Moving to Malden: Advice from a Local Realtor

Are you considering a move to Malden? Look no further! This comprehensive blog article serves as your go-to resource for everything you need to know about relocating to this vibrant city just minutes away from downtown Boston. Let's dive into the ultimate guide to moving to Malden written by a local expert and top Malden realtor!

Discovering Malden: A Snapshot of the City's Charm

Malden's proximity to Boston, diverse community, and unique cultural heritage make it an ideal place to call home. When it comes to neighborhoods, Malden has a great variety, each with its own special features, here are just a few of the great places in Malden.

Maplewood: On the east side of Malden and a bit quieter than Center, Maplewood borders Melrose and Saugus, providing easy access to these great communities, highway 93, 95 and route 1. With a more suburban feel, Maplewood is greener and generally less busy. You'll find great food options in Maplewood center, like Fortune Corner and Crazy Good Kitchen - two of my go to spots.

Malden Center: The heart of Malden and the hub for commuting to Boston via the Malden Center Orange line MBTA stop or the plethora of bus options towards Boston, Somerville and Cambridge. There are endless options for great food and fun in Malden center at places like Boda Borg, Idle Hands, Mystic Station and Crying Thaiger. Here is a list of my favorite restaurants in Malden, make sure to try them all!

Navigating the Malden Housing Market

Finding the right housing in Malden is essential. Explore various housing options, including apartments, houses, condos and multi-family homes. Your best resources is a realtor who lives in Malden, like Alex Navarro, who can use his expertise and experience to help you buy a home in Malden. Alex especially loves helping people looking to move to Malden that are first time homebuyers.

Before you decide on Malden, you should explore all that Malden has to offer. Discover the city's parks, recreational facilities, and local attractions like the Fellsmere Pond and the Malden Museum of Fine Arts. Immerse yourself in the vibrant shopping and dining scene, and experience the best of Malden's culinary delights. If you have any questions about this great city, reach out to the top real estate agent in Malden for help!

Transportation and Commuting Made Easy

Malden provides excellent transportation options for residents. Whether you prefer public transportation on the MBTA busses or Orange Line, driving, or biking, you can use it all here in Malden. We have the Northern Strand bike path and many main roads with bike lanes for safer commutes. 

Healthcare and Emergency Services in Malden

Ensuring access to healthcare is crucial and thankfully Malden has quick access to local healthcare and hospitals like Melrose-Wakefield just over the border and Mass General Hospital is a short train or car ride away.

Living in Malden

I lived in Malden as a kid but moved away for quite a while before finally purchasing my first home here in 2015. The quality of character, people and neighborliness hasn't changed at all but the town has grown in to a booming, culture filled suburb. It's been a joy to see it evolve and improve in so many ways since moving back and it warms my heart to be able to introduce new homeowners to my lovely town.

Our own Malden Center MBTA stop has become the epicenter of beautiful new developments aimed at the next generation of professionals working both in and outside of Boston. With more restaurants, cafes and other small businesses popping up all around the city, it's no wonder home values have increased so steadily here in our lovely town.

Looking for a professional real estate agent in Malden - you found me!
Whether you're selling your home in Malden or you're looking to buy a home in Malden, I've got you covered.

Malden Today

Malden is one of the fastest growing Boston suburbs, with home sales just above the Massachusetts average until recently when they have begun to outpace nearly every surrounding town. The median sale price in the first half of 2023 in Malden for single family homes was $620,000 and $788,000 for multi-family homes, which are in extremely high demand despite the density of multi-families. Here is a list of all active Malden listings.

Malden's demographics by age now skew heavily towards 25-54 year olds, with the younger generations quickly filing in to this affordable yet commutable town. With not one but two MBTA stops within Malden’s borders, commuters have convenient access to a bus network that links them directly to the Orange line and the neighboring towns. Oak Grove services the northern reach of Malden and provides ample parking for driving commuters and Malden Center Station serves as the hub for the downtown area.

Malden Community

The Town of Malden's website has most of what it's residents need when it comes to city programs and resources. Along with that, you'll find plenty of neighborhood groups on Facebook and Nextdoor to help new and current residents connect with the community. The Town of Malden has it's own Facebook Community Hub that posts upcoming events and news.

If you're curious about the neighborhoods of Malden, the town's site has a quick rundown here.

There are seven public schools in Malden; the Early Learning Center, Beebe, Ferryway, Forestdale, Linden STEAM Academy, Salemwood & Malden High School. There are several private schools, including the largest which is the Mystic Valley Regional Charter School. More info about the public schools can be found on their website here.

The resources available to the residents of Malden are vast but one of the best is the Malden Public Library, which was first opened as a small room in the town hall in 1879. In October of 1885, the Converse Memorial Building was designed by renowned architect H.H. Richardson. The building housed the library as well as an art gallery. Today the majority of the library’s collection is housed in the new addition which opened in June of 1996.

Residents looking to update or pay their water and other town bills can do so conveniently on the Bill Pay portal. If you're looking for the trash and recycling program, there is a helpful tool that will keep you updated on the pickup schedule.

Malden has a whopping 30 park sites throughout the city, providing a variety of recreational amenities, including tennis courts, basketball courts, playgrounds, ball fields, and a skate board park. You can get more information about all of them here.

Shopping, Eating & Fitness

Malden has so many great options for groceries from Market Basket just over the border in Revere, Stop & Shop in Malden Center and even a Whole Foods and Wegmans just next door in Melrose & Medford. Malden has dozens of small food marts and locally owned shops for quick or exotic groceries. One of the best Asian markets in Greater Boston, the Super 99, is a massive resource of imported dry goods, fresh vegetables and a truly spectacular selection of seafood and meats you won't find anywhere else. 

The amount of restaurants and great food options in Malden is truly hard to believe. While Malden center may be the food hub of the area, there are great small and family owned spots all throughout town. As Malden has grown, many new restaurants have opened and been great additions to our lovely town. Places like Crying Thaiger, Faces Brewing and Zuru Zuru Ramen have all become instant hits. As someone who spent a month in Thailand and misses the food on a daily basis, I make sure to stop at Crying Thaiger on a regular basis for a truly authentic way to satisfy my cravings! You can find a few more of my favorite Malden restaurants here.

As a runner, I thoroughly enjoy the abundance of sidewalks, parks and trails throughout Pine Banks, the Fells and elsewhere throughout town. While it may be a dense city, there is no lack of green spaces, beautiful flowering trees and carefully tended small gardens. If you're active like me, you'll also be happy to find Malden is home to several great gyms like LA Fitness, Planet Fitness, Crunch and plenty of smaller shops like Be Limitless and Alvim Team Trainers.

Malden Development

The new developments in Malden Center a an exceptional addition for commuters and the community. Nestled in the heart of Malden, these elegant condominiums offer a harmonious blend of contemporary design and urban convenience. Boasting sleek architecture, spacious floor plans, and top-of-the-line amenities. Residents can enjoy breathtaking views of the city skyline, while also relishing the convenience of a vibrant neighborhood. With a prime location near the Orange Line MBTA Malden Center stop, shopping centers, and a plethora of dining options, these condos offer the perfect balance between convenience and accessibility. Malden Center's new condos & apartments are poised to become the sought-after haven for those seeking sophistication and urban convenience.

There is also plenty of opportunity for small developers and first time homebuyers or owner-occupant investors looking to house hack their first property in Malden. Malden has a large stock of multi-family homes and many are being purchased by first time buyers with fantastic programs like MassHousing that allows them to put as little as 5% down and put the future rent of the second unit towards their debt-to-income ratio (DTI) and allows them to qualify for more and start building equity in their first investment quickly! I actually did this myself back in 2016 and it's how I purchased my first investment property here in Malden - the best decision I ever made!

Moving to Malden?

Moving to Malden, Massachusetts is an exceptional choice for those seeking a wonderful place to call home. This vibrant city offers a perfect blend of suburban charm and urban convenience. With its close proximity to Boston, residents enjoy easy access to a world-class city while also relishing the benefits of a tight-knit community. Malden is known for its diverse neighborhoods, schools, and ample green spaces, making it an ideal location for everyone looking for a great new place to call home. The city also boasts a rich history, reflected in its architecture and cultural landmarks. From its vibrant downtown area with a variety of shops and restaurants to its well-connected public transportation system which includes two stops on the MBTA Orange Line at Malden Center and Oak Grove. 

Malden provides the best of both worlds, making it a truly great option for those looking to make a fresh start. If you’re looking for the city life but at a more comfortable pace, at a better price and with all of the conveniences of a big city - contact me today!

Let me show you around my hometown! Work with a top Malden realtor for your next move. I can help you sell your home in Malden or buy a home in Malden.

- Alex