2021 Best Places to Live in Norfolk County

Brookline

• Suburb of Boston, MA
• Rating 4.08 out of 5  131 reviews

Current Resident: Brookline's public transportation is excellent, and restaurants and businesses are everywhere in the historic districts, making shopping and dining an overall experience.
LIVING in Brookline is a little bit more difficult though, as all parking is reserved for shoppers and visitors, so if you plan on being a resident here, plan on renting a separate home for your vehicle (Craigslist).
You're a stones-throw from most activities though, and it may be more advantageous for those who can to avoid having a car all together. The only other downside to living in Brookline is the cost of rent. A one bedroom apartment can cost anywhere from $1,800 to $3,000 on the high end, so be prepared!
Living here has been a great experience so far, just a little strapping on the wallet.
Read 131 Reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• 59,180 Population

Wellesley

• Suburb of Boston, MA
• Rating 4.24 out of 5  45 reviews

Current Resident: Wellesley is a great place to grow up in and raise a family! This town is very family-oriented. It is so safe and there was never a time where I felt like it wasn't. Wellesley does have a reputation for being pretentious, but most of the people are lovely. Some people who come off across as pretentious may not feel that they are. It also gets a reputation for not being welcoming to newcomers which is not true. Yes, there have been families living there for generations, but it is seeing more international diversity and people from other states. I, including many of my friends, have moved here from somewhere else.
Read 45 Reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• 28,747 Population

Dover

• Suburb of Boston, MA
• Rating 3.85 out of 5  13 reviews

Current Resident: Dover has been my home for 7 years now and I have learned to love the level of privacy and security that comes from being a suburb outside a main city. While being less than a 45 min drive from Boston, I am able to have access to the urban scene but am not subject to the high population density or strain on resources. Dover has a great community within the town, as well as a highly performing school system. Given the space and immense amount of nature throughout the town, I would like to see more initiatives being put forward to utilise the outdoors more; I am very supportive of the rail trail project and look forwards to taking more advantage of the nature we are privileged to have surround us.
Read 13 Reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• 6,044 Population

Sharon

• Suburb of Boston, MA
• Rating 3.89 out of 5  44 reviews

Current Resident: Sharon is a great town! It's quiet, small, and has a very homey feel to it. It's a predominantly white Jewish town, but there are a multitude of different races that reside here as well. However, growing up here you would here a lot of kids say that there's nothing to do in Sharon because of the lack of popular businesses (ex. Dunkin Donuts, McDonalds, etc) and also the lack of entertainment industries such as shopping mall, outlets, or stores, movie theatre, etc. I guess it just depends on how quiet you like the town you live in to be.
Read 44 Reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• 18,526 Population

Needham

• Suburb of Boston, MA
• Rating 3.96 out of 5  50 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• 30,970 Population

Westwood

• Suburb of Boston, MA
• Rating 4.06 out of 5  49 reviews

Current Resident: Westwood is a small, quaint, Massachusetts town, located approximately 14 miles from the Boston city limit. The town has a quaint, yet urban feel due to the fact that it is so close to Boston! Many areas of Westwood are completely walkable to town amenities such as restaurants, small grocery stores and the post office. The residents of Westwood are extremely friendly. I love to walk my dog and frequently run into my neighbors, who are also walking their dogs, jogging, biking, or simply walking. The schools in Westwood are among the best in the state. Westwood is a fantastic town to live in!
Read 49 Reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• 16,136 Population

Milton

• Suburb of Boston, MA
• Rating 4.2 out of 5  85 reviews

Former Resident: Lived in Milton for about 10 years and moved to Texas for work recently. I can't speak highly enough about the wonderful people we've met there and all this small town has to offer. The schools were great! My husband and I had 3 kids in the elementary schools and one that attended Pierce Middle school and we never had an issue. If you're looking for a quiet, safe town with great schools to raise small children- this should be high on your list!
Read 85 Reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• 27,572 Population

Medfield

• Suburb of Boston, MA
• Rating 4.04 out of 5  46 reviews

Current Resident: Everyone in the town is super nice and friendly to each other and outsiders! The school district is awesome, there are plenty of places to work and relax, and it is very safe and quiet in the neighborhood. I wish there were more resturaunts in the immediate vicinity although as there are only a few small places that serve very niche cuisines
Read 46 Reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• 12,841 Population

Medway

• Suburb of Boston, MA
• Rating 3.85 out of 5  41 reviews

Current Resident: Medway is a great place to live! Friendly people, great schools with a small town feel. Having bi-racial family members, I found Medway to be inclusive. The people of the community have treated my family with dignity and respect. Neighbors were so welcoming when we first moved to the community, finally felt like this was the "home" I had always been looking for. A fantastic place to raise a family, no matter your race, religious beliefs or orientation. Good, good people here!
Read 41 Reviews

• grade A

• grade A minus

• 13,325 Population

Franklin

• Suburb of Boston, MA
• Rating 4.11 out of 5  89 reviews

Current Resident: Great schools! Check out the scores/rankings as compared to the more 'affluent' towns. Ideally located equidistant from Providence, Boston and Worcester. Has two commuter rail stations. Great downtown area with a burgeoning arts/music scene. Small town feel, bigger town conveniences.
Read 89 Reviews

• grade A

• grade A

• 33,256 Population

Wrentham

• Suburb of Boston, MA
• Rating 3.81 out of 5  54 reviews

Current Resident: Wrentham is a great town in the suburbs of Massachusetts with great relative distance to everything! Close to Boston and Providence, and not far from the cape either. Plenty of restaurants and things to do both in Wrentham and in the towns around it.
Read 54 Reviews

• grade A

• grade A minus

• 11,823 Population

Walpole

• Suburb of Boston, MA
• Rating 4.03 out of 5  63 reviews

Current Resident: Walpole is an awesome, family-focused town about 35 minutes south of Boston. I have always been impressed by the energy directed towards the town’s school system and creating a safe environment! Most notable, however, is the commitment Walpole residents have for each other, never failing to come together in times of crisis and need.
Read 63 Reviews

• grade A

• grade A

• 25,129 Population

Canton

• Suburb of Boston, MA
• Rating 3.9 out of 5  42 reviews

Former Resident: Canton is a lovely town. My family and I moved from Florida to Canton Massachusetts almost two decades ago. The two isn't too quiet and is diverse. Most people in Canton are middle/ upper-class citizens; however, everyone has a place in Canton. Canton is a town that I will always have a spot for (now that I moved). I am hoping upon finishing my degree and working I am able to move back to the town that welcomed my family and me for more than 15 years!
Read 42 Reviews

• grade A

• grade A

• 23,369 Population

Norfolk

• Suburb of Boston, MA
• Rating 4.29 out of 5  31 reviews

Current Resident: Norfolk is a very small town and a very tight knit community. As a teenager preparing to depart for college, I can confidently say that Norfolk was a great place to grow up. The public school system here is phenomenal and has allowed me to cultivate some great memories and benefits. The entire town is very supportive of the children as can be seen at the town sporting events. There has never been any real crime in my time here other than minor incidents. Being a small town there is very little to know night life, meaning that it is a very family friendly environment. There is not much diversity in the town, with a majority of Caucasian families living here. There are not many businesses in the town also other than some small, usually independently owned businesses. In conclusion, I highly recommend the town of Norfolk to any families looking for a wonderful environment for their children.
Read 31 Reviews

• grade A

• grade B+

• 11,786 Population

Cohasset

• Suburb of Boston, MA
• Rating 4.33 out of 5  9 reviews

Current Resident: I lived in Hingham previously for 14 years, before moving to Cohasset. Although Hingham is absolutley beautiful, with great schools, I have to say I love Cohasset more! I've been living in Cohasset for the past 3 years. What I love about Cohasset is that it is a smaller community, with the same Hingham elegance. It borders, Hingham, Hull, and Scituate (all coastal communities) and has its own beautiful beaches with coastal views. Take a relaxing drive along Jerusalem Rd and Atlantic Ave during a spring/summer day. It will take your breath away. I also feel that the residents are warmer/nicer, and not fake or snobby like other considered wealthier towns. I found my dream town!
Read 9 Reviews

• grade A minus

• grade A minus

• 8,484 Population

Dedham

• Suburb of Boston, MA
• Rating 4.05 out of 5  43 reviews

Current Resident: Dedham is a small town that has many historical places to visit. The schooling is good and the roads are often being paved! The town keeps people busy and Dedham Square is beautiful full of new, updated buildings.
Read 43 Reviews

• grade A minus

• grade B+

• 25,283 Population

Foxborough

• Suburb of Boston, MA
• Rating 3.81 out of 5  58 reviews

Current Resident: Foxborough is a great town to raise children in. Its size allows for the small town experience but it offers many services and amenities. It carries great history dating back to the late 1600's. The community is very active and allows for all to get involved if it be in amateur youth sports, clubs, etc. The schools are excellent and the overall town has a safe feel.
Read 58 Reviews

• grade A minus

• grade A

• 17,727 Population

Quincy

• Suburb of Boston, MA
• Rating 4.03 out of 5  174 reviews

Current Resident: Buying my North Quincy home was the best decision ever! I live only a block from Wollaston Beach, a quick 10 minute walk to the Red Line, a multitude of walkable restaurants/shops, and just as many lovely nearby green/natural/historic spaces to explore.
My neighborhood (and the city in general) was a bit rough around the edges when I purchased my home 12 years ago; but the progress/improvement I’ve witnessed has been remarkable. For certain, there still exist some pockets in which the homes and buildings are poorly maintained, but overall, the city has transformed for the better.
Read 174 Reviews

• grade A minus

• grade A

• 94,207 Population

Millis

• Suburb of Boston, MA
• Rating 4.37 out of 5  27 reviews

Current Resident: Super small town with a great school system. Easy to get to the train if you work in Boston. Close to Dean College if you go there. Also close to attractions like Gillette stadium, Wrentham outlets, etc.
Read 27 Reviews

• grade A minus

• grade A minus

• 8,233 Population

Braintree

• Suburb of Boston, MA
• Rating 3.75 out of 5  104 reviews

Current Resident: Braintree is a hidden gem for people looking for a house to buy. It's one of the few towns that has a T stop(but also has a commuter rail stop). It's school system is better than Melrose(Yet the housing price is nowhere close to Melrose). And it's close to many shopping centers, wholesale clubs, and restaurants. Perfect to raise a family and easy to get to Boston, cambridge, and seaport for work(orange line and green line won't get to all 3). Not to even mention low property taxes and utility bills(electric and water). Very much underrated town.
Read 104 Reviews

• grade A minus

• grade A

• 37,220 Population

Norwood

• Suburb of Boston, MA
• Rating 3.91 out of 5  47 reviews

Current Resident: I have been living in Norwood for almost my whole entire life and the schools here are very good. I have always felt safe here and can easily walk around in the middle of the night without there having a problem. There are always police officers around and they always try to have a conversation with the residents here, or they just simply say hello.
Read 47 Reviews

• grade A minus

• grade B+

• 29,306 Population

Plainville

• Suburb in Massachusetts
• Rating 3.94 out of 5  17 reviews

Nearby Resident: Very hot Palestinian-Americans live here. They add to the little diversity the town holds, which is excellent that is why i give this town a 5 star “excellent” review. Very talented atheistic Arabs for sure, so fine.
Read 17 Reviews

• grade B+

• grade B+

• 9,183 Population

Stoughton

• Suburb of Boston, MA
• Rating 3.71 out of 5  79 reviews

Current Resident: I love the location in the South Shore. Stoughton is nestled in between 93 and 95, right off of route 24. The access to the beaches, hiking trails, mix of suburban and urban surrounding areas, shopping centers, proximity to Gillette Stadium, and Commuter rail access make Stoughton an extremely convenient location to live. I am a very outdoors-y person, and I think the one thing that I would like to improve would be adding a bike path somewhere nearby. As an avid cycler, I feel there are no easy routes to follow for biking without being on the side of the road with sand and debris.
Read 79 Reviews

• grade B+

• grade B+

• 28,639 Population

Weymouth

• Suburb of Boston, MA
• Rating 3.79 out of 5  111 reviews

Current Resident: Plenty of outdoor activities - waterfront, boating, kayaking, beaches, several parks including Great Esker Park on the Back River.

Commute to Boston by boat, car, train or drive to Boston, easy access to the Cape.

Regular, hard working folks - few snobs. Good mix of residents. Town now has some of the best athletic fields on the South Shore due to efforts of Town Government.

Home prices are rising though - probably a result of some of the good things the Town is doing.
Read 111 Reviews

• grade B

• grade B minus

• 56,734 Population

Bellingham

• Suburb of Boston, MA
• Rating 3.81 out of 5  36 reviews

Current Resident: Living here since 15 years! With very nice middle class Residents. Very convenient for commute by 495, 95 and there is commuter train station in its boundary - Forge Park. Schools are average but they spend good amount of money for school system. Taxes average and home prices are average as well. We feel safe.
Read 36 Reviews

• grade B

• grade C+

• 17,108 Population