Apartments for Rent in Medford, MA

Despite the fact it is home to a university with over 10,000 students enrolled, this town is much more than just a college town. This is a near perfect neighborhood for young professionals, students, and families alike. It is close enough to Boston to be a commuter town, but also has many great parks and schools which makes it a haven for families too. Medford is brimming with history as it is full of 17th century churches and aging yet charming homes.However, if you prefer to rent a more modern dwelling, there are definitely options for you here as well.

One thing you will definitely notice about Medford is just how proud of their little town residents are. They have spirit unlike many others and will be quick to tell you that the creator of the roller skates came from their little community. Many families have lived here for generations and will be quick to brag about their town and its long history. The overall pace of this neighborhood is slower than what you might expect with it being only a few miles from Boston. Residents live a more simple life and you definitely feel like you are hours and hours away from the commotion and busy “feel” that you often get in Boston or other suburbs closer to the heart of Boston. There are also more parks in this town than you know what to do with, which only adds to the small-town charm in Medford.

Medford was originally settled in 1630 as a part of Cambridge. The area was initially called Mistick (as it resides on the Mystic River). It began as a private property of only two families, but then it eventually became separated over a few new owners and families. Soon enough, these families began to meet and make decisions independent of the Charlestown meetings. Over the years, it eventually became its own independent town and area. In 1892, Medford became a city and was an industry center as brick, rum, tile and many other things were manufactured in the town. In the present day, a majority of Medford is made up of residential areas, but there is also some downtown and urban areas present there too.

The cost of living in Medford is a bit more expensive than the state average, but it’s about what you can expect from the other Boston commuting towns and cities nearby. Even the rent in this neighborhood is not quite as offensive as other areas close to Boston. While this is still fairly expensive compared to most in the country, Medford has a prestigious university, lots of schools and parks for families and is close to Boston, which are all things that make it an attractive place to live, which is why the rent isn’t so terrible.

Because of the fact that Medford is only a few miles north of Boston, there are a number of different public transportation routes that go throughout Medford and extend into Boston and surrounding cities. Whether you like the bus or the subway, both are viable options here.

The parks and architecture throughout the neighborhood also provide a great backdrop for taking a stroll throughout the town. While the town is too big to walk from one end to the other too often, it is quiet enough that each neighborhood within the town is walkable in its own right. Most streets are accompanied by sidewalks, which makes walking and biking a pleasure in Medford.

Like many of these commuter towns and cities surrounding Boston, driving is the most common and viable way of getting around. Because the towns are quiet, the roads are normally free and clear to drive and there is ample parking. Also, there are numerous roads that go directly to Boston which make driving there a breeze. Those are just some of the reasons why nearly 75% of residents in the neighborhood drive or carpool to work.

• Tufts University
• Harvard University
• Massachusetts Institute of Technology

• Fellsway Plaza is a popular outdoor shopping center with a variety of different retail stores, restaurants, and grocery stores to check out.
• To the north of this town, you will find the Middlesex Fells Reservation. This is a giant public recreational area that spans over 2000 acres. The park has over 100 miles of trails to explore, fishing, boat rentals, Wright’s Tower (a large observation tower) and more.
• The Royall House is a historic house in Medford that is the only surviving slave quarters in the state. It is very well preserved and now serves as a non-profit museum that is open to the public.
• The Tufts University Art Gallery is home to an impressive permanent collection of art and numerous different exhibits that come and go every few weeks. If you are located in Medford and want to check out some great art, this is the place to go. The rest of the Tufts University campus is also very interesting to check out.