More info and perspectives on Melrose please! (Boston, Lynn: fit in, best towns)

[rberry]

I know there are already a few threads on Melrose -- I've read them all! But I am still a bit confused. I'm wondering if anyone can give me more of a sense of this town, particularly as a place where a young, educated, new family might fit in.

We have a 10 month old and have been considering Melrose due to the value it seems that you get there -- ie., you can afford a home for under $400K, and a nice home at that.

However, it seems that there are very mixed opinions both on the public schools and also on the overall feel of the town. Thoughts on the schools, especially the elementary schools?

Also, I'm worried that as a 30-something new mom it might be hard to find other new moms to interact with who have similar backgrounds (graduate level education, international travel, etc)...okay, so, I hate to call myself a yuppie, but that may very well be what I am.

Also, I was wondering -- we drove around the area and saw only a Shaws. Are there any other groceries nearby, such as Whole Foods, Trader Joe's, or something similar (where you could find organic, whole foods)?

Thanks so much!

Oh, one last question. Several people have commented in the past on the "Highlands" being a nice area of Melrose. Where would that area be exactly?

[rberry]

Sorry, one last question. Is the downtown area pretty much the Main Street, or is there some other area with shops and such?

[rberry]

Okay, two last questions. Thoughts also the "Cedar Park" area? Thanks so very much!!

[mcsummer]

I have found Melrose to be a great town to live in. Very easy commute into Boston, whether by commuter rail, the Orange Line in Malden, or by car. We sometimes go into Boston for dinner and are parked in just over 15 minutes. The schools are good - not top tier, but I have found that people feel that you get out of them what you put into them. Lots of nice offerings, great language programs/exchange programs...very active parents...sports programs seem good, especially for girls.

I live in the Cedar Park area - not as "high profile" as the east side, but very nice neighborhood - kids there usually to to Roosevelt or Lincoln elementary schools (both new). I have found it to be a lot of young families fixing up homes. As for shopping, Main St. is pretty much the game in town, although a couple other pockets of stores in around Wyoming Ave, Franklin Street and the Cedar Park areas.

I am somewhat yuppy myself and there are others similar around too, but overall a very "normal" group of people. Educated, but not overly so, traveled, but not overly so. Hope I am not being too vague, but I guess what I am trying to say is the town has people of literally all walks of life...so if you look around you will likely make friends with whatever types of people you are looking for.

I am not from the massachusetts area and have found it to be a very welcoming town from "townies" as well as other newcomers. Very friendly, great for people with children as there are loads of parks and other young families with children. The network of trails in the Fells is great for hiking and getting outside as well.

Whole Foods/Wild Oats? Route 1 would be the closest in Saugus, not very far. In town there is a Shaws and a Foodmaster. There is an organic food store on Green Street for veggies and fruits, also a coop in the summer you can buy a share in and a couple of farmers markets (in season) that run weekly.

[mcsummer]

Oh - and the Highlands area is a bit gray to me...it depends on whom you ask. It seems to be the area near the Highlands train station (on Franklin Street), some people also consider the houses near the Roosevelt School to be the Highlands too.

[rberry]

Thanks so much for sharing your perspective! That was very helpful!! We are actually interested in a home in what I believe is known as "East Melrose," off of Lebanon Street. However, we are a little worried that that street might be quite busy with traffic? Any thoughts on this, or on the east part of Melrose in general? Maybe I'll post this as a new question as well...

[mcsummer]

The East Side is very nice...closest to the Country Club is considered the best (and thus the most expensive). Lebanon Street can get very busy, especially during commute times as people tend to use it as a Main Street alternative, but side streets off of that should be fine. Good luck! Let me know if you have other questions - it seems to be a great time to buy! (especially if you have nothing to sell, of course).

[Beantown_mama]

Originally Posted by rberry

I know there are already a few threads on Melrose -- I've read them all! But I am still a bit confused. I'm wondering if anyone can give me more of a sense of this town, particularly as a place where a young, educated, new family might fit in.

We have a 10 month old and have been considering Melrose due to the value it seems that you get there -- ie., you can afford a home for under $400K, and a nice home at that.

However, it seems that there are very mixed opinions both on the public schools and also on the overall feel of the town. Thoughts on the schools, especially the elementary schools?

Also, I'm worried that as a 30-something new mom it might be hard to find other new moms to interact with who have similar backgrounds (graduate level education, international travel, etc)...okay, so, I hate to call myself a yuppie, but that may very well be what I am.

Also, I was wondering -- we drove around the area and saw only a Shaws. Are there any other groceries nearby, such as Whole Foods, Trader Joe's, or something similar (where you could find organic, whole foods)?

Thanks so much!

Oh, one last question. Several people have commented in the past on the "Highlands" being a nice area of Melrose. Where would that area be exactly?

Melrose is a great town for families. It has a community playcenter where you can meet other young families, it has so many parks, kids activities, kids everywhere! It was named one of the best towns to raise a family in Boston Magazine recently. As far as being out of place, I don't think you will - my neighbors have gone to ivy league schools, travelled the world, been in the Peace Corps, etc etc. I have found a lot of like minded people.

The schools are middle tier but seem to be improving every year.

The highlands is generally considered the area West of Lynn Fells Parkway and North of Vinton Street. I think it is a beautiful area to live in.

Good luck!