Holbrook, MA

Holbrook was incorporated in 1872, oddly enough on February 29 during a leap year, ensuring the town remains forever young. Development was typical of any suburb surrounding Greater Boston. Holbrook began as a leading producer of footwear, but evolved into a residential community whose citizens went elsewhere to find prominent employment, particularly to Boston.

Many residents served and died during the Civil War. It was during the time of the Civil War that the town became a leading boot producer, providing footwear for American soldiers.

If your looking for art and culture, Holbrook's next-door neighbor Brockton is home to the Fuller Craft Museum. The museum houses fine art as well as local exhibits, including a shoe exhibit that honors the area's beginnings as a leader in the industry.

Whether you desire pizza, Asian food, seafood, sandwiches, fast food or just a few drinks with friends as you watch the game, you have plenty of options. Pizza seems to be everywhere with one pizza shop after another along Route 37.

Along the northern edge of Holbrook resides local landmark Stanney's Ice Cream & Sandwich Shoppe. The old-school booths and spinning stools take you back to a time when you got heaping portions of food at a good price; Stanney's offers just that. Stop for eggs and pancakes, and then hang around, read the newspaper, sip a lime rickey and stay just long enough to order the turkey club for lunch.

Cure your craving for crustaceans with a trip to The Lobster Barn, located just outside of Holbrook. Operating in the area for 25 years, this restaurant remains a favorite with locals. The chefs serve up seafood dishes ranging from fried scallops to swordfish kebabs, with a heaping helping of homemade fish or clam chowder to complete your meal. Visit The Lobster Barn for lunch and feast on a crab cake sandwich with a side of crispy fries.

While bars and clubs are not plentiful in Holbrook, a short drive to The Cellar Tavern in Abington gives you the chance to relax with a cold beer and plenty of tasty bar food. If you sit at the bar, look up at the pile of money hanging from the ceiling. For a chance to watch the big game with friends, head over to Avon and visit Slap-Shotz Family Sports Pub. This casual bar also offers weekly karaoke, dancing, live music and trivia nights, giving you plenty of options for entertainment away from home.

Few areas can match the transportation convenience of Holbrook. Don't worry about getting around, even if you don't have a vehicle, thanks to the convenience of Route 37, which dissects Holbrook from end to end. If you wish to drive, Route 24, I-93 and Route 3 surround you, ensuring a quick trip to Cape Cod or Boston.

Even if you don't drive, simply take a cab or walk to Route 37 to catch the 230 bus that takes you to Braintree Station. From there, you can catch the MBTA Red Line into Boston and even out to Logan International Airport, all for about $6. Holbrook also has its own commuter rail stop, ensuring that those headed into Boston each day for work have access back and forth access without driving. Getting around town on foot or on a bicycle poses very little safety risk. You can avoid the main road and stay away from traffic with a little forethought.

The premier destination for those with kids is Holbrook Playground. A large playground with everything love, including tennis and basketball courts, a baseball field, and a trail behind the ball field. Live music occurs at the playground during the summer on selected weekends.

Ames Nowell Park sits just south of Holbrook. The 700-acre park allows hiking, camping, horseback riding, biking, and even skiing during the winter. Restrooms, a playing field, and a dedicated picnic areas are also available. In the center of the park is Cleveland Pond, the ideal place for a little canoeing and fishing.

D.W. Field Park, in nearby Brockton, lets you do a bit of hiking, walking, biking or fishing, or just take the kids to feed the frequent ducks and swans that show up. Both Ames Nowell and D.W. require no entrance fee.

The cost of living in Holbrook is high compared to the national average, but it falls in line with nearby locations. The costs of goods/services, groceries, utilities and health are higher than the state as a whole, while housing and transportation costs remain lower than Massachusetts averages. Owners occupy nearly 74 percent of homes in Holbrook, compared to only 63.2 percent across the state. The average rental cost for a one-bedroom apartment sits at $1,152. Ramblewood, which sits directly off Route 37, is the premier rental property in town, where a one-bedroom townhouse or garden-style apartment comes in at approximately $1,250 per month. Holbrook has become an attractive location thanks to the impressive school system, low crime rates, stable housing market and high income per capita.

Shopping convenience and well-known brands rest at the fingertips of Holbrook residents, even though the town itself has very few larger storefronts. Near the center of town resides White Flowers & Gifts, where you can find something for any occasion. Three doors down you can find MT Nails, where the friendly staff can give your nails the star treatment. Nearby, major retailers abound. A little further up the main road into Braintree brings you to the South Shore Plaza, an upscale shopping destination with over 200 retailers. When it comes to food supply, large chain grocers reside in the area. Within a few miles, you can find Shaw's, Roche Bros., Trucchi's, Sudbury Farms and Market Basket. The large amount of competition ensures that customers enjoy lower prices and more deals than what typically exist in other areas.