Living in Brockton
Brockton is a city in Plymouth County, about 22 miles south of Boston, and one of the county’s two county seats. It is a major commercial center for the southern part of Greater Boston and borders Avon, Holbrook, Abington, Whitman, East Bridgewater, West Bridgewater, Easton and Stoughton. The area was once part of Bridgewater; it became the town of North Bridgewater in 1821, was renamed Brockton in 1874 and became a city in 1881.
During the Civil War, Brockton was the largest shoe producer in the country, and its shoe and leather industry stayed large until the late 20th century. On October 1, 1883, Brockton became the first place in the world with a three-wire underground electrical system, switched on by Thomas Edison. The city is often called the “City of Champions,” thanks to boxers Rocky Marciano and Marvin Hagler and the Brockton High School sports programs.
Homes you will find
- Queen Anne two-family homes from the late 1800s, the classic Brockton house type
- Queen Anne and Colonial Revival three-deckers, especially in Montello and along Main Street toward Campello
- Craftsman-style and architect-designed homes on the west side, on streets such as West Elm, Moraine, Ash and Belmont
- Dutch Colonial, Colonial Revival and Tudor Revival houses in established western neighborhoods
- Older cottages and single-family homes on outer streets across the city
Getting around
The MBTA commuter rail’s Fall River/New Bedford Line runs north to south through Brockton, with three stations in the city: Montello, Brockton and Campello, and service to South Station. Brockton Area Transit runs local buses, plus routes to Ashmont station on the Red Line and a connection in Montello to Braintree station. Route 24, a six-lane highway, runs along the west side of the city with exits at Routes 27 and 123, Route 28 runs north to south through the center, and Route 37 begins in the city.
Parks and everyday life
D.W. Field Park is the city’s largest park, an Olmsted-inspired landscape with ponds, Waldo Lake and a golf course. Downtown Brockton centers on Main Street, with City Hall, the Snow Fountain and Clock and a Carnegie main library, and the city has invested in downtown development. The Fuller Craft Museum, the South Street Historic District and Campanelli Stadium are other local landmarks. Annual events include a summer concert series, the Downtown Brockton Arts and Music Festival in late August, and Towerfest on Columbus Day weekend. Massasoit Community College is also in Brockton. Brockton runs its own public school system, and families can contact Brockton Public Schools directly for school details.
Who Brockton suits
Brockton suits buyers who want more space within commuter rail reach of Boston, owner-occupants considering a two- or three-family home, and investors looking at multi-family and income property south of the city.
Thinking about Brockton? Ask Suad about recent sales and what is on the market now, in English, Spanish (with Diana) or Bosnian.
