Center for Historic Franklin Residences

In 2008, CNN and Money.com named Franklin, MA the 10^th best place to “Live and Launch.” The town gained another national mention the following year, when Family Circle named out quiet town one of the top ten places in the country to raise a family. So, are these honors accurate? Should you believe the hype?

Of course you should! Franklin, a city of approximately 31,000, is located around 35 miles southwest of Boston and around 20 miles north of Providence, RI. Both major cities are accessible by car and commuter rail, allowing residents to easily maintain jobs in nearby, bustling metropolises while living in the quaint, New England town. The town is thriving, providing a healthy mix of modern necessities with beautiful residential neighborhoods. Additionally, it’s the home of Garelick Farms, the New England-famous dairy producer.

Franklin’s downtown common area is truly the jewel of the town. The expansive, four-acre space is one of the finest in New England; it boasts beautiful grounds, a brick bandstand, and several monuments and dedications. This is an excellent place to watch the Fourth of July fireworks celebration with your family, or perhaps engage in local community meetings.

The homes themselves are often old Colonial and Victorian buildings—many of which are historic. Additionally, the stunning 100-acre Dean College campus provides additional charm to this tiny town, offering gorgeous views and providing an eclectic mix of residents. The downtown area is very pleasant, offering restaurants, shops, and cafes.

Of course, we might be biased—we are so in love with this town that we began this organization! If you’re traveling through New England, make a stop in our beloved Franklin. You won’t be sorry.

Clearview Drive, Lot 1
Franklin, MA 02038

Year Built: 2018
Zillow Listing

Price: $829,000
Bedrooms: 4
Bathrooms: 3
Half bathroom: 1
Square Feet: 3,209 sq ft

Lest you think that Franklin is populated with nothing but century-old homes, we wanted to highlight some of the new home construction going on in Franklin, MA. (In fact, this idea is what spurned our Franklin Home Styles by Decade Series.)

Built in early 2018, this stunning home comes equipped with stainless steel appliances, ample storage space, and structural sophistication. Perfect for new families, this premier location is close to schools, shopping, and everything the down of Franklin has to offer. Home chefs will fall head-over-heels for the custom kitchen, which features a granite island, ample cabinet space, and an elevated oven. The entryway includes a built-in shoe and coat rack—perfect for family and entertaining guests.

The living spaces are where this construction truly shines; the stairs to the second floor add depth to the primary living room, which includes a fireplace, gorgeous windows, and a hanging light fixture. Bedrooms have large closets, carpeted floors, and a private bathroom. The master bathroom includes both a jetted bathtub and a tiled, standing shower. If you want luxury in your Franklin, Massachusetts home, this is the house for you.

10 Applewood Lane, #10

Franklin, MA 02038

Year Built: 1988

Zillow Listing

Price: $389,900
Bedrooms: 3
Bathrooms: 3
Square Feet: 2,500 square feet

One of Franklin’s rare, semi-detached townhomes, this three-bedroom in Chestnut Ridge is the perfect example of the local-area home styles during the 1980s. Cozy yet sprawling all at once, it was an attempt to capture the best of worlds for home design, and to its credit, the result doesn’t disappoint.

Owners can enjoy the privacy of the building while gleaning the benefits of single-level living. The first-floor master bedroom boasts double closets, a skylight, and its own, private deck. The master bathroom has double dinks, a jetted bathtub, and an updated shower. The kitchen, the gathering place in the house, contains a tile and granite center island and a large eat-in area. Appliances were recently updated.

Furthermore, the first-floor family room contains a gas fireplace, several built-in bookcases, and a sliding door out to a large deck. Previous owners have converted one of the bedrooms into a study and office space, and this home has two parking spaces. Importantly, exterior maintenance, yard care, and snow removal are completed for you, and the community has a pool for summertime water fun.