Centers And Squares
Welcome to Centers and Squares
As a Cambridge real estate agent, the city squares of Cambridge, Somerville and Medford and the town centers of Arlington, Watertown and Belmont, Massachusetts are my home turf. And as a lifelong New Englander who’s lived within twenty miles of Boston most of my life, I can introduce you to other nearby towns as we search for your new home. If you’re planning to sell your home in Cambridge, MA or nearby you’ll find plenty of info about the home selling process here too. Questions? Send me an email or call me at 617-504-1737.
Orchard Street – Somerville and Cambridge – Real Estate Rambles
Somerville and Cambridge real estate buyers have their favorite streets and for many Orchard Street tops the list. This tree-lined street parallels Mass Avenue and Elm Street and runs from Davis Square to Porter Square. Just a half mile in length it is one of the most charming streets in Cambridge or Somerville.
From the first time I saw Orchard Street I was determined to live there. Sure enough, within several months I was living there as a tenant in one of the large brick apartment buildings built in the 1930s. It was a great place to live – the Davis Square T stop was a few minutes away, the supermarket in Porter Square was a pleasant walk down the sidewalk lined street, and neighbors – and neighbors’ cats – soon became familiar sights along my route.
Houses on Orchard Street
It’s been years since I lived on Orchard Street but it is still one of my favorite streets in the city. Lined with an eclectic mix of triple deckers, single families and two-families, the architectural mix on Orchard Street includes Victorians, Greek Revivals, multi-families built in the early 1900s and several handsome brick apartment buildings.
Orchard Street is right on the line between Somerville and Cambridge with part of the street in each city. The brick sidewalks are one giveaway that you’ve crossed into Cambridge.
Orchard Street History
The first lots on Orchard Street were platted in 1845 from former farm land near Beech Street. The lots were large and the first houses on the street were built in 1846 to 1847.
Two Orchard Street houses were once home to one of Massachusetts’ most beloved leaders – Tip O’Neill. The O”Neill family owned a two-family on Orchard Street where Tip grew up and during his years in the House of Representatives he and his wife raised their family in the mansard on Russell Street at the corner of Orchard that is pictured at right.
Orchard Street – Somerville and Cambridge Real Estate Sales
Recent real estate sales on Orchard Street include:
Somerville and Cambridge real estate sales data from MLSpin.
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More real estate rambles: Garfield Street Cambridge
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Is there a way to be kept abreast of apartments becoming available in these beautiful big houses on orchard Street or one of the side streets? there are so many multi-family homes. How can I find out when a unit in one of them becomes available, and the particulars? Thanks, Lori
Hi Lori ~ It’s tough with rentals because, unlike sales, there isn’t one central database like the MLS for homes for sale. Truth be told, I don’t see rentals in those houses all that often though I’m sure some apartments must become available. Some of the multi-families have been converted to condos and are even less likely to be on the rental market. When I lived there I found an apartment in the really nice 1930s brick building on the corner of Avon and Orchard. There are actually three of these classic brick apartment buildings on Orchard and another just half a block down on Day Street towards Davis. Those would probably be your best bet. Maybe post flyers in the neighborhood? It’s just really tough to track those individual apartments since the landlord could list their rental with any number of rental agencies. Hope you get to move to Orchard Street!
Liz
Hello Liz,
I also would love to rent at Orchard Str. Any new info on those buildings? I walked around but can’t figure out who’s managing them.
Cheers.