Framingham · Relocation
Relocating to Framingham: What to Know Before You Move
Moving to MetroWest from another state? Learn the towns before you choose one.
Relocating to Framingham puts you between Boston and Worcester
Relocating to Framingham puts you in the middle of MetroWest, between Boston and Worcester, with the Massachusetts Turnpike, Route 9 and Route 30 all close by. If your work is in Boston, MBTA Commuter Rail service runs into the city, so you can live outside it and still get in for work, games, restaurants and museums. My own favorite Boston day is sailing the harbor.
I'm Ann Atamian with Gibson Sotheby's International Realty. I grew up in Weston, I've lived in MetroWest for 40+ years, and I work with buyers moving here from cities in other states. Relocating is a different kind of purchase. You are choosing a house in a place you may have visited twice.
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What daily life in Framingham includes
A lot of everyday life is already inside the city. Shoppers World and the Route 9 corridor make up one of the major shopping areas in MetroWest, with the Natick Mall right next door. Groceries, healthcare, local businesses and restaurants are close. Framingham State University and a MassBay Community College campus are both here, and the colleges and universities of Greater Boston are within reach.
Framingham is a diverse city, and its food goes well beyond New England favorites, with restaurants, markets and bakeries from around the world. The city has its own food history too. Ken's Steak House started here, and if you have ever bought Ken's salad dressing at the store, that story traces back to Framingham. Fanny's is another local name, and La Cantina Italiana is the restaurant where Fanny's salad dressing is made.
Relocating to Framingham: What to Know Before You Move
Lake Cochituate, Callahan State Park and Garden in the Woods
Lake Cochituate is shared with Natick and Wayland, and motorized boating is allowed, which you won't find on every lake around here. In summer you'll see boating and waterskiing along with sailing, kayaking and rowing. From the water, the area looks nothing like it does from Route 9.
Callahan State Park has trails and open space, and Garden in the Woods is worth an afternoon. Up in North Framingham and the Nobscot area you'll find woods, farms like Hanson's Farm and even places for horseback riding. A newcomer driving in on Route 9 might never guess that side of the city exists.
Why a move from another state needs a different search
When you move from another state, you don't have the local map in your head yet. You don't know which road backs up at 7:30 in the morning or which part of the city goes quiet at night. Touring houses doesn't fix that. A person who knows the city does. Different parts of Framingham feel completely different, and I'd rather you learn that from me than from your first winter.
Here's what I tell every client moving in from out of state. Pick the commute first, then the part of the city, then the house. If you can only fly in for one weekend, we plan that weekend around the streets that fit, not around every new listing. Framingham runs from industrial and commercial areas to farms and open space, so one tour day across a few different parts of the city does a lot of that learning for you.
How I help when you're relocating to Framingham
One Google reviewer described me as "a wealth of information about the local areas." That is the job on a relocation. I explain how buying works in Massachusetts in plain terms, connect each step to your moving date and tell you what I see on the streets you are considering. Your attorney and lender handle the legal and loan specifics. I make sure you know which questions to bring them.
The general method is in my relocation guide and on my home buying process page, including how we get you aligned on the right home before you commit. If you are weighing Framingham against a smaller town, see what relocating to Southborough looks like too.
Plan your move to Framingham with a call
If you are relocating to Framingham, start with a call before you book flights. Tell me where you'll work, how you want to spend your weekends and what kind of home you're picturing. I'll point you to the parts of the city worth seeing and help you plan the visit. Schedule a call with me, and read more on my Framingham area page.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you commute from Framingham to Boston?
You can drive the Mass Pike, Route 9 or Route 30, or take MBTA Commuter Rail service into Boston and Worcester.
When did Framingham become a city?
In 2018. Before that it was the Town of Framingham, and you may still hear people call it that.
What is there to do outdoors in Framingham?
Lake Cochituate allows motorized boating, and you'll also see sailing, kayaking and rowing there. Callahan State Park has trails and open space, and Garden in the Woods is in Framingham too.
Can I buy a home in Framingham before I live in Massachusetts?
Yes. Buyers relocating from other states buy here. The key is planning the visit, the financing and the closing timeline early with your lender and attorney.
Framingham
What relocation looks like in Framingham
A city of very different parts, from the busy Route 9 corridor to the wooded Nobscot area.
Framingham sits in the middle of MetroWest, between Boston and Worcester. Different parts of the city feel very different from each other, and Ann helps you work out which part fits you.
- The homes
- Established residential streets, condominiums, single-family homes and architecture from many different periods.
- Schools people ask about
- Framingham State University and MassBay Community College are in the city.
- Getting around
- The Mass Pike, Route 9 and Route 30 all run close by, and MBTA Commuter Rail service runs into Boston and Worcester.
- Nearby
- Lake Cochituate, Callahan State Park, Garden in the Woods, Shoppers World and the Route 9 corridor.
Relocation: keep exploring
Ready to make your move with Ann Atamian | Gibson Sotheby's International Realty?