So, You Want to Live in Westwood, Massachusetts?
Just 23 miles from Boston, this leafy suburb is more than a bedroom community thanks to top-ranked schools and plenty of places to shop and eat.
Photo by Anthony Umbrianna / Umbrianna Media. Listing agent: Tammy M. DeWolfe, DeWolfe Group, Gibson Sotheby’s International Realty.
1. Pick Your Price Point
The housing market is extremely competitive in Westwood, with sales up more than 6 percent from last year. Single-family homes go fast, averaging about 15 days on the market. Properties here are on the costly side, with a median price of almost $1.16 million in 2024. Dated two- to three-bedroom homes fall within the $1 million range, while more modern ones, some with swimming pools and tennis courts, can come close to $10 million.
Joanne Rathe / The Boston Globe
2. Plot Your Commute
Westwood offers a relatively easy commute to Boston, especially when buzzing in on a 30-to-40-minute commuter-rail ride. Board the train at Westwood’s Route 128 stop on the Providence/Stoughton Line or the Islington stop on the Franklin/Foxborough Line and enjoy the ride into South Station. For those who prefer to travel by car, the drive is about 30 minutes. During rush hour, however, the time doubles to more than an hour.
Kyle Poli
3. Take in the Vibe
Washington Street is an entry point to Westwood’s multiple gathering spots, with easy access to dining and shopping from the Islington train stop. Walk over to Neroli Ristorante, which serves delicious Italian cuisine, or Wild Blossom for fresh sushi and Chinese food. Across town, University Station, an outdoor mall complex, is home to name-brand retailers. For a natural reprieve, Mulvehill Conservation Area offers abundant trails.
Joanne Rathe / The Boston Globe
4. Check out the Culture
Westwood boasts two public libraries: the Islington Branch and the Main Branch, which offers an art gallery featuring a new local artist each month. Residents can also check out the Fisher School House on High Street, a preserved one-room school from the 1800s that gives a glimpse into Westwood’s educational history. Each year around the holidays, the schoolhouse hosts local artisans selling their work.
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5. Scope out the Schools
Westwood’s public school teaching staff ranks number eight in the state, according to Niche, and students consistently excel in national tests, with Westwood High School finishing No. 27 in our Top Public High Schools in Greater Boston ranking. The district includes four elementary schools, one middle school, and one high school. Xaverian Brothers High School is a Catholic all-boys private school for grades 7 through 12. For a preschool option, the Westwood Montessori School provides a nurturing environment for kids ages 3 to 6.
This article was first published in the print edition of the November 2025 issue with the headline: “So You Want to Live in…Westwood.”
