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🏞️

North Reading

32 min to Boston
"Small-town New England charm with lakes and affordability"
Median Price
$795,000
$435/sqft
School Rating
7.9/10
Good
Appreciation
4.3%
per year
Commute
32 min
to downtown

Financing Considerations

Properties in North Reading typically typically qualify for conforming loans with more flexible underwriting standards.

Learn about loan thresholds, property condition impact, flood/wind insurance, and how vintage homes (common in many MA towns) affect mortgage approval.

✨The Vibe

Small-town New England at its finest—lakes, trails, tight-knit community, and families who stay for generations

What It's Really Like

North Reading is authentic small-town New England—two lakes, town common, everyone knows everyone, and you're getting solid schools for reasonable money.

Best For

  • ✓Lake lovers and outdoor enthusiasts
  • ✓Families seeking small-town feel
  • ✓Value seekers in north suburbs
  • ✓Those wanting community involvement

Avoid If

  • ✗You need T access or walkability
  • ✗You want quick Boston access
  • ✗You prefer diverse urban areas

🌟Highlights

🏞️Two lakes (Martins Pond, Ipswich River)
🏫Good schools (7.9/10) improving
🌳Small-town New England character
💰Best value in the Reading area

Insider Tips

  • 💡Lake area properties command premium
  • 💡Town common hosts summer concerts
  • 💡Route 128 access via Reading makes commute tolerable

Demographics

Population
15,500
Median Age
44
Median Income
$128,000

Economic Profile

Remote Work
21.7%
work from home
Professional Workers
59.0%
knowledge economy
Broadband Access
97.7%
digital infrastructure
Homeownership
83.5%
owner-occupied
Poverty Rate
2.7%
below poverty line
Median Home Value
$665K
Census estimate
Data source: Census ACS 2022 5-year

Religious Community

Places of Worship
4
Churches
4
Historical Context: Oldest establishment dates to 1720• 1 established before 1900
Data Source: MassGIS 2025 (Updated 2025-02-03)

Housing Stock Age

Median Year Built
1968
57 years old
Pre-1940 Construction
4.1%
Lower risk
Post-2000 Construction
23.2%
Modern housing stock
Est. Annual Insurance
$2,200
Based on housing age

Moderate Insurance Risk

Median home built in 1968. Insurance premiums estimated at $2,200/year. Some older homes may require system updates (electrical, plumbing, HVAC).

Insurance Cost Calculator

Estimate your annual homeowners insurance premium

$397,500$795,000$1,590,000

Leave blank to use town median (1968)

Annual Premium
$2,200
$183/month
vs. State Average
+10%
MA avg: $2,008/year
Risk Category
HIGH
Based on home age

30-Year Mortgage Impact

$66,000

Total insurance cost over 30-year mortgage (equivalent to 0.3% of home value)

Age Penalty

This home costs $589 more per year to insure than a newly built home. Over 30 years, that's $17,670 in additional insurance costs.

Ways to Lower Your Premium

  • Bundle home + auto insurance with same carrier (10-25% discount)
  • Increase deductible from $500 to $2,500 (save 15-30%)
  • Install monitored security system (5-20% discount)
  • Update electrical panel and remove knob-and-tube wiring
  • Replace roof with impact-resistant materials (save 5-15%)
  • Upgrade plumbing to PEX or copper
  • Complete full home inspection and address major issues
  • Consider MAPFRE or Chubb for historic home coverage

* Estimates based on Massachusetts state averages and typical underwriting criteria. Actual premiums vary by carrier, coverage limits, deductible, claims history, and credit score. For accurate quotes, contact a licensed insurance agent.

Construction Era Distribution

2020+
75 units
2010-2019
8.4%
520 units
2000-2009
13.7%
850 units
1990-1999
16.1%
1,000 units
1980-1989
17.7%
1,100 units
1970-1979
19.4%
1,200 units
1960-1969
16.1%
1,000 units
1950-1959
12.6%
780 units
1940-1949
6.8%
420 units
Pre-1940
255 units
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Resources & Research

School Information

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Market Analysis

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Insurance & Risk

MA Insurance Crisis Guide →

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Home Buying Terms

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View All Market Guides & Analysis →

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