Across the Charles River from Boston, connected by pedestrian bridges and the T, lies one of the most celebrated college towns in the world. Iconic Cambridge is, of course, home to Harvard University and MIT, and an historic cradle of innovation and liberal thinking. It’s also a highly walkable city of neighborhoods, striking design and myriad housing options—for those who’d rather live Boston-adjacent.
The Cambridge Real Estate Market
Like so much of the Boston area, Cambridge’s origins reach back almost 400 years. Founded by one of the original Puritan colonists of the Massachusetts Bay Colony, Cambridge farmland had become prime industrial and residential real estate by the early 1800s. And by the mid 1800s, anchored by a wide industrial base, it was a city of neighborhoods that housed people at every income level.
Of course, heavy industry left Cambridge by the mid 20th century, to be replaced by today’s thriving high-tech economy. But its dense and interesting neighborhoods remain. Many homes surround Cambridge’s famous squares: Inman, Porter, Kendall, Harvard, Brattle and more, dotted with historic buildings and unique public spaces.
Busy and bustling, Cambridge today offers sought-after modern architecture, private estates, cozy single-family houses and everything in between.
Lifestyle
Cambridge is easily one of the most interesting cities in New England. Its colleges and universities host cultural offerings from lectures to film festivals, well as the world-renowned Harvard Art Museums. It boasts great shopping, top-ranked public schools and fascinating nooks and crannies to discover.
Perennially youthful and exciting, Cambridge coffee houses and restaurants have seen everything from the 1960s folk scene to the farm-to-table movement. Meanwhile, Cambridge’s innovation economy shows no sign of slowing. It continues to lure bright young people from across the globe —as well as the engaged, liberal-minded citizens who jokingly call it “The People’s Republic of Cambridge.”
Yet for such a high-energy urban environment, Cambridge is also a haven for dog walkers, bicyclists, leaf peepers and river lovers. Bounded by Belmont, Watertown, Somerville and Arlington, alongside the serene Charles River, Cambridge offers a very different pace and flavor from its neighbor across the water.
Is Now A Good Time To Buy In Cambridge?
Cambridge is a perennially-desirable area for real estate. With its universities and high-tech incubators, its proximity to Boston, its varied architecture—and its AAA bond credit rating—Cambridge is thriving. And can be quite pricey. However, covering as it does such a widely diverse area, with its range of condos, single families and multi-families, there are always opportunities to find the perfect home in Cambridge.
