Melrose, MA 02176
Melrose Real Estate
Victorian streets, Ell Pond, Mount Hood and three Haverhill Line stops, with Oak Grove at the city line
Updated
- ZIP codes
- 02176
- Getting around
- Haverhill Line commuter rail at Wyoming Hill, Melrose/Cedar Park and Melrose Highlands; Orange Line at Oak Grove on the Malden line; MBTA bus routes
- Typical homes
- Queen Anne and Colonial Revival Victorians, early 1900s Colonials and two-families, mid-century capes, and condos near downtown
Melrose took shape as a railroad suburb in the second half of the 1800s, when the Boston and Maine line made it easy to commute into the city. Many of the grandest Queen Anne and Colonial Revival houses were built in that era, especially on the east side, and they still give much of the city its look. Hills frame Melrose on both sides, with the Middlesex Fells to the west and Mount Hood rising to the east.
Main Street is the commercial spine, running past Ell Pond, the granite Memorial Hall from 1912 and a stretch of shops and restaurants downtown. The Haverhill Line follows the valley with three stops in town, and the Orange Line terminus at Oak Grove sits right on the Malden border. Mount Hood Memorial Park has a public golf course and a stone tower with views east toward the Boston skyline and Massachusetts Bay.
Because three commuter rail stations and the Orange Line all serve the city, buyers often narrow their search by which one they would actually use. Someone heading to North Station on a schedule may favor the Highlands or Cedar Park, while a buyer who wants all-day subway service might look at streets within reach of Oak Grove.
Living in Melrose
What makes Melrose special
Victorian architecture
Late nineteenth-century Queen Anne and Colonial Revival homes line streets on the east side and around Wyoming Hill and the Highlands.
Ell Pond
The city's largest pond, named for its L shape, sits along Main Street just north of downtown with green space on its banks.
Mount Hood
Mount Hood Memorial Park includes a public golf course and a 1934 stone tower with long views toward Boston and the ocean.
Rail and Orange Line
Wyoming Hill, Melrose/Cedar Park and Melrose Highlands stations run to North Station, and Oak Grove on the Orange Line is at the city's southern edge.
Downtown Main Street
Independent shops, cafés and restaurants line Main Street, with the granite Memorial Hall as a downtown landmark.
Middlesex Fells
The western side of the city borders the Middlesex Fells Reservation, with trail access from nearby streets.
The Market
Melrose homes & real estate
Melrose is predominantly single-family and two-family. The east side has many of the city's larger Victorians, while Wyoming Hill and the Highlands mix Victorians with early 1900s Colonials and foursquares. Two-families and smaller Colonials fill many blocks closer to the rail line, and mid-century capes and ranches appear toward the edges of the city. Condominiums include units in converted Victorians and two-families plus newer buildings near downtown and the commuter rail stations.
In a city with this many older homes, expect conversations about original windows, slate roofs, porches and heating systems. Two-family buyers should look at how units are metered and whether the property has been condominiumized. Off-street parking varies by street, and some houses on steep lots have limited driveways. Distance to Oak Grove versus the commuter rail is another useful filter. We're glad to share current Melrose sales data and talk through what it means for you.
Helpful guides: First-time buyer guideHow offers work in MassachusettsMortgage options by property typeSelling a house in Massachusetts
Getting around: Commuter rail townsOrange Line guide
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
What ZIP codes cover Melrose?
Melrose is covered by the 02176 ZIP code.
How do you get to downtown Boston from Melrose?
The Haverhill Line stops at Melrose Highlands, Melrose/Cedar Park and Wyoming Hill and runs to North Station. The Orange Line from Oak Grove, on the Malden line, goes through downtown Boston stops such as State and Downtown Crossing.
What types of homes are for sale in Melrose?
Melrose listings include Victorian single-families, early twentieth-century Colonials, two-families, mid-century capes and ranches, and condos in both converted houses and newer buildings.
What is Melrose known for?
Melrose is known for its Victorian homes, Ell Pond, Mount Hood Memorial Park and its stone tower, Memorial Hall on Main Street, and three commuter rail stations plus nearby Oak Grove on the Orange Line.
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