🚆

Westwood

27 min to Boston
"Top-20 schools plus elite commuter rail at 30% off Winchester prices"
Median Price
$1,285,000
$344/sqft
School Rating
9.2/10
Excellent
Appreciation
4.5%
per year
Commute
27 min
to downtown

Financing Considerations

Properties in Westwood typically require jumbo financing with stricter underwriting, larger down payments (20–25%+), and higher reserve requirements.

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

The Vibe

Premium suburban value proposition—exceptional schools (#16 in MA) and unmatched commuter rail infrastructure without the ultra-luxury price tag. Family-focused, car-dependent, and designed for the serious Boston commuter.

What It's Really Like

Westwood is where smart money goes for the best school-to-commute ratio in Greater Boston. Route 128 Amtrak station (23rd busiest nationally) delivers 25-30 minute predictable train rides unaffected by highway traffic. You get top-20 schools, spacious 0.52-acre average lots (64% larger than county), and crime rates 53% below national averages—all at 20-30% savings vs Lexington/Winchester. Trade-offs: car-dependent, recent school ranking slip (#12→#20), and limited dining/nightlife.

Best For

  • Train commuters who work in Boston 3-5 days/week
  • Families prioritizing elite schools at value pricing
  • $300-400K household income sweet spot
  • Those who prize predictable commutes over walkability

Avoid If

  • You need walkable downtown areas (4.4 walkability score)
  • You want diversity (79.5% white)
  • You hate academic pressure culture
  • You prefer urban or semi-urban living

🌟Highlights

🚆Route 128 Amtrak station—23rd busiest nationally, 25-30 min to South Station
🎓#16 school district in MA with A+ rating and 99% graduation rate
💰20-30% cheaper than ultra-premium competitors (Lexington, Winchester)
🏡Average 0.52-acre lots, 64% larger than Norfolk County average
🛡️Crime rates 53% below national average
📈Stable 4-6% annual appreciation with fast 14-22 day sales

Insider Tips

  • 💡Town Center/Historic district (258 Grove St area) offers walkable civic amenities at premium
  • 💡Fairway Acres neighborhood features half-acre+ lots and Downey School district
  • 💡Deerfield neighborhood offers peaceful, larger lots and family-friendly vibe
  • 💡Islington area provides secondary commuter rail station access
  • 💡20 Longmeadow Dr type deals—exceptional $/sqft value at $184 for near 9,000 sqft
  • 💡Properties average 16-22 days on market vs 52-day national average

Demographics

Population
16,200
Median Age
44
Median Income
$171,000-$205,000

Economic Profile

Remote Work
21.3%
work from home
Professional Workers
68.2%
knowledge economy
Broadband Access
95.2%
digital infrastructure
Homeownership
86.3%
owner-occupied
Poverty Rate
5.0%
below poverty line
Median Home Value
$935K
Census estimate
Data source: Census ACS 2022 5-year

Religious Community

Places of Worship
7
Churches
6
Synagogues
1
🌟 Multi-faith community with diverse religious traditions(Diversity Score: 37/100)
Historical Context: Oldest establishment dates to 17302 established before 1900
Data Source: MassGIS 2025 (Updated 2025-02-03)

Housing Stock Age

Median Year Built
1965
60 years old
Pre-1940 Construction
20.3%
⚠️ Higher insurance 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 1965. 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

$642,500$1,285,000$2,570,000

Leave blank to use town median (1965)

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 0.2% 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+
70 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
20.3%
1,260 units
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