Boston Property Navigator

Find Your Perfect Town

BPN

Chat

🚆

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