Where Would You Go Along Burlington - Westwood Rt 128 Corridor (Newton: relocation, homes)

[nomadlifestyle]

Help!! We are moving back to MA and really want to find a a better location this time round! We were in Norwood but did not like our neighborhood and found it inconvenient to malls etc.

New office is going to be located somewhere along the Burlington - Westwood, Rt 128 (95) corridor. (I know it's a pretty long stretch)

We would like to rent first (also can't afford to buy in MA right now). Our budget is no more than 2200. We posted earlier on Attleboro which is outside of this corridor but there were nicer, better maintained homes there. But seems like neighborhood is questionable.

Where would you go for a safe family oriented neighborhood and convenient to shopping (your standard malls, Marshalls,Target etc). 3 bedrooms at least and 2 baths.

Also, do elementary schools in MA offer pre-k classes? Or perhaps a city-runned pre-k school? $800/ a month for pre-k is a little high for us.

Thank you in advance for any help anyone can give us!

[frank l]

stay clear of waltham, lol.

seriously, a lot of that stretch has nice towns, but not a lot of rentals, meaning bedford, lincoln, concord,wellesley, etc.

[pjscdn]

In that stretch of highway, the largest, most prominent mall in the Burlington Mall in Burlington. Outside of that, for a comparably-sized mall near 128, you'd probably looking at Natick/Framingham, an exit west on I-90.

Whether you'll find pre-K schools is up to the town. Most of the towns in that stretch are fairly affluent and committed to education, so chances are you'll find something. You may need to call your chosen town's school dept. to verify.

[movingtolou]

Don't listen to 'frank'...not sure if he was joking or not. Waltham is fine...it's great access, affordable, and actually has some really great restaurants along Moody St. I live in Lincoln, which is beautiful (but very pricey). I believe Avalon/Avlon (sp???) Properties just put a new apartment complex up in Lincoln...

[frank l]

i was only half joking. if you have the means, i would not live there. it is ok, but it sounds like you will be raising kids there. if you can, there are better choices available. i have had two friends in the last two years leave waltham, because their neighborhoods were going to pot.

yes, moody street has some excellent restaurants, (just ate at an excellent tapas-style restaurant there recently, the name is escaping me.), but i would not choose to live there for that reason. i know not of these avalon properties, but seeing you are looking for a good school system for your kids, i would rather rent in lincoln and visit moody st. , than buy in waltham... IMO

good luck
frank

[nomadlifestyle]

Thanks everyone! I know it's a little ways off Rt128...but how about West Newton (too close to Waltham?) or Natick?

[MagicTouch]

Bedford is nice, there is a new apt. complex on Middlesex Turnpike. You can get a 2bdr/2bath for less than 2k per month. Heritage at Bedford Springs, you can look at their web-stie, nice complex and the are "luxury" apts. Just a suggestion.

Best Wishes to you on your relocation to the area !!

[movingtolou]

Lincoln is great if you want good schools. I just don't think you should dismiss Waltham, I really think it's the kind of place where you could turn a profit in a few years if you are looking to buy...

Here is the apt. place I mentioned... (it just went up)

Lexington Apartment Floorplans - Avalon at Lexington Hills

Natick is good, too. Especially for shopping...they just expanded the Natick Mall & it's great.