Towns Commutable to Danvers (Haverhill, Reading: homes, schools, income)

[boogs61]

My husband and I may be relocating later this year with my husband working in Danvers. We have been looking at New Hampshire for living. We want a touch of rural, but not totally in the sticks. We'd like a little property for some chickens and a garden. We'd like to be within 30 min. of major grocery stores, mall, a Target, etc...

Any suggestions for MA towns that would work? We don't have children, so schools are not a concern. Also, any places to stay away from would be helpful too. We are wanting to stay as close to 300k as possible for a home.

Thanks so much!

[holden125]

One thing to keep an eye on is that, while working in Mass. you'd pay Mass. income tax, while New Hampshire towns near the Mass. border often have very high property tax since there is no N.H. income tax. So it can be the worst of all worlds if you're on a budget.

I don't know about land big enough to have chickens, but the towns just north of Danvers like Boxford, Georgetown, and Byfield always struck me a pretty woodsy. Of course, I'm a city guy so rural to me might not be to you.

[dano7]

I Would Stay South Of The Hampton Tolls In Nh But Look In That Area Or Seabrook, Exeter. These Are More Reasonable Than Say, Newburyport. Another Area To Check Is Haverhill, Reading Or Any Of Those More Central Towns. All Are An Easy Commute To Danvers-good Luck.

[Valerie C]

I hope you don't get sick of reading my replies to your postings boogs I do have some ideas for towns that might fit. I would recommend heading north along Rte 95 (from Danvers) where the area is much more rural. Towns like Topsfield, Boxford, Georgetown etc have a number of horse farms, etc. Finding a home in some of these towns for under 300K may be a stretch, but certainly not impossible.

Personally, I would recommend looking into Amesbury. It has a very nice downtown area, plenty of restaurants, etc. Absolutely beautiful old Victorian homes and tree-lined streets. Super-convenient to Rte. 495 and all the conveniences that you are looking for, BUT once you get past the downtown, there are some quite rural areas that border South Hampton, New Hampshire. Amesbury might just offer you the best of both worlds, I would think very worth your while to look into.

Since you have specifically mentioned the possibility of chickens, you'll want to check with any town that you consider to see what limitations they might have. I have friends in Merrimac (next to Amesbury) who raise Aracana, and also the large black and white speckled chickens, and they are right along the Merrimack River. I would assume that there are more restrictions than in NH, where you can let your chickens roam free. Some towns might only allow livestock in certain areas, others may have a minimum lot size, etc.

Have you looked at city-data's information on homes? Massachusetts Bigger Cities (over 6000 residents) has a ton of good info that might be very useful.