House for $350 K? (Boston, Worcester, Weymouth: fit in, big house, safe area)

[Martha Anne]

I know that this is a somewhat annoying question, but how far away from Boston do we have to move to find a house that is in move-in, truly move in condition, with, say, at least 1400 sq feet and a bit of land in a safe area? Is this only outside of 495? We cannot afford to spend more, want a house in good condition for that price and yet want not to be too far from Boston.

Am I dreaming? Thanks! (Not moving yet...but trying to plan ahead for what to expect. I lived in metro Boston for 2 decades many years back and know the area, but not enough to see what I am looking for.)

Thank you!

[495neighbor]

Martha Anne, you might look at Maynard (20 miles from downtown). Maynard still has some bargains. It is a good community oriented, walkable small town with its own arts center, movie theater, cafés and restaurants. Buddy Dog non-profit in neighboring town Sudbury has an active community of volunteers working towards adoption of shelter pets. I say this because I know you have mentioned cat enclosures in a number of your posts.

Walpole, similar distance from Boston, has a small lively downtown that is improving and some decent homes within that range. I see a lot of dog walkers every time I drive through, so cats can't be too far behind.

Those are the two towns West of Boston that would meet your criteria best. Everything else will be farther away, densely populated and/or more expensive.

Perhaps, North and South Shore people will have some suggestions.

[365southshore]

For south of Boston

Braintree has a 5 under 350k that have 1400 SQ.

Weymouth has 9 between 300-350k over 1400 SQ

If you want to go down the route 24 corridor

Easton has 9 between 300-350k well over 1400 SQ

Bridgewater is building a couple of new developments that have over 1400 SQ and right around 350k

Feel free to reach out if you have any specific questions about the south shore


Good luck

[raveabouttoast]

Redfin has the Boston area mapped out. You can start there and sort by location and/or price.

[cokeman]

Worcester is your best option you can get a really big house for 350k here ill give you an option probably 3,000 square feet.

Moreland St, Worcester, MA 01609 - Zillow

[Parsec]

I'm currently in Natick, north of Rt-9. I've seen several slab ranches sell for between $329-359k in my neighborhood in the past year. They are usually 3 bed, 1-1.5 bath with 1400 sf and a 1 car garage on a 10,000 square foot lot. Very family friendly and safe neighborhood with a good mix of senior citizens as well. Sidewalks on both sides of the street. Downtown Boston is 25-30 min away by car.

[konfetka]

There are plenty of houses in your price range on the North Shore - Danvers, Peabody, Salem, Beverly, Melrose, Wakefield, Gloucester, Ipswich, Georgetown, and lots of towns near NH border, here is a link to the map:

BostonWorks - Jobs on the North Shore

[495neighbor]

Originally Posted by Parsec

I'm currently in Natick, north of Rt-9. I've seen several slab ranches sell for between $329-359k in my neighborhood in the past year. They are usually 3 bed, 1-1.5 bath with 1400 sf and a 1 car garage on a 10,000 square foot lot. Very family friendly and safe neighborhood with a good mix of senior citizens as well. Sidewalks on both sides of the street. Downtown Boston is 25-30 min away by car.

The area around the little walkable downtown in Natick could be another area to check out as I recall you mentioned you liked Arlington on another post.

[Boston_Burbs]

The big question is.. where do you work? Do you HAVE to be in Boston every day, or would you just like to be close for day trips and what not?

[Martha Anne]

Originally Posted by 495neighbor

Martha Anne, you might look at Maynard (20 miles from downtown). Maynard still has some bargains. It is a good community oriented, walkable small town with its own arts center, movie theater, cafés and restaurants. Buddy Dog non-profit in neighboring town Sudbury has an active community of volunteers working towards adoption of shelter pets. I say this because I know you have mentioned cat enclosures in a number of your posts.

Walpole, similar distance from Boston, has a small lively downtown that is improving and some decent homes within that range. I see a lot of dog walkers every time I drive through, so cats can't be too far behind.

Those are the two towns West of Boston that would meet your criteria best. Everything else will be farther away, densely populated and/or more expensive.

Perhaps, North and South Shore people will have some suggestions.

Thank you for your reply, 495!

I know both Maynard and Walpole, but have only been to each place a long time ago and briefly. I know that Walpole has a pretty downtown shopping area and I think I recall that the town itself was nice. Not a bad suggestion - had not even considered it.

And Maynard is well situated, IMO, and perhaps more so than Walpole if a person wants to get into Boston.

I keep wishing we could find a place closer in than either town, however, but for what I want to pay and want in a house as described, I think that your two choices are more realistic.