Which living/commute plan makes more sense? (Newton, Somerville: real estate, to rent)

[klry24444]

Office is in the prudential center, would like to commute using mass transit. 2 mom family with 2 young kids, priorities are an lgbt friendly community and preferably an area with a significant Jewish population. Looking to either rent or buy depending on the area.

Idea 1:
Live in Sharon, take commuter rail to back bay. Buy small house/condo (budget up to 500k)

Idea 2:
Live in Newton, take commuter rail, rent forever (budget up to $2700/month for 2-3 bedroom)

*We are moving from NYC and have previously lived in Somerville. Does anyone have any other suggestions? We are willing to commute up to an hour. Any resources for finding significant Jewish populations? I would like to find an area where my kids won’t be the only Jews and also won’t be the only kids with 2 moms. Thanks

[gf2020]

Idea 3:
$500K will get you in to Swampscott. Significant Jewish population, LGBT friendly. Take commuter rail to North Station, switch to the Orange Line to Back Bay or the Green Line to Hynes.

[jayrandom]

Would you rather own in Sharon or rent forever in Newton? It’s a pretty big difference. Is there something about the differences you aren’t sure of? Both are LGBT and Jewish friendly, both have good schools, but Newton is a dense inner-ring suburb and Sharon is somewhat distant low density suburb. There are lots of places you’d be able to walk everywhere in Newton and almost no places like that in Sharon. You’ll likely have a shorter commute in Sharon, but it will much less flexible.

Originally Posted by gf2020

Idea 3:
$500K will get you in to Swampscott. Significant Jewish population, LGBT friendly. Take commuter rail to North Station, switch to the Orange Line to Back Bay or the Green Line to Hynes.

Sharon to Back Bay is 30 minutes and no transfers. About an easy a commute as you can get, assuming you work regular hours.

Swampscott to Back Bay or Hynes is 50 minutes and a transfer. I’d strongly recommend against it unless you don’t have other acceptable options.

[porterhouse]

All things being equal, I would personally much prefer to live the in Newton over Sharon. However I also strongly feel that planning to rent forever is risky. Inflation is heading up and adding to the acceleration of rents, whereas owning real estate is a great hedge against inflation.

What are you really looking for in terms of a Jewish community? There’s a wide range between “significant” and not wanting your children to be the only Jewish kids.

[redplum33]

Brookline or Newton for Jewish community.

[G-fused]

Sharon is a good option. It is a very different town than Newton of course, has a very different feel, no center to speak of, farther away from the city, a ton more nature and open space, less traffic, more tightly knit.

Schools are great in both locations, Jewish community is plentiful and active in both too. Sharon is a nice community and would be my choice, especially since you'd have to rent forever in Newton rather than build equity and have a place to call your own. Many in Sharon develop their community of friends by their involvement with their temple. It's a good place.

Welcome and best of luck with whatever you decide.

[GeePee]

Buying in Sharon is a much better option than renting forever anywhere. You will always time to rent later if you find out home ownership is not really for you.

[MMS02760]

Commuter rail ride from Sharon to Back Bay ranges from about 21-27 minutes depending on which train (and how many stops) you take.

[495neighbor]

Natick, Arlington, Waltham and maybe Watertown, all of these are within an hour commute to BackBay and would meet your other criteria fine. Depending on the size of your family and whether you require a yard and how many rooms you need, I am certain there are still townhouses falling into your price range in Arlington. Perhaps others can chime in comparing the overall vibe of the 4 towns to narrow down the better ones for you.

I may be very wrong, but doesn't Sharon have the reputation of being on the conservative side?

[jayrandom]

Originally Posted by 495neighbor

Natick, Arlington, Waltham and maybe Watertown, all of these are within an hour commute to BackBay and would meet your other criteria fine. Depending on the size of your family and whether you require a yard and how many rooms you need, I am certain there are still townhouses falling into your price range in Arlington. Perhaps others can chime in comparing the overall vibe of the 4 towns to narrow down the better ones for you.

I may be very wrong, but doesn't Sharon have the reputation of being on the conservative side?

You are wrong. Sharon is not conservative. It is an island of dark blue in a sea of light blue.