Maybe you’ve been in Boston for years, but you’re now having kids and looking to relocate. Maybe you’re planning a move to the Boston area from another city in the U.S. or abroad, and you’re trying to make sense of your options. Whatever the case, Boston Moms Blog is here to help with a handy guide to some popular towns in the area! We’ll tell you about the vibe, income levels, schools, and fun insider info to help you figure out the best place for you.
(Also check out our guides to East Arlington, Milton, North Attleboro, Salem, Somerville, and the South End!)
Vibe :: Where suburban and rural meet
Norwood, probably best known for the Automile, is just north of Walpole, and it is the classic New England town I envisioned when growing up in Louisiana. Complete with a white gazebo-ed town square and a Baptist church spire nestled perfectly amongst trees that blaze brightly in fall, Norwood is a small town where you know your neighbors, and a single post on the town’s Facebook page brings multiple offers to feed, shovel, or help out a town member in need.
Although it has the trappings of a cozy New England town, Norwood also has a hipster vibe, sporting three breweries, including Percival, which is located at The Space Center, a renovated storage facility that also houses artist spaces and businesses.
Walpole is a much larger town, geographically and population-wise, and it contains Adams Farm and Bird Park, which are both large, green areas that can cause you to forget you’re in the suburbs. However, right next to these rural oases, you also get the best of the suburbs — a downtown main street complete with coffee shops, restaurants, bars, and even a quilting store and a yarn store. Walpole also has a well established and very active recreation department that offers lots of classes and a well-attended summer camp.
Live :: Mostly homeowners
According to Trulia, 62% of Norwood residents are homeowners, though it seems like apartment options are growing all the time. Due to its relatively small population, Norwood has one public preschool, one public (free) full-day kindergarten, five elementary schools, one middle school, and one high school. On the other hand, Walpole has a home ownership rate of 88%.
Both Norwood and Walpole have commuter rail stops that go to South Station in Boston. Both towns are right off of I-95 for direct travel to Boston or Providence; however, most residents take back roads for commuting into Boston in order to avoid highway congestion.
Play :: Great location!
There are so many options for family-friendly recreation that are easily accessible from both Norwood and Walpole. We’re located fairly equidistant from Legacy and Patriot Places (you might have heard of a little something else located at Patriot Place). Just up the road is University Station with restaurants, Target, and a Wegman’s.
There is also access to a multitude of playgrounds and parks, not to mention indoor play and activity areas to help you deal with the fidgets when the weather doesn’t allow for the kiddos to run around outside.
I hope you’ve found this guide helpful!
Stay tuned for more town guides to clue you in about Greater Boston’s many terrific family-oriented places to live.
Also, see our previous guides to East Arlington, Milton, North Attleboro, Salem, Somerville, and the South End.
