Did you know that this town is the origin of the now ubiquitous Concord grape made famous by juice maker Welch's? Welch's was the first to bottle the little fruit, in its unfermented form, and still has an office in Concord.
West Concord is an unincorporated village in the historic town of Concord
Did you know that this town is the origin of the now ubiquitous Concord grape made famous by juice maker Welch's? Welch's was the first to bottle the little fruit, in its unfermented form, and still has an office in Concord.
West Concord is an unincorporated village in the historic town of Concord. This vibrant village has everything residents are looking for in a small town. There are independently-owned shops and restaurants in the village center, a library, a hospital, playgrounds, a local pond and a commuter rail station for zippy access to nearby areas. There were just over 6,000 people living in the village as of the 2010 census, and at just over three and half square miles, the village is considered very suburban.
If your apartment search brings you to West Concord, consider yourself lucky! The village is a beautiful place to call home. However, it might be tricky to actually land a place in the area. Rental properties are in high demand, and thus, they come on and off the market pretty quickly. It's best to do your homework ahead of time regarding where you want to live and then keep on top of availability weekly or even daily. Do your best detective work and put on your sprinter's shoes.
Be prepared to sign a one-year lease for most apartment rentals and rental homes in the area. Rental companies and landlords know their properties are in demand and that they can get longer leases, so they do! Be prepared to pay the first month of rent and an added security deposit that varies depending on the complex or if you are renting from a private landlord. There's no problem getting to and from West Concord, with Route 2 running on the northern border of the town. This brings you right into Boston, just about 40 minutes away without traffic, and to other major highways in the area.
West Concord is definitely its own little neighborhood of the larger town of Concord, but it still has micro-neighborhoods within its borders.
Village Center: This is the place to be if you want community. The streets are laid out in a grid style, and the area is full of single-family homes. While living here, you can walk to shopping, the pharmacy, and many restaurants. You'll really feel that you're living 'in-town.' You will be a frequent guest at the Nashoba Brook Bakery: nobody can resist the smell of fresh bread and coffee wafting down the street!
Outside the village center, you will find winding roads that go through the surrounding farm and forest land and single-family homes with large lots. This is the place to look for rental homes.
There are also three notable apartment and condominium communities in the village.
Concord Green Condominiums: Located on the north side of Route 2, these condos were built in 1977 but have been renovated to be a modern urban living space. There are two-bedroom and two-bath units with nicely landscaped grounds and within walking distance to the commuter rail line.
Concord Village Condominiums: On the other side of Route 2, Concord Village has one, two or three bedroom units with one and half baths. These also provide easy access to the highway and the commuter rail line.
Concord Mews Apartments: The Mews are a little ways out of town, practically in the neighboring town of Maynard. Though it can be a little longer to get to places from here, you are closer to dining and shopping in Maynard, which can be a little less hectic than in Concord, especially in the summer when tourists descend on Minuteman National Park.
For all of its historic significance, West Concord is really a pleasant small village just as it has always been. There are still several organic farms in the area, but the town has mostly moved on from its agricultural days and is now a bedroom community. The commuter rail station is a great convenience and can get you, in under an hour, straight into North Station, Boston, via the Fitchburg/South Acton line, so the big city is still at your fingertips.
The village itself is a tight-knit community with many services provided for locally. The old-timey West Concord Five & Ten is an eclectic anchor store in the village of West Concord. Just like the old time sundries, the Five & Ten sells everything from hairnets to plungers and from hardware to candy. Locals and tourists alike stroll through just to be amazed at what they can find!
If you're lucky enough to rent an apartment in West Concord, there is no doubt that your quality of life will be as good as the old days.
