Relocation to Mass, with small kids (Boston, Lowell: apartments, rentals, new home)

[lorrhob06]

I may be relocating from Atlanta. I will be working in the Andover area and need some help figuring out where to live. I am a single mother of two upper elementary age kids so obviously safety is a HUGE issue. I am concerned about how expensive this state seems, and I'm afraid I won't be able to find anything affordable and safe with good schools.

If anyone has any suggestions I would really appreciate it.

[Valerie C]

Besides safety being the obvious first consideration, what are you looking for in your new home town? If you're working in the Andover area, you could consider places like Haverhill, Groveland or Georgetown. Or a little further up 495, Amesbury or Merrimac. Any of these places would be more reasonably priced than south of Andover (the closer to Boston you are, the higher the price!) Haverhill in particular, you would want to watch the area carefully. Some of the neighborhood schools are much higher rated than others...

I know Haverhill very well, having lived there for many years (now in Southern New Hampshire) but still have family and friends there, and I'm very excited by their plans to develop and utilize the beautiful riverfront areas that have been neglected for far too long...

[scarletfire]

And I'd stay out of Lawrence

[MAtoNC!]

Originally Posted by Valerie C

I know Haverhill very well, having lived there for many years (now in Southern New Hampshire) but still have family and friends there, and I'm very excited by their plans to develop and utilize the beautiful riverfront areas that have been neglected for far too long...

And what are the plans for the schools in Haverhill? I would not send my kids to the public schools there.

Originally Posted by scarletfire

And I'd stay out of Lawrence

And Methuen and Lowell...

lorrhob06, what is your general price bracket for a rental or a home? Tewksbury may be a possibility.

[Valerie C]

Originally Posted by MAtoNC!

And what are the plans for the schools in Haverhill? I would not send my kids to the public schools there.

And Methuen and Lowell...

Yes, Haverhill is known as a mainly blue-collar small city. Yet, somehow, many families manage to thrive there, their children go to college, they live good lives without having to pay $600,000 for a 4 bedroom home.

Haverhill has long been considered a "dying city" with a lack of retail, recreation, jobs or incentives to bring in new residents. The Ward Hill industrial park was 3/4 empty in the last half of the 90's, when so much of our production went elsewhere. The last few years, things are starting to turn around. The opening of BJ's in the Ward Hill Industrial Park, and Lowes & Target at the Rte 97 exit brings in jobs, taxes and places to shop. There are many restaurants and places to walk/shop in the historic downtown area. With the additional taxes that these, and the other stores slated to come to town will bring, the town will be able to put more money into the ailing schools.

Ah, yes, the schools. I have 2 nephews graduating this year (one from HHS, the other from Whittier Tech). Both are honors students, both going on to college--one to Westfield State, the other to University of Mass/Lowell. Another nephew graduated 3 years ago from HHS, has been at Westfield State since, and will head to Washington DC to intern in our nation's capital in his 4th year of college.

Sometimes the schools are all in what you make of them. Family effort counts for everything.

[MAtoNC!]

There are plenty of towns you can buy a 4 br house for less than $600k. I lived in a one of them: Grafton. I paid in the low 300's 2 1/2 years ago. We all know it's worth less now. That would be too far from Andover. But there are others towns with better and safer schools than Haverhill. I used to work at the WIC office in Haverhill. I saw the high teen pregnancy rate firsthand. I am here to give my honest opinion and help the poster that started the thread.

Based on this article is one of the many reasons I stand by my statement: Haverhill: Water, water everywhere Schools with leaky roof, broken pipes interrupt learning and anger parents - EagleTribune.com, North Andover, MA

Originally Posted by Valerie C

Yes, Haverhill is known as a mainly blue-collar small city. Yet, somehow, many families manage to thrive there, their children go to college, they live good lives without having to pay $600,000 for a 4 bedroom home.

Haverhill has long been considered a "dying city" with a lack of retail, recreation, jobs or incentives to bring in new residents. The Ward Hill industrial park was 3/4 empty in the last half of the 90's, when so much of our production went elsewhere. The last few years, things are starting to turn around. The opening of BJ's in the Ward Hill Industrial Park, and Lowes & Target at the Rte 97 exit brings in jobs, taxes and places to shop. There are many restaurants and places to walk/shop in the historic downtown area. With the additional taxes that these, and the other stores slated to come to town will bring, the town will be able to put more money into the ailing schools.

Ah, yes, the schools. I have 2 nephews graduating this year (one from HHS, the other from Whittier Tech). Both are honors students, both going on to college--one to Westfield State, the other to University of Mass/Lowell. Another nephew graduated 3 years ago from HHS, has been at Westfield State since, and will head to Washington DC to intern in our nation's capital in his 4th year of college.

Sometimes the schools are all in what you make of them. Family effort counts for everything.

[Valerie C]

I haven't seen this article, and hadn't heard about these problems. I think I need to stop posting and get busy to find out what's going on here--as I said, I have family and friends in Haverhill and have not heard of this. The situation at the schools mentioned is intolerable... Thank you for sharing, MAtoNC.

However as I did note in my original post that some schools are much higher rated than others. Parents I know with children at Silver Hill, Golden Hill, Pentucket Lake and Walnut Square Schools are very happy with their schools and their neighborhoods.

Originally Posted by MAtoNC!

Based on this article is one of the many reasons I stand by my statement: Haverhill: Water, water everywhere Schools with leaky roof, broken pipes interrupt learning and anger parents - EagleTribune.com, North Andover, MA

[lorrhob06]

I was originally looking at Haverhill because the price seemed right and several people have told me it's an okay place. However I am hearing more bad things about the schools and general safety issues. I am really stressing because I'm starting to wonder how people afford to live anywhere near Andover. Right now I pay 1000 for a 3 bedroom house, it's not in the best area but it's safe and the schools are great. I will get some pay increase for moving but not a whole lot and I'm thinking I probably can't afford to pay more that 1200.

Also, where is a good place to find rental listings? forrent.com and apartments.com were useless and while I found a few on Craig's list there weren't many.

Am I crazy to think I can do this and not endanger my kids safety or their education?

[MAtoNC!]

Originally Posted by Valerie C

I haven't seen this article, and hadn't heard about these problems. I think I need to stop posting and get busy to find out what's going on here--as I said, I have family and friends in Haverhill and have not heard of this. The situation at the schools mentioned is intolerable... Thank you for sharing, MAtoNC.

However as I did note in my original post that some schools are much higher rated than others. Parents I know with children at Silver Hill, Golden Hill, Pentucket Lake and Walnut Square Schools are very happy with their schools and their neighborhoods.

I lived in MA for 36 years. I would love to see some more positive changes for Haverhill, especially the schools. I know it has it's pockets of good areas, like any city. But I wouldn't recommend it for someone out of state trying to get to know the area. Although, I must say I do like Bradford. It's very nice.

lorrhob06, $1200 will be tough. But if you really want to make this move it can be done. If you do a search on Craig's List for a 3 br 1/2 house rental there is a cute looking rental. I love Newburyport and I think it's a great place to raise a family. Most rentals there are more money. Keep in mind the winters are long and the housing is old. Most places don't have central air, master bathrooms, walk in closets, etc. Do you like where you are now or are you looking for change?

[lorrhob06]

I do like where I am now, but I am very much ready for a change, I'm not looking for fancy (I don't care about walk in closets and master bathrooms). I know the winters will be a shock so central heating and air would be very nice. I have been looking on craigs list and have found several apartments/duplexes that are in the right price but I'm just not sure about the areas. I did see a few in Bradford, Wakefield, Salem, Medford, Beverly, South Grafton and Gloucester. I have heard some good things about Wakefield and Bradford.