Beverly, MA (Boston, Lynn, Andover: middle-class, house, buy)

[t-mar]

Family moving from TX to the Boston area. We have two kids 5 and 7 years old. Husband is going to work by downtown crossing so a town with a train is a must.
We want to be on the North or Northwest side. Excellent elementary and middle school is also a must (High School less relevant). Otherwise we love to be outdoors and are very active. Our budget is about 850k. We are looking at Beverly. Thoughts on that town? We are open to other places as well so feel free to suggest other places as well.
Thanks!

[alidmc]

I've never heard anyone refer to Beverly schools as "excellent". Based on greatschools, it looks like the Beverly elementary and middle schools are mostly 8s. The people I know that send their kids to Beverly Schools have been very happy. It's a pretty diverse city, in terms of economics and ethnicities, as such Beverly will never rank in the top tier in terms of testing.
850K is a pretty generous budget for most parts of Beverly. The Farms and Prides Crossing have mansions that sell for millions, but you should be able to find a very nice house for 850 or less.
Beverly has a nice mis of restaurants downtown and almost monthly block parties when the weather is nicer. It also has an artsy vibe thanks to Montserrat College of Art located right in downtown.
If you provide more information, we may be able to help you determine whether Beverly is a good fit or recommend other towns.

[jan0105]

Yeah, I'd agree that Beverly schools are fine, but don't necessarily have any kind of "cache" (which may or may not be important to you). Have you thought about Andover? Elementary schools are 9 or 10 on great schools (one might be an 8), your budget would buy something nice, there is a train to Boston, and you're close to NH for your outdoorsy stuff.

[gf2020]

With a budget to $850K I think Andover, Reading, North Reading or Lynnfield would be a better choice.

[vter]

Also Manchester By The Sea.

[CaseyB]

Originally Posted by vter

Also Manchester By The Sea.

I second that!

[traffic_lover]

Originally Posted by vter

Also Manchester By The Sea.

850 is chump change in Manchester-by-the-sea...how dare you!!!!

[bohemka]

Everything's relative. Beverly schools would be considered good in Massachusetts, but excellent on a national level. The standards are high here.

[jan0105]

True. But I wouldn't want the OP to move here thinking Beverly schools are amazing and then, a year later after learning more about the area, realize they don't necessarily compare all that favorably to some other districts.

[alidmc]

I don't think Beverly is a bad choice. In many ways, its a great choice. You just have to be comfortable with a more city-like vibe and economic diversity . Beverly has an interesting mix of residents- multi-million dollar mansions on the water, depressed pockets, and a pretty solid middle-class as well. I have noticed a definite revitalization in Beverly that has really started to thin the depressed areas. The city has plans to revamp Rantoul St., and once that is complete, I think gentrification will start to win out.
My only reason for not choosing Beverly is because I just wanted more space to breathe after living most of my life in crowded Eastern Mass. I think it offers more than most Eastern Mass towns with a great downtown, a theatre, art galleries, and beaches.
And yes-850K is not going to get you much in Manchester, MA.