Living in Belmont
Belmont is a mostly residential town just west of Cambridge, bordered by Arlington, Lexington, Waltham and Watertown. It was incorporated in 1859 from parts of neighboring towns and named after Bellmont, the estate of John Perkins Cushing. In 1880, its easternmost section near Fresh Pond became part of Cambridge. Its motto is “The Town of Homes,” and the town has stayed mostly residential as it grew from large estates into neighborhoods served by trolley lines and improved roads.
Daily life centers on three small squares. Belmont Center is the civic hub and home to Town Hall. Cushing Square sits on the south side of town, and Waverley Square is to the west. Belmont Hill, in the northern part of town, is known for its large estate homes.
Homes you will find
- Two-family homes, many built between the late 1890s and about 1930 on single-family-size lots
- Victorians and classic colonials
- Tudors and Arts and Crafts houses, plus some newer construction
- Larger estate homes on Belmont Hill
Getting around
The MBTA Fitchburg Line commuter rail stops at two stations in town, Belmont Center and Waverley, with trains to North Station in Boston in about 16 minutes. MBTA buses also serve Belmont, including routes 74 and 75 at Belmont Center and route 73 at Waverley. Alewife station on the Red Line is just over the line in Cambridge. Route 2 runs along much of the northern edge of town, Route 60 (Pleasant Street) runs through the middle, and I-95/Route 128 is a short drive away.
Parks, open space and everyday life
Belmont has more open land than its size suggests. Rock Meadow and Habitat are popular conservation areas, and parts of the McLean Hospital grounds are open to the public. Clay Pit Pond, off Concord Avenue, was created by reclaiming a former dump and quarry. The town also has a number of playing fields, and the Belmont Public Library runs a branch in the former Cushing estate. Belmont runs its own public school system, and families can contact Belmont Public Schools directly for school information.
Who Belmont suits
Belmont is a good fit for commuters who want a quick train ride to North Station, buyers who like older homes with character, and people who want conservation land and small village squares close by. Buyers looking at two-families on residential streets will also find options here.
Curious about Belmont? Ask Suad about recent sales and current listings, in English, Spanish (with Diana) or Bosnian.
