Relocating for a job in Lexington next month - 350K budget

[johngolf]

Originally Posted by joey0480

Thank you all for the heads up. This is definitely helpful

I am going to stick to the east and go as far up as pelham NH, though i am going to try to avoid going to NH at this point.

I appreciate all of your input.

Take a look at Chelmsford.

[Shrewsburried]

Originally Posted by Boston_Burbs

I think northern Lancaster would work.

Commute that would be an hour or less depending on the time, top school district in the state, and access to the Shirley commuter rail (Free parking!) should your job options change.

Agreed, but inventory in this section of town is limited at best. Nearly all the inventory within OPs price range is near the Clinton line. Worth a look though, particularly since the Nashoba schools are quite good. I think west Groton is still an option as well, for very similar reasons.

[Boston_Burbs]

The nock on Townsend is not just the commute but long trips on the weekend as well. I would routinely drive to Leominster or Nashua on the weekends racking up the mikes while my wife was in Leominster almost every day at some store. You save on housing but put 15k on each car a year. At least dunstable, lunenberg, Lancaster are near shopping.

I will say though, rt 2 is still the easiest commuter road especially if you leave early.

[KKay9]

Originally Posted by johngolf

Take a look at Chelmsford.

I agree. I live on the south side of Westford, near Chelmsford and work in Lexington. At the hours OP is planning to commute it will be a BREEZE! You can use back roads very efficiently.

Unless you want brand new and huge, there are houses in your budget in Chelmsford, it's about the average home price. And, it is a nice town. I spend a lot of time there as I have friends there, do some shopping there, drive through it every day and keep a horse there.

[joey0480]

Can anyone comment on Billerica?

[vtecluder617]

Originally Posted by joey0480

Can anyone comment on Billerica?

The wife and I looked at buying a home there before ending up on the South Shore. We were looking initially in neighboring Wilmington and Burlington, but were priced out for what we were looking for. Billerica was cheaper in comparison. Schools weren't known to be great (this was in 2013, not sure if they're better now?) and it definitely had a very townie feel to it. But other than that, I'm assuming it is relatively safe, just a little "rough around the edges" I guess.

[robr2]

Billerica is a mix of blue collar and white collar residents. Solid services, reasonable tax rate, great sports and recreation activities, average schools, lots of tech companies, great Rt 3 location, 3 Market Baskets on Boston Rd.. It gets very rural near the Carlisle side. The house of correction is a quiet neighbor. It's basically a solid town at reasonable prices.

I've know people who moved there and left for better schools and others that stayed forever.

I predict that in the next 5 years it will become more expensive as people are priced out of Wilmington and Burlington and will be willing to go even further towards 495.

What may surprise many is the shear size of the town - 26.4 square miles.

[495neighbor]

Originally Posted by joey0480

thanks again.
My realtor suggested Townsend (apologies if spelling off). It looks like a 30ish mile commute but google maps is saying that it can be had in around a hour when leaving at 6AM. Can anyone comment?

Townsend is a beautiful town. With personal knowledge that morning commute from Acton to Lexington would be 45 minutes, I estimate Townsend to Lexington commute would be an hour and a half each way. Chelmsford or Wilmington would be better commutes for you.

[495neighbor]

Originally Posted by joey0480

Can anyone comment on Billerica?

Wilmington is a bit more accessible to Lexington than Billerica. Do avoid the main roads through Woburn as these get very jammed. Billerica is quite large land wise and more spread out than Wilmington. Wilmington has more sidewalks than Billerica.

[robr2]

Originally Posted by 495neighbor

Wilmington is a bit more accessible to Lexington than Billerica. Do avoid the main roads through Woburn as these get very jammed. Billerica is quite large land wise and more spread out than Wilmington. Wilmington has more sidewalks than Billerica.

I'll disagree. I think Billerica would be an easier ride to Lexington. At least one can take 4/225 or Middlesex Tpk from Billerica. The only real back way is on Rt. 62 in Burlington which can be a horror show.