2019 Best Suburbs to Raise a Family in Middlesex CountyAbout this List

Lexington

• Suburb of Boston, MA
• 76 reviews

Current Resident: I love the minutemen trail! Safe access to a relaxing nature walk! Refreshing, calming...
The town is cute, clean and drivers strictly respect pedestrian crossings making walking around the town feel safe. Great, strong competitive schools. The town's library is a gem full of resources. It is a safe, positive haven, for the elders as well as for our youth! The grounds are very well kept in most areas. My major issue is the rental quality. Outside the landscaping is maintained, but inside, expensive rental apartments are not well kept or updated. However, we overlook this because of all the pros living here. Hmmm and then that's why they keep increasing the rents. :(
Read 76 Reviews

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• 33,339 Population

Newton

• Town in Massachusetts
• 63 reviews

Current Resident: The Newton Public School System is really awesome. One of the best parts, in my opinion, is the Career Tech Ed opportunities at Newton North High. Aside from the education aspect, Newton is also a city that feels incredibly safe. There are not many crimes or threats in the city at all. There are a lot of things going on in the city at all times, there are many good restaurants, shops, and activities. The different areas in Newton are very different from each other: Newton Highlands, Newton Corner, Newton Centre, Nonantum, Chestnuthill, etc. They all have different things to offer!
Read 63 Reviews

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• 88,479 Population

Sudbury

• Suburb of Boston, MA
• 15 reviews

Current Resident: Sudbury is a safe, beautiful, leafy community 18 miles west of Boston. The town prides itself on its colonial heritage and highly rated public schools. There’s no real public transport in town so a car is a must for commuting. However there are 2 commuter rail stations north (Lincoln) and south (Framinhgam). Sudbury has 3 grocery stores including a new Whole Foods. There are several restaurants in town and all are good. Good proximity to major shopping (Natick Mall, Shoppers World and Rt 9 are 15-20 min drive) but not in your backyard. Strong parent community with high expectations for students. Lots of school-based as well as private club sports options.
Read 15 Reviews

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• 18,697 Population

Hopkinton

• Suburb of Boston, MA
• 26 reviews

Current Resident: Reading some of the more recent reviews, it’s clear that a particular individual with egomaniacal tendencies decided to trash the town on their way out. My family moved to Hopkinton recently and we could not be more pleased with our decision. There are ample gorgeous public areas for hiking and outdoor activities, coupled with socioeconomic diversity we did not find in other Boston suburbs we considered. The racial diversity is increasing and our neighbors and the town in general have been incredibly welcoming. Being one of the safest suburbs in the country with a top shelf school system makes this a great town to raise a family. A town is what you make of it!
Read 26 Reviews

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• 16,720 Population

Cochituate

• Suburb of Boston, MA

• A+

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• 6,832 Population

Wayland

• Suburb of Boston, MA
• 13 reviews

Current Resident: We recently moved to this town and so far everything has been going great!
I have three kids ages from 12, 5 and 2 years old. At first I was expecting a hard "transitions" being that we moved from a great and warm community, Naples Florida.
To families out there that are looking for a town with excellent schools and close-by to Boston, I highly recommended Wayland. We did our research for years- We started looking into Lexington (we got priced out from outrageous homes), Sudbury (little too far for my shopping needs), We looked and looked -really in all these towns you are comparing apple to apple, depends on what you looking for. Wayland fits my agenda- be in town that offers GREAT public schools and homes that you are not on top of each other. I love having my privacy and Wayland has that feel, yet if you want to be involved in the community, there are so many things you can do!
Read 13 Reviews

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• 13,700 Population

Belmont

• Suburb of Boston, MA
• 34 reviews

Current Resident: My family goes back multiple generous in Belmont, the “The Town of Homes”. It doesn’t go without reason that many residents have deep roots in this area. The public high school is annually ranked in the top 15 in the state, plenty of small businesses can thrive in Belmont Center and Cushing Square, and it’s an all around really safe town (thank you to the Belmont Police, Fire Department and first responders for all that you continue to do.) Real estate is expensive and competitive but as a suburb of Boston with a great reputation that should be expected. A wonderful place to grow up, a good area for access and transportation to the city, and a friendly residential population that I’m happy to live alongside.
Read 34 Reviews

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• 25,965 Population

Westford

• Suburb of Boston, MA
• 68 reviews

Current Resident: I like how this is a quiet nice town that is safe and clean. The library is nice and quiet with a huge selection of books to choose from. There are a variety of restaurants like Bamboo, Five Guys, Burton’s Grill, Evviva Cucina, Paul’s Diner, Rangoli Grill, and Seoul Kitchen. Westford also has great summer get-together spots. A big one is Kimball’s Farm. They serve ice cream, food and have multiple fun attractions that are reasonably priced. Some of these attractions include a mini golf course, a driving range, batting cages, bumper cars, and even a zip line.
Read 68 Reviews

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• 24,087 Population

Carlisle

• Suburb of Boston, MA
• 22 reviews

Niche User: We have basically no crime in our area. Whenever we need to call the police for anything they are fast and responsive and they seem well prepared for any situation.
Read 22 Reviews

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• 5,160 Population

Lincoln

• Suburb of Boston, MA
• 4 reviews

Current Resident: Lincoln is a small town with easy access to the city of Boston and its surrounding towns. It feels like the country, with lots of farms and nature, and it's rather small population-wise, but it has a commuter train and plenty of other attractions close by.
Read 4 Reviews

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• 6,696 Population

Boxborough

• Suburb of Boston, MA
• 4 reviews

Current Resident: Beautiful suburban town. Very small and caring community with great schools and incredibly low crime rate. It's a bit far from Boston, but if you don't mind the commute, this is a great place to live.
Read 4 Reviews

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• 5,546 Population

Weston

• Suburb of Boston, MA
• 15 reviews

Current Resident: My family and I have lived in Weston for six years. Here're some of the town's best features: the quality of the public school system; the town's forests, trails and scenic roads; its robust public library and recreation program; the town's its commitment to historic preservation; its proximity to Boston and major transportation routes; the lack of commercial overdevelopment; regular town events at the common; the generosity of its residents; and timely snow removal on key roads.
Read 15 Reviews

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• 12,027 Population

Arlington

• Suburb of Boston, MA
• 49 reviews

Current Resident: The extra curricular programs , at Arlington High School, led by its' outstanding Athletic Department, are second to none! Great coaching staffs, at all levels!

Hard working teachers.

Anxiously awaiting a 21st Century High School.

Outstanding Youth Athletic Programs for all ages.

Quality Recreation Department.

Superb Public Works Department. Just take a look at the last 3 Nor'easters and how efficiently the streets were maintained.

With high taxes you receive great Public Services.
Read 49 Reviews

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• 44,992 Population

Winchester

• Suburb of Boston, MA
• 43 reviews

Current Resident: I love Winchester. It's a quaint town just 7 miles outside Boston, MA. It's perfectly for raising a family in. The schools are excellent and the crime late is remarkably low. I currently live in Winchester and I love it so much. I live in an area of Winchester which is about half a mile from its not too far away from Winchester center and everything is in reasonable walking distance from my house. Winchester center has a train station which makes commuting much easier for many parents and most peoples' commutes are pretty bearable. I love this town and I recommend it to anyone ready to start a family!
Read 43 Reviews

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• 22,579 Population

Sherborn

• Suburb of Boston, MA
• 30 reviews

Current Resident: I love living in Sherborn Massachusetts, it was an awesome place to grow up! The small town makes for a tight-knit, inclusive community. The cute New England Town only has a few places, but that is all Sherborn needs to continue to prosper. The town pond, Farm Pond, is perfect for the summer. You can do swim lessons or sailing lessons and it is a great place to cool off! The Dover-Sherborn school system is one of the best in Massachusetts and it is a great place for kids to prosper!
Read 30 Reviews

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• 4,302 Population

Concord

• Suburb of Boston, MA
• 20 reviews

Current Resident: Simply the best town in the state to grow up in. A gorgeous suburb with a town center that is second to none (Lexington is really the only other town in the area with a center of this caliber). Concord has been featured in a variety of movies with good reason- it truly is a picture-perfect postcard of a New England town visually.

The town is literally bursting at the seams with history; you cannot walk five five without coming across some historic touchstone that people from around the world will come to see.

Concord is the perfect place to raise a family; the public schools are world class, the parks, walking trails, and other town facilities are picturesque (the library in particular is the most beautiful library I've ever been to).

It's an expensive town to get into (my parents got lucky and got in back in the 90's before housing prices got completely out of control), but if you can find a way to afford it, it is an unparalleled place to live.
Read 20 Reviews

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• 19,357 Population

Acton

• Suburb of Boston, MA
• 53 reviews

Current Resident: Moved last year to Acton and I was not disappointed. Awesome schools, safe and very friendly neighborhoods. I have lived in many states before I moved to Boston area, and I can confidently say Acton is one the best places I have ever lived.
Read 53 Reviews

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• 23,455 Population

Natick

• Suburb of Boston, MA
• 52 reviews

Current Resident: It's a small town with both young families and elders. The Natick Mall is a big attraction, and the town center is small but cozy. The real estate market is decently popular, and prices are moderate, though location has an impact. It's not too far from Boston, and everywhere seems to be no more than 30 minutes from Natick. It's great for young families, as the public schools are good and community is kind and safe.
Read 52 Reviews

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• 35,957 Population

Stow

• Suburb of Boston, MA
• 13 reviews

Current Resident: Stows small town feel allows for an intimate community bond. There is lots of volunteerism and an overall strong sense of town pride. There are countless apple orchards which make for a great fall. Whether it is volunteering at the library, attending the annual Spring Fest or participating in the Lake Boon Carnival, Stow is a warm and welcoming town.
Read 13 Reviews

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• 7,061 Population

West Concord

• Suburb of Boston, MA
• 1 review

Niche User: Concord is a town with an excellent public school that really prepares students for whatever path they choose to follow later in life.
Read 1 Review

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• 7,646 Population

Bedford

• Suburb of Boston, MA
• 18 reviews

Current Resident: Bedford is a safe suburb with many options for dining and shopping. The Burlington Mall is really close and there are a number of grocery stores and stores like Marshall's, TJ Maxx, etc. The public schools are very strong academically and offer many sports.
Read 18 Reviews

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• 14,105 Population

Cambridge

• City in Massachusetts
• 81 reviews

Current Resident: Everything about Cambridge is great! It's a very pretty city with remarkable history. It has one of the best colleges in the world; Harvard, which helped the city to be highly educated, even if they weren't Harvard students. There’s a significant number of highly intellectual people all around. Also, the city is rich in museums & galleries that encompasses a significant number historical artifacts & valuable knowledge. I also love how clean and environment friendly the city is. Plastic bags are prohibited & paper ones are charged to minimize waste. Recycling is really emphasized. Restaurants & cafes are endless! There are many highly reviewed places that are worth traveling to. Shopping is great at Cambridge! There are unlimited shopping options and there are many vintage and hand-made gift stores all around. People are nice and super friendly. The MBTA works well in Cambridge and connect it to the greater city of Boston, which makes commuting much easier.
Read 81 Reviews

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• 110,893 Population

Groton

• Suburb of Boston, MA
• 43 reviews

Current Resident: I’ve lived all all over the country and love Groton. Schools (including SpEd) are fantastic. Lots to do either in Groton or close by. It may be a quiet town, but my family loves it and we have the best neighbors!
Read 43 Reviews

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• 11,282 Population

Ashland

• Suburb of Boston, MA
• 45 reviews

Current Resident: Ashland is a great place to raise a family in a very safe and diverse neighborhood. After moving from charlotte, NC we were looking for a similar place in MA that was very affordable, close to commute, within 5 miles of all the stores that we frequently shop at , close to major highways and most importantly, great people who took pride in their community. Ashland fit the bill perfectly. We love Indian food and were thrilled to know that there were plenty of options nearby. That was the icing on the cake!
Read 45 Reviews

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• 17,478 Population

Dunstable

• Suburb of Boston, MA
• 5 reviews

Current Resident: Overall a very nice farming community, it is a bit far out there and is closer to Nashua, NH. The town is pretty small but has great public schools and is very friendly to new people.
Read 5 Reviews

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• 3,337 Population