Living in Wakefield
Wakefield is a town about 12.5 miles north-northwest of downtown Boston, bordered by Reading, Melrose, Stoneham, Lynnfield and Saugus. It was first settled in 1638 and later became South Reading. In 1868 the town took the name Wakefield in honor of Cyrus Wakefield, whose Rattan Works was a major local employer and who gave land and money for a new town hall. Even earlier, starting in 1851, the Boston Ice Company cut ice from Lake Quannapowitt.
Downtown, known as Wakefield Square, runs along Main Street from Wakefield Junction up to the southern shore of Lake Quannapowitt. Historic churches, the town common and local shops and restaurants give the center a classic New England look. The First Baptist Church, lost to a lightning fire in 2018, reopened in 2024, and Town Hall sits at 1 Lafayette Street.
Homes you will find
- Single-family homes on residential streets throughout town
- Older homes near the center and the lake, including a few historic houses from the town’s early years
- Two-family homes and condos, with options within reach of the train stations and downtown
Getting around
Wakefield has two stops on the MBTA Haverhill Line, Greenwood and Wakefield, with trains to North Station in Boston; the same line also stops in Melrose and Malden. MBTA bus route 137 also serves the town. Route 128/I-95 runs along the northwestern edge of Wakefield with several exits, and Route 129 runs through town as Main Street. Route 1 and I-93 are a short drive away in neighboring towns.
The lake and everyday life
Lake Quannapowitt, about 247 acres, is the town’s best-known natural feature. People use it for boating, kayaking, windsurfing and fishing, and the Quannapowitt Yacht Club, founded in 1886, sails there. Wakefield Common, just south of the lake, hosts summer concerts and community events such as Festival Italia. Breakheart Reservation is close by in Saugus. Crystal Lake, a drinking-water reservoir, is closed to recreation. The Wakefield History Museum on Prospect Street covers local history. Wakefield runs its own public school system, and families can contact Wakefield Public Schools directly for school details.
Who Wakefield suits
Wakefield is a good fit for commuters who want both a commuter rail stop and quick Route 128 access, buyers who want a traditional town center, and anyone who would enjoy walking, running or paddling around a lake close to home.
Curious about Wakefield? Ask Suad about recent sales and current listings, in English, Spanish (with Diana) or Bosnian.
