Hopkinton, MA (Boston, Framingham, Natick: to rent, home, taxes)

[dmoss79]

I am moving soon to my first home in Hopkinton [I can not wait!] and was wondering if anyone had any info on the town, such as, I am moving right near a lake [any type of membership club to join and meet people?] How is the library? [and where is the library?] Any suggestions on places my boyfriend and I can go out to eat at right in Hopkinton? I heard and drove by a small supermarket in middle of town, is it any good? Thanks for all your info and help!

[pondhopper]

Hi Hopkinton is great but going through a big transition from its former small town self to the larger town it is becoming. Taxes are high and going higher as the town figures out what it wants to be fortunately it has the land to be flexible for now though that is changing fast. There is Carbonne's for Italian family fair though its recipes haven't changed in 50n years (personally I don't like grandma's sauce recipe). There is O'Tooles on South street that is small and fine for family fare/casual dining. There is the Chinese restaurant which is okay for general chinese food. THey are working on a new business center which is to have one great restaurant (planned anyway). There is the Hopkinton Country Club to join if you like. The library is poor but getting ready to do a major expansion - in the interim use Southboro's or Westorough's which are quite nice. Collellas market is good for quick sundries, most shopping is done at Milford or Westborough's Stop and Shops. The Hopkinton Drug is good for Hallmark gifts, prescriptions, and homeopath remedies.

[dmoss79]

Originally Posted by pondhopper

Hi Hopkinton is great but going through a big transition from its former small town self to the larger town it is becoming. Taxes are high and going higher as the town figures out what it wants to be fortunately it has the land to be flexible for now though that is changing fast. There is Carbonne's for Italian family fair though its recipes haven't changed in 50n years (personally I don't like grandma's sauce recipe). There is O'Tooles on South street that is small and fine for family fare/casual dining. There is the Chinese restaurant which is okay for general chinese food. THey are working on a new business center which is to have one great restaurant (planned anyway). There is the Hopkinton Country Club to join if you like. The library is poor but getting ready to do a major expansion - in the interim use Southboro's or Westorough's which are quite nice. Collellas market is good for quick sundries, most shopping is done at Milford or Westborough's Stop and Shops. The Hopkinton Drug is good for Hallmark gifts, prescriptions, and homeopath remedies.

Thanks for the info. I know the taxes are high, but I hope they have good services of some kind for the money in taxes that I will be paying.

[pondhopper]

Unfortunately it is a transition time, so high taxes without high services; but in 5-8 years it should be normal taxes and high services. I have lived here for 20 years so have seen alot change. Welcome to our hometown!

[scarletfire]

Hi DMoss, Which lake will you live near, Lake Maspenock/North Pond or Lake Whitehall? For Lake Maspenock you can get a beach & boat launch sticker downtown. I think it's about $25/year. I don't know if you need a sticker at Lake Whitehall. You can also join the Lake Maspenock Association for a small fee and get to know some neighbors through that. They have a few events during the year - lake cleanup, fishing derbys, family fun day, etc.

The Colella's Grocery Store downtown is decent and has liquor, which is convenient. The checkers are almost always friendly and the butcher is a nice guy, though the deli counter people are almost always cranks. The produce isn't terrific but ok. When we lived in Hopkinton we shopped at Colella's often just for convenience sake, got bulk paper good at BJs, and produce and "green" cleaning supplies at the Whole Foods on Rt 9 in Framingham (an excellent store). The library was ok. If they don't have something they'll get it for you within the library network. You can also get inexpensive or discounted passes to all kinds of Boston museums and attractions at the library. If you are heading downtown on Rt 135, cross Rt 85 going toward the town common and the library is on the right-hand side.

Places to eat (and not to eat) at:

O'Toole's Restaurant - Visit the bar and Tommy (the young redhead) or Steve (his sweet brother with glasses) will take care of you. Great family-run business. Their seafood stew is yummy. They're great guys and will make you feel at home.

Hopkinton Gourmet - Good sandwiches and a super nice new owner named Dave

Bill's Pizza - Pretty greasy, I'd skip it

the Italian restaurant downtown near Action Copy (Sorry, I forget the name) - a nice for special occasions but pricey

Golden Spoon - greasy spoon breakfast, not very good

For Indian food, Rasoi and Gold Star in Framingham are very good. For sushi, there are a few good places in Natick. One is next to Pet World, I don't recall the name. For Mexican, there's not much but there is a place on Rt 9 in Southboro just before the Mass Pike entrance and they're very nice. In Southboro there's an Italian place called Tomassos. I think it's overpriced but my husband likes it.

If you have other questions please feel free to PM me. We used to live on Lake Maspenock for several years.

[dmoss79]

Originally Posted by scarletfire

Hi DMoss, Which lake will you live near, Lake Maspenock/North Pond or Lake Whitehall? For Lake Maspenock you can get a beach & boat launch sticker downtown. I think it's about $25/year. I don't know if you need a sticker at Lake Whitehall. You can also join the Lake Maspenock Association for a small fee and get to know some neighbors through that. They have a few events during the year - lake cleanup, fishing derbys, family fun day, etc.

The Colella's Grocery Store downtown is decent and has liquor, which is convenient. The checkers are almost always friendly and the butcher is a nice guy, though the deli counter people are almost always cranks. The produce isn't terrific but ok. When we lived in Hopkinton we shopped at Colella's often just for convenience sake, got bulk paper good at BJs, and produce and "green" cleaning supplies at the Whole Foods on Rt 9 in Framingham (an excellent store). The library was ok. If they don't have something they'll get it for you within the library network. You can also get inexpensive or discounted passes to all kinds of Boston museums and attractions at the library. If you are heading downtown on Rt 135, cross Rt 85 going toward the town common and the library is on the right-hand side.

Places to eat (and not to eat) at:

O'Toole's Restaurant - Visit the bar and Tommy (the young redhead) or Steve (his sweet brother with glasses) will take care of you. Great family-run business. Their seafood stew is yummy. They're great guys and will make you feel at home.

Hopkinton Gourmet - Good sandwiches and a super nice new owner named Dave

Bill's Pizza - Pretty greasy, I'd skip it

the Italian restaurant downtown near Action Copy (Sorry, I forget the name) - a nice for special occasions but pricey

Golden Spoon - greasy spoon breakfast, not very good

For Indian food, Rasoi and Gold Star in Framingham are very good. For sushi, there are a few good places in Natick. One is next to Pet World, I don't recall the name. For Mexican, there's not much but there is a place on Rt 9 in Southboro just before the Mass Pike entrance and they're very nice. In Southboro there's an Italian place called Tomassos. I think it's overpriced but my husband likes it.

If you have other questions please feel free to PM me. We used to live on Lake Maspenock for several years.

Thanks so much for all the great info! My boyfriend and I are moving right near Lake Maspenock. We had heard there was an association to join to meet people around the lake, so we are going to join. [We move in less than 2weeks] I used to rent in Framingham and Southborough so I know the Whole Foods -I love it there. I will try the market in Hopkinton because like you said it seems easier to be right there. We will try the different places to eat-Thanks again for all the info! It seems like a great place to live and I can not wait to live right near the lake...

[smarty]

Lake Maspenock

or

LMPA.ORG