Welcome to Chestnut Hill, MA
The Massachusetts village of Chestnut Hill, known as one of the most popular communities in Greater Boston, remains one of the most celebrated and protected villages in New England. Home to breathtaking luxury residences, varied architectural styles, as well as numerous shopping plazas and upscale dining, this village located a mere six miles southwest of Boston's downtown is now a vibrant, cultural hub.
History
Since the Hammond family first settled it in 1665, part of the allure of Chestnut Hill is due to the preservation of its rich history. At one time split between Newton and Boston, Chestnut Hill was ceded to Boston in the 1800s, leading to far more residential and commercial developments. The village itself now rests partially within multiple municipal entities, including three counties: Brookline in Norfolk County; Newton in Middlesex County; and both the Brighton and West Roxbury neighborhoods of Boston in Suffolk County.
Boston College, a top-ranked, private Jesuit research university founded in 1863, still today attracts many residential hopefuls and their aspiring students that anticipate pursuing their higher education within its famed walls. In fact, the small liberal arts college's main campus features some of North America's earliest examples of collegiate gothic architecture. In one area of this affluent and idyllic neighborhood known to residents as “Old Chestnut Hill Historic District,” residents can enjoy preserved 19th and early 20th century homes in the historic residential center of its Newton borders. Among the many architectural periods and styles known to last in Chestnut Hill are the Georgian, Colonial, and Revival structures. With the Chestnut Hill Local Historic District established in 1991 to preserve and extend the life of its historic architecture, both new and established residents will be able to enjoy the beauty of this warm and inviting neighborhood and its defining characteristics for many years to come.
Why Chestnut Hill
Chestnut Hill was originally named for its series of small hills overlooking the 135-acre Chestnut Hill Reservoir. Today, Chestnut Hill's claim to fame extends to its list of illustrious residents, including former NFL quarterback Tom Brady, as well as Red Sox and Liverpool F.C. principal owner John W. Henry. Athletes of a different sort may also want to call Chestnut Hill home as the Boston Marathon, the world's oldest annual marathon, includes the village in its route. With an even greater emphasis on academics, the educational institutions in Chestnut Hill draw many new residents looking to share in its history, most notably for the highly-selective Boston College.
There are several popular shopping districts or plazas, as they may also be called, within Chestnut Hill itself. If you're looking to expand your culinary palette or experience luxury services, The Street at Chestnut Hill or The Shops at Chestnut Hill are centers that will keep you coming back for more. If you're wanting to shop and dine on a smaller scale, Chestnut Hill Square and The Shops at Putterham are perfect for a more local, low-key experience. Cleveland Circle, Newton Centre, Newton Highlands, and the Needham Street Shopping Corridor round out the local options with a few more popular chain restaurants, stores, and markets like Chipotle, HomeGoods, CVS, and more.
To learn more about some of the amenities, transportation systems, and academic institutions Chestnut Hill has to offer and see why this sought-after village has stood the test of time visit our Chestnut Hill community guide, read about top including Chestnut Hill schools private and public PreK-12 and higher education, and discover luxury shopping and fine-dining with our local resources.
Find Your Forever Home in Chestnut Hill
There are many reasons why you should consider moving to Brookline, or Newton, from our excellent public and private schools to lovely preserved historic buildings, architecturally diverse residences, and scenic grounds. If you are considering purchasing or selling a home in Chestnut Hill or perhaps Brookline or Newton or if you simply want to learn more about Chestnut Hill, MA real estate, I can handle all of your questions.
Chestnut Hill Community Guide
Neighborhood: Chestnut Hill, zip code 02467
Counties: Norfolk, Middlesex, and Suffolk
Municipalities: Brookline, Newton, and Boston
Area: 4.87 sq. mi.
Population: 22,982 (2020)
Demographics: The breakdown of racial and ethnic groups are: White (68.1%); Asian (16.0%); Hispanic (6.8%). The median age for residents is 27. In 2020, the median household income of households was $150,223.
Brief History: Chestnut Hill was first settled by the Hammond family in 1665, and since then the preservation of Chestnut Hill's districts and culture makes it a sought-after neighborhood for its rich history. At one time split between Newton and Boston, Chestnut Hill was ceded to Boston in the 1800s, leading to far more residential and commercial developments. The village itself now rests primarily within two municipal entities: Brookline in Norfolk County; Newton in Middlesex County.
Area Info: The name Chestnut Hill originally comes from its series of small hills overlooking the 135-acre Chestnut Hill Reservoir. Today, the zip code 02467 Chestnut Hill is an affluent neighborhood of Brookline, Newton, and Boston that has several claims to fame, from its list of high-profile residents Tom Brady has called this village home to its placement on the Boston Marathon route, and even more important to its status as having some of the top schools in the country. Over 150 years old, Boston College research university is a draw to both undergraduate and graduate students as well as history lovers who enjoy the campus' preserved buildings and grounds.
Historic Places & Cultural Places of Interest: Boston College Main Campus; The Larz Anderson Auto Museum and Park; Longyear Museum; Frederick Law Olmsted National Historic Site; Metropolitan Waterworks Museum; Chestnut Hill Historic District; Chestnut Hill Reservoir Historic District; and Old Chestnut Hill Historic District.
Amenities: Chestnut Hill is home to several shopping plazas or districts including: The Street at Chestnut Hill; The Shops at Chestnut Hill, formerly called The Mall at Chestnut Hill; Chestnut Hill Square; and the Shops at Putterham. These shopping districts offer a top-of-the-line shopping experience with everything you could need whether you have grocery shopping on the agenda or want to collect luxury goods on a night out.
Parks and Recreation: In addition to multiple shopping areas, Chestnut Hill also has several reservation areas that offer recreational activities, such as the Hammond Pond Reservation where you can hike or rock climb, Larz Anderson Park which offers ice skating in winter, a dog park, an auto museum, and fabulous views of the Boston skyline. Chestnut Hill Reservoir with its 1.5 mile-long path around the water offers views of nearby Boston College as well as the Boston skyline in the distance. The famed and historic Country Club, a founding member club of USGA, is located in Chestnut Hill adjacent to the City of Brookline’s Golf Course at Putterham. The nearby Newton Commonwealth Golf Course will satisfy anyone looking to improve their backswing.
Public Transportation: Chestnut Hill and its surroundings are served by the MBTA's Green Line with its three branches. Green Line stops include: Chestnut Hill, Boston College, Cleveland Circle, and Reservoir.
Education: Read about private pre-K schools including Chestnut Hill School, Dexter Southfield, Beaver Country Day School, and Brimmer and May, or our top-tier higher education such as Boston College.
Discover What Chestnut Hill has to Offer
With 350 years of history, Chestnut Hill is one of Massachusetts' most exclusive and culture-rich villages. Learn more about what makes Chestnut Hill a unique place to live, including the vibrant shopping and dining scene, and read more about our top academic institutions!
Start Your Property Search with Ingvild Brown
There are many reasons why you should consider moving to Chestnut Hill, from our excellent public and private schools to lovely preserved historic buildings, architecturally diverse residences, and scenic grounds. If you are considering purchasing or selling a home in Chestnut Hill or perhaps Brookline or Newton or if you simply want to learn more about Chestnut Hill, I can handle all of your Chestnut Hill real estate questions.
Whether you are looking for a new single-family house, condo, or investment property, I will help you navigate the current market to find the place you can call home. Contact me online or call my office at (571) 481-0440 to get started on your journey!
