Arlington, Massachusetts Real Estate

With its diverse and growing population of young families and professionals, Arlington is a popular location for its convenient location outside of Boston and its rich cultural and entertainment offerings.

The town was incorporated as “West Cambridge” in 1807. In 1867, the town renamed itself Arlington in honor of soldiers buried at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia. The town was the site of some of the worst Revolutionary War battles as the British retreated East towards Boston, and was the birthplace of Samuel Wilson, a Minuteman who fought at age nine, and who later became known as Uncle Sam. The town common and many historic sites and homes from the eighteenth and nineteenth-century have been well-preserved or reconstructed, such as the Whittemore-Robbins house , a mansion built in 1800.

Located within the Mystic River watershed, Arlington contains over 200 acres of public parkland, which are protected and preserved by the town, the municipality, and community organizations. The Menotomy Rocks Park offers a playground, walking trails, barbecue stations for grilling in the summer, and a pond for skating in winter and fishing in summer.

Skyline Park at Robbins Farm offers spectacular views of the Boston skyline, just six miles away. Every July 4, the town hosts a celebration where the fireworks over Boston can be seen in the distance or on big-screen televisions.

Open green spaces and bodies of water are treasured natural sanctuaries for Arlington residents and visitors. The 12-mile Minuteman bikeway runs from Arlington to Bedford, but riders can cross over a few streets to cycle all the way into Cambridge and Boston for a more challenging ride. A strong town recreation department includes a skating rink. Arlington also has a new park, Reeds Brook, with playing fields and a track.

Arlington’s public school system is very well regarded, with several newly built or completely renovated schools. Arlington is also home to the International School of Boston’s French Pre-school and Kindergarten, and an excellent home-schooling network as well. The public schools’ sports teams are very competitive and accomplished. Arlington boasts two libraries, the Robbins and the Fox, which are connected to area libraries as part of the Minuteman Network.

In 1837, the first free public library in Massachusetts was established in Arlington (then called West Cambridge). For adults, the Arlington Community Education programs include tai chi and yoga, financial planning, cooking and crafts. The Cyrus E. Dallin Museum showcases the work of the 19th century sculptor and resident best known for his statue of Paul Revere at the Old North Church in Boston, and the statue “Appeal to the Great Spirit” in front of the Museum of Fine Arts, also in Boston.

Arlington also boasts one of the top community theatre companies in the area, the Arlington Friends of the Drama, whose first-rate productions are well attended by residents and visitors alike. Cultural offerings also include the Capitol Theater, an independent art-house and repertory movie theatre. The Regent Theater showcases campy musicals, theatrical spoofs and comedy, as well as first-run international films.

Top-of-the-line Mediterranean and Asian restaurants can be found throughout Arlington and Arlington Heights. Gourmet food shopping is also available, as well as traditional supermarkets, deli markets, coffee shops and bakeries.
Public transportation into Boston and Cambridge is convenient and efficient, making Arlington a great choice for commuters!