Boston Globe article-is buying a home in boston worth it? (Newton: best town, apartments)

[vtecluder617]

Originally Posted by Whatsnext75

places that are just meh that people are moving to because they might not be exactly what they want but they're close enough.

closer less desirable areas will increase.

And thats exactly what people are doing. For example, 15 years ago I wouldn't have even remotely considered Weymouth a nice suburb to raise a family. Growing up it was known for its junkies and "townie" like residents, most of which were ex Southie and Dorchester natives. Nowadays, I couldn't even afford Weymouth if I wanted to. So many young professionals moved in with their kids and drove up the housing prices. It's like "gentrification" of the 'burbs.

[Whatsnext75]

Originally Posted by Boston_Burbs

Except my monthly expenses decreased because of the move due to cutting out other costly expenses that were not house related.

I think people focus too much on the house price and dont take into account the total cost of commuting and other expenses in the ex-burbs. Also, people have ridiculous expectations when it comes to what they need in a house. I ended up in a 2 bed, 1000 sf house with one bathroom. Attic is expandable and we will probably do so in 5-10 year but our grandparents lived in homes this small, so why can't we? Our grandparents only had one car, so why cant we?

IMO, people make up this strawman argument in their head of what they require to live with and most of it is BS perpetuated by advertisers.

Right but the problem is if you are working in Boston you want a decent commute otherwise it's a bad quality of life. You leave super early in the morning then get home around 7:30/8 at night if you go further out. Even Milton which is the closest suburb to Boston south of the city has a not great commute once you hop on 93N to get in town during rush hour. Same for the way home. If you live IN the city chances are you are living in a smaller home with not much of a yard and this doesn't work once you have kids...nevermind boston public schools. I think some people feel like they cannot live in the city and need to find the closest suburb they can which is understandable...but then they get frustrated when all they can afford is a small run down house with no yard. Which again is understandable. Some people are indeed super picky and should shut up, but for others if you have 400k to spend you really should be able to at least kind of get what you want in some areas, maybe not all. but 400k is not nothing to a lot of people.

The struggle is really, it really is. I envy the rich...that's all i can say. The CEO of my company has a sprawling brand new mansion in Weston that's around 5 million on zillow. Other than the fact that she gets no sleep, i'm not sure what her struggles could be

[Whatsnext75]

Originally Posted by vtecluder617

And thats exactly what people are doing. For example, 15 years ago I wouldn't have even remotely considered Weymouth a nice suburb to raise a family. Growing up it was known for its junkies and "townie" like residents, most of which were ex Southie and Dorchester natives. Nowadays, I couldn't even afford Weymouth if I wanted to. So many young professionals moved in with their kids and drove up the housing prices. It's like "gentrification" of the 'burbs.

Really, i didnt know weymouth was doing that well.

[TAM88]

Originally Posted by Whatsnext75

Hmm, I work in Cambridge at a tech start up and I see the engineers leaving ALL THE TIME for please CA, Seattle and Austin where they get a better paying job and will be getting much better weather and a bigger nicer house for a LOT less. Sorry, but Boston isn't necessarily the place where the rich and well off are flocking to. Many people do move here for jobs but they dont always stay. Sure there are rich people who are from here, moved here and will stay here but it's naive/ignorant to think that anyone who is doing well will stay.

Complaining about the 4 hour drive to the beach? How about complaining about a 1.5 hour drive to work both ways which many in this area deal with. The beach isnt for everyone.

I will never leave Boston, I was born and raised here, it's my home, but this place isnt what it used to be. It's exploded and the city just cant handle all the people.

'In fact, they all dreamed of living in a McMansion but could only afford the bottom unit of a triple decker in Arlington.'

Can you blame them? My boss does quite well and she was not happy with what a million dollar home could get her close to Boston, particularly Newton. She moved to Cohassett. Much worse commute, and I cant say Cohasset is too shabby...but even well off people arent happy with pricing around boston.

Unless these engineers are moving to Fresno, no way in heck are they getting a bigger and nicer house for a lot less out in California. Their real estate is just as, if not more expensive than Massachusetts.

[traffic_lover]

There are lots of jobs north of Boston. 128 belt is loaded and now it's 495 growing. Look at the traffic on 495 as evidence. Rte 3/495 interchange is a sh!tsh*w

[massnative71]

Originally Posted by Whatsnext75

Right but the problem is if you are working in Boston you want a decent commute otherwise it's a bad quality of life. You leave super early in the morning then get home around 7:30/8 at night if you go further out. Even Milton which is the closest suburb to Boston south of the city has a not great commute once you hop on 93N to get in town during rush hour. Same for the way home. If you live IN the city chances are you are living in a smaller home with not much of a yard and this doesn't work once you have kids...nevermind boston public schools. I think some people feel like they cannot live in the city and need to find the closest suburb they can which is understandable...but then they get frustrated when all they can afford is a small run down house with no yard. Which again is understandable. Some people are indeed super picky and should shut up, but for others if you have 400k to spend you really should be able to at least kind of get what you want in some areas, maybe not all. but 400k is not nothing to a lot of people.

The struggle is really, it really is. I envy the rich...that's all i can say. The CEO of my company has a sprawling brand new mansion in Weston that's around 5 million on zillow. Other than the fact that she gets no sleep, i'm not sure what her struggles could be

One can both work and live in Boston, and still have a ridiculous commute by national standards.

Right now I'm enjoying my 7 minute commute, with the only congestion I have to worry about is if a moose is in the roadway. I'm currently looking at homes on 15 acres of privacy...

[Louisville Slugger]

15 minute commute to work, 45 minute commute to Boston, about an hour to Providence, 25 minutes from Worcester, $650 mortgage.

When I want to go to the city I drive and I don't complain.

[Whatsnext75]

Originally Posted by TAM88

Unless these engineers are moving to Fresno, no way in heck are they getting a bigger and nicer house for a lot less out in California. Their real estate is just as, if not more expensive than Massachusetts.

Well i did mention two other states. TX and WA.

not sure why people are arguing that Boston is worth these prices. It's not! lol

[TAM88]

Originally Posted by Whatsnext75

Well i did mention two other states. TX and WA.

not sure why people are arguing that Boston is worth these prices. It's not! lol

That's your opinion. If you're so unsatisfied with Massachusetts, why not leave then?

[Whatsnext75]

Originally Posted by TAM88

That's your opinion. If you're so unsatisfied with Massachusetts, why not leave then?

Because this is my home, I'm born and bred here and while i don't like some of the changes i will not leave...but I will still complain about them.