Conservation land, historic homes and Stone Zoo north of Boston
Stoneham is a small town located just 9 miles north of Boston in Middlesex County, with a population of about 23,000 people. “Stoneham is one of the first affordable towns in both location and proximity to the Greater Boston Area, where buyers can get a little bit of land and yard space,” says Mary Kelly, a Realtor with CENTURY 21 Property Central and resident of Stoneham. “We’re at the intersection of I-93 and I-95, which makes everything very accessible.”
Stoneham is also known for its miles of natural and conservation areas. Residents can fish, swim, hike or head to Stone Zoo. Several Stoneham buildings are listed on the National Register of Historic Places, including the Amasa Farrier Boardinghouse on Main Street. Built in 1865, the property once housed workers from Stoneham’s factories. And though the town gets its nickname “Shoe Town” from its booming 1800s shoemaking industry, today’s major employers in Stoneham include the local government, banks, medical centers and the Deshpande Foundation, which supports nonprofit work.
Visitors cannot miss the large blue sign welcoming them to visit Stoneham.
Visiting the Stone Zoo in Stoneham is always a great way to spend the day.
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Hiking through Middlesex Fells Reservation and trips to Stone Zoo
Though it may be just a few miles north of downtown Boston, Stoneham residents have access to an abundance of forested trails at the Middlesex Fells Reservation. The Tri-Town Bike Path is a miles-long paved rail trail for bikers and hikers that connects Stoneham, Winchester and Woburn. Nearby bodies of water include Spot Pond, which has its own boathouse, as well as the reservoirs west of Interstate 93. Stoneham is also home to Stone Zoo, which is famous for its year-round activities, snow leopard exhibit and Zoo Lights holiday displays. An array of athletic fields, playgrounds and golf courses can be found in and around Stoneham for family fun and days outside. When winter comes and it's time to head inside, residents can head to nearby attractions like Dave & Busters, Breakout Games escape room, or museums like Parker Tavern and Wakefield History Museum.
Walk along the dirt paths with your dog at the Middlesex Fells Reservation in Stoneham, MA.
Visiting the Stone Zoo in Stoneham is always a great way to spend the day.
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Late 1800s homes and million-dollar modern constructions
Many single-family homes in Stoneham were built in the early 1900s, though there are still some late 1800s Victorians and colonial-inspired builds in town. The median value of single-family homes in town is around $795,000, though several homes in neighborhoods like Lindenwood , Bear Hill and Colonial Park stretch as high as $1.8 million. “We’ve got a big mix of housing here. Though we’re primarily a single-family town, we have a few multifamily and mixed-use properties,” Kelly says. “In recent years we’ve seen some large condo projects being approved and built, as well as privately-owned apartment buildings. However, because we're surrounded by conservation land, most buildable land has already been used.” The majority of condos and townhouses in Stoneham range between $400,000 and $700,000, with attached rowhouses and apartment-style condos in brick complexes or Victorian-inspired units.
A unique orange house in Stoneham is ready for Fall with its decorative pumpkins.
Many homes in Stoneham were constructed between 1900 and 1930.
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Stoneham Town Day and other community festivals
“It’s a small town with big-hearted people that has a very good community spirit,” Kelly says. She recommends that new residents try their best to get involved and meet neighbors. Stoneham’s signature annual event is Stoneham Town Day. Held in September since 1984, the event celebrates local businesses and nonprofit entities, where people can shop from vendors, listen to live music and buy from nearby restaurants. Residents can attend free activities at the Town Common with its Pop-Up Stoneham program, with a variety of annual events for all ages. The Stoneham Chamber of Commerce also hosts a summer concert series, a Halloween stroll and a holiday parade in December.
Residents line up to get a glimpse of new items at the Stoneham Farmers Market.
Pick up some high-quality merch from Uplift Provisions at the Stoneham Recovery Fest.
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Nearby shopping centers and Main Street pubs and stores
The town’s locally owned restaurants and bars are best found on Main Street. “Stoneham is a young, up-and-coming community full of professionals who want to move out of the city and get more space,” Kelly says. “The bar scene is small and growing, and we have a wide variety of diverse flavors and cuisines.” Some local favorites include Angelo’s, a family-run Italian restaurant and town staple, as well as Fusion, “which has some of the best Sushi I’ve ever had in Massachusetts,” Kelly says. She also recommends The Stones Common House and Kitchen. Shoppers can find most of what they need at Target and surrounding stores at Redstone Shopping Center.
There is always a colorful arrangement of flowers outside O'Brien's in Stoneham.
Treat yourself to some creative time in Stoneham at Ceramica Paint Studio.
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Highly-rated Stoneham public and private schools
Stoneham Public Schools is rated an overall B-plus on Niche and has only five schools within its district. Students can attend one of three elementary schools, including the highly rated South Elementary School, which earns an overall A on Niche. Stoneham Central Middle School and Stonham High School are both rated a B-plus. Within the town boundaries are two private elementary-middle schools. Saint Patrick School is affiliated with the Catholic faith, and Greater Boston Academy is Adventist. Saint Patrick School is not yet rated on Niche, and Greater Boston Academy is rated an A-plus.
Robinhood Elementary School has a fabulous playground in Stoneham.
Central Middle School is a short drive from Stoneham Square.
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Commutes south to downtown Boston and nearby hospitals
Main Street bisects Stoneham and takes drivers north and south through town with on and off ramps for Interstates 93 and 95. Interstate 93 is the area’s major highway, which borders the town on its west side. Drivers can take it 12 miles south to downtown Boston in less than 20 minutes when traffic is light. The MBTA commuter rail Orange Line is also an option for those who work in the city, though it takes closer to an hour to reach downtown that way. Stoneham's closest medical centers are Winchester Hospital and MelroseWakefield Hospital. Boston Logan International Airport is 12 miles away via Interstate 93.
Crime in Stoneham
According to the Stoneham Police Department 2023 annual crime report, violent and property crime rates saw a slight increase from 2022.
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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