Wellesley

The historic, affluent town of Wellesley is a predominantly residential Community, located about 13 miles west of greater Boston. Wellesley has several beautiful neighborhoods that are ideal for family living, including Wellesley Lower Falls, Wellesley Farms, Wellesley Square, Wellesley Fells, and Wellesley Hillls. Wellesley's desirable geographic location and stunning visual characteristics make this a truly desirable suburb for those who work in Boston and want to commute. If big city living doesn't appeal to you, gorgeous communities like Wellesley are beckoning.

Although a residential Community, Wellesley is also a growing employment center, with several well-manicured office parks on the eastern border. Wellesley is most well-known as a college Community, housing within its boundaries both Wellesley and Babson Colleges, two private educational institutions, as well as the Massachusetts Bay Community College. Wellesley College is well-known as one of the premiere educational institutions of the country, a private women's liberal arts college that first opened back in 1875. The college strives to provide quality education to women who will make an impact in the world at large. Some Wellesley girls attend the private Dana Hall School, a prep school for girls.

The public schools of Wellesley are almost always among the top scorers on the list after statewide MCAS testing. Wellesley High School is one of the most highly regarded in the state, and home to the longest-running Thanksgiving Day football game rivalry in the whole country. Every Turkey Day, residents of Wellesley gather to root for their team against the nearby upstarts from Needham High School. The event is always cause for high excitement in the town. Wellesley is very much a "school" town, and the facilities each institution houses can be enjoyed by all.

Wellesley College itself boats more than just exemplory education, however. Residents can enjoy the lovely Hunnewell Arboretum and Elm Bank Horticulture Center if they want to enjoy nature at Her finest. A population of more than 26 thousand people call Wellesley home, with a low density of just over 2,500 per square mile. Wellesley, with access to Route 128/Route 95, is considered a gateway to the western part of Massachusettes. The town derives approximately 85% of its tax revenue from a residential tax base with 15% derived from non-residential uses. Wellesley has been a leader in environmental issues and the town's natural, well-kept attractiveness is ample evidence of that philosophy.

The affluence of Wellesley is well-known, and it's no wonder that Wellesley ranks first in the U.S. in percentage of adults who have received at least one college degree (according to Boston Magazine "Best Places to Live"). The U. S. Census of 2000 showed that Wellesley families know how to earn, with the median income for a family in Wellesley was over $134 thousand, and the median income for a household was more than $113 thousand.

Want culture? This town has it in spades. Enjoy wonderful summer concerts at Town Hall Green, where live music floats on the breeze. Or, you can peruse the shelves at the Wellesley Free Library Building (part of the extensive Minuteman Library Network).

Want to get involved and get to know Wellesley as soon as possible? The services and events sponsored by the Newcomer's Club will help you start to fit right in, and learn more about the beautiful town of Wellesley. Joining the Newcomer's Club means enjoying sponsored events like the Family Activity Fair in September, or the spicy October Chili Cookoff (which will help warm you up even in blustery New England weather), the enchanting November wine tasting event, or the restive Holiday Cookie Exchange and Holiday Wreath Workshop in December. A lavish gala and auction is held in February (much to all of Wellesley's delight), while Spring is welcomed with a March beer tasting. A June clambake is perfect for the summer season. But the Newcomer's Club holds plenty of monthly activities, as well, including gourmet and casual dinner parties, a book club meet, and plenty of children's programs to keep the little ones educated and entertained.

Wellesley even boats an historic district that dates back more than century, located around Cottage Street. The 1860s homes will fill your eyes and imagination as you walk down history's paths.

Looking for fine dining at its best? The chef and host of Food Network's "East Meet West", Ming Tsai, owns a famous restaurant at the heart of Wellesley Square. Blue Ginger will surely thrill your senses, and change the way you feel about cuisine. Wellesley has even been home to some very famous residents. The melancholy, poignant poet and novelist Sylvia Plath once called Wellesley home, as did rock god Steven Tyler, lead singer of Aerosmith.

Wellesley has something to offer your visual senses, your palate, and your mind, but if recreation is on your mind just take a trip to the Babson campus. Their Webster Center houses all the sport and recreational facilities you could ever need. Wellesley itself gives you the Keohane Sports Center, Chandler Pool, and Dorothy Towne Fieldhouse if gaming and fun are on your mind.