- Should You Move to Brookline, MA?
No other U.S. city has made such a drastic transition in population growth than Boston. Boston has been experiencing phenomenal growth, and the surrounding neighborhoods and suburbs of Boston are riding the city’s coattails. Brookline, MA, is located a mere 15 minutes from Boston, giving residents a cozy, small-town feel with the benefits of being in close quarters to a major metropolis.
- Demographics and History
A little under 60,000 people call Brookline their home, and there are about 9,000 people per square mile in the suburb. The area has an even split between married and single people, with half of all married couples having children under the age of 18. The city has a very young median age, which is aligned with the fact that so many children live in Brookline. The median age for the town is only 33.6 years old. The state-wide median age in Massachusetts is 39.1 and rising. Over 80% of Brookline’s residents hold a bachelor’s degree, and over half have a master’s degree.
- Brookline Job Market
If you’re packing your belongings, calling Massachusetts moving companies, and eyeing-up Brookline real estate, you’ll be pleased to know that finding a job here isn’t too hard. There are tons of professional jobs in Brookline and throughout the Boston region. Since Brookline residents are highly educated, they get to enjoy a median household income of more than $102,000 per year. The average income per capita in Brookline is slightly higher than the national average, at more than $61,000 per year. While the national unemployment rate in the U.S. is 4.7%, in Brookline it is only 3.2%. Education, science, technology, healthcare, and professional sectors are the largest industries in the region. Also, the Boston area is home to some of the country’s most prestigious hospitals and healthcare institutions. Management and business and financial operations are some of the most common professional titles in Brookline, and the job market is growing.
- Brookline Schools
Brookline is home to eight different high schools and over 52 different schools. However, the only public high school in Brookline is Brookline High School (BHS), which is highly rated. Students who graduate from BHS demonstrate higher test scores than the state average, and the school provides students with access to 18 different AP courses. The school also allows students to attend classes that are beyond their grade level, which teach to their skillset. This helps students better prepare for college and life beyond high school.
- Cost of Living
While Brookline does enjoy a more robust job market and higher pay scales than the national average, it also has to deal with a higher cost of living, too. Housing is the most expensive part of living in the neighborhood. A home in Brookline will have a median value of more than $758,000 - double for the entire state of Massachusetts, and four times the national average.
Prefer to rent instead of own? That will also cost you more than the national average. Renting an apartment in Brookline costs an average of 2,000 dollars per month. It’s still cheaper than owning a house, which is probably why half of all Brookline residents rent instead of own.
Brookline is located in an area that sees some severe Nor’Easter storms, dumping an average of 54 inches of snow on Brookline’s heads. Winters are brutal, so pack accordingly. However, it’s pretty sunny in this part of the country, and Brookline averages more than 200 sunny days per year. Consumer goods and services are also more expensive in Brookline, at more than 30% of the national average, and up to 10% higher than the state average. The fact that Brookline is so close to Boston can explain why consumer goods are a little more expensive here.
- Brookline Neighborhoods
Coolidge Corner, Washington Square and Brookline Village give residents a good mix of both urban and suburban living. There are many beautiful homes for sale in these neighborhoods, but they are also chock full of stores, boutiques, and other economic activity. Residents will get to enjoy access to lots of kosher goods and eateries. Fisher Hill is one of the best neighborhoods in Brookline if you’re looking to reproduce your upscale lifestyle in Massachusetts. This part of the community offers a range of estate-style homes, where residents are insulated from the noise and activity of the city. These homes are also older, offering residents access to beautiful and unique historic architecture and features. South Brookline is more rural and was originally home to the area’s farmers. The plots have since been divided up for smaller residential properties, but they are still very large thanks to conservation efforts. If you’re planning a move to Brookline, an experienced local real estate agent can help you narrow down which neighborhood will be the right fit you. Keep these facts about Brookline in mind when searching for your dream home in Massachusetts.
