looking for north boston suburb... (Lynn, Andover: safe area, top schools, taxes)

[TrapDraw77]

will likely be moving to Boston metro for a work relocation. Need to be in north burbs with easy access to 95 since job is over the border in NH.

Looking for a safe area with top schools and but want to have reasonable access to Boston. Immediately started looking at Andover based on reputation and word of mouth. Are there other areas to which I should be looking?

Thanks,

[scoobydew]

Originally Posted by TrapDraw77

will likely be moving to Boston metro for a work relocation. Need to be in north burbs with easy access to 95 since job is over the border in NH.

Looking for a safe area with top schools and but want to have reasonable access to Boston. Immediately started looking at Andover based on reputation and word of mouth. Are there other areas to which I should be looking?

Thanks,

To name a few of the better schools in the areas you referenced:

Lynnfield
Middleton
Hamilton
Newburyport
North Reading

[kingeorge]

I would add Topsfield, Wenham, and Hamilton to the mix.
Good luck.

[massnative71]

Originally Posted by TrapDraw77

will likely be moving to Boston metro for a work relocation. Need to be in north burbs with easy access to 95 since job is over the border in NH.

Looking for a safe area with top schools and but want to have reasonable access to Boston. Immediately started looking at Andover based on reputation and word of mouth. Are there other areas to which I should be looking?

Thanks,

Why not just move to NH?

[LexWest]

Originally Posted by massnative71

Why not just move to NH?

Exactly. Unless the OP has another compelling reason to be in MA (a partner/spouse working in Boston), there's no reason to live in MA to pay state taxes when one could just live in NH. Towns such as Windham and Londonderry would fit the bill, while having an Express Bus station nearby for access to Boston. (Of course, such question would be better served on the NH forum, as some could provide a broader variety of answers.)

[in_newengland]

Or Newburyport. There is transport into Boston and you're on I-95 to get to NH, which is close by. Schools are fine but the town is expensive. However, if you're considering Andover, then you could afford Newburyport.

[Shizim]

Originally Posted by in_newengland

Or Newburyport. There is transport into Boston and you're on I-95 to get to NH, which is close by. Schools are fine but the town is expensive. However, if you're considering Andover, then you could afford Newburyport.

OP needs to tell us more. where in NH will you be working (93 or 95) is important. you don't necessarily want to live in Newburyport if you work in Derry or Manchester.

Also, how often will you (or significant other) be coming in Boston? during rush hr? if its not frequent or during peak hrs, towns in southern NH might serve you better.

[TrapDraw77]

Originally Posted by Shizim

OP needs to tell us more. where in NH will you be working (93 or 95) is important. you don't necessarily want to live in Newburyport if you work in Derry or Manchester.

Also, how often will you (or significant other) be coming in Boston? during rush hr? if its not frequent or during peak hrs, towns in southern NH might serve you better.

signficant other will be working in downtown boston (by north station) so we want a shortish commute for her. Additionally, we like the closer proximity to Boston than a town like londonderry would provide.

my new position will be just south of mancheser right off i-93, so being close to that is a priority.


thanks for all of your comments.

[scratchie]

I'm not sure why you mentioned I-95 if you're going to be living off of I-93. The towns near I-93 that have commuter rail lines into Boston would be a good list of places to start. Andover is an excellent choice if you can afford it.