Arlington

Welcome to Arlington

A hip and trendy town near Boston and Cambridge with plenty of diversity

Arguably most famous for being the birthplace of Samuel Wilson (known as “Uncle Sam”), Arlington is full of history as well as plenty of proud residents who enjoy welcoming newcomers to their community.

Arlington was originally named Menotomy, an Algonquian word that means “swift running water.” As well as being the birthplace of Uncle Sam, it was also the site of an American Revolution battle that was bloodier than both the Battles of Lexington and Concord combined. Today, Arlington is a thriving community of 43,000. Located just eight miles from Boston, Arlington is a popular town for those who work and play in the city but want a quieter suburban life at home.

The typical home value in Arlington is $821,000, which is up almost eight percent from the previous year and is expected to rise another 10-11% in 2021.

What to Love

• Town Tavern is a local favorite for its delicious food made from scratch, live music and games, and rotating craft beer selection
•  Acitron Cocina Mexican is a trendy restaurant that fuses traditional Mexican cuisine with locally-sourced meats, seafood, and veggies
• Cycling enthusiasts love Quad Cycles, a full-service bicycle shop that caters to riders whether they are beginners or pros
  
  

People & Lifestyle

Residents who live in Arlington love their homes—a mix of Queen Anne, Colonial, and Victorian—as well as the deep historical roots of their city. They also enjoy a lifestyle that is a combination of small-town suburban living with all the excitement and opportunity of nearby Boston and Cambridge. The majority of Arlington residents make the quick commute to jobs in the city, giving the town a hip and modern feel.

Families in Arlington stay active by kayaking or walking around Spy Pond Park, strolling around the East Arlington neighborhood and stopping at coffee shops, or taking in shows at the 1920s-era Capitol Theatre,

Dining, Entertainment & Shopping

Arlington has a wide array of dining options. Locals enjoy the spicy dishes at Acitron as well as the made-to-order fare at Town Tavern. Blue Ribbon BBQ is another favorite. This restaurant is inspired by classic roadside BBQ joints, serving authentic Southern regional menu items like brisket rollups, sticky ribs, and buffalo chicken mac n’ cheese.

Thai Moon is another popular restaurant in Arlington. Their unique signature dishes include Siam Splendor, Beef Typhoon, and Thunder Chicken. For breakfast pastries, desserts, or bread, the place to go in Arlington is locally-owned bakery Quebrada. Favorites are the currant scones, chocolate croissants, and berry butter coffee cake.

When residents shop locally, they stop in at the Arlington Village Shops or head to Arlington Centered for fun gifts. Helena’s is also a popular choice for women’s fashion and accessories.

Things to Do

If you’re into history, there is plenty to explore in Arlington. You can stop by the Arlington Historical Commission and get their 29-page list of homes in the historic district to stroll by or go on into the historic Jefferson Cutter House that now houses the Cyrus E. Dallin Art Museum.

In the summer, families can look forward to the annual Arlington Bubblefest, a community celebration produced by the Arlington Center for the Arts. This live music festival is fun for all ages. Another family-friendly annual event is Town Day, a festival that takes place along Arlington’s main street from morning to late afternoon.

Arlington’s active residents love the Minuteman Bikeway, a 10-mile paved trail that goes through Bedford, Arlington, Lexington, and Cambridge and directly through the area where the American Revolution started. You can walk, run, bike, or even skate on this historic strip.

Schools

Arlington is home to several excellent schools. Top educational opportunities include:

• Ottoson Middle School, for kids in seventh and eighth grades, is ranked #50 in best public middle schools in the state
• Arlington High School teaches kids in ninth through twelfth grades and is given an overall A rating from Niche.com
•  Tufts University is a mere 2.8 miles from Arlington. The university is recognized as a “new Ivy League” school and is ranked #30 of the best national universities