Oak Grove-Pine Banks - Melrose, MA Area Guide

Originally inhabited by Pennacook Native Americans, Malden was settled by Puritans in 1640. Back then, however, it was known as "Mistick Side" as a part of Charlestown. It wasn't until 1649 when Malden became its own incorporated town. Malden residents played a major role in the American Revolution, being the first town to petition the colonial government to withdraw from the British Empire. Malden High School is also credited with the first ever Thanksgiving day football game in 1889, a major tradition in modern American football.

The Oak Grove neighborhood was built around Oak Grove Square, a common practice in many communities in New England. As one of the eight town squares in Malden, Oak Grove served as a crossroad and town commons during the colonial period.

The Oak Grove Improvement Association, a completely volunteer-led organization, hosts the annual Harvest Moon Festival every September and frequent community beautification projects.

Most of the neighborhood's best restaurant reside on the corner of Oak Grove Avenue and Main Street. Ocean Sushi remains the best of the bunch. As one of the best sushi restaurants in the Boston area, make sure to pay it a visit and try the million dollar maki, teriyaki beef and the Philly maki. The lunch specials also provide great value for the quality of food. The service provided here always ensures an enjoyable dining experience.

Just around the corner, Jitters Cafe is a popular local coffee shop serving up fresh coffee and sandwiches. With works from local artists decorating the wall, Jitters creates a great atmosphere for members of the community to hang out and enjoy the afternoon sipping on a hot latte. Also not to be missed are the nutella banana croissant, Sergeant breakfast sandwich on English muffin and the Jitterbug panini.

Between Jitters and Ocean Sushi, Bobby C's Ristorante serves as the local watering hole. This Italian eatery also has a full bar with live entertainment every Wednesday night. Grab a few friends, and enjoy the relaxing atmosphere here. As the only bar in the neighborhood, all the locals know each other, so the vibe remains very relaxed and chatty. Alternatively, Exchange Street Bistro and Mystic Station in downtown Malden provide good backup options if you're looking for something a little more upbeat.

A number of transportation options exist for Oak Grove-Pine Banks residents. Between public transportation, driving, walk and biking, and cabs, locals are never at a loss for how to get around.

Public transportation commuters rely on the MBTA buses and subway, more often just called the "T." The Oak Grove T Station is serviced by the orange line and transports passengers into downtown Boston in just 10 minutes. The above-ground Haverhill Line train (the purple line) also runs further north from the Malden Center T Station, passing through the Oak Grove T Station. The 131, 132, 136 and 137 bus lines also run through the neighborhood, carrying passengers throughout the Boston area.

Also helping locals get in and out of the area are two major roadways: Highway 1 to the east and I-93 to the west. Both sit roughly the same distance away from the neighborhood, about 2 miles in either direction. Parking is relatively painless within the neighborhood. Street parking usually stays pretty open as most homes have their own driveways or carports.

Walking is another common mode of transportation within the neighborhood, especially around the main intersection of Oak Grove Avenue and Main Street. Even walking to downtown Malden, less than a mile south, can easily be done in under 20 minutes. While no bike lanes exist, the streets remain safe enough that walkers and cyclists don't worry about their safety.

If all else fails, Uber's service area covers this neighborhood or you can call ahead for a cab.

The neighborhood is surrounding by two massive parks to the east and west: Pine Banks Park and Oakdale Park. Pine Banks is a beautiful park that offers a baseball diamond and running track as well as a number of hiking trails. It's a very scenic area where kids can play and dogs can come along as well.

Once autumn rolls around, all the locals know it's time for the Harvest Moon Festival at Fellsmere Park and Pond. Kids love the bounce castles and face painting while teenagers and adults enjoy the live music and festive atmosphere.

The cost of living in Oak Grove-Pine Banks runs much higher than Malden as a whole. For example, a one-bedroom apartment in this neighborhood rents for $1,842 per month. This comes in 75 percent higher than the Malden average of $1,055 per month.

Transportation costs come in a little higher as well. Locals pay about 7 percent more at the pump compared to national averages. Getting around on the T costs $2.65 per ride if you pay with cash on arrival, but almost every local carries a preloaded CharlieCard, which lowers the cost to $2.10 per ride with free transfers to local buses. Buses work the same way with $2.10 being the cash fare and $1.60 the price with a CharlieCard. Frequent commuters also benefit from weekly or monthly passes which further help to bring down costs.

When heading out to a local restaurant, expect to pay about $12 for an entree and another $5 for a beer.

Shopping opportunities within the neighborhood are limited to a few basic-needs shops. You won't find a single local who has a bad thing to say about the Today's Collision Repair Centers, the auto body shop on Washington Street. Everyone loves the loyalty and honestly with which Matt and his team do business. For a great men's haircut, there's no place better than Oak Grove Barber Shop. Much like Bobby C's Ristorante, this is a great place to chat with your neighbors. The old-school charm and kid-friendly atmosphere are other big pluses for the barber shop. Locals head a couple miles northeast for more commercial shopping. Just off Highway 1 sits a Lowe's, PacSun, Sears, BestBuy, Macy's, Walmart, T.J. Maxx and a number of clothing stores. Most are located in Saugus Plaza, but a few are standalone stores as well. Head into downtown Malden for groceries. Super 88 Market is usually the best bet for everything you need at reasonable prices, but Super Stop & Shop remains a good option as well. No farmers markers exist in the area.