Massachusetts Residents. Tell me about the towns of...

[DawnCt1]

Holliston, Hopkinton, Millis, Wrentham, Franklin, Ashland or Grafton, or any towns that are within an hour of Cambridge. Also interested in the location of the commuter rail, etc. Thanks.

 

[JESW]

What do you want to know??

Commuter rail is in Franklin - takes about an hour to get to South Station.

We live in Mendon and just love it here - we are close to stores and the train to Boston, but we also live on 7 acres and have woods in our back yard. The Cape is just over an hour away.

Are you looking at schools?

Could you ask more specific questions so then we maybe able to answer them??

JIll

 

[DisneyForLife]

Not sure about all those towns but there is a commuter rail in Franklin and also one in Norfolk. Norfolk borders Wrentham. Those three towns are all very nice with good schools. Franklin has their own high school where as Norfolk, Wrentham and Plainville have a regional high school. Actually it was just built last year.
I am not even sure if you are interested in the school system.

Any specific questions, just ask.

 

[DawnCt1]

DH has taken a new position in Cambridge and has been commuting since July 1st. (2 hour drive) Right now we live in a large town geographically, and but with a small town feel and a small population. We have a 9 room saltbox colonial, 2 car garage, on 2.4 acreas with an inground pool and a very private back yard. We would like to make a lateral move amenity and price wise. We also like the small town feel. Our kids our out of school and all but two are out of college. One will be graduated by the time we move, which is why we are staying here until next April. Schools are not an issue. I could use a smaller yard acreage is not an issue, 3/4 would do. We will also be looking for a newer home and would love a three car garage. Any town suggestions that you can make are more than welcomed. I will be meeting with two real estate agents on this end for a market appraisal. I have also been working with someone by email (haven't met her, just been looking at her listings) since June. As soon as summer draws to an end I will start driving up and and looking at towns, houses, etc. My brother lives in Foxboro so it would be wonderful to be near him and his family. I am assuming we will be "empty nesters" within a couple of years but still feel that I need a big kitchen, dining room, living room, family room, home office, etc. With all of that comes 4 bedrooms which is almost needed for resale. We have been in this house for 25 years so its a big change but seems exciting to me.

 

[DisneyForLife]

The description of your home sounds like most of the homes around here. I don't think you will have a problem finding something comparable. Foxboro is right next to Wrentham, Franklin is right next to Wrentham. So if you were to choose Franklin for the commuter rail you would be reasonalbly close to your brother. Wrentham, Norfolk, Plainville would be more of the small town feel where as Franklin is a bit larger. All of these towns are very nice though. I know you have been dealing with a realtor but if you need someone local I know a great one who is very familiar with this area. PM me if you are interested in the name.
As I said in my previous E the commuter rail is in Franklin and Norfolk. Of those two Norfolk would be the smallest.

 

[goofy4tink]

Holliston, Hopkinton, Millis, Wrentham, Franklin, Ashland or Grafton, or any towns that are within an hour of Cambridge. Also interested in the location of the commuter rail, etc. Thanks.

I'm in Westborough, with Grafton right next door. I know people who live in Grafton, Ashland, Hopkinton, and Franklin.
Wrentham is a nice town..close to major arteries. Since you don't have to be concerned with school systems, that's a plus. Hopkinton is a great town but it is growing and getting more expensive every day. Franklin is getting larger all the time...very desirable due to the commuter rail. If it were me, I would go with Wrentham. I know that every time I head down there, I say it would be a nice town to live in. And it is close to the commuter rail I believe. And you are very close to Foxboro and your brother. A nice area all in all.

Another town that might be worth considering is Upton. Lots of space and still pretty small. They pretty much share amenities with Mendon. We spend a fair amount of time in Upton as we have very good friends there. One of those friends drives into Boston every day..takes her about 45 mins for the most part. Or you could just head for the commuter rail in Grafton...about 15 mins away. Westborough's commuter rail is a bit further away than Grafton's.

 

[liamsaunt]

Another thing to consider is your husband's commute time. If you live in Franklin, the train to South Station takes 1 hour and 10 minutes. Since his job is in Cambridge he would then have to switch to the subway to get there--add another 20 minutes to the commute time. That seems pretty long to me.

 

[npmommie]

Have you looked at any of the communities on the Rt 2 line............they would be convenient to Cambridge, he could even drive to Alewife, park and take the T from there depending on where in Cambridge he will be working.

Lexington, Belmont, Lincoln, Concord, Sudbury, all very nice towns and easy commute to Cambridge

 

[BCV513]

Frankly, I think those are all too far to get to Cambridge. If I were you, I'd be looking more at the Weston, Natick, Wellesley, Sudbury area or the Lexington, Bedford, Concord area. Much closer and more of a subway ride than a commuter rail ride. From Lexington/Bedford/Concord, your husband could drive to Alewife and take the red line right to Cambridge. Weston/Natick etc. he'd have the choice of green line or commuter rail.

 

[npmommie]

LOL
BCV great minds think alike!!

 

[shamrock30]

Sharon has a small town feel, good schools, and is very safe. There aren't a lot of businesses there beyond a few restaurants, a Shaws, a berry farm and dairy, and a movie theater. It has a lake and is about 30 minutes from Boston via commuter rail. It's right next to Foxboro. Taxes are high, and homes are pricey.

Walpole and Norwood are also on the commuter rail, and are a bit more built up the Sharon but still have a small town feel. All of the town I mentioned are closer to Boston than the ones mentioned in the first post.

Remember, once you're in Boston, it will still take some time to get to Cambridge. You will need to walk/drive to the nearest rail station and park, wait for the train, take the train in, then catch the subway to Cambridge, which may entail more than one switch. The time adds up.

 

[DawnCt1]

The description of your home sounds like most of the homes around here. I don't think you will have a problem finding something comparable. Foxboro is right next to Wrentham, Franklin is right next to Wrentham. So if you were to choose Franklin for the commuter rail you would be reasonalbly close to your brother. Wrentham, Norfolk, Plainville would be more of the small town feel where as Franklin is a bit larger. All of these towns are very nice though. I know you have been dealing with a realtor but if you need someone local I know a great one who is very familiar with this area. PM me if you are interested in the name.
As I said in my previous E the commuter rail is in Franklin and Norfolk. Of those two Norfolk would be the smallest.

Thank you for your offer. We have to deal with whomever the location company requires us to deal with and so far, she seems nice. I think she is actually local and lives in Medway.

 

[BCV513]

LOL
BCV great minds think alike!!

That's too funny! I forgot all about Belmont though.

 

[3boymthr]

I agree with PPs, I live in Wrentham, while the pricing on homes is less than homes north of here and you'll be able to get the size lot home you want the commute to Cambridge will be over 1 1/2 especially if you end up in the Sheldonville section (South of the center off West Street ) where most of the larger homes are. We love Wrentham, but I grew up in Norfolk on the same street so it's partly familiarity. Wrentham is much less expensive than Franklin but to get the size house you want on the size lot you want in Wrentham unless you are on or right off Park Street you're going to have to go to the areas that are about a 20 minute commute to the train station and the homes near Park St. don't come up for sale much, and even then the commute is 10 minutes. The train ride from Norfolk to South Station is 1 hour. You'll run into the same issue in Franklin to get the size house you want on the size lot you want you're talking about quite a drive to the train station as traffic in franklin center gets bad at rush hour.

But to address your question (what I can answer of it) Wrentham has a small town feel, but it has grown significantly in the last few years. There are serious amounts if political infighting - if you know what I mean. There is a running battle going on over sewer vs non-sewer. There are a few in town who live along the lakes that really want it as they have to have tight tanks but most of the town does not. There is also a running battle over communications towers and the sheldonville fire station. There are no major grocery stores in Wrentham but the ones in Franklin or Plainville are only about a 5-10 minute drive (Shaw's and Stop & Shop). Whatever you do don't buy in Sheldonville - the real estate agents push it as that's where most of the larger newer home are but everyone I know complains about commute to the center of town - up to 25 minutes - argh!

With Franklin you are definitely going to loose that small town feel. The population in Franklin is definitely pushing city.

 

[anniemae]

check out lexington/concord area.

 

[daisax]

The prices in Lincoln/Concord are going to be at least double what they'd be in Wrentham. If not more.

 

[momrek06]

NEEDHAM, Dawn!! I grew up in Needham, MA. Lovely, lovely community. Small New England town. Commuter rail goes right through Needham. It borders on Wellesley!! Seems everyone who lives in Needham commutes to the Boston area. You can have your CITY job and live in a small TOWN!!

My family (sisters & fam's) live in Lexington and Andover...two very lovely towns with great commutes as well to the Boston area.

 

[Jynohn]

I live in Easton and work in Sharon. Both towns are close to commuter rails (there is a train in Sharon and at least four stations within 15 min. of Easton.) They are also neighboring towns to Foxboro. They're nice, rural towns, but with easy access to both Boston and Providence. I've lived in Easton all my life and my parents grew up in Sharon. I'd be happy to answer any questions!

 

[DISNEY1975]

DH has taken a new position in Cambridge and has been commuting since July 1st. (2 hour drive) Right now we live in a large town geographically, and but with a small town feel and a small population. We have a 9 room saltbox colonial, 2 car garage, on 2.4 acreas with an inground pool and a very private back yard. We would like to make a lateral move amenity and price wise. We also like the small town feel. Our kids our out of school and all but two are out of college. One will be graduated by the time we move, which is why we are staying here until next April. Schools are not an issue. I could use a smaller yard acreage is not an issue, 3/4 would do. We will also be looking for a newer home and would love a three car garage. Any town suggestions that you can make are more than welcomed. I will be meeting with two real estate agents on this end for a market appraisal. I have also been working with someone by email (haven't met her, just been looking at her listings) since June. As soon as summer draws to an end I will start driving up and and looking at towns, houses, etc. My brother lives in Foxboro so it would be wonderful to be near him and his family. I am assuming we will be "empty nesters" within a couple of years but still feel that I need a big kitchen, dining room, living room, family room, home office, etc. With all of that comes 4 bedrooms which is almost needed for resale. We have been in this house for 25 years so its a big change but seems exciting to me.

Keep in mind the closer you get to Boston, the more $$ per square foot you will pay for your home and property tax. This is also true of the convenience to the pike or major rte (495/290). There is a commuter rail in Southboro, Framingham, Natick and Ashland. Southboro and Natick are pretty outrageous in price. Framingham and Ashland are more reasonable. Marlborough, about 5 minutes from Southboro commuter, is having a hard time with a lot of forclosures right now. You could probably get a steal there.

Of the places you mention, Hopkinton is probably the most expensive, Anything in the Metrowest area will cost you $$, but times are tough now and you might get a good deal if you buy now.


Traffic from this are too will put you more than an hour into Cambridge during the week. You could make it in 25 minutes on the weekend though!

Metrowest includes..

Framingham, Natick, Ashland, Sudbury, Hopkinton, Marlborough, Westborough.

 

[beattyfamily]

Holliston, Hopkinton, Millis, Wrentham, Franklin, Ashland or Grafton, or any towns that are within an hour of Cambridge. Also interested in the location of the commuter rail, etc. Thanks.

Hey, Dawn. I live in Norfolk which is next to Millis, Wrentham and Franklin.

As others have said the commuter rail goes through Norfolk and Franklin (Norfolk first, then Franklin). Train takes 45 mins to Norfolk. DH takes it everyday.

Other nice nearby towns to consider are Walpole (also has the commuter rail) and Foxboro. I've lived in both.

Of the towns you listed that I know about (Millis, Wrentham and Franklin) and including Norfolk, Norfolk has the most small town feel, IMHO but it's a bit expensive too. Franklin is a tad more city-like but is still a nice town. Between Millis and Wrentham, I'd go with Wrentham. Of all those towns, again, I think I'd go with Wrentham. But you should add Norfolk and Foxboro and maybe even Bellingham and Sharon to your list to consider.

Between Millis, Wrentham, Franklin, Norfolk, Walpole, Foxboro and Bellingham, this is how I'd rate them thinking of the small town feel, train station, stores nearby etc...:

Norfolk, Walpole, Wrentham, Foxboro, Franklin, Millis, Bellingham.

I'd also look into Needham and Sharon.

As someone else said, Needham is a very nice town that is not too far from Boston; has the commuter rail and isn't too expensive compared to other towns near Boston. Small town feel near Boston. My sister lives in Newton, which is next to Needham, and it's a WONDERFUL town but it's VERY expensive and certainly isn't a small town but depending on which part of Newton you live in can have the small town feel.

Good luck!