The community-oriented town of Wakefield lies just 14 miles from Boston. The town of 27,000 residents was incorporated in 1812 but has a much longer history. In 1638, Europeans began colonizing the area and called it Lynn Village. After a series of name changes, Wakefield was chosen to honor Cyrus Wakefield, a rattan industry leader whose local factory employed 1,000 workers at its height. Today, most residents of this bedroom community work within the Frito-Lay manufacturing industry or in healthcare, professional and technical services, or education. But it’s not all business here. Founded on the shores of Lake Quannapowitt and Crystal Lake, the town is a popular destination for outdoor activities in Middlesex County.
An aerial of the City of Wakefield, MA on a sunny, winter afternoon.
End the day with a boat ride on Lake Quannapowitt in Wakefield.
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A transitioning Main Street and open-air shopping centers
Downtown Wakefield is working to redevelop Main Street and update the area's mixed-use and residential buildings. Locals will soon have easier access to major downtown attractions like the Wakefield Farmers Market. The market is open every Saturday from mid-June through October, where 40 to 45 vendors sell locally grown produce while musicians play live music. A handful of eateries are along Main Street and North Avenue, and more restaurants can be found just a few minutes away along Route 28. "Harrington's Pub is a big hit with the locals looking for an authentic Irish pub experience. People also enjoy brunch at Blue Moon
Grill and grabbing a coffee at Zuzu’s Cafe before strolling through the town center," says Mary Kelly, a Realtor with Century 21 Property Central and resident of nearby Stoneham. Redstone Shopping Center lies just off Interstate 95, making it a convenient option for Wakefield residents. The open-air center has a mix of large and small retailers like Target and Marshalls. Just outside the town is MarketStreet Lynnfield, a shopping mall with over 80 shops, services and restaurants.
Harrington's Irish Pub is a popular spot in the evenings in central Wakefield.
The Marketplace at Lynnfield has many national retailers like Apple and more.
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Dog parks, community gardens and nature reserves
Even though Wakefield stretches only 8 square miles, it has over a dozen parks and places to get outside. At the center of it all, Lake Quannapowitt covers 247 acres and is home to the town’s common area. It's a popular regional destination for boating and swimming. The local library is a community gathering space in Wakefield. “We host four book groups, an English conversation group, a crochet and knitting meetup, and an opera club,” says Jaclyn Powers, assistant director and head of public service at the Lucius Beebe Memorial Library in town. “Outside groups also meet at the library to play cribbage, practice their Italian, connect with other jobseekers or conduct their own book discussion groups.” On Main Street there is a dog park and the JJ Round Community Garden. In addition to a skate park and BMX track, the parks department operates a myriad of adult and youth sports programs, summer camps and enrichment activities.
The town common bandstand during The Movies By The Lake in Wakefield, MA.
Pick the perfect book at the Wakefield Library.
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Lakeside festivals and history museums
Wakefield Center Neighborhood Association sponsors the annual Festival by the Lake. Held at the edge of Lake Quannapowitt on the town’s 20-acre common, the one-day event features a large arts and crafts market, a children’s area, food vendors and live music. The oldest building in Wakefield was once the home of Colonel James Hartshorne. Built in 1681, it’s been placed on the National Register of Places and is open for special events like comedy nights or fundraiser breakfasts. The library also hosts events and gatherings. “We're looking forward to the restoration of our Main Street Plaza in the spring and can't wait to host our summer music series, Plaza Jazz, for its 13th season,” Powers says.
Wakefield Farmers Market at Veterans Field in Wakefield, MA.
People order ice cream at sunset while at The Movies By The Lake in Wakefield, MA.
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Early 20th century houses in a competitive market
Like many desirable Greater Boston suburbs, Wakefield has limited inventory, particularly in the single-family home market. Most homes were built before 1940, though returning WWII GIs added to housing significantly until 1960. “Wakefield’s housing market is diverse, offering everything from historic colonials and charming Cape Cod-style homes to modern condominiums and newly developed townhouses,” Kelly says. “While Wakefield has more affordable options than some nearby suburbs, competition can be high, and properties often sell quickly.” The median single-family home value is around $825,000, almost twice the national figure. Condos and townhouses can range in price. Modest apartment-style units can cost between $200,000 and $400,000, while more luxurious units and townhouses can cost between $500,000 and $1 million. Every home has a risk of minor to severe damage from extreme hurricane or nor’easter winds off nearby Massachusetts Bay. To help mitigate the risks, the town has a CodeRED Alert System, from which citizens receive emergency alerts after signing up for the database.
Newer homes are being built up all over Wakefield.
Townhouses are also present in Wakefield.
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Planes, trains, automobiles and sidewalks
Wakefield’s major highways include Interstates 93 and 95, as well as Route 128, which run around the city’s edge before diverging in the neighboring town of Peabody. The MBTA Commuter Rail has two stops in Wakefield, while bus route 137 runs through Main Street in the center of town. The Council on Aging operates a paratransit service to help people reach medical appointments at nearby MelroseWakefield Hospital and local grocery stores. The town is also working to build pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure as part of the Mystic Highlands Greenway project to connect several communities, including Wakefield. Boston Logan International Airport lies 17 miles south of Wakefield.
International degrees and STEAM programs
Wakefield Public Schools earns a B from Niche, with an A-minus in academics and a B-plus in college prep. The district has nine campuses, as well as an active STEAM program that includes summer camps and after-school activities. Mystic Valley Regional Charter School educates over 1,600 students from kindergarten through graduation. It’s earned an overall A-minus from Niche and is one of the state’s top 10 charter schools.
The Greenwood Elementary School is one of several in Wakefield area.
There is a state-of-art football field at Wakefield Memorial High School.
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Environmental factors and crime
Wakefield’s violent and property crimes are below the national and state average, according to statistics released by the FBI in September of 2023.
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