Mission Hill Homes for Sale

Homes for sale in Mission Hill: Area Overview

If you are searching for places to live in a great Boston neighborhood, homes for sale in Mission Hill are the place to start. Though Mission Hill is only 0.75 square miles, it has numerous parks, schools, restaurants, stores, and homes. The borders are Roxbury to the east (Columbus Avenue), Ruggles Street and the Riverway/ Jamaicaway to the north, and Brookline to the west. The population is approximately 18,834 people and the median home value is approximately $124, 850.

The Mission Hill Triangle District is an Architectural Conservation District featuring 54 brick single-family and three-family row houses, in addition to single-family houses (also known as triple-deckers) dating back to the late 19th century. These row houses have beautifully landscaped yards and are iconic landmarks of this Boston neighborhood. Tremont Street, Huntington Street, Worthington Street, and Smith Street border the Triangle.

Brigham Circle is the commercial center of Mission Hill. It is at the intersection of Tremont Street and Huntington Avenue. Brigham Circle contains grocery stores, drug stores, bistros, banks, and taverns.

History

The configuration of Mission Hill has changed significantly over the centuries. Most of Mission Hill consisted of large estates owned by wealthy families. The Parker family owned much of the land, which they used for orchards. When Peter Parker married Sarah Ruggles, their land holdings increased greatly. Peter Parker met a sad ending when a cider barrel crushed him. The orchard stayed viable for a long time after his death, but eventually the family sold parcels of the land.

In the 1820’s, the first brewery was established. By the 1870’s, beer brewing was the main industry. Mission Hill contained most of Boston’s breweries. Sadly, that was not to continue. Three bouts of Prohibition and the mass production of beer caused their demise. Much of the area is now residential.

In the late 1800s, merchants developed a puddingstone quarry, which became the foundational material for many homes in the Mission Hill area. Neighborhood development increased in the 1870s and this period of growth continued through the 1900’s. In 1894, the electric streetcar provided efficient transportation, which furthered population growth.

There has been tremendous growth in the Mission Hill neighborhood. As it stands, Mission Hill has a variety of housing styles. There are row houses, triple-deckers, condominiums, two- family homes and single-family homes. With all of the styles from which to choose, you will have no trouble finding your perfect home for sale in Mission Hill.

Real Estate

For those looking to buy a home in Boston, homes for sale in Mission Hill is an excellent opportunity! According to the most recent data, the average value of houses was $371,220, which is less than the average for all of Boston. The majority of homes are 3- or 4-unit structures, averaging $579,791, which is approximately the same value given to these units throughout the city. Two-unit homes are valued at $433,437. The estimated value for townhouses and other attached units was approximately $240,542, which is significantly lower than the Boston value.

The majority of owner-occupied homes for sale in Mission Hill contain two or three bedrooms.

Transportation for Homes for Sale in Mission Hill

Multiple transportation options make it easy to commute from your home in Mission Hill to wherever you might need to go for work or leisure. Local highways include State Highway 28 (Melnea Cass Boulevard), State Highway 9 (Huntington Avenue), and State Highway 28 (Columbus Avenue).

Stations:

• Huntington Ave @ Parker Hill Avenue (buses)
• Mission Park (Green Line “E”)

The Green Line “E” Branch is a streetcar operated by the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority and runs from Heath Street in Mission Hill to Lechmere in East Cambridge.

The Roxbury Crossing station on the Orange Line, part of the MBTA subway service, covers Mission Hill residents.

The MBTA Bus Route 39 passes through Mission Hill and runs between Forest Hills in Jamaica Plain and Back Bay Station.

The MBTA Bus Route 66 runs from Dudley Square in Roxbury to Harvard Square in Cambridge.

Education

Fenway High School

Fenway High School is located at 67 Alleghany Street. This school is part of the Boston Public school system and has been in existence for over 30 years. There are approximately 360 students enrolled with a student to teacher ratio of about twelve to one.

Roxbury Preparatory Mission Hill

Founded in 1999 by Dr. Keith Motley, Evan Rudall, and John King, this was the first Roxbury Prep campus. It is located at 120 Fisher Avenue. There are over 300 students attending the school that serves grades 5-8. The amazing academic outcomes have made charter schools a mainstay in the Boston Public school system. The opportunity to attend Roxbury Prep High School is available to these middle school students.

This charter school differs from other public schools. They have a longer school day and a longer school year. Students are required to wear school uniforms. The academic curriculum is rigorous yet they still maintain sight of the whole child. The school stresses moral and community commitment through neighborhood involvement.

Our Lady of Perpetual Help Mission Grammar School

Our Lady of Perpetual Help Mission Grammar School is a private, Catholic school based out of a basilica. The Mission Grammar School has been around for over 100 years and enrolls children from Pre K to 6th grade. It is located at 1545 Tremont Street.

Maurice J. Tobin K-8 School

This school enhances academic performance through community involvement and social and emotional commitment. Students, their families, and the community work together as a team. This structure and their partnership with the Achievement Network insure that children can successfully transition to the Massachusetts Common Core curriculum.

Specially trained teachers meet the individual needs of the students. There is an up-to- date computer lab and there are four Chromebook carts. The arts are also an important part of the curriculum. Maurice J. Tobin School collaborates with Mass. College of Art & Design, Art Resource Collaborative for Kids, and the Gardner Museum. Students have music and dance offerings through Boston Ballet and Sociedad Music Club. Brigham & Woman’s Hospital provides summer jobs for students who have graduated from eighth grade. There are tutoring programs offered to seventh and eighth grade students. English Language learners are eligible for the Sheltered English Immersion program. All classes are required to complete a community service project.

Wentworth Institute of Technology

Wentworth Institute of Technology is located at 550 Huntington Avenue. Arioch Wentworth was a wealthy businessperson who bequeathed $7 million to fund an industrial school in Boston. In 1911, Wentworth Institute opened to 242 students. The school gained in popularity as more students realized the value of a technical education. By 1919, the student population grew to 1,800 students. At that time, they had day and evening classes and 45 teachers. In 1957, it started awarding degrees. By the 1960’s, Wentworth added several residence halls. There were no female students until 1972. By 2005, women comprised 21% of the student body. When the upper and lower divisions of the school merged in 1977, the school became the Wentworth Institute of Technology.

With the increase of students, the school needed more space. In 1980, they bought the Ira Allen School building. In 1983, they acquired the former Boston Trade High School. In 1989, Wentworth added architectural studios and facilities. Due to this expansion, the National Architectural Accrediting Board granted them accreditation in 1991. Two new five year programs began in 1993 – electromechanical engineering and environmental science. The Engineering Accreditation Commission granted them accreditation in 2002. In 2001 and2005, Wentworth added two new residence halls.

In 2005, Zorica Pantic became the fourth president of Wentworth Institute of Technology. She was the first female engineer to be the president of a technological institute.

In 2009, Wentworth started granting master’s degrees. Their first master’s degree program was Master of Architecture. The school received university status from the Massachusetts Department of Higher Education in 2017.

Wentworth Departments

Wentworth Institute of Technology has the following academic departments:

• Construction Management
• Mechanical Engineering and Technology
• Applied Mathematics
• Computer Science and Computer Networking
• Civil Engineering and Technology
• Humanities and Social Sciences
• Biomedical Engineering
• Cybersecurity
• Architecture
• Electrical Engineering and Technology
• Interior Design
• Industrial Design
• Interdisciplinary Engineering
• Management

In 2012, Wentworth incorporated an Innovation and Entrepreneurship Center called Accelerate. Accelerate hosts workshops and programs to develop innovation and entrepreneurial cognition. Interdisciplinary teams developed 650 product ideas within the first four years. More than 100 alumni and professionals mentored the 42 Accelerate teams.

Wentworth Campus

The Wentworth campus consists of fifteen buildings for classrooms, a library, offices, laboratories, and athletic facilities. There are nine residence halls near the Huntington Avenue campus. The MBTA Green Line “E” Branch provides public transportation for the campus.
Wentworth Institute of Technology collaborates with other colleges and universities in the neighborhood. The Colleges of the Fenway consortium, of which Wentworth is a member, share activities and facilities. These neighboring institutions are the Museum of Fine Arts, Northeastern University, the Massachusetts College of Art and Design, and the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences.

Wentworth provides a well-rounded education that also includes sports for both men and women. Their programs include six intramural sports, seventeen varsity sports, and two clubs. Myles and Eugenia Sweeney donated an athletic field in 1996. The field is in front of Wentworth Hall so people living in homes in Mission Hill can watch the teams play.

Wentworth Adult & Online Learning

Wentworth Institute of Technology understands the needs of adult learners. Many adults have to balance the rigors of employment and family and cannot attend a university full-time. Wentworth’s online programs still combine theory and problem solving approaches in these courses. Some of the programs are only online and some are a combination of computer studies and classroom studies.

The Online Programs are the following:

• Master of Science in Technology Management
• Certificate in Project Management
• Master of Science in Facility Management
• Master of Science in Construction Management
• Bachelor of Science in Building Construction Management
• Master of Science in Technology Management
• Bachelor of Science in Project Management

Wentworth Institute of Technology Statistics are as follows:

• 18:1 Faculty to student ratio
• 99% job placement
• Median starting salary for graduates – $60, 000

New England Baptist Hospital

Residents of homes in Mission Hill have access to one of the best hospitals in New England. It is located at the top of Parker Hill. The Boston Celtics utilize New England Baptist as their official hospital.

The roots of this hospital travel deeply into the community it serves. Five dedicated physicians founded a free clinic to administer to the poor of the community. As the need for more and better medical services increased, the doctors collaborated with the Boston Baptist Social Union. In 1894, the Boston Baptist Hospital opened. Through the years, the hospital has expanded its space and services. However, it has never lost sight of the original commitment to patient care. New England Baptist Hospital has partnered with Atrius Health, General Electric, the Arthritis Foundation, and Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center. They also provide the sports medicine services for the ice hockey teams at Merrimack College.

Historic Sites

Our Lady of Perpetual Help Basilica

The amazing tower of Our Lady of Perpetual Help is visible for miles. The spires tower 215 feet! Builders constructed the original Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church in 1870 using puddingstone from the local quarry. In 1878, the clergy dedicated the current church. In 1910, the church added their iconic spires. In 2004, the church became a Boston Landmark.

Architecture

For residents of homes in Mission Hill, this area is an architectural treasure. There are freestanding homes mixed in with traditional brick row houses and triple-deckers. The Sister’s Convent and Grammar school is in the Queen Anne style. The architectural style of St. Alphonsus Hall is Romanesque Revival. The Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral is Byzantine style. The Esther is a Georgian revival style building.

Timothy Hoxie House

This magnificent Italianate style home is located at 135 Hillside Street. The family built the house in 1854. This wood framed structure has two stories and three bays. The central bay is the feature that makes this house truly unique. It is a three-story tower! The National Register of Historic Places listed this house in 1987.

Parker Hill Library

In 1929, Ralph Adams Cram, an architect famous for utilizing the Gothic Revival style, designed the Parker Hill Library. This library is next to Mission Church and a small park. Locals like the artwork and the cozy atmosphere.

Parks

If you purchase a home in Mission Hill, you will have plenty of green space options.

Kevin W. Fitzgerald Park

Located near Brigham Circle, Kevin W. Fitzgerald Park is a .5-acre hilly lawn. Its former name was Puddingstone Park after the quarry it replaced. Sit on a park bench and admire the beautiful array of flowers and trees as you gaze into the Boston skyline. If you travel down the path, you will see the original stonewalls of the puddingstone quarry which date back to 1843

Mission Hill Playground

Mission Hill Playground is a great spot in the area, either to bring your children for some playtime or to get a nice view of the city. In addition to the playing equipment and green space, kids will love the sprinklers in the summertime! Pack a bite and enjoy the outdoors at one of the picnic tables while you overlook the Prudential Center.

McLaughlin Playground

This playground is located at 239 Parker Hill Avenue. For skylines, sports, and lots of space, be sure to check out McLaughlin Playground. This “playground” has much more to offer than just a swing set, jungle gym, and slides. You will find lush green space, basketball courts, a baseball field, trails, and gorgeous views.

Activities

Mission Hill Community Garden

Living in a home in Mission Hill provides you with an opportunity to exercise your green thumb and meet your neighbors. The Mission Hill Community Garden is part of the Boston Community Gardens initiative. Plots are available for residents. This is the perfect spot to grow some vegetables, herbs, or flowers.

Diablo Glass School

Diablo Glass School is located at 123 Terrace Street. The Diablo Glass School, founded in 2001, offers group or private classes and events. They even offer youth classes to teenagers and pre-teens! Celebrate a birthday party or host a teambuilding event. Do not worry about safety! There are highly trained instructors teaching you about every step in the process, making this a safe, unique, and fun experience!

Restaurants and Bars

Living in homes for sale in Mission Hill provides you with quick access to some terrific restaurants and pubs.

Milkweed

Milkweed is a family oriented restaurant located at 1508 Tremont Street. This restaurant has a breakfast menu that is available into the late afternoon. That is perfect for people who like eggs for lunch or like to sleep late occasionally. It is an American style restaurant with an internationally inspired menu. They have such creative choices as Cubano sandwiches, falafel gyro, and a power bowl salad. Their” create your own breakfast sandwiches” are a great way to start the day.

Penguin Pizza

Penguin Pizza is located at 735 Huntington Avenue. This place is comfortable and has a very large beer selection. The thin-crust pizzas have toppings that you cannot find in every pizza place. Some of their unusual pizza choices are The Fungus Amongus, The Diablo, The Bird, and the Buffalo Bleu. When you are tired of the same old pie, this is the place to try.

Tavern of Tales

Tavern of Tales, located at 1478 Tremont St., is Boston’s only board game café & bar. You can walk in at any time and play a free board game. The servers do more than take your food order; they can teach you how to play the game you choose. For more serious games, you can rent a room and have access to their extensive library of games. D&D gamers are welcome, and each room is sound proofed to add to the experience. There is also a trivia night to add to the fun. And don’t forget the shareables when you are with friends: warm tortilla chips, bacon-wrapped tater tots, and pretzel bites.

The Puddingstone Tavern

The Puddingstone Tavern is located at 1592 Tremont Street. They have a large selection of beers on tap and the area’s only outdoor patio. There is trivia on Saturday nights. A local favorite is the platter of apps to go with the beer.

The Squealing Pig

The Squealing Pig is located at 134 Smith Street. This gastropub has a menu that caters to the needs of all tastes. There is a children’s menu and plenty of choices for meat eaters, fish eaters, and vegetarians. Some of the uncommon offerings are buffalo tofu, organic lamb burger, fish curry, and spiced lamb pizza. They have trivia night on Wednesdays and music on Saturdays. Residents of homes in Mission Hill can enjoy this lively place every night of the week.

Mama’s Place

This restaurant is located at 764 Huntington Avenue. This is the place to go for authentic Greek food without leaving Mission Hill. The tempting menu has an array of Greek-American food. It is a great place to try some new Mediterranean flavors. Some of their more interesting choices are stuffed grape leaves, spanakopita, and souvlaki. The have desserts, such as baklava, that are just as tempting as the meals.

The Mission Bar & Grill

The Mission Bar & Grill is located at 724 Huntington Avenue. This is a favorite neighborhood place with a large beer and cocktail selection. They also have gluten free and dairy free choices. The soup and salad menu is perfect for a light lunch. A children’s menu is also available.

J.P. Licks

J.P. Licks is located at 1618 Tremont Street One Brigham Circle. Occupants of homes in Mission Hill are fortunate to be close to this domicile of sweet treats. This place is an experience. They carry cakes, frozen yogurt, ice cream, and fresh coffee. They also feature the work of local artists at their shop.

The best way to describe this unique place is to start from its inception. Vince Petryk graduated from Temple University with a degree in psychology in 1976. He held many different jobs while in college. After graduation, he got a job at Hillary’s Homemade Ice Cream. It was there that he learned how to make ice cream and manage a business. Vince Petryk fell in love with ice cream and the business of getting the best ice cream to people. He also learned professional restaurant management while working at Wendy’s. In 1981, at the age of 26, he founded J.P. Licks Homemade Ice Cream. It was an immediate sensation. However, restaurant reviews were not favorable. Some thought that the flavors were too intense.

In 1987, he added hard and soft frozen yogurt to the menu. The treats were still homemade and just as intense. In 1999, he began roasting his own coffee. He has sixteen stores now and still tries to meet the needs of his diverse clientele. All of the treats are Kosher. He has dairy free, gluten free and vegan selections. They have the usual popular flavors and some unusual ones such as diablo and wild turkey bourbon.

Lilly’s Gourmet Pasta Express

This wonderful taste of Italy is located at 1528 Tremont Street. Lilly D’Alelio came to the United States many years ago. She is originally from Milan, Italy. Her one goal was to make the best and healthiest pasta in the U.S. She and her son started in Everett, MA and together they become the most famous pasta manufacturers in New England. Lilly still insists that her pastas remain all natural. She has 29 different shapes and 60 different fillings. Lilly uses 100% semolina, filtered water, and pasteurized eggs. Semolina flour has .0005% gluten, which means it is easier to digest than most other pastas. The fillings are also all natural and cooked in broth.

Another unique feature of Lilly’s Gourmet Pasts Express is the “build your own pasta” option. You can choose from any of the pasta choices or any of the nine ravioli choices. Then, you can choose any sauce that you want. They also have salads, subs, and homemade desserts. People living in homes in Mission Hills can try a different dish every night!

Live in Mission Hill

Homes for sale in Mission Hill offer residents a small neighborhood with its own selection of quality bars, restaurants, parks, schools, and medical facilities. Mission Hill is a mini-city where you can find everything you are looking for and hidden gems that might surprise you. The historical impact on the modern structures is evident. Residents are constantly reminded of the area’s humble beginnings as an apple orchard and then a puddingstone quarry as they pass by the historic houses and landmarks. If you are looking for New England charm, while getting the chance to experience living in Boston, Mission Hill is the perfect place to search for your home!