Walnut Hill - Woburn, MA

The long history of Woburn dates back to 1640 when the area was first settled, and in 1642, the town officially incorporated. The original town limits included areas now known as Burlington, Winchester, Stoneham and Wilmington.

The 1800s saw significant growth and progress in the area, with railroads coming to town in 1835, the Woburn Sentinel newspaper in 1839 and electricity in 1885. By the early 1900s, the Walnut Hill area began to develop around a cranberry farming operation.

Beginning in 2010, the agricultural commission of Woburn hosts an annual Oktoberfest event with German favorites like bratwurst, sauerkraut, knockwurst and pretzels along with plenty of activities for the whole family.

The National Heritage Museum, about 7 miles away, provides information about local and American history.

Many Walnut Hill locals make the short trip to Boston for dining and nightlife, but restaurants and taverns in the local neighborhood may tempt you to stay closer to home. Diner in the Park, located in the heart of Woburn, serves the weekday lunch crowd with a menu that features short order diner staples as well as some exotic twists. Locals rave about the eggs Benedict, and the generous helping of rich, creamy homemade hollandaise poured on top makes it easy to see why. The lamb burger, enhanced with crumbles of melted feta cheese, satisfies your craving for a hearty lunch. Also in Woburn, about 2 miles from Walnut Hill, Pintxo Pincho Tapas Bar wows with its sophisticated lineup of tapas in the Spanish tradition, which it serves along with beers and fine Spanish wines. Morcipan, a Spanish blood sausage dish served on crispy flatbread, will expand your palate. Pintxo Pincho takes basics like empanadas to a new level by stuffing them with premium ingredients including blue cheese and Kobe beef, and the casual tapas atmosphere makes it OK to share. Zaika Indian Bistro represents the area's diversity of culture with authentic Indian offerings at lunch and dinner. Zaika dishes up beloved Indian favorites such as dosas, kebabs, curries and naan, all made with halal meats. The mango lassi, a frosty beverage made of yogurt and mango, will quench your thirst, and the creamy and spicy tikka masala, available with chicken, lamb, paneer or shrimp, will have you planning your return trip before you've even finished your meal. At the end of a hard day, locals head to Waxy's for some evening relaxation and Irish hospitality. The pub offers bar-style appetizers and the Guinness flows freely until late into the night. When you've exhausted all the local hotspots, Boston, with its world-class music venues, bars and nightclubs waits just 11 miles away.

Around 90 percent of Walnut Hill residents rely on private cars for their day-to-day travel, but the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority does serve the area with limited stops. Passengers can board the bus at Woburn Square to travel around the Woburn, Burlington and Medford Square areas, and transfers are available to take you all the way to Boston, where even more extensive public transportation options exist.

Checker Cab and Uber both serve the Walnut Hill area, so catching a ride proves quick and easy. Businesses provide their own lots, and local residents typically park in private lots or driveways while at home. The city of Woburn supplies a map of walkable roads in town as well as a list of bike-safe areas. Interstate 93 and Interstate 95 are accessible within just a few miles of Walnut Hill and provide quick ways to get around the greater Boston area.

Woburn provides several parks and various workout and recreation facilities for residents. The small size of the town means that any park you may want to visit won't be too far away.

Leland Park on Central Street features baseball fields, playgrounds for kids, a street hockey rink, a basketball court and a swimming pool open to all residents. Several other pools also serve the area, and residents can purchase pool access wristbands for a small fee.

If you have a dog craving some off-leash time, head out to Melrose Dog Park in nearby Melrose, only about 4 miles away.

Due to premium real estate prices and proximity to Boston, the cost of living in Walnut Hill ranks 42 percent higher than the national average and 16 percent higher than the rest of Massachusetts. A trip from Woburn to Boston via bus and train costs $9.45, and those seeking a one-bedroom rental apartment in the area can expect to pay around $1525 per month. Gas prices in the Walnut Hill area stay at around 6 percent higher than the national average.

Groceries and other necessary items can easily be purchased in the Walnut Hill area, and the Woburn Mall provides casual and discount retailers.

Lexington Farmers Market, 7 miles away in the town of Lexington, offers locals top-quality fresh produce from nearby farms beginning each year in the spring. Local grocery store Market Basket provides day-to-day items inside the town of Woburn, along with national chain Whole Foods for organic and specialty foods.

The Woburn Mall shopping center houses discount retailers such as TJ Maxx, DSW Shoe Warehouse and Talbot's Outlet. For higher-end shopping, drive into downtown Boston.

Locally owned retailers prove sparse in this mostly suburban area, but Vamped Boutique, about 7 miles away in Saugus, specializes in women's fashion with a focus on attractively adorned basics like T-shirts and hoodies along with vampy evening-wear, jewelry, miniskirts, boots and shoes.