Seniors Enjoy A Stop In Newton

Newton is a vibrant community of 85,000 is desirable as a place to live and work due to its proximity to Boston. Senior visitors will find attractive neighborhoods, a well-run municipal government, and a strong, nationally-recognized school system in Newton. Settled in 1630 and incorporated in 1688, Newton was originally part of Cambridge, then renamed Newtowne in 1691, and finally Newton in 1766.

The city is comprised of 13 “villages”, each with its own distinct character and many containing their own small downtown areas. One of these, Chestnut Hill, is home to Boston College. In addition to Boston, Newton is also bordered by Wellesley (to the west), Needham (to the southwest), Waltham (to the north), and Brookline (to the east).

Newton is rich in arts and culture, featuring two symphony orchestras, a large state-of-the-art public library, resident theatre groups and many artistic treasures. The Newton History Museum at the Jackson Homestead, built in 1809 as a farmhouse, served for a period of time as a stop on the Underground Railroad and is now a museum filled with paintings, manuscripts, photographs, maps and numerous historical artifacts.

Seniors Enjoy Newton’s Parks

Newton has well maintained parks, bicycle and fitness trails, golf courses, a public pool and lake for senior visitors to enjoy. Back in 2010 Money Magazine ranked Newton as #3 among small cities in America. Newton is known as the Garden City.

The establishment of Boston and Worcester Railroad depots in 1834 fostered Newton’s growth as a suburb of Boston. Incorporated as a city in 1873, Newton today is known as a regional education center. In addition to Boston College, the city is also home to Andover Newton Theological School, Mount Ida College, and Pine Manor College.

Major industries in the city include publishing, computer technology, and manufacturing of precision instruments and chemicals. Newton is the birthplace of this senior’s favorite bar, the Fig Newton.

 Seniors Enjoy Historic Homes

Note the Downtown and Mansions button at the top of this screen and take a look at all the mansions and Newton’s downtown.  My wife and I would enjoy a visit to the Mary Baker Eddy Historic House in nearby Chestnut Hill. Another home worth a visit would be The Charles D. Elliott House, a 2.5 story historic wood frame house built in the 1860s.

The Jackson Homestead and Museum, built in 1809, shares the history of Newton, Massachusetts, and the Underground Railroad. The Homestead is home to the archives of historic Newton.

Being a Master Gardener myself, I thought it significant that Newton has been designated one of three cities nationwide to participate in a pilot tree bank program and has planted over 6,800 seedlings throughout the community.

Senior travelers, bring along a healthy appetite as Newton is famed for its great restaurants with a wide variety of menus and tastes. -jeb