Melrose is a small city located approximately 7 miles north of Boston, offering residents a compromise between metropolitan Boston and the suburbs. The city has a charming downtown area, thriving business community, open spaces, and forest areas - giving it the vibes of the city but also a peaceful residential space. There is easy access for residents and commuters to I-93 and Route 1.
According to the city's official website,
"Melrose has a long-standing tradition of being self-sufficient, to support residents’ housing, education, employment, health, shopping, entertainment, recreation and leisure needs."
Melrose was first settled in 1682 and was originally part of Charleston and then Malden. It was incorporated as a town in 1850 and then later adopted as a city charter in 1900. The area was first known as Pond Feilde, named after its central body of water Ell Pond. With the arrival of the railroad in the 19th century, Melrose became a desirable location to live for those who worked in the Boston area.
Approximately 40% of the homes in Melrose were built before 1900 according to the city's website. Houses belonging to the first citizens still stand today. Melrose has a preservation committee and a historical district commission to maintain the local history.
The city offers an array of cultural facilities, recreational areas, and open spaces to the community. There is something to do for all ages. The Melrose Symphony Orchestra is the longest-running volunteer symphony orchestra in the country at over 100 years old and still puts on concerts currently. A lot of cultural community activities are also hosted at the city's own Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Hall, which is an 800-seat theater located in the downtown area.
Ell Pond lies just north of the downtown area and is known as the center of the city. It holds an annual festival each year. Melrose has many parks and open areas for picnics, playgrounds, and games including Melrose Common, Pine Banks Park, and Mount Hood Memorial Park. There are two golf courses in Melrose: Mount Hood (public) and Bellevue (private).
Melrose is predominantly a residential community with magnificent Victorian homes dating back to the early 1800s. It contains safe and friendly neighborhoods located close to parks and playgrounds. The city is small enough for residents in the community to get to know one another. According to the city's website,
"The spirit of community and dedication to both citizens and to surroundings makes Melrose a wonderful atmosphere of which to be a part."
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