Moving from UK to MA this APRIL (Worcester, Plymouth: credit, new home)

[jacalb]

Hi

We are moving to MA this April due to a job relocation. I have two boys aged 12 & 13.

We have searched online and narrowed areas down to Auburn, Sturbridge, Shrewsbury, Northbridge, Brookfield & Charlton. HELP.

We currently live in a town population around 16,000.00 but packed together. The boys are able to walk to local shops, cinema & leisure facilities and we all like to walk into town to eat out some evenings and go to the pub. We belong to a local rugby club and one of my boy's plays football for a local club. We would like our new home to be within a walkable or driving distance to some of the above. Do any of them have rugby clubs or football clubs.

The boys want to know what the local kids do after school and at weekends.

Their d.o.b's are 04/07/94 - aged 13 and 05/10/95 - aged 12. What grade would they start school?

Would love to hear back from anyone that lives in the above areas.

Thanks Jac

[pondhopper]

of those I would choose Shrewbury for all your reasons and its not so isolated as some of the others, though walking to a pub isn't the norm, Americans tend to drive everywhere, gas is only $3 a US gallon (1.50 GBP & slightly smaller than Imperial gallon). Bring your credit history over with you through a high street bank. Football is soccer and is played in all towns in sports leagues and as a school sport in high school (generally age 14). 12 years old is likely 6th grade though you are coming in at the end of the year as most schools end in mid June. Where will you be working? I have moved several UK residents to the US and I have now done the switch to the UK. Best of luck the more info you post the more helpful people can be, cheers.

[CaseyB]

Your boys, if they lived here, would be in 7th and 8th grade. We call that middle school. Your older boy (same age as my youngest daughter) would start high school next september.

As pondhopper said, there are lots of soccer leagues and you'll want to find out when the requirements are for signing up for the high school teams as practice often starts in late august before school begins.

I believe there is a youth rugby league in the greater Worcester area, but I don't know the details.

[jacalb]

Thanks for the replies so far. Hoping to visit from Feb 23rd. looking forward to looking around.

[charolastra00]

I don't know of any amateur rugby leagues (a Google search might be the most useful!) but most local colleges have men's and women's rugby. Women's rugby is great! I'm a huge fan. So you can still get a bit of your rugby fix as a fan.

[pondhopper]

PS any estate agent can show you EVERY property unlike in the UK! If you have specific questions feel free to PM me as I said I've moved a few people including myself!

[baron tweedmouth]

I would recommend Shrewsbury as I see it as the best fit for a family coming from the UK. The schools are highly regarded, there are houses in a wide price range, and there are many conveniences. The town is suburban and has a New England feel to it. I would also recommend looking into Westborough and Holden.

[Lindsey_Mcfarren]

Years back I lived in Shrewsbury and I loved it. Its close to Route 9 which will give you quick access to surrounding areas.

I hope you enjoy your time in the US. April is a gorgeous time in New England. If your into learning about history, there is SO much to see.

Please take your kids to Sturbridge Village once you get settled, the summer is a nice time to visit. Plymouth is also a nice place to visit.

[Tumbler]

Live in the area. Many good private schools, also. St. John's in Shrewsbury comes to mind. Charlton is also nice rural area with excellent school system. Taxes are better in Charlton, though. Shrewsbury's are exorbitant. Visit any town online or check out Mass.Gov for statistics on all 351 cities and towns in Massachusetts.
Good luck

[baron tweedmouth]

I belive the above information is incorrect. The tax rates are very similar. However, the assesed value of homes is much higher in Shrewsbury. These communites are two very different types of communites. Charton is more country while Shrewsbury is very suburban....I guess it depends on what you are looking for.