About twelve miles southwest of Boston, the hustle and bustle slows down and amid the dramatic hills and woodlands of Norfolk County. Here Boston commuters and rural souls seek a quieter life, frequently in two first-class exurbs Westwood and Needham. Both feature excellent schools, family-friendly atmosphere, and charming lifestyles. But as can happen in Massachusetts, each town manifests these characteristics in very different ways. So if you’re looking at homes in Norfolk County, which one will suit you better - Westwood or Needham?
Westwood
Westwood embodies the peaceful Massachusetts suburb. Smaller and more spread out than Needham, people come here to stretch out - there’s more space, privacy, and greenery, more peace and quiet than in Needham and certainly Boston.
A more car-dependent residential community, Westwood commercial activity is grouped around concentrated pockets, like the shopping/dining/office hub University Center, as well as more traditional town squares Islington Center and High Street.
The star of the Westwood show are its parks and preserves. Hale Education and Lowell Woods provide hundreds of acres to hike, camp, and discover nature, while Buckmaster Pond comes to life in the warm weather with boating, fishing, and ball games on municipal sports courts.
Needham
If Westwood is a suburban retreat, Needham is village perfection. You’ll still find quiet residential streets in this larger town, but the focal point of social and commercial life is the bustling Needham Center, an adorable downtown packed with shops, restaurants, commercial activity, and a commuter rail station - all within walking distance of nearby residential avenues.
It isn’t just Needham Center, either. Secondary hubs like Needham Heights, Needham Junction, Great Plain Avenue, and Highland Avenue add to the ambiance of a walkable, manageable village where you can always run into friends and neighbors on a pleasant weekend of window-shopping and cafe lifestyle.
It’s more than just dining and retail therapy out here, though. Needham is a favorite haunt for employees of Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital–Needham, as well as community support for nearby Babson College and Olin College of Engineering. Needham even has a notable business footprint - TripAdvisor, SharkNinja, and NBCUniversal all have offices here. If you want the experience of a lively small town, with thriving street-level activity all week long, Needham is the place.
Bottom Line
Westwood and Needham offer two distinctly different takes on suburban life within a short drive or train ride from Boston. In Westwood, you have space, nature, and residential tranquility. In Needham you have a more tranquil version of the Boston pedestrian street vibe in cheerful downtown squares, sometimes steps away from your peaceful residential neighborhood.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What kinds of homes will I find in Westwood and Needham?
A: The housing stock in more residential Westwood consists mostly of single-family residences. You will find Colonials, Capes, ranch homes, and some newer builds, mostly situated on larger lots. Some newer townhomes and condos are available.
Despite its more walkable character, Needham is also mostly single-family homes, including Colonials, Tudors, and Capes, many of them renovated. Needham tends to feature smaller lots than in Westwood.
Q: What are home prices like in Westwood and Needham?
A: Homes in Westwood have had a medium closing price of $1.2M in the past months at a price-per-square-foot of $498. Needham is more competitive, with the median price sitting at $1.7M at $532 per square foot. Home prices change as the market evolves, so reach out to us for current prices.
Q: What is the commute to Boston like?
A: The more car-dependent Westwood offers easy access to I-95, I-93, and Route 128. The commute to Boston ranges around 30 minutes in clear traffic, but watch out for Rush Hour. If you prefer the train, Route 128 gives residents access to the MBTA Commuter Rail, as well as Amtrak.
Needham also features convenient access to I-95 and Route 128, but the town is better-served by train, with four MBTA Commuter Rail Stations offering direct access to Boston.
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