Lexington

Lexington's claim to fame is April 19, 1775 — the "shot heard round the world" was fired on its Battle Green, and the town has never let anyone forget it. Patriots' Day is the biggest event of the year, and the historical consciousness runs deep. But modern Lexington is defined less by muskets and more by math scores. Lexington High School is consistently ranked in the top 10 in Massachusetts, and the elementary and middle schools feed into it with a rigor that attracts families from across the region and around the world.

The town center is a genuine New England commons: the Battle Green anchored by churches, the Minuteman Statue, and a ring of shops, restaurants, and services that feel curated without being precious. You can walk from the library to the hardware store to a good restaurant without getting in your car. That walkability, combined with the school system, is why Lexington commands the prices it does.

The housing stock is predominantly single-family — Colonials and Capes from the 1950s–1970s form the backbone, with older antique homes near the center and newer construction filling in where lots allow. The lots are generous by suburban Boston standards, often a third to half an acre, with mature trees and the kind of established landscaping that takes decades to grow. Prices have climbed steadily: the median is now around $1.35M, which is steep but still meaningfully below Weston and comparable to Winchester, with arguably stronger schools. For families who prioritize education above all else, Lexington is the gold standard.