With green space galore and a buzzing town center, this family-centric commuter’s paradise is a mere 18 miles from Boston but feels worlds away.
Tomasz Adach / Home Listing Photography
1. Pick Your cost Point
Needham’s housing market is tight, with single-family homes selling for a median of $1.7 million in 2024 (up 14 percent from 2023). On average, homes sold after 39 days on the market. The town has a suburban feel, with a wide range of single-family homes; older, three-bedroom properties sell for around $900,000, while newer, larger estates can cost up to $6 million. Buyers can also find a few condos between $300,000 to $800,000.
John Phelan / Creative Commons
2. Plot Your Commute
The town offers a reprieve for those who want to live outside Boston but still have (relatively) easy access. Hop on the commuter rail at one of four stops—Needham Heights, Needham Center, Needham Junction, or Hersey—for a 30- to 40-minute ride into South Station. If you prefer to drive, it’s about 30 minutes on I-95 and I-90 to get into Boston without traffic, and close to an hour during peak commuting times.
Courtesy of Volante Farms
3. Take in the Vibe
Running through the center of historical downtown, Great Plain Avenue is lined with family-friendly shops and restaurants, including the Farmhouse, a white-tablecloth restaurant that features dishes made with local ingredients. The Needham Town Forest, meanwhile, provides ample opportunity for hiking, and younger audiences enjoy Martini Junction, an elaborate model-train setup in the middle of the forest. Locals also love the 30-acre Volante Farms for its fresh produce.
Bill Greene / The Boston Globe
4. Check out the Culture
Drama buffs frequent Arlekin Players Theatre, where the thought-provoking performances combine traditional Russian theater with modern technology. For weekend fun, check out the Needham Bowlaway, a 100-plus-year-old bowling alley beneath a former post office. The Needham History Center & Museum is also more than a century old and offers a glimpse into the city’s past through a creative lens.
5. Scope out the Schools
There are eight public schools in town, including five elementary schools, two middle schools, and Needham High School, which boasts the oldest football rivalry in the country with Wellesley High School. There are also multiple private schools, including St. Sebastian’s School, an all-boys Catholic school for grades 7 through 12. St. Joseph School is a coed option for preschool through eighth grade.
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