Bedford Massachusetts Real Estate

The town of Bedford isn’t overshadowed by its illustrious neighbors, because it has developed into its own unique blend of rural community and bustling town. At the Center is as perfect a Colonial village as can be found anywhere, with an impressive Common, an appealing historic district and several national landmarks. And radiating out from that hub is a diverse and welcoming place to call “home.”

Carved out of Billerica and Concord in 1729 the town has a cherished past, a vibrant present, and a bright future. The “Bedford Flag” which was immortalized in Ralph Waldo Emerson’s “ Concord Hymn” witnessed the birth of the United States and is preserved on display in the Bedford Public Library. Today, homes are for the most part moderately priced, with a pleasing mix of preserved period architecture and gracious new construction set on large, beautifully wooded lots.

The town is known for being friendly and community-minded. Bedford was the first town in the area to pass the Community Preservation Act (CPA), which guarantees matching state funds earmarked for historic preservation, open spaces, and affordable housing.

Bedford’s excellent public school system is second to none in its commitment to excellence and sends students on to the nation’s most selective colleges and universities. Academic performance at Bedford schools consistently ranks well above the state averages. Facilities are either new or recently renovated and feature state-of-the-art amenities.

Bedford exudes a country feel, with beautifully preserved natural landscapes and open spaces. There is a public boat launch on the Concord River and the town’s scenic Fawn Lake was once the site of the Sweetwater Hotel, an idyllic retreat for Boston’s privileged classes. Today it is open to the townspeople who come to canoe, kayak, fish, or just enjoy the view.

Conservation land includes Springs Brook, adjacent to the newly-refurbished Springs Brook Park, which features a spring-fed man-made swimming pond, a sandy beach, a bathhouse, a large picnic area, and a sprinkler park for young children.
The Minuteman Bikeway, a popular 12-mile paved bike path between Bedford and Cambridge attracts runners, cyclists, walkers, bladders, and cross-country skiers. Hardy cyclists can pedal all the way to Boston.

The town boasts of a robust Recreation Department that sponsors a wide array of programs and activities for all ages, many of them held in the stunning renovated antique which was the traditional Town Hall beside the Bedford Common. A proud claim to fame is that Bedford was named as one of 2007’s “100 Best Communities for Young People” by America’s Promise – The Alliance for Youth, which was founded and is mentored by Gen. Colin Powell.

The charms of Bedford are rounded out by the quality of its uniformed services, the plentiful shopping, the dozens of nearby restaurants, and the short drive to Emerson Hospital and Lahey Clinic. When you add to all that the proximity to Boston, Cape Cod, and the mountains north and west there is no place better to put down the roots of a lifetime.

Bedford’s charm is enhanced by its Revolutionary War history. It boasts the oldest complete American flag in the United States, on display in its library. Each year in April the Bedford Minuteman Company participates in re-enactments of the early battles of the Revolutionary War. Other town celebrations include a street fair and festival held in September, where the town celebrates its history and diversity.

Arlington | Bedford | Concord | Lexington