Need a 3 bdrm rental near Middleboro (Brockton, New Bedford: rentals, crime, daycare)

[needanewhome]

We're moving to MA and I'll be working in Middleboro. I'm a single parent with 3 small children and work, so I'm hoping to find a rental home that's nearby, in a safe area, reasonably priced (under $1,000 if possible) and has good schools. I'd prefer a house, but know that may not be possible. We don't have pets. I'm looking for info about towns that would work for us, not a specific house at this point. Also, and resources/links to local listings if they exist.

I'm also looking for quality daycare in the area. There don't seem to be many choices - unless I'm not finding the right places on the web. The few I've called don't have openings. Any suggestions?

Thanks for any info

[timberline742]

Try Craiglist, their South Coast forum for Massachusetts. But $1000 is pretty darn low. $1500 is more realistic.

[495neighbor]

You should check the local online newspapers such as the Sun Chronicle Attleboro, print versions of newspapers as well for each town once you have a list. I did see one in North Attleboro for $950 there. Although right now busy with work and child raising, eventually you will want to have some kind of social life with mature people and inexpensive places to go with children. North Attleboro, a short drive to Providence and beautiful SE Mass beaches could be a good town for you. Somewhere near Plymouth would be my other recommendation. As an unmarried newcomer, I would stay clear of some of the more isolated towns in the Middleborough area.
Other posters will better advise about specifics and schools.

[needanewhome]

Thanks for the suggestions. I'll look into North Attleboro and Plymouth. Are the schools good in both towns? I've heard they aren't great in Middleboro.
Also, what are the more isolated towns you suggest avoiding? I know it's a rural area, but is there much crime around Middleboro?

[CaseyB]

I think North Attleborough is too far. You'd want to avoid Taunton and Wareham. Plymouth is probably your best bet, possibly one of the Bridgewaters. Some of the small towns have very few rentals and honestly, your budget is low.

[lrfox]

I wouldn't rule out North Attleboro given the OP's relatively restrictive criteria. It's about 30-35 minutes from Middleborough all highway (95 to 495). It'll be a little more with traffic (which isn't typically too awful along that stretch). I'd plan on 45 minutes each way, but it could end up being less.

If I were the OP, I'd temper my expectations. 3 bedrooms for under $1000 is likely not going to net you a great home in a great neighborhood with great schools. I agree with the Bridgewaters (Bridgewater, East Bridgewater, West Bridgewater), Plymouth and would add Middleborough to the list. The schools in those communities are decent. Not among the top in the state, but certainly not bad. To be frank, your budget will exclude you from communities with the best schools. I'd check on Freetown and Lakeville as well. Both have a limited number of rentals, but sometimes you will see some in that range.

I would avoid Brockton, Taunton, New Bedford, Fall River, Wareham, and Randolph in that area due in large part to poor schools. Most other towns within a 30-40 minute driving radius (double check Google maps for approx. driving times) will have school systems that are at least decent. You're going to find that most of the affordable places are in towns people told you to avoid. Just keep digging. You may have to expand your budget a little bit to get what you want.