May 19, 2020 4 minute read

Hipsturbia: Millennials Seek a New Kind of Suburb in Arlington

An entire generation of kids, who in the 1990s were playing in grassy backyards in the suburbs, are starting to leave the city in search of greener, cheaper options. But this time, things in the ‘burbs look different.  

Millennials, now in their 20s and 30s, aren’t interested in the suburban lifestyle they grew up with. What many millennials now look for in a place to call home is a town that offers all the benefits of suburban living with the conveniences of city living. These buyers, many of which are looking to start families, want more space, at a lower cost than they can get in the city, but aren’t willing to compromise on a vibrant cultural and social scene. 

Many towns surrounding large cities are responding to this need through the development of lively downtown areas and adopting “live/work/play” mentalities that have become the norm in city planning. 

This phenomenon, identified by the 2020 Emerging Trends in Real Estate report by PwC, is called “Hipsturbia.” 

Using Brooklyn as a model, suburbs outside of cities like Atlanta, Philadelphia, and Chicago are taking a closer look at how they can improve public transit, walkability, and encourage vibrant small businesses, from cafes to yoga studios, to take root in their downtowns. Cities that have succeeded at this endeavor are enticing  “hip” millennials to make the move to the suburbs.

Greater Boston is no exception. With the city’s rising housing costs, many young renters are looking to settle down not too far from the city, but in a more affordable town with easy commutes to the city. 

In this series, I’m taking a deep dive into the unique flair of each of Boston’s numerous Hipsturbias and learning why young people are uprooting their city lives for this new kind of suburb. 

Welcome to Hipsturbia: Arlington

While Arlington’s residents may be trending younger, it still hasn’t lost its quintessential Massachusetts small-town charm. The downtown area is made up of tree-lined streets and rows of old brick buildings with colorful awnings. This historic town, which was once home to the original Uncle Sam, has blossomed into a vibrant, modern community. With easy access to downtown Boston, abundant green spaces, and great schools, Arlington offers young families the conveniences of both city and suburban life. 

Arlington shares a border with Cambridge and Somerville, Boston’s hipster enclaves, and much of what draws students and young professionals to those cities is now seeping into the much less densely populated Arlington. 

Arlington is also close to Boston, which is just under 10 miles away. There are several options for commuting into the city via public transportation, one of which includes riding the Minuteman Bikeway 15 minutes to the Alewife T station in Cambridge. With these varied options, millennials looking to escape the city can keep their jobs downtown without the fear of being stuck in hours of traffic.

The Arlington Neighborhood For You 

Each Arlington neighborhood has a unique appeal. If walkability is your priority, East Arlington is the area for you if you want easy access to some of the town’s best restaurants and shops. On the other side of town is Arlington Heights. With its diverse mix of housing options, the town’s more affordable housing can be found here. Jason Heights is home to classic Victorian-style homes but also offers its residents easy access to public parks and the Arlington Center business district. 

In Arlington, you can’t go wrong with choosing a school for your kids. The school district ranks among the top 50 in the state and Niche gave Arlington Public Schools an A on their report card. No matter your neighborhood, you can be certain that your kids (future or existing) will receive a good education. 

While the average home price in Arlington may be $737,000, what buyers are getting for that value is a 1,500 square foot 3 bedroom single-family home with plenty of outdoor space. In Boston or Cambridge, that same value will land them an 800 square foot apartment. The average rent for a two-bedroom in Arlington is $2,321. In Boston or Cambridge, renters would be paying around $700 more. 

An Average Saturday in Arlington

Make your way to Massachusetts Avenue for an early morning yoga class at Body & Brain Yoga. From there you can walk to Gail Ann Coffee for a quick coffee and a homemade doughnut. After refueling, on a nice day you can walk over to Spy Pond Park for a leisurely stroll, a bike ride on the Minuteman Bikeway, or rent a kayak or paddleboard to enjoy the pond. On a not-so-nice day, catch a movie at the historic Capitol Theatre, built in 1925 but recently renovated to add in modern comfortable seats, but keep its traditional charm. At night, head to Adventure Pub for some board games and appetizers or to Common Ground for hearty American fare and live music.


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