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Old 03-22-2013, 08:13 AM
 
Location: Tennessee
12 posts, read 23,339 times
Reputation: 27

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Coming home to Mass from the South, where $160 buys a lovely 1800 sq. ft. home, believe it or not!
Any thoughts about Haverhill which appears to be the best bet for a decent house under $270? (I see people mention the Bradford section; what about other sections that are non-urban? we like peace and quiet, need a yard for the dog, like woods/open land nearby)
Also some fixer-ups in Beverly, Gloucester seem possible... pros/cons of these towns or Rowley, Groveland etc.?
Would appreciate any thoughts.
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Old 03-22-2013, 08:37 AM
 
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First of all, congratulations for coming back to Mass. I would ruled out Beverly given the reputation for it's school system even though there are certain parts that are nice. I would pick Rowley because it has a better school district and the neighbors are less crowded. Don't forget to check this donut shop called Archie 1A which is across the post office on 1A and you also have the infamous Todd's farm flee market down the road. Hart house is also another great restaurant next door in Ipswich. In addition, you are only minutes away from Newburyport. Good luck.
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Old 03-22-2013, 09:28 AM
 
Location: Tennessee
12 posts, read 23,339 times
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Thanks for that, most people think we're crazy (snow, higher home prices) -- I should say, we're coming back to semi-retirement, schools not an issue. -- know Ipswich area well, but don't know Beverly or Haverhill, so looking for some local advice about zip codes or neighborhoods to look at online or avoid (too industrial, crime issues etc.).
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Old 03-22-2013, 09:30 AM
 
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Check out Amesbury and Ipswich too. How about renting for a while? We rent 1/2 a house with a huge yard and it works out great.
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Old 03-22-2013, 03:07 PM
 
Location: in the miseries
3,577 posts, read 4,511,910 times
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There's also Danvers, Wenham Hamilton. A little pricey, but good schools. Rural atmosphere.
Is your commute a concern? So many towns to choose from. Haverhill would not be my
choice.
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Old 03-22-2013, 10:18 PM
 
Location: Massachusetts
6,301 posts, read 9,649,553 times
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Groveland near Haverhill is pretty with rolling farmlands and gardens. I think you could find something in your range there.
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Old 03-23-2013, 07:39 AM
 
Location: Tennessee
12 posts, read 23,339 times
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Thanks -- yes, Groveland is on the list. What do people have against Haverhill? (we'd be looking at the outlying sections, not right in town).
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Old 03-23-2013, 08:55 AM
 
541 posts, read 1,995,867 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by wingedspindletree View Post
Thanks -- yes, Groveland is on the list. What do people have against Haverhill? (we'd be looking at the outlying sections, not right in town).
My husband grew up in Haverhill and I lived there for 9 years after we met. Some areas are lovely like East Broawdway, near Millvale Reservoir and near Merrimack (the Whittier Birthplace, Kenoza Vending area.) Near Riverside can be OK too. You will pay a lot more for these areas though. The downtown keeps trying to bring things in. Several restaurants (Kruegers Flatbread-yum) and bars (The Tap is good) now. Still lots of lower income type things right downtown though. I always see homeless type people when we visit. It is rough around the edges in some areas. Beautiful huge old homes in many spots. I would not want to live there though. It has been a little depressed to me lately.

As far as Groveland I would never live there either. I heard there was a lot of pollution from A.W. Chesterton Co. (lots of Cancer around that area.)
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Old 03-23-2013, 11:26 AM
 
Location: Tennessee
12 posts, read 23,339 times
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That's very helpful re: Haverhill and Groveland (I checked it - looks like Groveland Wells is a superfund site too). Will have to be alert!
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Old 03-23-2013, 12:13 PM
 
1,201 posts, read 2,670,903 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by wingedspindletree View Post
Thanks for that, most people think we're crazy (snow, higher home prices) -- I should say, we're coming back to semi-retirement, schools not an issue. -- know Ipswich area well, but don't know Beverly or Haverhill, so looking for some local advice about zip codes or neighborhoods to look at online or avoid (too industrial, crime issues etc.).
If semi-retirement is the situation, I think you're making the right choice. A recent study found the Boston area to be one of the best places for retirees to live in the country, weather notwithstanding. Why? Because the health care options are far and away some of the best in the country. And, they'll certainly be better than Tennessee [but I'll assume you already knew that ]
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