Where to move close to RI (Boston, Newton: houses, public schools, live)

[ncwannabe2]

Originally Posted by smarty

The price range give you lots of option...

The key to commuting to Woonsocket RI is to live South of Rt90. Traffic during rush hour near Rt90/Rt495 is not easy. You can even live closer to Worcester taking Rt146 there.

Some towns that do not have the status.... but still good are Mendon, Milford, Grafton, Bellingham, Franklin, Blackstone.

Other upper scale towns are Holliston, Hopkinton, Sherborn, Medfield.

Smarty - you missed Hopedale, nestled in there between Milford and Mendon.

[twinpod]

Hi,
I moved from No. Cal (Berkeley) back to Mass. a few years ago. I am also from the north shore (Marblehead), so I can relate to your predicament. Originally we moved to Newburyport, which is beautiful but I decided to go back to school in Providence, so we're now in Franklin. It's been interesting, since I never lived south of Boston. Franklin has some good things going for it: kid-friendly, two commuter rail stations, more affordable than the north shore, people are friendlier in general, relatively close to Rhode Island and easy to get on 495. It has a down town, but it's not as upscale as Medfield or Sherborn ... they're working on improving it. Lots of town spirit though, and the school system is pretty good.
If you have any other questions re: Franklin let me know.
Good luck!

[holden125]

I keep hearing good things about Franklin re friendliness and welcoming newcomers, and it's right next to Woonsocket. Closer to Boston and more upscale Medfield might not be such a bad commute, if you can get to 95 then take 295.

[Monarch68]

I would suggest the Franklin, Ma. area. I have quite a few relatives with school age children living there. They all seem to be happy with the school system, the opportunities for the children in regard to outside activities, the safety of the area, and the economic climate of the surrounding cities and towns. We have always enjoyed our visits to the area, and always look forward to shopping at the wonderful nearby "Wrentham Village."

[Moving_Mama]

What about commuting from Medfield to Pawtucket, RI? It does not seem that far but how bad would the commute be during the winter? We are considering a move from So. Cal. to MA.

[professorsenator]

Originally Posted by Moving_Mama

What about commuting from Medfield to Pawtucket, RI? It does not seem that far but how bad would the commute be during the winter? We are considering a move from So. Cal. to MA.

My guess is that's about a 35-45 min. commute.

[deborahk]

Hi. I worked in Woonsocket for 8 years (commuted from Providence, which is a really easy 20 minute commute). But why are you moving back east? Because life in AZ is too good, especially for the kids? Does that make any sense? No wonder you are worried about how your kids will react! (Or maybe I misread your post and it's actually for work, which makes a lot more sense to me.) If it's just because life is too good there, reconsider!

[emdotjaydot]

Franklin, MA is right on the Cumberland RI boarder. It is about a 45 minute drive to Providence.

I LOVE Franklin, MA. I grew up there, and now I am living in Manchester NH. I graduated from Franklin High School a few years ago, and I hate to brag, but the school system is fantastic. To be honest, the public schooling system is possibly better than the private schools in the area. The teachers all love teaching, and always get to know individual students. The high school was also very competitive. The sports teams are also very competitive.
Franklin has been named one of the top 10 places to raise a family in the US!!! (This is current!)

[Lori Lincoln]

If you like rural, you'll love Rehoboth, Berkley, Dighton and parts of Swansea and Seekonk. Somerset is more suburban. School Systems "they" rave about are: Dighton/Rehoboth and Somerset. Also some parts of Taunton are also rural.
Please let me know if you need more info. I know this southern/southeastern ma area very well.

[thershegoesagn]

Newcomers from Scottsdale, Arizona would like to post the following question concerning Franklin/Wrentham and surrounding areas: If you had a choice of where to bring up a child (8 y/o daughter), which town would you recommend? We are looking for strong academics and a good sense of community. Have heard Ben Franklin Charter in Franklin is good. We are temporarily in Wrentham and it seems to be a nice, quaint town. Work is in Hopkinton. Everyone has an opinion; let us hear them all!