Who Lives Here: Buyer Profiles for Greater Boston's Top 30 Towns

📊Methodology: How We Determine 'Who Lives Here'

Each town profile is built from multiple data sources:

💻Work-From-Home Paradise Towns

These towns have 30%+ work-from-home rates, making them ideal for remote workers who prioritize space, broadband access, and lifestyle over commute convenience:

🚆The Daily Commuter Towns

These towns have <15% WFH and high transit usage—residents commute to Boston regularly:

🐴The Horse Country Elite

Dover and Sherborn are equestrian enclaves where horse owners can ride on their own land:

🏘️Town-by-Town Buyer Profiles: The Top 30

🎓Cambridge - Where MIT nerds and Harvard snobs reluctantly share coffee shops

### Who Lives Here Primary Buyer Type: High-income professionals who need to commute to Boston 5+ days per week (transit 21.3%) The Data Tells Us:

### You'll Fit If... - You work in tech, biotech, or academia; you value walkability and culture over space; you're comfortable with a condo lifestyle; you bike or take transit to work; you don't need a car (or parking is optional); you're okay with student neighbors (26% of population are students)

### You Might Not Fit If... - You need a yard or garage; you want stable, long-term neighbors; you think $1M+ for a condo is unreasonable; you're car-dependent; you prefer suburban quiet

🚇Brookline - Brooklyn of Boston but you'll pay Manhattan prices

### Who Lives Here Primary Buyer Type: High-income professionals who need to commute to Boston 5+ days per week (transit 22.3%) The Data Tells Us:

### You'll Fit If... - You want urban-suburban hybrid; you prioritize walkability and top schools; you prefer the T over traffic; you're okay with 54% renters; you work near Longwood Medical Area or downtown

### You Might Not Fit If... - You need affordable housing or street parking; you want a quiet suburban cul-de-sac with a big yard; you're not comfortable with high rental population

🎯Lexington - Where the Revolution started and every kid goes to MIT

### Who Lives Here Primary Buyer Type: Knowledge economy workers (79.4% professional workers) The Data Tells Us:

### You'll Fit If... - Top schools are non-negotiable; you value historical significance; you're comfortable with academic pressure culture; you have $1.5M+ budget; you prioritize education excellence

### You Might Not Fit If... - You want diversity (less diverse than many suburbs); you hate HOA rules; you're not into perfection; you prefer more casual communities

🌳Newton - Thirteen villages, one ridiculously good school system

### Who Lives Here Primary Buyer Type: High-income professionals who commute to Boston regularly (73.3% professional workers) The Data Tells Us:

### You'll Fit If... - You want excellent schools with village diversity; you value suburban amenities; you have $1.7M+ budget; you're okay with traffic; you want multiple neighborhood options

### You Might Not Fit If... - You're on a budget; you want walkability (car-dependent); you hate traffic; you prefer one cohesive community over 13 villages

🏛️Winchester - Suburban perfection where every house has a golden retriever

### Who Lives Here Primary Buyer Type: Knowledge economy workers (75.6% professional workers) The Data Tells Us:

### You'll Fit If... - You prioritize family-friendly suburbs; you want top schools; you value suburban lifestyle; you're making a long-term investment; you love youth sports

### You Might Not Fit If... - You want nightlife; you're under 30; you hate minivans; you prefer urban energy

💎Wellesley - Where every house has a wine cellar and every kid has a tutor

### Who Lives Here Primary Buyer Type: High-income professionals who commute to Boston regularly (73.2% professional workers) The Data Tells Us:

### You'll Fit If... - You have ultra-luxury budget ($1.8M+); you prioritize #1 schools; you value prestige and status; you want country club culture; you're ready for $50K property taxes

### You Might Not Fit If... - You're not ready for ultra-high costs; you want diversity; you hate keeping up with Joneses; you prefer casual communities

💰Weston - Where billionaires go to hide from millionaires

### Who Lives Here Primary Buyer Type: Education-maximizing families prioritizing top schools above all else The Data Tells Us:

### You'll Fit If... - You have $2M+ budget; you prioritize privacy and land; you want ultimate exclusivity; you value old money culture; you don't need walkability

### You Might Not Fit If... - You need walkability; you want diversity; you're not worth $10M+; you prefer neighborly communities

🔒Belmont - So safe they call it 'Town of Homes' not 'Town of Homes with Alarms'

### Who Lives Here Primary Buyer Type: Knowledge economy workers (75.7% professional workers) The Data Tells Us:

### You'll Fit If... - You prioritize safety above all; you want excellent schools; you value quiet suburban life; you're safety-conscious; you want community involvement

### You Might Not Fit If... - You want excitement; you're under 35; you like spontaneity; you prefer vibrant downtowns

🏡Arlington - Not quite Cambridge prices, almost Cambridge schools

### Who Lives Here Primary Buyer Type: Knowledge economy workers (74.8% professional workers) The Data Tells Us:

### You'll Fit If... - You want Cambridge proximity without Cambridge prices; you value good schools; you're budget-conscious; you want balanced lifestyle; you're a first-time buyer

### You Might Not Fit If... - You want luxury; you need quick Boston access; you hate middle-of-the-road; you prefer extremes

📚Concord - Thoreau wrote Walden here, now tech execs pretend to read it

### Who Lives Here Primary Buyer Type: Knowledge economy workers (78.8% professional workers) The Data Tells Us:

### You'll Fit If... - You're a history buff; you love nature and conservation; you're literary-minded; you value privacy; you have $1.9M+ budget

### You Might Not Fit If... - You need quick Boston access; you want nightlife; you hate tourists at Walden Pond; you prefer urban convenience

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦Needham - Family-friendly without the snobbery of Wellesley

### Who Lives Here Primary Buyer Type: High-income professionals who commute to Boston regularly (72.2% professional workers) The Data Tells Us:

### You'll Fit If... - You're a growing family; you prioritize school quality; you want suburban lifestyle; you value community involvement; you want welcoming atmosphere

### You Might Not Fit If... - You want urban amenities; you're on a tight budget; you hate driving; you prefer edgier communities

⛵Hingham - South Shore's answer to the North Shore's snobbery

### Who Lives Here Primary Buyer Type: Coastal lifestyle seekers who value waterfront access and sailing culture The Data Tells Us:

### You'll Fit If... - You love coastal lifestyle; you're a sailing enthusiast; you're family-focused; you're a South Shore commuter; you value historic charm

### You Might Not Fit If... - You work in Cambridge; you want quick Boston access; you hate boats; you prefer urban convenience

🌲Sudbury - Rural luxury—where tech money buys horses and acreage

### Who Lives Here Primary Buyer Type: Mixed professional and family-oriented buyers The Data Tells Us:

### You'll Fit If... - You're a wealthy family seeking privacy and land; you want top schools with rural feel; you value conservation; you're willing to commute for space

### You Might Not Fit If... - You need urban amenities or walkability; you want quick Boston access (40+ min); you prefer neighborly density over isolation

🎨Somerville - Brooklyn of Boston but cheaper (for now)

### Who Lives Here Primary Buyer Type: Mixed professional and family-oriented buyers The Data Tells Us:

### You'll Fit If... - You're a young professional; you're an artist or creative; you're a first-time buyer; you want growth investment; you value excellent restaurants

### You Might Not Fit If... - You need parking; you want suburban quiet; you hate gentrification; you prefer established communities

🐴Dover - Ultra-exclusive horse country—where privacy costs $2.4M

### Who Lives Here Primary Buyer Type: Horse owners and equestrian enthusiasts who want to ride on their own land The Data Tells Us:

### You'll Fit If... - You have $2M+ budget; you're an equestrian family; you prioritize privacy and land; you're old money; you want horse farms

### You Might Not Fit If... - You're not ready for $2.4M median; you want walkability or neighbors; you prefer modern amenities over land

🦌Sherborn - Dover's partner in rural luxury—horse farms and top schools

### Who Lives Here Primary Buyer Type: Horse owners and equestrian enthusiasts who want to ride on their own land The Data Tells Us:

### You'll Fit If... - You have $1.3M+ budget; you're an equestrian family; you want top schools (9.4/10); you prefer rural luxury lifestyle

### You Might Not Fit If... - You need urban amenities; you want quick Boston access (40 min); you prefer neighborhood density

🏘️Wayland - MetroWest's family favorite—Lexington schools without the price tag

### Who Lives Here Primary Buyer Type: Mixed professional and family-oriented buyers The Data Tells Us:

### You'll Fit If... - You're obsessed with school quality; you want Lexington-caliber schools for less; you're an education-focused professional

### You Might Not Fit If... - You need quick Boston commute (35+ min); you want urban walkability; you prefer diverse architecture

🏃Hopkinton - Boston Marathon starts here—runners, schools, and sports culture

### Who Lives Here Primary Buyer Type: Mixed professional and family-oriented buyers The Data Tells Us:

### You'll Fit If... - You're a marathon enthusiast or runner; you prioritize excellent schools (8.9/10); you're sports-oriented; you work in MetroWest

### You Might Not Fit If... - You need quick Boston access (45 min); you want historic character over modern; you avoid sports-focused communities

🍂Acton - MetroWest's best-kept secret—excellent schools in rural setting

### Who Lives Here Primary Buyer Type: Mixed professional and family-oriented buyers The Data Tells Us:

### You'll Fit If... - You're school-focused and willing to commute; you're a nature lover; you want community engagement; you use commuter rail

### You Might Not Fit If... - You need quick Boston access (40+ min); you want urban amenities; you prefer walkable downtowns

🎓Andover - Phillips Academy prestige meets North Shore sophistication

### Who Lives Here Primary Buyer Type: Horse owners and equestrian enthusiasts who want to ride on their own land The Data Tells Us:

### You'll Fit If... - You want top public schools; you value prestige and history; you work Route 128/495 corridor; you're education-focused

### You Might Not Fit If... - You want urban walkability; you need quick Boston access (30+ min); you prefer casual beach towns

🏛️Milton - Elite schools at 25% discount - Blue Hills access, car-dependent reality

### Who Lives Here Primary Buyer Type: Mixed professional and family-oriented buyers The Data Tells Us:

### You'll Fit If... - You prioritize schools and nature; you have dual-car household with $200K+ income; you're an outdoor enthusiast; you want value vs. Newton/Brookline

### You Might Not Fit If... - You need reliable T access (trolley unreliable); you want urban walkability; your budget is under $850K

🛍️Natick - Where everyone goes to the mall but pretends they don't

### Who Lives Here Primary Buyer Type: Mixed professional and family-oriented buyers The Data Tells Us:

### You'll Fit If... - You love shopping; you work in MetroWest; you're a practical suburbanite; you want value + schools

### You Might Not Fit If... - You hate traffic; you want prestige; you despise malls; you prefer curated downtowns

🏛️Medfield - Southwest charmer with top schools and historic downtown

### Who Lives Here Primary Buyer Type: Work-from-home professionals (WFH 33.1% vs 18.5% state average) The Data Tells Us:

### You'll Fit If... - You prioritize school quality (9.0/10); you love historic downtowns; you want safe family neighborhoods

### You Might Not Fit If... - You need quick Boston access; you want urban amenities; you prefer modern over historic

🚆Westwood - Top-20 schools plus elite commuter rail at 30% off Winchester prices

### Who Lives Here Primary Buyer Type: Education-maximizing families prioritizing top schools above all else The Data Tells Us:

### You'll Fit If... - You're a train commuter working in Boston 3-5 days/week; you prioritize elite schools at value pricing; you have $300-400K household income

### You Might Not Fit If... - You need walkable downtown (4.4 walkability score); you want diversity (79.5% white); you hate academic pressure culture

💎Cohasset - Elite South Shore seaside village with stunning ocean vistas

### Who Lives Here Primary Buyer Type: Coastal lifestyle seekers who value waterfront access and sailing culture The Data Tells Us:

### You'll Fit If... - You're high-net-worth seeking coastal exclusivity; you value prestige and privacy; you want excellent schools by the ocean

### You Might Not Fit If... - You're not ready for $1.4M+ median; you need quick Boston access; you want urban convenience

🎓Duxbury - South Shore's best-kept secret with exceptional schools

### Who Lives Here Primary Buyer Type: Coastal lifestyle seekers who value waterfront access and sailing culture The Data Tells Us:

### You'll Fit If... - You're education-focused and affluent; you want top schools with coastal access; you seek appreciation and exclusivity

### You Might Not Fit If... - You need quick Boston access (40+ min); you're on a budget under $1M; you want urban amenities

🌈Sharon - Diverse South Shore suburb where everyone gets along

### Who Lives Here Primary Buyer Type: Knowledge economy workers (70.3% professional workers) The Data Tells Us:

### You'll Fit If... - You seek diversity and inclusion; you prioritize excellent schools; you want safe suburban environment; you're multi-cultural

### You Might Not Fit If... - You need quick Boston access (35+ min); you want urban walkability; you prefer coastal living

🚆Reading - Commuter rail gem with solid schools at Winchester-lite prices

### Who Lives Here Primary Buyer Type: Mixed professional and family-oriented buyers The Data Tells Us:

### You'll Fit If... - You're a commuter rail family seeking value; you're school-focused on a budget; you want community engagement

### You Might Not Fit If... - You need luxury or prestige; you want urban walkability; you prefer coastal living

🌳Lynnfield - Quiet excellence north of Boston—top schools without the scene

### Who Lives Here Primary Buyer Type: Mixed professional and family-oriented buyers The Data Tells Us:

### You'll Fit If... - You're school-focused avoiding Winchester prices; you work Route 128 corridor; you want rural-suburban blend

### You Might Not Fit If... - You need T access (none); you want walkable downtown; you prefer diverse communities

🏛️Medway - MetroWest sweet spot—historic charm, excellent schools, great value

### Who Lives Here Primary Buyer Type: Mixed professional and family-oriented buyers The Data Tells Us:

### You'll Fit If... - You want historic charm and excellent schools (8.2/10); you're value-conscious; you want strong community spirit

### You Might Not Fit If... - You need quick Boston access; you want urban amenities; you prefer modern developments

⚖️Required Caveats & Disclaimers

Use this guide to: Understand town character, identify potential lifestyle matches, see data-driven patterns, and narrow your search. Don't use this to: Make final decisions without visiting, assume everyone fits the profile, or skip due diligence.