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

[snykymom]

Here's a link to the various train schedules that go to North Station or South Station.
www.mbta.com
Depending on where in Cambridge, one or the other station would be more convenient. If he works in the Lechmere area, near the Cambridgeside Galleria, then North Station would work - take the Green Line. If he works more in the Central/Kendall/Harvard Square area, then South Station is more convenient - it's right on the Red Line.

You'll want to check the Providence/Stoughton, Needham, Frakingham/Worcester, and Franklin lines - those serve most of the communities mentioned here.

You can then calculate the commute - add 15 minutes or so for the trip from a house to the train station (including time to park), then another 20-25 minutes to get to the subway, wait for it, ride it and walk to work.

 

[DawnCt1]

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

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

Which is exactly why we are looking in the Norfolk county area. I would love the convenience of Lincoln, Concord, Sudbury, however, we would be looking for a very different type of house than what we have. The relocation agent was sending me listings in what I think is our price range, (based on what we get for our house here) and I was SHOCKED. I am just not ready to downsize to that degree. The homes in the areas that I mentioned in my first post seem more in line price wise with what I anticipate from the sale of our house, or at least in the ball park. He has a parking spot in a parking garage so he can always drive to work as well.

 

[DawnCt1]

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.

We used to live in Marlborough AGES ago, when DH was in med. school at Tufts Univ. near China Town in Boston, and I worked in Belmont at McLean Hospital. I remember driving to work through Wayland, Sudbury, etc. All the towns I couldn't afford then and probably now. Good idea to look in Marlborough however.

 

[DawnCt1]

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!

Thanks for the input. I am leaning in "your" direction only because of the affordability factor. We don't have a mortgage and I don't really want one at this point. My next mortgage I want to be on a vacation property in Fl. It would be ideal we could get what we are looking for with at least close to the proceeds that we will get from our house. We have an excellent relocation package so its a good opportunity.

 

[beattyfamily]

Thanks for the input. I am leaning in "your" direction only because of the affordability factor. We don't have a mortgage and I don't really want one at this point. My next mortgage I want to be on a vacation property in Fl. It would be ideal we could get what we are looking for with at least close to the proceeds that we will get from our house. We have an excellent relocation package so its a good opportunity.

You are welcome.

Yeah, the further from Boston, the cheaper it will be but they are still very nice towns. I think you are choosing from some good towns. Also, another good thing about living in this area is you are also only 30 minutes from Providence and there's lots to do there! It opens up a whole lot of other restaurant, shopping and nightlife possibilities.

 

[Darcy03231]

Have you considered Southern NH? We live in Nashua and DH works in Boston (he drives in each day - about 50 min each way, but he goes in and out at off peak times). I know others that work in Boston/Cambridge and drive into Lowell MA and take the train from there (about a 15-20 min drive).

 

[DawnCt1]

Have you considered Southern NH? We live in Nashua and DH works in Boston (he drives in each day - about 50 min each way, but he goes in and out at off peak times). I know others that work in Boston/Cambridge and drive into Lowell MA and take the train from there (about a 15-20 min drive).

I did consider southern NH until someone told me that DH could run along the car roofs while they are parked on the highway into Boston. I haven't ruled that out however. The advantage of the Norfolk County area is that I would still be close to family.
I checked out Needham, Ma. I would need $1,000,000 for a house comparable to mine, so I don't want to do that.

 

[MsAmerica]

Dawn, check out the houses in Wilmington and maybe even North Andover. Those towns seem to have house lots a little bit bigger than most North of Boston. I don't think you have to go all the way up 93 to find a home with some land and sq footage.

Concord/Carlisle is a beautiful area but full of granola crunchers...I think you would be miserable there..

Good Luck!!

MsA

 

[bicker]

We've got granola crunchers all over the North of Boston area, Wakefield to Lincoln, Lexington to Wilmington. My wife makes an excellent homemade granola.

 

[DawnCt1]

Have you considered Southern NH? We live in Nashua and DH works in Boston (he drives in each day - about 50 min each way, but he goes in and out at off peak times). I know others that work in Boston/Cambridge and drive into Lowell MA and take the train from there (about a 15-20 min drive).

Hi Darcy, I think I will take a more serious look at Southern NH. What towns in addition to Nashua would you suggest?

 

[anniemae]

Portsmouth NH is nice.

 

[snykymom]

Portsmouth NH is nice.

Portsmouth to Cambridge is a commute that I wouldn't wish on anyone. Especially not in the summer months. Yes, it's beautiful, but as they would say in Maine, 5 miles or so north of Portsmouth, "Ya can't get theah from heah."

 

[kirbydog48]

On the Rt. 2 corridor, don't forget Acton, Boxborough , Harvard and Littleton!! More of a rural feel, on/close to the commuter rail and very close to Boston as well. Also close to Rt. 495, so you'd be about 45 minutes from Foxborough.

 

[DawnCt1]

The real estate agent is coming Wednesday. I won't list it then, just get an idea of the market value. She appropriately noted that my neighborhood very rarely has any homes for sale. I have wonderful neighbors. I like my street. I like my house. When I was telling her about the interior of the house I almost asked myself "Why do you want to move??!!" DSs aren't happy. Not that they plan to live it at home or move with us, but they consider this home. Too bad we didn't move every 5 years so we wouldn't 'get attached'. I think I am going to have to find something nicer so I won't miss it here so much.

 

[goofy4tink]

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.

Those are going to be hugely expensive towns to live in.
I think that the area west of 495 is going to be a good fit....even driving south along 495. I lived in Dover for awhile and spend a fair amount of time in Needham..dh grew up in Needham before moving to Westborough. Needham is a nice town. I'm just not too sure how large an area you will get there.
Southern NH is good but the commute can be nasty... a lot of those working in Mass live up there, for obvious reasons. I wouldn't make that commute.
My ds lived in Salem NH though and liked it. And it's just over the border.
I would still look for towns on the commuter rail...but a bit further west/south than Framingham, Needham, Southboro and Wellesley.

 

[bicker]

The problem, really, is finding an intersection between affordable, larger home/property, and reasonable commute (specifically) to Cambridge. In general, like many things where there are three parameters, the reality often forces a choice between two. I've helped several friends (and now family) look for relocation opportunities to this area, and often it comes down to a matter of two of three criteria being satisfied by Town X, while a different two of three criteria satisfied by Town X+2 further out. In the case of Weston/Natick/Wellesly, that puts you into Sudbury (which I'm not sure you meant to exclude from consideration) or Ashland. In the case of Lexington/Bedford/Concord, that puts you out into Littleton, Westford and Chelmsford. There are no comps for the "better" communities (in terms of home size) on the North Shore, but there are comps for the X+2s, i.e., North Reading and Middletown. Maybe because I live North of Boston I'm biased in that direction, but I think the commute to Cambridge is always going to be better from north of the Charles, than from south of it, unless you're very close in, or using commuter rail.

 

[DawnCt1]

The problem, really, is finding an intersection between affordable, larger home/property, and reasonable commute (specifically) to Cambridge. In general, like many things where there are three parameters, the reality often forces a choice between two. I've helped several friends (and now family) look for relocation opportunities to this area, and often it comes down to a matter of two of three criteria being satisfied by Town X, while a different two of three criteria satisfied by Town X+2 further out. In the case of Weston/Natick/Wellesly, that puts you into Sudbury (which I'm not sure you meant to exclude from consideration) or Ashland. In the case of Lexington/Bedford/Concord, that puts you out into Littleton, Westford and Chelmsford. There are no comps for the "better" communities (in terms of home size) on the North Shore, but there are comps for the X+2s, i.e., North Reading and Middletown. Maybe because I live North of Boston I'm biased in that direction, but I think the commute to Cambridge is always going to be better from north of the Charles, than from south of it, unless you're very close in, or using commuter rail.

I used to drive through Sudbury on my way to McLean Hospital in Belmont from Marlborough. (edited to add, I used to work there, I wasn't a patient. ) I loved Sudbury but I am thinking that it won't allow us to make a lateral move (same size house, same price). If we stay in our current house, we need to have the kitchen updated. I have 1985 style cabinets, no granite, white appliances. Same is true with four bathrooms in terms of cabinetry. I will ultimately need a new fence around my pool, (2 to 4 years). If I add up the cost of those things, than it is perfectly reasonable to pay another $125K more to get "newer'. What can you tell me about the towns north of the Charles? Is it reasonable to consider S. New Hampshire?
DH can work from home one or two days a week. This week he is in Italy so he isn't commuting at all. I am not only looking at this as a way to reduce commuting for him, which is important, but an opportunity for a new house, different locale, etc. The three parameters, I would rate quality of house and price first. Distance from Cambridge, third. DH might not exactly agree but he can be 'won over'. My rule of thumb right now is that I don't want to see a house older than 10 years old; less than 5 would be better.
The other issue is; timing. Selling this house, finding another and moving before the relocation package expires. Its a very generous one and I would hate to lose it.

 

[momrek06]

The real estate agent is coming Wednesday. I won't list it then, just get an idea of the market value. She appropriately noted that my neighborhood very rarely has any homes for sale. I have wonderful neighbors. I like my street. I like my house. When I was telling her about the interior of the house I almost asked myself "Why do you want to move??!!" DSs aren't happy. Not that they plan to live it at home or move with us, but they consider this home. Too bad we didn't move every 5 years so we wouldn't 'get attached'. I think I am going to have to find something nicer so I won't miss it here so much.

Dawn, we could not sell our MA home (outside Worcester) on the market 6 months. Flew home the month of August, met with a "Property Management" firm and they had my home all rented within 24 hours for exactly what our mortgage is.....woohoo.....plus the renters will pay for all utilities, lawn, snowplowing etc etc.....woohoo.
My DS' as well as DH & I were realllllly sad to have to sell our home in MA......so now we still OWN IT......woohoo!!! If sometime down the road, we realize we are not coming back to New England AND the market rebounds, we will sell it. Both DS' relocated to SoCal with us (1.5 hours away in Pacific Beach, San Diego)!!! They are so looking forward to surfing all winter as vs shoveling snow!!!!!!

So, I am suggesting property management IF you find you are "on the fence" about selling your home!!!

Those are going to be hugely expensive towns to live in.
I think that the area west of 495 is going to be a good fit....even driving south along 495. I lived in Dover for awhile and spend a fair amount of time in Needham..dh grew up in Needham before moving to Westborough. Needham is a nice town. I'm just not too sure how large an area you will get there.
Southern NH is good but the commute can be nasty... a lot of those working in Mass live up there, for obvious reasons. I wouldn't make that commute.
My ds lived in Salem NH though and liked it. And it's just over the border.
I would still look for towns on the commuter rail...but a bit further west/south than Framingham, Needham, Southboro and Wellesley.

goofy4tink, I actually met you several years ago at RED ROBIN @ Blackstone Valley Mall in Millbury when we had a DIS MEET!!! You stopped in for a few minutes to say HOWDY but then had to leave for another commitment....do you remember that MEET????

Anyway, I, as well, grew up in Needham....lived there my whole life, grad NHS in 1972!! AWESOME TOWN!!

 

[bicker]

What can you tell me about the towns north of the Charles? Is it reasonable to consider S. New Hampshire?

Without hard numbers, both in terms of price and both interior and exterior square footage, it is hard to guess which towns would be most promising. My gut feel is that North Reading is probably the best option north and east, Carlisle is probably the best option north and west. Of the two, North Reading is a far better commute to Cambridge, especially since the Anderson Regional Transportation Center is not far. However, neither are cheap -- but that's not necessarily a bad thing in some ways.

The commute from Salem NH to Cambridge isn't horrible, but it's not short, either.

My rule of thumb right now is that I don't want to see a house older than 10 years old; less than 5 would be better.

Wow that really is an issue around here, where many of these communities are much older than that. However, while you will find newer communities sprinkled all over, North Reading and Carlisle probably do have some newer communities.

 

[daisax]

If you're focusing on houses built in the last 10 years, I'd be very careful -- so many subdivisions were thrown up because the housing market was so high, and I'd be concerned that they weren't particularly carefully built.

As Bicker said, the North Reading and Wilmington area might be a good place to check out -- traffic North on 93 from Boston/Cambridge is always in better shape in the evenings than traffic southbound. Lynnfield and Wakefield are in between Rte 1 and 128, but 93 is easily accessible to both.