A chic Boston suburb with a distinct New England vibe
Residents love living in Wellesley – and with a quick visit to this beautiful suburb, it’s easy to see why Niche named this community #1 on its Best Places to Raise a Family list.
Some reasons we love Wellesley?
It gets an A+ for education
Wellesley Public Schools are consistently ranked among the best in Massachusetts. The District uses a “neighborhood” school model for zoning, with students attending K-12 schools based on their address.
Wellesley elementary students have half days every Wednesday, with classes ending at 12:00 PM. Middle school and high school students have early release days once per month, on average. Many of the schools are walking distance to town and, especially on these days, you’ll likely spot students hanging out with friends in area establishments.
Wellesley Public Schools are renowned for their quality education as well as their strong athletics programs, with the majority of students participating in sports at some point during their academic careers. There’s also a strong sense of community and school pride, and the district emphasizes both social and emotional learning as well—another perk, parents say. Plus, all schools scored an “A” or “A+” in Niche’s latest roundup so there’s no worrying about which exact street to call home—all of the schools are top of the class.
The Wellesley Education Foundation (WEF) is a great organization that funds grants to educators in the Wellesley Public Schools System to further innovation and excellence. Over the last 10 years, WEF has granted nearly $2 million to the schools, reaching over 5,000 students.
Elementary Schools:
Middle School:
High School:
And if private school is your next step? No surprise, private schools in and around Wellesley also score an A+. Some top choices in Wellesley include:
Dana Hall School (all girls)
Commuting into the city
If the top-rated schools weren’t enough, many families opt for Wellesley because of its easy commute to Boston and Cambridge. Conveniently located near the Mass Pike, 95/128 and Route 9, it’s easy to access the city, Logan Airport and many other areas from this sought-after suburb. The commute into Boston by car is about 30 minutes on a light traffic day.
Beyond driving, there are plenty of public transportation options. In the immediate area alone you’ll find three train stations with direct routes to Boston’s South Station: Wellesley Square, Wellesley Hills, and Wellesley Farms. The train ride from Wellesley Square is about 40 minutes and just 33 minutes from Wellesley Farms. Parking is available at all three stations, though it is more limited at the Wellesley Hills stop with 55 spots versus 224 at Wellesley Square and 190 at Wellesley Farms. Parking tends to fill up pretty quickly on weekdays.
A serious shopping experience…
Wellesley’s bustling town center boasts amazing restaurants—Smith & Wollensky, Juniper, The Local and Alta Strada, to name a few—plus a Roche Bros. supermarket, multiple pharmacies, gyms, workout studios, boutiques, cafes, pizza places, juice bars, ice cream shops, salons, spas, home décor stores, kids classes and even a Whole Foods.
Locals also don’t need to go far to source great food. The steak tips from Fells Market are always a hit as is fresh seafood from Captain Marden’s, always available for take-out or eat in. Craving something else? Check out the amazing selection of cheeses at Wasik’s, authentic Italian food at Tutto Italiano or great deli sandwiches at the popular Linden Store.
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Year-round family-friendly activities and amenities
There’s always something to do in Wellesley. In the warmer months, residents hit Morses Pond for swimming, kayaking and sunbathing—season passes are just $100 per family. In the winter, locals head to the surrounding mountains for skiing, snowboarding, and tubing. And year-round residents enjoy taking walks through many of the trails and paths throughout town, covering 43 miles in all.
There’s also the Wellesley Sports Center coming in spring 2019 which will feature two NHL-size hockey rinks, two pools, a turf field, a fitness facility and more.
Wellesley has many sports programs and recreational offerings year round. Whether your child is interested in football, baseball, soccer, basketball, lacrosse, field hockey or dance, your child will have an activity here in any season.
Private clubs in Wellesley include Wellesley Country Club and Nehoiden Golf Club plus many others in nearby towns.
Wellesley is home to three colleges: Wellesley College, Babson College, and Mass Bay Community College. Many of the school clubs and teams utilize the college’s facilities for practices and games. And there is a walking path around Lake Waban on the Wellesley College campus…especially pretty to view the fall foliage!
And when you want to get out? Nantucket, Martha’s Vineyard, the Cape, New Hampshire, Vermont, Maine, and Rhode Island are within driving distance and have become popular vacation hotspots for residents.
If you are looking to meet people and get involved, check out the Wellesley Mothers Forum, the Wellesley Hills Junior Women’s Club, and your local school’s PTO. Wellesley is an active community with many ways to engage and give back.
It all starts with preschool
A love for learning starts with preschool in Wellesley, and there are some excellent options to choose from. Popular schools include:
Children’s Corner Nursery School
Montessori Children’s House of Wellesley
P.A.W.S. Preschool at Wellesley Schools
And finally, Wellesley likes to boast that it rarely loses power and if they do it is minimal. This is because Wellesley owns its own Light Plant, The Wellesley Municipal Light Plant (WMLP).
Choosing the right town to call “home” is the most important decision you’ll ever make—why go it alone? Get in touch and our expert Suburbs Strategists will help you navigate the ‘burbs and find the right town to call “home.”
Sources:
Barbara Hirsch, images