Where to buy a house?

[Carrie0930]

Originally Posted by Heyitskate

We looked over the spring/summer, and one thing that we learned is that this area can be a little competitive. We were outbidded 3 times and all houses went atleast 20K over asking. The good locations go quick, so you do need to be aware and looking. However, we did see several houses pop up that were very cute under $350k that fit your specs with good locations. Good luck!

You aren't kidding! We've looked at a few houses in Braintree or kept our eyes on some and it seems like if it's well priced or in halfway decent shape it goes the week it goes on the market. My husband's folks really want us to live in Braintree (we're both from Braintree) and the competitiveness factor really turns him off. I think it's some perfect storm of decent schools, easyish commute, good tax rates and town sewerage (if that's important to you).

[pennyone]

Well, just in. North Quincy High is one of the final 16 Mass high schools who made the cut from 95 different high schools that competed to be on this season's "High School Quiz Show" hosted by Bob Costa. The other two teams from the South Shore are Hingham and Sharon, both excellent school districts. North Quincy isnt so bad, is it? Congrats North Quincy!

[xo_kizzy_xo]

My advice would be to either stay in Quincy or perhaps explore Milton. East Milton is considered to be one of the more affordable areas, and there have been a few houses here and there which have fallen into your price range.

[percynjpn]

Originally Posted by konfetka

Asian people have higher IQ than white people, Asian kids consistently outperform white kids on tests in the US. Asian countries are the fastest growing in the world, they have the best schools in the world. They have the culture of hard work ethic.

I would think it's an advantage if a school system has a lot of Asian kids, not the opposite.

How do you know that Asian countries have "the best schools in the world"? I've lived in Asia, most of it here in Japan, for nineteen years, and you're wrong. In fact, most people in Japan, Korea and Taiwan would laugh at your comment.

Hundreds of thousands of Asian students study in the U.S. - why? Because the schools are worse?

[konfetka]

Here is how Massachusetts compares internationally from National Center for Education Statistics:

In mathematics at grade 4, two education systems (Hong Kong-China and Singapore) had average scores higher than Massachusetts; they also had higher percentages of students reaching the Advanced International Benchmark. Two education systems (Chinese Taipei and Japan) had average scores not measurably different from Massachusetts; the same two, in addition to Kazakhstan and Minnesota, had percentages of students reaching the Advanced International Benchmark not measurably different from Massachusetts. Among other grade 4 mathematics results: -The grade 4 mathematics average score for language minority students was higher in Kazakhstan than in Massachusetts, though Kazakhstan's overall average was lower than in Massachusetts.


In mathematics at grade 8, five education systems (Chinese Taipei, Rep. of Korea, Singapore, Hong Kong-China, and Japan) had higher average scores than Massachusetts; the same set of education systems had higher percentages of 8th-graders reaching the Advanced International Benchmark. All other education systems had lower average scores and lower percentages of students reaching the Advanced International Benchmark. Among other grade 8 mathematics results:
-The grade 8 mathematics average scores for language minority students and immigrant students were higher in British Columbia-Ca. than in Massachusetts, though British Columbia's overall average was lower than in Massachusetts.


In science at grade 4, Singapore was the only education system with a higher average score or with a higher percentage of students reaching the Advanced benchmark than Massachusetts (Singapore was higher on both measures). Among other grade 4 science results:
-In addition to Singapore, only Kazakhstan had a higher average score than Massachusetts among language minority students and only Hong Kong-China had a higher average score among immigrant students.


In science at grade 8, no countries had measurably higher average scores than Massachusetts. Singapore, Chinese Taipei, Japan, and the Republic of Korea had average scores not measurably different from Massachusetts. Among other grade 8 science results:
-Singapore and Chinese Taipei had higher percentages of 8th-graders reaching the Advanced International Benchmark in science than Massachusetts.


International Activities Program - Massachusetts student performance relative to international peers by subject, grade level, and selected student characteristics