Glenwood - Medford, MA Area Guide

As the fourth-oldest English settlement in the nation, the City of Medford was once a leader in the clipper ship building industry. The Mystic River runs along the Westside of the neighborhood, which used to provide most of the transport in the community. In the 1600s when Medford was first established as a part of Charleston, the city used the river extensively.

Within miles, art galleries and museums surround Glenwood. Most of the museums harbor art collections from local and national artists. Nonetheless, for a brief history lesson you can visit the Royall House and Slave Quarters on George Street, just south of the river. The museum was once the largest slave-holding home in Massachusetts.

While most of the restaurants conveniently reside within the center of Medford or even just a quick drive into the center of Boston, Glenwood features many ethnic options as well. Taking influence from other cultures, the dining in Glenwood provides eclectic cuisine at its finest.

Located on Riverside Avenue in the heart of Medford, Tenoch Mexican serves locals with reasonably priced, authentic Mexican food. The mole enchiladas and array of taco combinations make this a favorite among Glenwood residents. Dine inside the small establishment or get take-out. However, be prepared for long lines and limited seating unless you can find one of the few Tenoch Movil food trucks that sometimes frequent the area.

Across I-93 on Main Street, Bob’s Italian Foods provides catering services, party trays and even food to go. It even houses a butcher shop where residents can get specialty cuts of meat or marinated pork and lamb among many other choices. The to-go menu includes daily specials, hot pasta dishes such as cheese ravioli Bolognese, BBQ dishes, American and Italian entrees, and sandwiches. Locals keep coming back for the premade Greek salads and broad selection of pastas.

Hanging with friends, socializing, listening to good music and drinking give the inner city neighborhood a very relaxing vibe at night. Venues, dive bars, lounges and dance clubs all exist nearby Glenwood. Go to Massachusetts Avenue in Cambridge just a couple miles south to find most of the excitement.

For live music, walk on into The Burren on Elm Street. Seven nights a week, the pub blasts live Irish music for guests to enjoy while they try one of the flavorful dishes like the Guinness beef stew for about $10. Show times vary, and other events like Irish step dancing and open mics also frequently make their mark on The Burren’s event calendar.

Travel by personal vehicle through Glenwood and the rest of the Medford neighborhoods, or simply walk to your destination. Uber provides transport services for Glenwood as well as the rest of the Greater Boston area. Otherwise, taxi services remain rather scarce.

With I-93 to the west of the neighborhood and Fellsway to the east, getting from point A to point B can be done quickly. Taking I-93 N provides the quickest route to Boston, and in about 11 minutes, you can get downtown. The Wellington Station Busway also gets you to the city quickly and cheaply. Just jump on the Orange Line on Mystic Valley Parkway.

The parks throughout Glenwood and its surrounding neighborhoods provide everything from hiking trails to boating. Kid-friendly spaces and even pet-friendly areas can be easily accessed and enjoyed at nearly any of the free area parks.

The Mystic River Reservation at the southeast end of the neighborhood allows locals to enjoy the views along the river with a boat ride. Running, hiking, biking, tennis, swimming and even sailing remain prevalent within the community. The reservation also holds several park areas within its boundaries.

For a smaller park atmosphere, check out Fellsmere Park in Malden, just north of Glenwood. The park features plenty of shade, grassy areas and a pond where kids can feed ducks and play along the water’s edge. Events throughout the neighborhood and the surrounding areas of Medford include live music performances at a number of pubs and lounges, art shows, motorcycle shows, exhibitions and theater performances. Many of the exhibitions exist through the number of Harvard art museums in the region.

Living in Glenwood costs less than living in Boston. Students find it easier to reside just outside of the major city in Glenwood while still being close to the campus. The median rental rate for a one-bedroom residence in the area stays steady at around $1,700. While the median rental rate sits higher than most other Greater Boston neighborhoods, living in Glenwood makes it worth it due to convenience.

A pint of beer typically runs at about $5, while the average meal costs about $15. An UberX ride to Boston only costs around $16. If driving a private vehicle remains preferable, the average fuel price sits about 1 percent higher than the national average.

With major malls and shopping centers, most of the shopping in the Glenwood neighborhood consists of major brand-name stores. Thrift stores provide fashionable finds for women at reasonable prices. Farmers markets and grocery stores also lie within the borders of the neighborhood and the city. Just about a couple miles from Glenwood in the City of Somerville, find antique shops popular with the locals. The Cambridge Antique Market, Abodeon, The Barn at 17 and Consignment Galleries remain a few of the favorites. The Cambridge Antique Market features five floors and over 150 shops to explore every Tuesday through Sunday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. ALDI, Whole Foods Market and Stop and Shop provide the neighborhood with convenient grocery shopping, while farmers markets sell fresh produce and cuts of meat. Medford's Farmer's Market behind City Hall opens its doors every Thursday from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. While the crowd can get quite thick, the market features eleven frequent sellers of produce, meat, bakery, soups and more. Others also join the market every week to sell their products.