Metro West - Framingham, MA

Metro West received its name through a contest submission from reporter Greg Supernovich in 1983. The historic town of Framingham has Metro West’s largest population. It was the site where British spies surveyed the town militia in 1775 and where members of the abolitionist movement met annually prior to the start of the Civil War. The Framingham History Center provides a great place to learn about the history of the community.

The art scene in Metro West gives you more to-do options. Danforth Art in Framingham doubles as both a museum and an art school. You can explore ongoing collections and exhibitions, including the Pueblo Katsina Dolls or Northeast Woodlands: Selections from the Arter Collection. The School Gallery features work from students, instructors and local artists.

Annual events include RiverFest and Taste of MetroWest.

Metro West houses countless restaurants and eateries. Many of those dining options cluster in Framingham, one of the most popular towns in Metro West.

Samba Steak and Sushi rates as a popular restaurant in Framingham that specializes in Japanese cuisine with a hint of South American flavors. Patrons frequent this venue not only for its extensive menu selection but for the upbeat nightlife it also provides. The restaurant serves a hibachi menu, featuring meats such as sirloin steak, teriyaki chicken and grilled salmon, and you can choose from over 30 different types of sushi.

Another Framingham restaurant to try, Aegean Restaurant provides locals with a Mediterranean-style restaurant serving both Greek and American cuisine. They have a different special every night of the week. If you stop in on a Thursday, the Seafood Saganaki may be the nightly dish. This menu favorite consists of a sautéed shrimp-and-scallops casserole with diced tomatoes, garlic, scallions, oregano and white wine topped with Feta cheese.

Blue Ginger serves as a popular restaurant that brings an East-West style cuisine to the Metro West town of Wellesly. This award-winning restaurant makes their breads, ice creams and desserts in-house. Try a fun dish such as the Blue Ginger Chicken Lettuce Cups, soy stir-fry chicken served with jicama, crispy vermicelli and green leaf lettuce. Signature menu items include the Sake-Miso Marinated Alaskan Sablefish and the Garlic Black Pepper Lobster.

A lot of MetroWest residents venture to Boston for nightlife and entertainment, but they can also enjoy local options including Speakers Night Club in Marlborough. This neighborhood venue plays your favorite Top-40 hits, and also features different bands and performances throughout the month.

Metro West affords residents different methods of transportation. A lot of people travel via automobile, but public transportation also proves a very popular option. Metro West Regional Transit Authority (MWRTA) and Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) service this community. Interstates 495, 90 and 95 border this neighborhood, making commutes to other cities and neighborhoods convenient.

Virtually no bicycle lanes run throughout the MetroWest community. However, a few bike trails and bicycle-friendly roads provide cycling space. You can walk in your community safely on sidewalks. Most residents and businesses have private parking. You can call and arrange for a taxi, or Uber provides an option in some areas but wait times vary depending on the municipality.

Several parks occupy the Metro West community. Callahan State Park, located in Framingham, provides park-goers with 820 acres of land and 7 miles of marked trails used for fishing, horseback riding, skiing, and mountain biking. Ashland State Park and Cochituate State Park provide two other nature parks in Metro West. Residents love Cochituate State Park for its recreational water opportunities. Those include boating, canoeing and sailing.

Cushing Memorial Park provides the perfect setting for a family afternoon at the park. A paved 1.5 mile loop allows you to bring a stroller, bicycle or even scooter. Other amenities include picnic areas and two playgrounds. This dog-friendly park comes equipped with doggy bags and trashcans.

Bowditch Athletic and Cultural Complex, located in Framingham, features several sporting events throughout the year. Teams that utilize this complex include local high schools, youth leagues, area colleges and semi-professional leagues. They have two basketball courts, four tennis courts, a six-lane track and baseball diamond. You have to have a permit in order to utilize these fields. The annual Pumpkins in the Park event was held here in 2014 contrary to its usual location at Cushing Memorial Park.

The Natick municipality houses the Mass Audubon Broadmoor Wildlife Sanctuary. MetroWest has YMCA centers in Framingham and Hopkinton, and a MetroWest Boys and Girls Club.

The cost of living in MetroWest tends to be lower than the cost of living in the city of Boston. Framingham ranked at number 36 on CNN Money magazine’s 2012 “Best Places to Live in US” list. The average rent for a one-bedroom unit asked in Framingham costs about $1,405.51 compared to $2,100 being the average rent asked in Boston.

You can grab a beer at a local pub such as O’Connell’s for around $2 to $4. Business commuters or people just looking to spend some time in Boston can catch a MBTA train from Framingham to downtown Boston for around $11.15 ($5.30 for senior/disabled fare). Gas in this neighborhood hits generally higher than the national average by about 9 percent.

The premier mall in Metro West remains Natick Mall in Natick, Mass. It has over 245 stores and services, making it the largest mall by number of stores in New England. Shop at one of their six anchors stores, including Macy’s and Neiman Marcus, or dine at one the restaurants inside such as The Cheesecake Factory or P.F. Chang’s. They have high-end stores, including Louis Vuitton, Salvatore Ferragamo and Burberry. More affordable options, such as Urban Outfitters, Zara and Forever 21, exist as well.

There are plenty of small businesses that dot the area, including the long standing Spare Time Shop, selling plastic models, trading cards and other collectibles since 1973. If you are a fan of wine and craft beers and have a DIY streak, head to Strange Brew: Beer and Wine Making Supplies where they will help you get your own bottle off the ground.

Several grocery stores serve this community, including Whole Foods, Trader Joes, Roche Bros., and BJs. Westborough, Harvard and Ashland Farmers Market all provide fresh-produce options throughout Metro West.