufts University rests along the northern part of the city, and the private research school offers over 90 undergraduate degrees and 160 graduate programs. Harvard University is to the south, providing Ivy League education and access to The Harvard Museum of Natural History. Just a bit farther south, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology excels at modern tech and scientific innovation.
The city of Somerville sits close to the prestigious Ivy League school of MIT.
Large glass windows brings natural light to the main entrance of the Somerville High School.
The city of Somerville also has access to Ivy League schools like Harvard University.
The International School of Boston in West Somerville has an A+ rating on Niche.
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Housing market varies by square in Somerville
While Davis and Union squares have more condos and apartments, other neighborhoods, like Winter Hill and Tufts have bigger single-family homes. Houses often sit on hilly terrain, with sidewalks to accommodate heavy foot traffic.
The smallest units in multifamily homes and complexes often start around $400,000, with luxurious, recently renovated four-bedrooms reaching about $1.5 million. Because of the high density of students and young professionals in Somerville, many residents rent out their properties.
In Somerville, buyers will find a variety of architecture, from Victorian and Queen Anne influences to New Englander and colonial styles. Some newer contemporary builds have also hit the market in recent years. Prices often start at $500,000 and can soar past $3 million.
Homes in West Somerville include multifamily homes with both private and public parking.
Other home options in Ten Hill include colonial single family homes with double garages.
The neighborhood of Ten Hill is very family oriented with single family homes.
Lincoln Park is home to a few chic and modern-looking condominiums.
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Inclement winter weather and crime patterns in Somerville
While temperatures in Somerville can reach about 80 degrees, the city gets hit with many winter storms. Residents and business owners are responsible for shoveling snow and ice within 6 hours of daylight after snowfall. The Public Works Department plows the streets and walkways to public buildings, like schools and transportation stops.
On average, Somerville has lower rates of crime than other surrounding areas. According to the FBI, by the end of 2023, Somerville had a crime rate of about 44.02 incidents per 100,000 residents, while the U.S. saw about 120.98 and Boston reported 193.99.
I became committed to providing the best experience in real estate following a nightmare experience buying my first home! I would have benefited from having an agent that explained the process to me, kept me on track throughout the process, negotiated on my behalf and walked me off the cliff when needed. Subsequently I learned all that I could about the entire buying/selling process and making that as stress free as possible. My strong values, work ethic, sense of humor and accessibility allow me to focus on my clients needs, understanding that, for most people, this is a huge financial and emotional decision. When Virginia is not working, my other "job" is driving my daughters to their activities. My eldest does competitive Rhythmic Gymnastics and of course the gyms have to be far apart, one in Middleton and one in Woburn. Ask me where all the nearest Dunkin Donuts and libraries are :). If I ever had the time, I would be traveling and/or reading a book. During covid we got a dog after our cat of 17 years passed away. Max is my favorite child, as he loves me unconditionally as long as I keep feeding him. I also love reading and wanted to spread the love of reading, so I joined "Read to a Child", a non profit that matches up mentors with children that could use the one on one interaction while reading a great book. In fact, I love the program so much that I donate a part of each sale to them. I love to give back to the community and am on the board for a non profit "Housing Families" and I am also on the board for North Suffolk Community Services. With every closing I donate a portion of my commission to support Housing Families. I look forward to getting to know a little about you and help with your home search.
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