Wellesley is a charming town in Norfolk County, Massachusetts about 15 miles west of downtown Boston. It has an interesting history with a number of name changes throughout its evolution.

The area where the town sits today was originally settled as part of Dedham in the 1630s. Within a few decades, there were enough families to justify splitting the community off into its own town, which was named Needham. The site of the future town of Wellesley was called West Needham.

For most of the 18th and 19th centuries, West Needham was a small farming town. However, that all changed when the railroad came to town in the 1830s, connecting West Needham to Boston and the world at large.

As the town grew, the residents decided they needed their own identity that was separate from Needham. In 1881, the town was officially named Wellesley to honor wealthy benefactor Horatio Hollis Hunnewell, whose mansion was named Wellesley after his wife’s maiden name of Welles.

Today Wellesley is best known for its highly ranked schools. This is the home of Wellesley College, a women’s college that is consistently ranked as one of the best liberal arts colleges in the United States. Wellesley is also home to Babson College.

Wellesley is an affluent community and this is reflected in its real estate offerings. Wellesley homes for sale can be incredibly impressive with soaring ceilings, multiple bedrooms and bathrooms, and sprawling lawns. That being said, it is possible to find moderately priced homes as well.

Architectural styles in Wellesley vary from traditional Cape Cods and Colonials to modern constructions with sleek lines and high-end materials like stone and rich woods. The majority of Wellesley real estate is in Wellesley Hills and Wellsley Farms.

Luxury homes in Wellesley typically sit on large lots and are surrounded by beautiful landscaped grounds. Most have spacious suites and living areas, as well as all the amenities you could ask for in a home. Common features you might find include:

• Hardwood floors
• Fireplaces
• Granite Countertops
• Custom cabinetry
• Walk-in closets
• Deluxe bathrooms
• Marble accents
• Porches
• Media Rooms
• Wet Bars
• Multi-car garages

If you’re not ready to buy real estate in Wellesley, MA yet, there are many homes for rent in the town. You can find large single-family homes with up to five or six bedrooms, as well as modestly priced townhomes and condos.