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Living in BurlingtonWhat is it like living in Burlington's 3rd Avenue mixed-use development?
Living in Burlington's 3rd Avenue means having a grocery anchor, a handful of restaurants and cafés, an entertainment venue, and a central park all inside one district. Everyday errands and a night out are easy to combine. It is still a suburban setting, so most trips beyond the district happen by car. The apartments there are rentals, and if you're weighing renting at 3rd Ave against owning in Burlington, that's a decision worth running through with a local agent.
Key Takeaways
- Recent local market data shows a Burlington median sale price of $899,900, which is the benchmark to hold in mind if you're comparing renting at 3rd Ave with buying in town.
- Burlington homes took a median of 52 days to sell in recent local market data, with 47 active listings and 30 new listings in the last 30 days.
- The official 3rd Ave site lists seven dining options, including Kings Dining & Entertainment, plus the region's only Wegmans.
- Walkable within the district does not mean car-free in Burlington, since regional roads and the suburban layout still shape how you get around.
- A proposed 188-unit project at 129 to 131 Middlesex Turnpike, with 28 affordable units, was approved at Town Meeting, but it's planned housing, not occupied housing.
What can you actually do day to day at 3rd Ave?
You can handle groceries, coffee, dinner, dessert, and entertainment without leaving the district. That's the whole appeal of a mixed-use development, and it's why so many people ask us about it.
Is there a real grocery store?
Yes. Wegmans anchors the district, and the official 3rd Ave site describes it as the region's only Wegmans. For anyone living nearby, that turns a weekly grocery run into a short trip instead of a planned outing. It also keeps the district busy, which is part of its energy.
What are the dining and entertainment options?
The 3rd Ave directory lists these dining and entertainment choices:
- Tony C's Sports Bar & Grill
- The Bancroft
- Redstone
- The Okipoke
- Twist Bakery & Café
- Holy Cow Ice Cream
- Kings Dining & Entertainment
That's a mix of sit-down, casual, sweet, and activity-oriented options. Kings is the one that goes beyond a typical apartment amenity package, since it gives you something to do on a night when you don't want to plan a drive into Boston or Cambridge. Tenant lineups change, so check the directory for current hours and tenants before you count on a particular spot.
What about the park and events?
The central park and seasonal events give the district a gathering-place feel that a standalone apartment complex doesn't have. Schedules change, so the 3rd Ave site is the place to confirm what's on before you plan around it.
Is 3rd Ave walkable, and how do you get around Burlington?
Inside the district, yes, you can walk between most of what's there. Outside it, Burlington is a car-oriented suburb, and that's the honest answer for anyone planning life without a vehicle.
We separate two ideas when we talk with clients. Walkable within the development means you can reach Wegmans, a coffee, and dinner on foot once you're there. Convenient by car within Burlington means everything else, from the Burlington Mall area to your office or the highways, is a short drive away rather than a stroll. The official 3rd Ave page says the district's mix of restaurants, cafés, and specialty retailers lets you skip trips to Boston or Cambridge for everyday outings. It doesn't say you can skip driving altogether.
How close is 3rd Ave to the highways and Boston?
Burlington's position in the Route 128 corridor is a big reason people look here, and our post on the Route 128 tech corridor covers that in more depth. Commute times vary a lot by hour, so don't rely on a map estimate. Drive your real route at your real time of day before you sign a lease or make an offer anywhere nearby.
What about green space beyond the district?
If you want trails and open space in addition to the central park, we've pulled together the best parks and nature spots in Burlington and nearby towns.
Should you rent at 3rd Ave or buy a home in Burlington?
That depends on your timeline, budget, and how long you plan to stay, and it's a decision we walk clients through often. 3rd Ave's housing is rental apartments, including The Tremont at 3rd Avenue. If ownership is your goal, you'll be looking at Burlington's neighborhoods and the towns around it. Confirm leasing details and availability directly with the property.
Here's where the market stands. Recent local market data shows a Burlington median sale price of $899,900, a median of 52 days on market, 47 active listings, 30 new listings in the last 30 days, and 51 homes sold in roughly the last 90 days. Those are area-level medians. An individual home's value depends on its condition, street, build year, and timing.
For context, here's how Burlington compares with nearby towns we work in, using the same recent local market data:
| Area | Median Sale Price | Median Days on Market |
|---|---|---|
| Burlington | $899,900 | 52 |
| Wilmington | $750,500 | 64 |
| Chelmsford | $649,750 | 46 |
| Reading | $956,000 | 62 |
| Stoneham | $815,000 | 46 |
| Wakefield | $785,000 | 49 |
If you like the convenience of the district but want to own, the practical move is to compare nearby Burlington streets and neighboring towns on price, commute, and property type. We cover how the district affects nearby values in our post on whether living near 3rd Ave increases your home value.
What's being built next to 3rd Ave?
Burlington's Town Meeting approved a proposed multifamily project at 129 to 131 Middlesex Turnpike, across from 3rd Ave. According to the Burlington Chamber of Commerce, it proposes 188 units, 28 of them affordable. That's planned housing capacity, not units you can move into today, so treat it as a sign of where the area is heading and not a finished product.
More rental supply nearby can matter to your decision, whether you're a renter weighing options or an owner thinking about the neighborhood's long-term pull. The right read on it depends on your situation, and that's where a conversation with us helps.
Why does the right answer depend on you?
Anyone considering living in Burlington's 3rd Avenue district is really asking a bigger question about what kind of daily life they want and what they want to own. Some people want the district's convenience for a season. Others want a yard, a garage, and a driveway within a few minutes of it. We help you sort out which is which, and if you're buying, we'll show you what fits your budget on the market as it stands.
Don't take our word for it. You can read what our clients say about working with us on Google, Zillow, and Realtor.com.
FAQ
What is it like to live at 3rd Ave in Burlington, MA?
It's a convenient, amenity-rich district built around dining, groceries, and entertainment. The official site describes seven dining options and the region's only Wegmans. Beyond the district, Burlington is a suburban town where you'll want a car.
Is 3rd Ave Burlington walkable without a car?
Within the development, yes, since restaurants, cafés, Wegmans, and the central park are close together. Across Burlington as a whole, most people still rely on a car for work, errands, and trips to the highways. Check the 3rd Ave site for current tenants and hours before you plan a car-light routine around it.
How close is 3rd Ave to Route 3, I-95, Burlington Mall, and Boston?
3rd Ave sits in Burlington's commercial corridor, which is a big part of its convenience for drivers. Exact drive times change a lot with traffic, so test your real commute at the hours you'd actually travel. We're happy to talk through how different parts of Burlington compare for access.
Are there apartments directly inside the 3rd Avenue development?
Yes, the district includes rental apartments such as The Tremont at 3rd Avenue. Availability and leasing terms are handled by the property, so confirm those directly. If you're thinking about buying instead, we can show you homes in Burlington and nearby towns.
Are new apartments planned near 3rd Ave Burlington?
Yes. Town Meeting approved a proposed 188-unit multifamily project at 129 to 131 Middlesex Turnpike, with 28 affordable units, per the Burlington Chamber of Commerce. It's a planned project, not completed or occupied housing.
Whether you're drawn to the convenience of 3rd Ave or you're ready to own in Burlington or a nearby town, we'll help you compare your options with real numbers. Start with a free home valuation if you own now, or download our Free Seller's Guide if you're thinking about selling first. We're fluent in English and Russian, and we're happy to meet wherever it's easiest for you.
Equal Housing Opportunity. Vicky Kustov, Real Estate Sales license. Each office is independently owned and operated. This article is general information, not legal, tax, or financial advice. Please confirm your own numbers with your real estate attorney, tax advisor, or lender.
