Family Relocating to Boston Area - Please Advise

[2xmom]

Hi,
I grew up in Boston and am transplanted into Melrose (5 miles as the crow flies from downtown). Being a Bostonian I have a low tolerence for commutes.
Melrose has nice neighborhoods, green spaces and alot of kids programs. The Fells reservation is along the border and Spot Pond has Summer boating available. Great hiking trails with maps available within a 2 minute drive. My son transfered to a private middle school and was well ahead of all of the private school students from all around the Metro Boston area. That says alot for the Melrose Public Schools.
93 and 1 run on either side of the city so you have no major traffic cutting through, but you can get anywhere fairly quickly. The Orange line into Boston is at one end of the city and the commuter rail is a 16 minute ride into the end of the financial district.
It is not too suburban you can walk or bike there are 2 supermarkets in town and good restaurants. It is worth a look.
Good Luck

[DecisionsDecisions]

Originally Posted by scarletfire

In today's paper:
Homeowners near plume get vapor systems - Framingham, MA - The MetroWest Daily News

And Smart's earlier post on the subject:
Just beware there are certain parts of Ashland still cleaning up the toxic dump.

Nyanza-;The Nyanza NPL site in Ashland is a former dye-manufacturing facility. Residents of Ashland reported several cases of various types of sarcomas among young adults from the same graduating class in Ashland. MDPH has worked closely with a community advisory committee in conducting a retrospective cohort study to examine the possible relationship between exposure opportunities to the Nyanza site as a risk factor for cancer. Through extensive outreach efforts, aided by community members, approximately 1,700 persons who attended school in Ashland during 1960 to 1985 agreed to participate in the study. These persons were interviewed for this study and medical records of those diagnosed with cancer were sought. Data collection has been completed, and data analysis is ongoing. The study uncovered 73 cases of cancer and eight cancer-related deaths. About two thirds of those diagnosed were under 35 and many of their cases involved rare forms of the disease.

[url]http://www.mass.gov/?pageID=eohhs2terminal&L=6&L0=Home&L1=Consumer&L2= Community+Health+and+Safety&L3=Environmental+Healt h&L4=Environmental+Health+Investigations&L5=Ashl an d+Nyanza+Chemical+Waste+Site+Health+Study&sid=Eeoh hs2&b=terminalcontent&f=dph_environmental_c_invest igations_ashland_report&csid=Eeohhs2

Have they done any studying past 1985 data?

[NY'er lost in MA]

In 2006 the Massachusetts Dept. of Health released its final report. It's on Ashland's website....

[SwiftCreek]

Well, that's not entirely accurate. You need to go to the EPA website which clearly shows the investigation is ongoing. HOWEVER, it appears that almost all work has been completed several years ago.

I drove through Ashland and looked at some houses recently. I wouldn't have a problem living there. I just wouldn't buy in the dye plant area. The town has allot going for it including - beautiful community center, great soccer program, well planned schools (to accommodate growth), young population, nice parks & green space, commuter rail and proximity to all the shopping you'll ever need!

[DecisionsDecisions]

Originally Posted by NY'er lost in MA

In 2006 the Massachusetts Dept. of Health released its final report. It's on Ashland's website....

sweet, I will check it out - thanks!

[DecisionsDecisions]

Originally Posted by SwiftCreek

Well, that's not entirely accurate. You need to go to the EPA website which clearly shows the investigation is ongoing. HOWEVER, it appears that almost all work has been completed several years ago.

I drove through Ashland and looked at some houses recently. I wouldn't have a problem living there. I just wouldn't buy in the dye plant area. The town has allot going for it including - beautiful community center, great soccer program, well planned schools (to accommodate growth), young population, nice parks & green space, commuter rail and proximity to all the shopping you'll ever need!

I'll check that out as well - thanks for sharing!

[egl]

I have a great home for you if you have not yet bought. In Norwood, great community lots of activities for the kids and a great commute.