Potentially Relocating - Few initial questions (Boston, Lowell: appointed, new house, buying)

[illinoisfamily2017]

Thanks everyone for all the suggestions. It's nice to hear the taxes may be a bit lower. I'm going to look into these towns and see if any of them look like "home". I'm sure we could raise our housing budget some - not a million, but $800K might work. Still hoping for the kids' sake that he can work from home. It's not easy to change schools in high school and junior high.

[Bruins_Fan]

Originally Posted by htfdcolt

Plus the commute from NH down Rt 3 is a killer. Not worth it.

Commuting to Billerica? I'd absolutely live in NH if I worked in Billerica.

[htfdcolt]

Originally Posted by Bruins_Fan

Commuting to Billerica? I'd absolutely live in NH if I worked in Billerica.

I stick by my comment. I work in Chelmsford, and have several colleagues who live in Nashua. Only 17 miles but they tell me their commute down Rt 3 is highly variable. Can range up to 45 min even in good weather--normal congestion + sun glare causing stupid accidents from time to time.

[Bruins_Fan]

Originally Posted by htfdcolt

I stick by my comment. I work in Chelmsford, and have several colleagues who live in Nashua. Only 17 miles but they tell me their commute down Rt 3 is highly variable. Can range up to 45 min even in good weather--normal congestion + sun glare causing stupid accidents from time to time.

That's fine, we all have different tolerances for different things. That said, you work in Chelmsford and live in W. Hartford, CT?!

[htfdcolt]

Originally Posted by Bruins_Fan

That's fine, we all have different tolerances for different things. That said, you work in Chelmsford and live in W. Hartford, CT?!

In the process of relocating. Temp living in Westford with my employer for past several months. I am very familiar with the region, in case that's what's being questioned.

[Dm84]

Originally Posted by CaseyB

You can get a Logan Express from Salem, NH.

Not an option for business travelers. Too much wasted time on both ends of the trip.

[escape_mass]

Originally Posted by CaseyB

Or you could go across the border to southern NH and get a much nicer house for your $.

Agreed, there are many nice houses in NH. But their real estates taxes are very very high. So if you live in NH and work in Mass. you are hit with high real estate taxes plus income taxes in Massachusetts.

[ECPCVC]

Look into Westford. A bit longer to the airport than Andover, but excellent schools and more house for your money.

[Tightlines]

Think about Groton, a bit more rural, good schools, but nice housing stock. I did the commute to and from Logan; depending on time of day, can be acceptable...or, if during rush hour, a pain. But that goes for most communities in the burbs anyway, unless you take a bus in.
Will he be driving to the airport, using a car service?

[gf2020]

I used to work in Billerica. I had sort of a reverse commute from Lynnfield but most of the executives at the Billerica HQ lived in Bedford, Westford, Groton or Pepperell. Andover is a good suggestion and I would also add Littleton to the mix. With a budget to $800K you can find a pretty nice house and all these towns have good schools.