2024 Best Suburbs to Live in the Boston Area

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#1 Best Suburbs to Live in Boston Area.
Brookline
Suburb of Boston, MA,
149 Niche users give it an average review of 4.1 stars.
Featured Review: Current Resident says Brookline is a super safe area that I love! It’s also home to a very large Jewish community - and as a Jewish woman, I love that! The food is great, the safety is wonderful, the public transit is....
Read 149 reviews.
Overall Niche Grade: A+,
Population: 62,698,
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Current Resident: Cambridge, MA—just across the Charles River from Boston—is a city where diversity joins forces with safety, walkability, and natural beauty. Known to all for its rich tapestry of cultures, Cambridge is a vibrant neighborhood in which cultures and academic pursuits blend together. Safety is one of the strong points: well-maintained streets and community efforts make it safe not only for residents but also for visitors to the city. In Cambridge, one can take a great walking city with tree-lined streets, great historical establishments in the form of Harvard University and MIT, and beautiful crown jewel parks like the Charles River Esplanade that make walking and biking very pleasant. Cambridge hits you right between the eyes with natural beauty, particularly on the Charles River, where beautiful vistas and recreational opportunities are offered at every turn, all year round.... Read 136 reviews
#2 Best Suburbs to Live in Boston Area.
Cambridge
City in Massachusetts,
136 Niche users give it an average review of 4.4 stars.
Featured Review: Current Resident says Cambridge, MA—just across the Charles River from Boston—is a city where diversity joins forces with safety, walkability, and natural beauty. Known to all for its rich tapestry of cultures, Cambridge....
Read 136 reviews.
Overall Niche Grade: A+,
Population: 117,962,
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Current Resident: Newton is a great place to live! Most people lean politically left, but the community has a lot of political and racial/ethnic diversity. It is pretty suburban, but it is easy to get to Boston if you like. There are many restaurants to choose from, and the community is loving and tight-knit. The public school system is great, and so are the recreational parks and land spaces. One change I'd like to see would be the rising housing costs.... Read 97 reviews
#3 Best Suburbs to Live in Boston Area.
Newton
Town in Massachusetts,
97 Niche users give it an average review of 4.2 stars.
Featured Review: Current Resident says Newton is a great place to live! Most people lean politically left, but the community has a lot of political and racial/ethnic diversity. It is pretty suburban, but it is easy to get to Boston if you....
Read 97 reviews.
Overall Niche Grade: A+,
Population: 88,453,
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SponsoredCharter School
Imagine Andrews Public Charter School
Prince George's County Public Schools, MD·
K-8
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Rating 3.75 out of 5 4
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Private School·
BETHESDA, MD·
PK, K-8
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Rating 4.71 out of 5 28
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Private School·
LAUREL, MD·
9-12
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Rating 3.89 out of 5 167
Former Resident: It was very safe, green, and the standard of living is very high. The only thing is because of the quaint nature of the town, it is extremely expensive! Many people who used to live there can no longer afford to due to the increase in property. Most people need to have a high paying career and a partner in a similar career to afford property there, and that's not realistic for most people.... Read 103 reviews
#4 Best Suburbs to Live in Boston Area.
Lexington
Suburb of Boston, MA,
103 Niche users give it an average review of 4 stars.
Featured Review: Former Resident says It was very safe, green, and the standard of living is very high. The only thing is because of the quaint nature of the town, it is extremely expensive! Many people who used to live there can no....
Read 103 reviews.
Overall Niche Grade: A+,
Population: 34,221,
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Current Resident: Belmont is very cliquey. There are many entitled people here and do not care about you or your feelings. The school district is good (amazing academic, nice facilities), however the town does not know how to manage money (taxes are extremely high because we have build a 7-12 middle-high school, a skating rink, and new library). The students in Belmont cause drama and are not kind.... Read 49 reviews
#5 Best Suburbs to Live in Boston Area.
Belmont
Suburb of Boston, MA,
49 Niche users give it an average review of 4 stars.
Featured Review: Current Resident says Belmont is very cliquey. There are many entitled people here and do not care about you or your feelings. The school district is good (amazing academic, nice facilities), however the town does not....
Read 49 reviews.
Overall Niche Grade: A+,
Population: 26,997,
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Current Resident: Wayland is a suburban town with a bit of a rural New England feel. Many large lots, most people own their own homes, but the cost of housing is extremely high. If you want all the amenities at your fingertips or a walkable community, this is not for you. We are sorely lacking in good coffee shops. The restaurants are decent, but nothing exciting. You can drive to bigger centers with more amenities but plan on it taking you fifteen to twenty minutes at a minimum to get to your destination. To get into central Boston takes about half an hour when the traffic is good. If the traffic is bad it can take 1.5 hours. The schools are excellent, but playgrounds are limited, and there are no splash pads. Most families seem to drive into surrounding towns for things like kids programs. This area is growing in young families, but does not have a particularly youthful feel to it. Almost every household is double income, and so most kids attend daycare, preschool, or school.... Read 22 reviews
#6 Best Suburbs to Live in Boston Area.
Wayland
Suburb of Boston, MA,
22 Niche users give it an average review of 4.3 stars.
Featured Review: Current Resident says Wayland is a suburban town with a bit of a rural New England feel. Many large lots, most people own their own homes, but the cost of housing is extremely high. If you want all the amenities at your....
Read 22 reviews.
Overall Niche Grade: A+,
Population: 13,821,
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Current Resident: Sharon has a lot of wildlife. It has lots of plants and trees. It is a kid friendly place and is very safe. The lake in the center of town makes for a great summer with family. There are weekly bands all summer long. Angel’s restaurant is a town center to see neighbors and friends. Crescent Ridge is amazing! Our kids love to go there. It is an adventure and great ice cream. Recommend grabbing a few bar pizzas out of the freezer as well. Local milk is good. Wards Berry Farm has good food and local farmers veggies and such. Plus each season they bring it for adventures.... Read 54 reviews
#7 Best Suburbs to Live in Boston Area.
Sharon
Suburb of Boston, MA,
54 Niche users give it an average review of 4 stars.
Featured Review: Current Resident says Sharon has a lot of wildlife. It has lots of plants and trees. It is a kid friendly place and is very safe. The lake in the center of town makes for a great summer with family. There are weekly bands all summer long. Angel’s restaurant is a town center to see neighbors and friends. Crescent Ridge is amazing! Our kids love to go there. It is an adventure and great ice cream. Recommend grabbing a few bar pizzas out of the freezer as well. Local milk is good. Wards Berry Farm has good food and local farmers veggies and such. Plus each season they bring it for adventures..
Read 54 reviews.
Overall Niche Grade: A+,
Population: 18,473,
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Current Resident: Hopkinton is a very resident based town. It doesn't have many big franchise stores but rather family owned shops that the town adores such as The Spoon and Hop-Yo. All of the schools from elementary to high school are amazingly diverse and ranked highly in Massachusetts Public Schools. One thing that I think could benefit from in traffic during the week days. Around 7:20-8:00 am, the main street of Hopkinton is normally slow because construction or the rush of getting to school or work. Overall, Hopkinton is a lovely town that feels like home. As a girl who moved to the town during the 6th grade, it was very easy to connect with my peers and make friends in this community. Hopkinton also has fun amenities like Whitehall Lake, Sandy Beach, and Hopkinton State Park which are great for rope swinging, swimming, and having picnics, respectively. Hopkinton provides that comforting feel that I crave which is why I love this town and everything it has to offer.... Read 38 reviews
#8 Best Suburbs to Live in Boston Area.
Hopkinton
Suburb of Boston, MA,
38 Niche users give it an average review of 4.1 stars.
Featured Review: Current Resident says Hopkinton is a very resident based town. It doesn't have many big franchise stores but rather family owned shops that the town adores such as The Spoon and Hop-Yo. All of the schools from elementary....
Read 38 reviews.
Overall Niche Grade: A+,
Population: 18,748,
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#9 Best Suburbs to Live in Boston Area.
Arlington
Suburb of Boston, MA,
73 Niche users give it an average review of 4.4 stars.
Featured Review: Current Resident says I love living in Arlington a lot! It is a super fun and awesome place to live with a great public school system..
Read 73 reviews.
Overall Niche Grade: A+,
Population: 45,906,
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Current Resident: Leafy, high-priced suburban Boston at its best. Great public schools, beautiful neighborhoods, easy access to major highways and the commuter rail, insane real estate prices, a pretty charming downtown, and a reputation for elitism that has the unfortunate side-effect of attracting more elitists... it's a bit of a vicious cycle, in that sense. (Although, to be clear, plenty of people here are very down to earth. But is the snob-to-normal ratio is higher than ideal? Yes -- esp. in certain neighborhoods.) Could definitely be more diverse, but slowly making progress on that front.... Read 57 reviews
#10 Best Suburbs to Live in Boston Area.
Wellesley
Suburb of Boston, MA,
57 Niche users give it an average review of 4.2 stars.
Featured Review: Current Resident says Leafy, high-priced suburban Boston at its best. Great public schools, beautiful neighborhoods, easy access to major highways and the commuter rail, insane real estate prices, a pretty charming....
Read 57 reviews.
Overall Niche Grade: A+,
Population: 29,862,
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#11 Best Suburbs to Live in Boston Area.
Westford
Suburb of Boston, MA,
91 Niche users give it an average review of 4 stars.
Featured Review: Current Resident says Westford is a town I instantly fell in love with. This place is so beautiful and really good people around. Decent distance from Boston if you work there and is super family friendly. Extremely safe,....
Read 91 reviews.
Overall Niche Grade: A+,
Population: 24,524,
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#12 Best Suburbs to Live in Boston Area.
Southborough
Suburb of Boston, MA,
19 Niche users give it an average review of 4.3 stars.
Featured Review: Current Resident says I love this town, been here all my life and don't have any issues with it. Its a small town but I feel that I see new people everyday so it is definitely a growing community..
Read 19 reviews.
Overall Niche Grade: A+,
Population: 10,421,
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Current Resident: Overall, Carlisle is a fantastic place to like. It's a small, quiet town with great schools and awesome people. Better yet, Carlisle is only a few minutes drive from larger towns and 30-40 minutes from Boston. Schooling is generally fantastic, however, diversity is a big issue here. I've found myself being the only colored person in the classroom, and every single teacher I've had from grades 1-12 have been white, except for 1. It's also expensive, with high taxes and housing values, but the current real estate market is on fire. Also, there's tons of trails and small roads to go hiking, running, or biking, with a beautiful state park. Carlisle's a safe, tucked away New England town. Things certainly get boring for teens and young adults, as there isn't really much to do, but proximity to larger towns with activities is nice. Overall, its a fantastic place to live.... Read 29 reviews
#13 Best Suburbs to Live in Boston Area.
Carlisle
Suburb of Boston, MA,
29 Niche users give it an average review of 4.1 stars.
Featured Review: Current Resident says Overall, Carlisle is a fantastic place to like. It's a small, quiet town with great schools and awesome people. Better yet, Carlisle is only a few minutes drive from larger towns and 30-40 minutes....
Read 29 reviews.
Overall Niche Grade: A+,
Population: 5,209,
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#14 Best Suburbs to Live in Boston Area.
Cordaville
Suburb of Boston, MA,
11 Niche users give it an average review of 3.9 stars.
Featured Review: Niche User says I have had very little experience any crime because this area is so safe! Never felt unsafe at home..
Read 11 reviews.
Overall Niche Grade: A+,
Population: 2,884,
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#15 Best Suburbs to Live in Boston Area.
Acton
Suburb of Boston, MA,
79 Niche users give it an average review of 3.9 stars.
Featured Review: Former Resident says Very beautiful place awith lots of greenery and pleasant weather. The snow is not harsh while still giving white christmases. The public schools are fantastic..
Read 79 reviews.
Overall Niche Grade: A+,
Population: 23,864,
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#16 Best Suburbs to Live in Boston Area.
Winchester
Suburb of Boston, MA,
49 Niche users give it an average review of 3.9 stars.
Featured Review: Current Resident says Love the town! People are great, and Winchester high school was great. Great teachers and peers all around!.
Read 49 reviews.
Overall Niche Grade: A+,
Population: 22,809,
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#17 Best Suburbs to Live in Boston Area.
Cochituate
Suburb of Boston, MA,
Overall Niche Grade: A+,
Population: 6,937,
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Current Resident: Medfield is a safe, small town bubble about 45 minutes from Boston. It has a fantastic school system that places a lot of value on music education—the high school music ensembles have won many state- and nation-wide music competitions. Medfield cherishes its historical roots, and even takes the 3rd grade class on a field trip around town to visit various historical sites. Medfield is the type of town where you don’t think twice about leaving your car unlocked in a parking lot or taking a walk around town alone at 11:00 pm. There is not much in the way of nightlife—the latest any stores are open is 10 pm. In addition, taxes are extremely high and housing prices are even higher. However, Medfield’s character and town pride is unparalleled. Medfield is also home to the abandoned Medfield State Hospital (state-run insane asylum) that is now a beautiful campus for hiking, dog-walking, sunset-watching, and the home of Bellforge — transforming the campus into a hub for music and the arts.... Read 51 reviews
#18 Best Suburbs to Live in Boston Area.
Medfield
Suburb of Boston, MA,
51 Niche users give it an average review of 4.1 stars.
Featured Review: Current Resident says Medfield is a safe, small town bubble about 45 minutes from Boston. It has a fantastic school system that places a lot of value on music education—the high school music ensembles have won many state-....
Read 51 reviews.
Overall Niche Grade: A+,
Population: 12,844,
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#19 Best Suburbs to Live in Boston Area.
Sudbury
Suburb of Boston, MA,
28 Niche users give it an average review of 4.1 stars.
Featured Review: Current Resident says Sudbury is such a safe place to live, full of beautiful houses and parks. I love sudbury's friendly community atmosphere. There are plenty of great families and pets too!.
Read 28 reviews.
Overall Niche Grade: A+,
Population: 18,926,
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#20 Best Suburbs to Live in Boston Area.
Sherborn
Suburb of Boston, MA,
36 Niche users give it an average review of 3.3 stars.
Featured Review: Current Resident says Sherborn is a small town, with a suburban/rural feel. Forty- Five minutes outside of Boston, MA. The community is very safe, and welcoming. The school system is extremely good and well run..
Read 36 reviews.
Overall Niche Grade: A+,
Population: 4,404,
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Current Resident: Milton is a great town to raise children and to grow old. The town is beautiful diverse and very generous people. This suburban town has great education and people. Schools highly value emotional well being and diversity. Children learn about international cultures and religions. Great history and lovely hiking area. The town has a great variety of sports and curricular activities. From farmers markets to education this town is perfect.... Read 94 reviews
#21 Best Suburbs to Live in Boston Area.
Milton
Suburb of Boston, MA,
94 Niche users give it an average review of 4.2 stars.
Featured Review: Current Resident says Milton is a great town to raise children and to grow old. The town is beautiful diverse and very generous people. This suburban town has great education and people. Schools highly value emotional....
Read 94 reviews.
Overall Niche Grade: A+,
Population: 28,450,
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#22 Best Suburbs to Live in Boston Area.
Boxborough
Suburb of Boston, MA,
5 Niche users give it an average review of 4.2 stars.
Featured Review: Current Resident says Boxborough is a very quaint small town in Massachusetts, perfect for families that value close knit communities. However, the area is quite small, therefore most grocery stores and restaurants are in....
Read 5 reviews.
Overall Niche Grade: A+,
Population: 5,462,
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#23 Best Suburbs to Live in Boston Area.
Natick
Suburb of Boston, MA,
74 Niche users give it an average review of 4.2 stars.
Featured Review: Current Resident says Natick Is a very nice small town with a big community. Something that is nice is it is a very inclusive town and everyone knows everyone. Schools are great sports are amazing. The only problem with....
Read 74 reviews.
Overall Niche Grade: A+,
Population: 36,589,
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#24 Best Suburbs to Live in Boston Area.
Andover
Suburb of Boston, MA,
84 Niche users give it an average review of 4.2 stars.
Featured Review: Current Resident says The public schools are amazing. The cost of rent is fairly cheap in comparison to other towns. Friendly neighborhood and close to most things.
Read 84 reviews.
Overall Niche Grade: A+,
Population: 36,389,
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Current Resident: I like how everything is pretty walkable. There’s good music venues and bar. The area is very safe and family friendly. I like greenery, outdoor spots to eat, and parks. There’s cute bunnies around and birds chirping all the time. The biggest downside is the amount of cars and lack of parking. I’ve gotten countless parking tickets because the traffic officers are ruthless.... Read 131 reviews
#25 Best Suburbs to Live in Boston Area.
Somerville
Suburb of Boston, MA,
131 Niche users give it an average review of 4.3 stars.
Featured Review: Current Resident says I like how everything is pretty walkable. There’s good music venues and bar. The area is very safe and family friendly. I like greenery, outdoor spots to eat, and parks. There’s cute bunnies around....
Read 131 reviews.
Overall Niche Grade: A+,
Population: 80,464,
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SponsoredEpiscopal School
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Private School·
STAUNTON, VA·
6-12
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Rating 3.9 out of 5 72
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Online School·
ASHBURN, VA·
8-12
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Rating 4.2 out of 5 66
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MEDFIELD, MA·
6-12
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Rating 4.24 out of 5 88