Billerica (Boston, Lowell, Plymouth: housing, rent, vacation)

[jumbolaw]

Anyone have any thoughts on Billerica?

[MagicTouch]

I've heard good and bad, not to sure. I live in Bedford, next to Billerica, and really like it.

What is it you are really looking to find out???

[jumbolaw]

Basically looking to learn more about the school systems and kind of community it is. I live in Burlington right now and my fiance and I are looking to buy a house in the near future. We've been looking at places like North Andover, Westford, Chelmsford, and Littleton.

[goyguy]

Other than being quieter than Burlington thanks to less traffic congestion and no mall sprawl, Billerica really wouldn't be much of a step up. The age and quality of the single-family homes are similar and the public schools are roughly equal. Tewksbury, North Reading, and Wilmington are in the same league, but with lower housing costs and some newer subdivisions.

It's an interesting coincidence that someone looking to get out of Billerica has posted in recent days also. Everyone's story is different; all the same, "that's saying something."

[willdufauve]

When I grew up in the area, Billerica was known for having a lot of bikers, not great schools and low quality houses (especially over by the lake where I have some friends but, true, some marginal houses that wouldn't be built today).

It was known as a hoodie town with a lot of punks. People complain more of a townie, old boy network than in some of the other towns. The education standard probably isn't way, way out of line in the schools, the school social scene might still be edgey.

When I say "bikers" I mean Devil's Disciples, some of the Lowell Hell's Angels, and some unaffiliated.

I would prefer the other towns you mention.

[jumbolaw]

Thanks everyone for the advice, I think I can safely rule out Billerica!

[billericaishome]

I'm surprised about all the negative comments everyone has on Billerica. I moved here about 15 years ago, in a new subdivision. I can not believe what a great town it is for kids and sports programs. My children go to a brand new elementary school where the principal is outstanding as well as the teachers. This town has a great small town feel and people really know each other.. every where I go. We are raising our children here and are proud of everything about it. My husband and I are both professionals and I commute to Boston almost every day. The location is excellent... I can get to 93, 128 or 495 as well as Rt 3 in 10 minutes. I chose Billerica because of it's location and small town feel. Yes there has been a lot of building lately and there are more people, but it is still nothing like Burlington, Woburn or any other more populated town/city. I couldn't imagine raising my kids anywhere else. It's a GREAT town to raise children and live every day. Sure it was known about 50 years ago for it's bikies, it's a much different place these days. Look at the statistics for average income.. it's above the state average.. MCAS scores are good.. the recreation department is also above par. There are golf courses, ice skating rinks, great parks, rivers, etc. Billerica was a place that people used to come to for vacation in small cottages. It's not like that anymore. Everything is convenient.
I can't imagine a family moving to Billerica and not being happy. I'm here and happy!

[maestramommy]

I've just heard that there is a proposal to build a large power plant in Billerica. At the moment there doesn't seem to be much reason for it to get turned down. My Dh found a link to Billerica Power Plant, which seems to be quite against it. We are interested in Chelmsford and that was one of the towns listed that could be affected by the plant. We are just wondering about how this might affect 1) property values and 2) traffic conditions should the plant get built in the next couple of years.

[Femalecomment]

I am of the gray hair generation, but Billerica is OK. Bedford is way over-priced. What is missing in Billerica is a walkable town center. However, it is a very safe town with a good Police Dept. The school system is average, but the sports are A +. There are two skating arenas in town.

The auto insurance rates are low for such a large town. I have only lived here for ten years. I visited once in the 1970's and saw some impressionable things. The town was even known for having "Oakies" back then or poor people who came up from the South and lived in shacks.

Most of the housing in town is above average, wih good value for your money. There is one area near Pond St and the Tewksbury line with trailor parks and tiny lots. I do not know much, just that it is very high density.

Do not know much about the proposed power plant yet. I can say however that look how nice Plymouth Ma and Seabrook NH would be without the nuclear power plants. I suppose the smoke stacks are the biggest complaint.

[calvak]

Originally Posted by maestramommy

I've just heard that there is a proposal to build a large power plant in Billerica. At the moment there doesn't seem to be much reason for it to get turned down. My Dh found a link to Billerica Power Plant, which seems to be quite against it. We are interested in Chelmsford and that was one of the towns listed that could be affected by the plant. We are just wondering about how this might affect 1) property values and 2) traffic conditions should the plant get built in the next couple of years.

Not to mention if cancer rates will increase from the pollution. Figures .... just as I found a town I really liked, a power plant may go in. <SIGH>