The Best Boston Suburbs For Young Families

Newton sits just seven miles away from Boston, but that short distance brings a well-needed break from city life. The town is known for its quiet and safe neighborhoods and good school system, both aspects of suburban life that appeal to new families. In fact, it was one of the first suburbs to be established outside of Boston, becoming its own town in 1688, albeit under a different name. Today it’s the home of Boston College as well as several other schools, and has an abundance of green spaces and museums for your family to explore.

Plymouth, Massachusetts is probably best known for being ‘America’s Hometown’ (whether is truly is or not is a different dispute). This is where the Pilgrims settled in 1620, and started the first white settlement in what would become the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Today, it is the largest town in the state in terms of area, and is filled with plenty of great neighborhoods to raise kids in. Of course, it is definitely a bit further from Boston for commuting parents, but many say the benefits are worth it. In a town filled with hundreds of years of history, unique restaurants, a great school system, over 300 ponds, and the beach — what else could you need?

This South Shore suburb is just 16.7 miles south of Boston, and directly accessible by a 20-minute commuter rail ride. About 50,000 people call Weymouth home, making it a decent change of population than that of the crowded city neighborhoods. Their school system includes eight elementary schools, meaning that younger ones will get a more personal education. A big plus to Weymouth is its proximity to the Hingham waterfront, just a few minutes away. In fact, the city serves as the epicenter to quite a few other points in Massachusetts — within a 30-mile radius you can be north of Boston or traverse the entire South Shore.

Most people know Lexington based on the Battle of Lexington on April 19, 1775, where the first shots of the American Revolutionary War were fired. Like many Massachusetts suburbs with rich history, the streets are lined with Colonial-style houses. The school system has consistently ranked high, and there are plenty of opportunities for learning outside of class. One of the most prominent landmarks is Lexington Centre, where the battle was fought, and there are plenty of others throughout the town.

Many longtime residents refer to Belmont as the ‘town of homes,’ as the area is primarily residential and located close to the state’s capital of Boston. It sits just about 10 miles from the city, and is accessible by car or public transit. The businesses in town are mainly small and independently run, adding to the homey town feel of this city suburb.

Marblehead is another town located a bit further from Boston, but its proximity is worth the sacrifice. Not only is it rich in history, such as being the birthplace for the American Navy, but it has breathtaking outdoor spaces that you just can’t find close to major metropolitan areas. As many suburbs in the state are, the schools systems come highly ranked and the town has direct access to Boston via public transit or by car.