Dover, MA
Located about 15 miles southwest of Boston, Dover, MA, is a small town that blends modern suburban living with a long-standing rural tradition. With a population of around 6,000 people, Dover is a comfortable town that serves as a bedroom community for the greater Boston metropolitan area. Here’s what you need to know about Dover.
About Dover
Dover was originally settled in 1635 as a part of Dedham in Norfolk County and was incorporated as a separate town in 1836. Dover’s economy, like most New England towns in the post-revolutionary era, was highly concentrated around agriculture. Dover still maintains an agrarian feel with its open spaces, sizable estates, and natural environment. During the Industrial Revolution, mills were established along the Charles River near Dover.
Today, Dover is surrounded by several similar communities that are part of the greater Boston area, including Wellesley, Needham, Medfield, Natick, Sherborn, and Westwood. Nature conservancy still plays a major role in Dover, with landmarks like the Noanet Woodlands and Powisset Farm reflecting and preserving Dover’s resources.
Buying a Home in Dover
Dover real estate caters to a lifestyle of affluence and comfort. The median home value for Dover homes for sale is $1,956,500, while the median listing price exceeds $2.45 million. These prices reflect a marketplace with many upscale properties and large estates. The population of Dover regularly ranks among the wealthiest in Massachusetts.
Compared to other Boston suburbs, the Dover real estate market is a little slower, but transactions happen quickly. Only 67 Dover, MA, homes for sale were bought in 2023, with average Dover homes spending 19 days on the market. Real estate activity is a little higher on Dover’s East Side, bordering the more high-volume areas of Wellesley and Needham.
Living in Dover
Dover doesn’t have a traditional “center of town” like other towns and villages in New England. Most of its land is occupied by large residential areas with sprawling estates and very attractive scenic views. Conservation remains a focal point of the town, and Dover residents have ready access to nature trails and hiking.
Schools in Dover are overseen by the Dover-Sherborn Regional School District. Seven public schools are located in Dover, including four elementary, two middle, and one high school. Higher education is particularly important to the wealthy residents of Dover, and the upkeep of local schools is a major focus.
Given its small size and focus on residential properties, employment opportunities in Dover are fairly limited. Residents primarily work in other localities, especially Boston, with its wide range of employment options and industries. Public transit in Dover, MA, is largely overseen by the broader Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA). The Franklin Line runs through Dover, providing service to Boston’s South Station. Dover offers no local bus service, but residents can access MBTA buses that connect many of the towns in the greater metro area. Since Dover is nearly all-residential, most residents shop and use services in nearby towns. The great variety of goods throughout the greater Boston area means that Dover residents don’t have to go too far to get what they need, but owning a car is probably the best option for daily errands.
Things to Do in Dover
Thanks to the natural beauty of the general area, there are many outdoor activities and sights within just a few minutes of Dover, MA. The Noanet Woodlands and Pegan Hill are two of the best places for nature trails and hiking. The Noanet Woodlands includes several hiking trails with various levels of difficulty and is dotted with several ponds and wooded areas. Pegan Hill is best known for its incredible panoramic view inside the Dover Town Forest.
Powisset Farm is arguably Dover’s most important historical site, its existence dating back to the colonial era. Trustees of the farm offer several activities, including lessons about sustainable agriculture practices, community workshops, and Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) memberships. Dover has its share of annual events, including the Spring Egg Hunt and Crafts Event in April and a summer concert series on Dover Town Common. Autumn sees the arrival of the Dover Days Fair and the annual Flag Football Turkey Bowl. The restaurant scene in Dover is — befitting the residential nature of the town — a bit slow. Most residents going out to dinner hit the popular restaurants in nearby towns Wellesley, Framingham, and Needham.
Explore Living in Dover
As one of the greater Boston area’s quieter, more prosperous towns, Dover offers a naturalistic, open-spaced refuge. It’s a great place for affluent commuters to live in peace and tranquility.