Question 1

How many towns and neighborhoods are included?

Accepted Answer

We cover 115 Greater Boston communities: 93 independent towns plus 22 Boston neighborhoods. Each has a detailed profile with school ratings, median home prices, commute times, and community character insights.

Question 2

What is the best school district in the Boston area?

Accepted Answer

The best school districts in the Greater Boston area include: 1. Weston (9.5/10 rating, $2.15M median home price); 2. Sherborn (9.4/10 rating, $1.35M median home price); 3. Boxborough (9.4/10 rating, $1.03M median home price); 4. Concord (9.3/10 rating, $1.95M median home price); 5. Hopkinton (9.3/10 rating, $925K median home price). These ratings are based on public school performance, test scores, college readiness, and student progress data.

Question 3

How do you rate schools?

Accepted Answer

School ratings (1-10 scale) combine multiple factors: public high school SAT/MCAS scores, college enrollment rates, student-teacher ratios, and GreatSchools data. We also note private school availability for families considering independent education.

Question 4

What's the difference between towns and Boston neighborhoods?

Accepted Answer

Towns are independent municipalities with their own governments and school districts (e.g., Newton, Brookline, Lexington). Boston neighborhoods are districts within the city of Boston proper (e.g., Back Bay, Beacon Hill, Jamaica Plain) that share Boston Public Schools.

Question 5

Can I filter by price range?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Use the price filter to see communities under $1M, $1M-$2M, or over $2M median home price. You can also sort by lowest/highest price to find the most affordable or prestigious options.

Question 6

How are median home prices calculated?

Accepted Answer

Median prices represent the middle point of recent single-family home sales in each community, typically based on 12-24 months of transaction data. Prices are updated quarterly and exclude condos, multi-family, and luxury outliers to reflect typical buyer experience.

Boston Property Navigator

BPN