Medford, MA 02155
Medford Real Estate
The Mystic River and Lakes, the Middlesex Fells, Tufts and the Chevalier Theatre
Updated
- ZIP codes
- 02155
- Getting around
- Green Line at Medford/Tufts and Ball Square; Orange Line at Wellington; Lowell Line commuter rail at West Medford
- Typical homes
- Colonial and Victorian single-families, many two-families, condo conversions, and apartment and condo buildings near Wellington
Medford was settled in 1630 on the banks of the Mystic River and became a city in 1892. In the 1800s its riverside yards built hundreds of ships, including fast clipper ships, and the town was also known for its rum. That history survives in house museums like the Royall House and Slave Quarters, which preserves one of the only remaining freestanding quarters for enslaved people in the North, and in the story that "Jingle Bells" was written here.
Medford Square is the traditional downtown, with the Chevalier Theatre hosting concerts and shows, and the Condon Shell staging summer performances on the riverbank. The Mystic River Reservation follows the water through the city, the Mystic Lakes sit along the western edge, and the Middlesex Fells Reservation covers the rocky, wooded north. Tufts University's hilltop campus straddles the Somerville line, and the city's sections, among them West Medford, South Medford, Wellington and Fulton Heights, each have their own small commercial strips.
Medford is unusual in having three kinds of rail. The Green Line now ends at Medford/Tufts, the Orange Line stops at Wellington near the Mystic, and Lowell Line trains stop in West Medford. Which of these a home is near largely shapes how its owners commute.
Living in Medford
What makes Medford special
Middlesex Fells
The large state reservation along Medford's northern edge has rocky trails, reservoirs and Wright's Tower, shared with Malden, Melrose, Stoneham and Winchester.
Mystic River and Lakes
Riverside paths in the Mystic River Reservation and the Mystic Lakes on the Arlington and Winchester line offer paddling, walking and summer swimming.
Medford Square
The city's historic downtown along the Mystic, home to the Chevalier Theatre and a row of independent restaurants and shops.
Three rail lines
Green Line at Medford/Tufts and Ball Square, Orange Line at Wellington, and Lowell Line commuter rail at West Medford.
Colonial-era houses
The Royall House and Slave Quarters and the Peter Tufts House are among the city's surviving 17th- and 18th-century buildings.
The Market
Medford homes & real estate
Medford's housing is largely early 20th century, and two-family houses are common in South Medford, near Tufts and around the Green Line, many of them now split into condos. West Medford and the Fulton Heights and Lawrence Estates areas near the Fells have more single-family Colonials, Victorians and Capes on hillier, more spacious lots. Larger apartment and condo complexes are clustered at Wellington and Station Landing near the Orange Line and along the Mystic River.
Buyers should note which transit line a home actually connects to, since a short walk to Medford/Tufts, Wellington or the West Medford train is valued differently from a bus-only location. Two-unit condo associations deserve the same scrutiny as any condo, and homes near the Mystic or the Malden River can sit in flood zones. When you're ready to see what comparable Medford homes have closed for recently, we would be happy to share the details.
Helpful guides: First-time buyer guideHow offers work in MassachusettsMortgage options by property typeSelling a house in Massachusetts
Getting around: Green Line guideOrange Line guide
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
What ZIP code covers Medford?
Most Medford addresses use 02155. West Medford's post office uses 02156 for post office boxes only, and 02153 is a post office box ZIP associated with Tufts University.
How do you get to downtown Boston from Medford?
The Orange Line from Wellington runs through Sullivan Square to North Station and Downtown Crossing, the Green Line from Medford/Tufts runs through Somerville and Lechmere into downtown, and Lowell Line trains from West Medford go straight to North Station. Interstate 93 also runs through the city.
What types of homes are for sale in Medford?
Expect two-family houses and two-unit condos, single-family Colonials and Victorians, especially in West Medford and near the Fells, and condos in larger buildings around Wellington.
What is Medford known for?
Medford is known for its shipbuilding history on the Mystic River, Tufts University, the Middlesex Fells, the Chevalier Theatre and the claim that "Jingle Bells" was written here.
When did the Green Line come to Medford?
The Medford Branch of the Green Line Extension opened in December 2022, ending at Medford/Tufts station near the Tufts campus with a stop at Ball Square on the Somerville line.
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