Fitchburg and/or Worcester info (Boston, Taunton: insurance, condos, how much)

[Kerby W-R]

I am considering a move to Massachusetts in maybe a year and a half.
I would like to buy a home but I can not afford the homes closer to Boston. I will have to commute to the airport because that is where I will work.
Fitchburg and Worcester seem to be more economical and both are on the
rail line. Are these safe communities to live in and how would the commute be ? Are there towns near these that are close to the rail that would be
safe and economical ? I will greatly appreciate your time and responses.

[neil0311]

Rather than Fitchburg, I would suggest Leominster (I lived there for 15 years). Right next door and MUCH better for many reasons, including crime, schools, fiscal management, taxes. There is a commuter rail line on Rte 13 that is getting modernized to allow an hour ride to North Sta. Also look into Lunenburg, Townsend, Sterling. Stay away from Lancaster and Bolton. Stay away from Worcester unless you like urban living and all that goes with it.

If you work at Logan, you may want to consider southern NH or the area along Rte 3 and 93 in MA. Also, Taunton and areas to the south are worth looking into as well.

EDIT: Commute via car to Logan from Leominster is a little more than an hour (on Rte 2, Storrow Dr, Callahan) in non-peak and could be 2 hours in peak...in snow ??????

[Parsec]

neil: why would you advise staying away from Lancaster and Bolton? I think these are the 2 nicest towns in that area!

kerby: do you have kids? there are many towns near the airport w/relatively affordable housing, but schools aren't as good. east boston and winthrop come to mind.

[Kerby W-R]

Originally Posted by neil0311

Rather than Fitchburg, I would suggest Leominster (I lived there for 15 years). Right next door and MUCH better for many reasons, including crime, schools, fiscal management, taxes. There is a commuter rail line on Rte 13 that is getting modernized to allow an hour ride to North Sta. Also look into Lunenburg, Townsend, Sterling. Stay away from Lancaster and Bolton. Stay away from Worcester unless you like urban living and all that goes with it.

If you work at Logan, you may want to consider southern NH or the area along Rte 3 and 93 in MA. Also, Taunton and areas to the south are worth looking into as well.

EDIT: Commute via car to Logan from Leominster is a little more than an hour (on Rte 2, Storrow Dr, Callahan) in non-peak and could be 2 hours in peak...in snow ??????

Good information for me to consider. I really appreciate it. I'm 52 and do not want anymore expenses than I need. Taunton seems like a good idea. I didn't realize there was anything safe and affordable for me in that direction.
I had always heard that I would need to go west for economical and safe.
Thanks again.

[Kerby W-R]

Originally Posted by Parsec

neil: why would you advise staying away from Lancaster and Bolton? I think these are the 2 nicest towns in that area!

kerby: do you have kids? there are many towns near the airport w/relatively affordable housing, but schools aren't as good. east boston and winthrop come to mind.

I appreciate your help but I need places that are less expensive. I am 52 and will have no kids in tow. I want a safe and inexpensive town. neil, mentioned
Taunton which was a nice surprise for me. I didn't realize there was a nice town in my price range that close in.
I really enjoy walking neighborhoods and I have to consider my commute to Logan which I understand rail is better than auto with all of the traffic snarls.
I am making a list so any ideas that would help my situation are appreciated.
Thank you.

[CaseyB]

While better than Fitchburg, and certainly Worcester, Taunton isn't really considered "nice". Parts of it are okay. Certainly the surrounding towns would be safer. It seems like a rather long commute to Logan from there.

[Kerby W-R]

Originally Posted by CaseyB

While better than Fitchburg, and certainly Worcester, Taunton isn't really considered "nice". Parts of it are okay. Certainly the surrounding towns would be safer. It seems like a rather long commute to Logan from there.

Thank you for that.
Leominster looks like my best bet so far. I will suffer on the commute but I would like a nice home in a safe neighborhood. I wonder how reliable those trains are for the commute ?
Leominster is at the top of my list, so far.

[Parsec]

what would you consider to be affordable, and how much space do you need (just 1 guy)? you can find 1 bedroom condos in almost any city near logan for under $200k. these would be better walking neighborhoods than say, leominster or taunton also. i guess if you don't have kids, a 3-4 hour commute (round trip from leominster in rush hour) would be doable if you really desire a larger house. we'd be able to help you more if you gave us a price range though.

[Kerby W-R]

I have a lot of seniority so I can hold any shift. My plan is to work evenings so the traffic won't be as bad if I were to drive. I am looking at homes from
$225-275. I am not interested in living in a condo. I would like at least two
bedrooms and a bath and a half or more. It's asking for a lot but I have seen
a few places. They do exist !
Thanks again to all of you for your help.

[neil0311]

Originally Posted by Parsec

neil: why would you advise staying away from Lancaster and Bolton? I think these are the 2 nicest towns in that area!

Lancaster is constantly suffering from a shortage of tax base due to its self imposed restrictions on business and the tax exempt status of Atlantic Union College. If you remember, they don't even have life insurance for their volunteer fire dept, and made the state bail them out when one of the firefighters was killed a couple of years ago. You pay a lot of tax and get very little in services. The vocal minority in Lancaster fights any attempt at bringing business to the town.

Bolton is nice, but housing is overpriced and taxes are high. Again, you pay a lot and don't get much. You take your wallet in your hands driving through Bolton, and the cops run speed traps up and down Rte 117, and will pull you for driving even a couple of miles over the 30 mph limit.

The Nashoba school district is always short of money and paying for school buses for students and other things are always threathened to make up the shortfalls.