Metrowest

MetroWest is a regional designation used in Massachusetts to describe the suburban area located to the west of Boston. The term is used in planning, economic development, and regional discussions to denote a cluster of communities that share economic ties and commuter access to the city. There is no single formal boundary, but the region typically includes parts of Middlesex and Worcester counties and several municipalities north and west of Boston, characterized by residential neighborhoods, commercial centers, and expanding business parks.

Municipalities commonly associated with MetroWest include Framingham, Natick, Marlborough, Hudson, Sudbury, Wayland, Weston, Wellesley, Waltham, and surrounding communities. Boundaries vary by source, reflecting fluid definitions used by planners, chambers of commerce, and regional partnerships.

Transportation and access are central to the MetroWest identity. The region is served by major highways such as the Massachusetts Turnpike (Interstate 90) and the I-495 and I-95 corridors, along with Route 9 in several towns. The MBTA provides commuter rail service on the Framingham/Worcester Line, linking many communities to downtown Boston and other employment hubs.

Economy and education in MetroWest are marked by a balance of residential life and business development. Key sectors include technology, life sciences, healthcare, and professional services, with dense commercial centers in town centers and business parks in outlying areas. Public school systems across the region are notable, and proximity to Boston affords access to higher education and research institutions throughout the greater metropolitan area.

Notes: Metrowest is a fluid designation used by different organizations, reflecting its role as a socio-economic region rather than a fixed political boundary.