About Malden

Where is Malden?

Malden sits about 6 miles (roughly 10 km) north of downtown Boston, in Middlesex County. Despite being close to one of America's most famous cities, Malden is calmer, more affordable, and easier to settle into than the center of Boston itself.

Getting into Boston is simple. Malden is served by the MBTA Orange Line subway at Malden Center and Oak Grove stations, which connects you to downtown Boston in about 15 minutes. Malden Center is a true transportation hub — it also offers commuter rail service and connects to a dozen bus routes — so students can reach work, shopping, and the rest of Greater Boston without owning a car. A single subway ride into Boston costs the same low fare as travel within the city.

In short: you get the energy and opportunity of Boston, with the comfort and pace of a smaller community.

A city shaped by newcomers

Malden was first settled in 1640 and became its own town in 1649, making it one of the older communities in the United States. For centuries it has been a place where people arrive, build a life, and put down roots.

In the 1800s, Malden grew into a busy manufacturing city. It is even the birthplace of an American icon: the Converse sneaker was first made here, when the Converse Rubber Shoe Company opened in Malden in 1908. The city's first mayor, Elisha Converse, donated parkland and funded Malden's library, hospital, and other landmarks that residents still use today.

Waves of immigrants — Irish, Italian, Jewish, and many others — helped build the Malden of the past. Today, that tradition continues with new arrivals from around the world, which is exactly what makes Malden such a natural home for our students.

One of the most diverse cities in Massachusetts

Malden is widely recognized as one of the most diverse cities in the state. Around 40% of Malden residents were born outside the United States — one of the highest shares anywhere in Massachusetts — and more than 70 languages are spoken across the city's schools. Malden High School has been ranked the most diverse public high school in the state.

For an immigrant or international student, this matters in a very practical way: you will not feel like an outsider here. Malden is home to large and active communities from:

• Brazil — one of the city's fastest-growing communities, with Portuguese widely spoken
• China — a long-established community, with Chinese-language services, shops, and organizations across the city
• Haiti — a significant Haitian community, with Haitian Creole spoken throughout
• Vietnam, India, Morocco, Central America, and many more

This is the heart of why our students feel at home in Malden. You can study English during the day and still hear your own language at the grocery store, find food that tastes like home, and meet neighbors who understand exactly what it feels like to start over in a new country. At High Expectations, that sense of community is not an accident — it is who we are, and Malden is the perfect place for it.

What to do in Malden

Malden is small enough to feel comfortable, but there is plenty to explore — from quiet nature trails to food from every corner of the world. Here are some of the best things to do, whether you have a free afternoon or are looking for a new weekend routine.

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Get outside

• Middlesex Fells Reservation — A large, beautiful nature reserve on Malden's edge, with miles of walking and hiking trails, ponds, and forest. It is one of the easiest ways to escape the city without leaving the area.
• Pine Banks Park — Over 100 acres of woods, walking paths, sports fields, and picnic areas on the Malden–Melrose line. A great spot for a relaxed weekend.
• Fellsmere Pond — Known as the “Jewel of Malden,” a scenic pond perfect for a quiet walk, with sledding nearby in winter.
• Waitt's Mountain — A short walk from downtown leads to the highest point in the city, with panoramic views of the Boston skyline — especially beautiful at sunset.
• Northern Strand Community Trail — A flat, paved trail built on a former railway. You can walk or bike all the way from Malden toward Boston and out to the coast.

Eat your way around the world

Because Malden is so international, its food scene is too. Within a short walk of downtown you can find:

• Bubble tea, ramen, pho, dim sum, and hot pot from the city’s Asian communities — some of our favorites are Crying Thaiger, Rustic Thai Kitchen, All Seasons Table, Ibasaw, District Kitchen, BAB Korean Bistro Malden, and Ming’s Seafood Restaurant.
• Brazilian, Mexican, and Central American restaurants and bakeries, such as Mineirão Steakhouse, KASA, and Caliente Mexican Grill Malden.

For many of our students, finding a restaurant that tastes like home is one of the first things that makes Malden feel familiar. Exploring the food here is also a fun, low-pressure way to practice your English with friendly local staff (P.S. — a lot of Malden residents are second-language English speakers too!).

Things to see and do

• Boda Borg — A unique indoor adventure attraction in downtown Malden (the first of its kind in the U.S.), full of physical and mental “quest” challenges. Great with friends or classmates.
• Bowling — A newly renovated bowling alley downtown, good for an easy night out.
• Malden Public Library — A historic, architecturally famous building and a quiet, free place to read, study, and use the internet.
• Bell Rock Memorial Park — A small historic park on a site dating back to Malden's earliest days.

Everyday essentials

Practical things that make daily life easy for students:

• Groceries — Stop & Shop is right by Malden Center, with international and specialty markets throughout the city for ingredients from home.
• Getting around — The Orange Line, commuter rail, and many bus lines all meet at Malden Center, so you can reach school, work, and Boston without a car.
• Quiet study spots — The public library and the many cafés downtown are easy places to do homework or practice English.