Inside Medford | Fulton Heights, Haines Square & Salem Street

By 4Squares Residential Group with Judi 411

Welcome to another quick tour of Medford's neighborhood favorites! We've got go-to information for all corners of town, including Glenwood, West Medford, Wellington, Hillside, Medford Square, South Medford and now, Fulton Heights, Haines Square and Salem Street!

Parks & recreation, restaurants & entertainment, shopping and the day to day - we're sharing all our best local recommendations to help you love the way you live in Medford, MA.

Welcome to Medford’s East Side — home to Fulton Heights, Haines Square, and Salem Street, three neighborhoods that flow together in all the best ways.

Here, tree-lined streets and classic homes give way to parks, trails, and locally owned businesses that make everyday life easy — and uniquely local. It’s the kind of place where you can grab coffee and a bagel, take the dog for a walk, and still make it to the trails of the Fells before lunch.

For Fulton Heights residents, Haines Square and Salem Street are more than nearby conveniences — they’re part of the neighborhood’s daily rhythm. This is where community happens naturally: a quick hello outside Dempsey’s, a chat with your stylist, or an errand that turns into a friendly catch-up. It’s real Medford living — connected, comfortable, and completely your own.

Homes with History and Heart

Every home here tells a story — of Medford’s history, craftsmanship, and evolving character.

In Fulton Heights, you’ll find bungalows and capes with welcoming front porches, newer builds that blend seamlessly into the neighborhood, and condo conversions in former school buildings that merge historic charm with modern ease. Many streets in the Heights also offer something truly special — spectacular views of the Boston skyline, a daily reminder that city access and suburban calm can coexist beautifully.

As you move toward Haines Square and Salem Street, the architecture shifts to triple-deckers, classic multi-families, and new condominium developments that reflect Medford’s next chapter.

Whether you’re buying your first home or planning your next move, this corner of Medford offers a range of housing styles that fit how you live — and where you’re headed next.

Green Space, Wide Open and Welcoming

If Medford’s East Side has a secret superpower, it’s the sheer abundance of outdoor space. Parks, playgrounds, trails, and water views are woven into the fabric of everyday life.

Carr Park: The Beating Heart of the Heights

Recently transformed, Carr Park, located at the top of Fulton Street, has become the neighborhood’s living room. A bright new playground, resurfaced courts, and a vibrant dog park make it an all-day destination. Families picnic by the splash pad, teens shoot hoops under the lights, and neighborhood dogs know precisely when the next playdate begins.

Even better — the renovation preserved one of the park’s most recognizable features: the blue-roofed seating area, where neighbors gather while kids climb, swing, and explore. It’s a small but meaningful detail that honors what already worked — a reminder that great design keeps community at its center.

Gillis Park: Small, Sporty, and So Very Local

Quietly tucked away at the bottom of Fulton Street, Gillis Park is where neighbors go to breathe and watch Medford Little League games galore. The walking loop, outdoor fitness gear, and batting cages make it — the perfect place for an outdoor workout, in the middle of the city.

Pickleball at Hickey Park

Hickey Park brings the buzz. You’ll also find the sweetest little playground, often filled with families from the Medford Family Network’s Playgroups in the Park. And if you wander a bit farther, the pickleball courts are alive with rallies, laughter, and friendly competition — fitness, friendship, and community all in one place.

Nature, Water & Trails

Bordering The Middlesex Fells Reservation, Fulton Heights gives residents direct access to miles of forested trails for hiking, biking, or just wandering off-grid for an hour.

In the warmer months, Wright’s Pond becomes the neighborhood’s gathering place — a serene escape where locals swim, picnic, or join sunrise yoga by the water. Add Fellsmere Park and the Flynn Skating Rink, and it’s easy to see why this part of Medford makes active living effortless.

With so much open space, recreation, and natural beauty woven into daily life, Fulton Heights offers a rare kind of balance — active, outdoorsy living a few miles from the city.

Haines Square & Salem Street: Everyday Life, Elevated

Down the hill, Haines Square and the Salem Street Business District anchor daily life with local energy and timeless convenience. From breakfast spots to boutique salons and specialty shops, this is where the rhythm of the neighborhood comes alive.

Food & Flavor: Where the Neighborhood Eats

Between Haines Square and Salem Street, the local food scene covers every craving:

• Dempsey’s Breakfast & Lunch – a local legend where the coffee’s hot, the pancakes are perfect, and everyone feels like a regular.

• Iris Restaurant – equal parts pizza joint, diner, and taco stop — a true neighborhood crowd-pleaser.

• FiorItaly Trattoria – cozy, romantic, and authentically Italian; the kind of spot that becomes your “special occasion” standby.

• Nappi’s – a hands-on dining adventure where you pick your ingredients and let the chefs work their magic.

• Shanghai Moon 1987 – generations of Medford families have celebrated milestones here over sushi, noodles, and cocktails that warrant a return visit.

Photos: FiorItaly on Salem Street, the plans (well underway) to improve Carr Park, a bird's eye view of Wright's Pond and the Heights, and an inside view of Reimagym.

Fitness, Function & Local Essentials

Reimagym - our favorite gym for people who hate the gym - keeps fitness approachable and community-driven, while JRA Cycles supports everyone from casual riders to serious cyclists and Fells-loving mountain bikers. Add in neighborhood fixtures like the old reliable Modern Hardware (still around, but now part of the local Home Decor Group) and Artery Lock Service — family-run, trusted, and always ready to help — and you’ll understand why your neighbors rarely need to go anywhere else.

When you're looking for style, wellness and self care, you’ll find everything from trusted family salons to luxe spas. Nancy’s Family Salon keeps it classic and kind (people love it for the littles), Emilio’s brings 25+ years of neighborhood style, and Hair Passion adds the modern edge. For indulgence, the professionals at Sola Medford deliver head-to-toe pampering with expertise: from a cute haircut and style, to gentle wrinkle treatments or a rejuvenating facial. Here, self-care isn’t an appointment, it’s part of the lifestyle.

Between Haines Square and Salem Street, you’ll find everything you need to make daily life easy — and reasons to stay awhile, too.

Location That Works for Real Life

Fulton Heights sits at the crossroads of comfort and convenience. Just minutes from Route 93 and Route 28, residents enjoy a quick commute to Boston and easy access to surrounding towns like Melrose, Malden, and Stoneham.

Weekends are effortless — whether it’s a family trip to the Stone Zoo, a trail run in the Fells, or dinner right around the corner. It’s urban access without urban stress.

That balance — between ease and experience — is what keeps people drawn to this corner of Medford.

Love the Way You Live

At 4Squares Residential Group, we believe home isn’t just where you live — it’s how you live.

In Fulton Heights, Haines Square, and Salem Street, life unfolds with ease: a morning walk to Carr Park, lunch at a local favorite, errands that don’t require a car, and evenings spent with people who know your name. It’s a lifestyle built on connection — to neighbors, to nature, and to the everyday moments that make home feel like home.

If you're a Medford resident - what are the local favorites in your part of town?

And if you’re thinking about making a move, whether it’s buying your dream home or selling your current one, connect with Jen Keenan today—we’re here to help you love where you live! Or stay in the loop by subscribing to our email newsletter today!