Oak Hill
Brief History
Oak Hill is a a suburban village with no center and no public transportation as the area was largely rural far longer than other villages, with development intensifying in the early-to-mid 20th century.
Oak Hill and Oak Hill Park are in the Newton Center zip code of 02459 and sit on the Southeast end of Newton, abutting West Roxbury. One of the the first settlers to build a homestead in Oak Hill was Robert Murdock. He purchased land from Jonathan Hyde and John Woodward in 1703. After Murdock’s death in 1754, the property passed to Captain Jeremiah Wiswall. The Wiswalls were a prominent family in the Massachusetts Bay Colony, dating back to 1635. This tract of land would remain the property of the Wiswall family from 1754 until well into the 20th century. With the exception of the adjoining Bigelow Estate and Esty Farm, most of the land upon which the Oak Hill Park part of Oak Hill was eventually built had, in fact, been the property of the Wiswall family. The Murdock-Wiswall House, one of several houses built by the family, is on the UMass Mt. Ida campus.
The historic Working Boys home is in Oak Hill and sits on the campus of the JCC.
Village Character & Lifestyle
Oak Hill is described as a “residential part of Newton with wide suburban roadways shaded by oak trees … mansions spanning 4,000 + square feet sit next to each other on its winding, enclosed suburban roads”.
While the village lacks a prominent commercial “village center” in the same way some other Newton villages do, its proximity to green spaces and its residential tranquility give it appeal for families and those seeking a more private, leafy suburban lifestyle.
The architecture is varied: from large estate-style homes to newer builds and plenty of renovation opportunities. This gives you a marketing angle: “prestige homes, mature lots, neighborhood character plus flexibility”.
Schools & Community
Students in Oak Hill attend Memorial Spaulding Elementary, Oak Hill Middle School and Newton South High School. Oak Hill is also home to UMass Amherst Mt Ida Campus and William James College, a private college of psychology, formerly the Massachusetts School of Professional Psychology
The community includes mature landscapes and stable ownership, which may appeal to buyers looking for longevity and investment in community quality.
Location & Commute
Oak Hill is situated in Newton in such a way that it offers a reasonable commute to Boston and other employment hubs, while still retaining suburban calm. There is no public transportation but Oak Hill gives commuters access by car via the West Roxbury Parkway.
The map below is a bit inaccurate as the area between Wiswall Rd and Spiers Rd are boundaries of, a separate village of Newton.
Parks & Sites of Interest
Oak Hill enjoys more open space than many of Newton’s other villages, perhaps because it was developed later. It is bounded by the Charles River, Nahanton Park and the Cutler Park Reservation to the west and southwest and by Brookline’s Brook Farm and Hancock Woods to the southeast. The village also contains large open spaces in the form of the UMass Mt Ida Campus and Skyline Park.
Oak Hill is also home to the private Charles River Country Club.
Oak Hill is home to the Leventhal-Sidman Jewish Community Center, the Wells Avenue Office Park, Memorial Spaulding School, Oak Hill and Brown Middle Schools, and several private schools, as well as Newton South High School.
Demographics & Income
Oak Hill has a population of approximately 5,301.
The neighborhood is characterized by high home-values: e.g., median home values significantly above many national averages.
Housing Market & Home Ownership
Homes in Oak Hill command premium pricing: large lots, high square footage, mature landscaping all contribute to value.
Ownership rates are high; mostly single-family homes on sizable lots, which is a cornerstone of value in this market.
Older homes that have not been maintained but sit on large lots are being bought up by builders so Oak Hill is starting to see quite a bit of new construction.
What This Means for Buyers & Sellers
For Buyers:
Buying in Oak Hill means entering one of Newton’s desirable residential enclaves: premium homes, mature neighborhood, strong fundamentals.
You’ll pay for location, quality and lot size — so budget accordingly and be ready for competition.
If looking for value, consider depth of renovation or lot orientation/size trade-offs — condition will matter greatly.
Because this market is premium, due diligence (systems, roof, lot slope, landscaping, update history) is important.
For Sellers:
You’re in a favourable position if your home is well-located (within Oak Hill), well-maintained, and presented intelligently.
Emphasise the narrative: “Leafy estate-style, top-tier Newton village, excellent schools, good access to green space and city”. Use this story in your listing materials.
Invest in presentation: landscaping, curb appeal, staging, highlight the trees, lot, ambiance. The buyer pool is paying for that premium.
Pricing strategy: reflect the premium nature but differentiate your home via condition, lot, architecture. Avoid simply listing by price alone; show uniqueness.
In Summary
Oak Hill offers a very compelling proposition: a high-quality residential village with mature character, strong schools, abundant green space, and proximity to Boston. For buyers, it means lifestyle + location; for sellers, it means strong positioning if you leverage the value drivers. Your role as broker: articulate the unique “Oak Hill” story, ensure clients understand the premium nature of the market and guide them through the nuances (condition, lot, update, target buyer profile).
Related Links
City of Newton – Historic Newton: Oak Hill
Newton Villages Alliance – Oak Hill
Homes.com – Oak Hill Neighbourhood Guide
Because Oak Hill is in the Newton Center zip code of 02459, it is not possible to separate out the listings. Please refer to the map to see the streets contained in the village of Oak Hill.