Philly to Boston relocation - do or don't (Newton, Arlington: get credit, townhome)

[mwj119]

Originally Posted by life4orce

You've already have a prejudiced opinion, so it's unlikely that things will get better from your point of view. You sound like you really don't want to do it, so trust your gut. If you happen to move on from this job, do you really want to get stuck in an area you didn't want to be to begin with?

The housing market is very competitive in this area, so you're going to have to fight for a house you like. I had a relative that lived in Woburn and relocated to another part of the country. Listed their house at market value and ended up selling in 2 weeks, 3 people bidding against each other and got 40k over listed price.

Which is kind of wild when we consider Woburn’s percieved reputation/desirability dating back only a few years ago. It was always considered largely blue collar, even gritty in certain areas, much like neighboring Billerica and Tewksbury. But, Woburn in particular has been the beneficiary of a booming Burlington/95 job creation. Spill over created one of the hottest markets in Mass in the case of Woburn.

[sunguy13]

Originally Posted by jayrandom

Move or find a different job. What is your budget? Without that any advise could be a waste of time.

My parents live in the outskirts of Philly and Massachusetts is more expensive but it’s also generally nicer.

Well, I really like the job so that is why we are considering relocation.
Budget for rental is ideally less than $3k, for buying $600k so we would be open to townhomes. Something that can be rented in future.
Thanks

[sunguy13]

Originally Posted by robr2

I live there. Schools are good and getting better as more million dollar homes are built in town and million dollar home buyers have high expectations. Taxes are reasonable to due the commercial tax base.

To the OP, $650-700 is the sweet spot for an updated home on a quit street. $400-450 is what a tear down goes for, and anything new is in the 7 figure area even on more heavily traveled streets.

Thanks, We will look at Burlington then.

[sunguy13]

Originally Posted by bjimmy24

If you don't really want to move, don't move.

Great advice...can be applied to pretty much everything: If you don't want to do it, don't do it..

However, in my case I expect career growth through this move so that is why such a heavy consideration.
Thanks

[bjimmy24]

Originally Posted by sunguy13

Great advice...can be applied to pretty much everything: If you don't want to do it, don't do it..

However, in my case I expect career growth through this move so that is why such a heavy consideration.
Thanks

Did you or did you not say you don't really want to move?

This is a stupid thread imo. Make your own decision. We don't care.

[mwj119]

Originally Posted by bjimmy24

Did you or did you not say you don't really want to move?

This is a stupid thread imo. Make your own decision. We don't care.

Welcome to Boston!

[sunguy13]

Originally Posted by chicagoliz

We moved from Philly to Boston a couple years back. We like it much better, although part of the problem was that we were so far from Philadelphia that going down there was a freakin nightmare. We are very close to the city (i.e. Boston) now, and we LOVE it.

Part of the reason for the move was my husband's industry -- a lot of it was moving out of Philadelphia and to Boston. So, for his career, it was much better to be up here. We weren't that jazzed about moving but the idea of a PHL-BOS commute, especially with school age kids was extremely unpalatable.

The biggest issue is that housing is much more expensive up here. Where to look depends on your budget, the type of town you're looking for, and what sort of housing you're willing to accept (i.e. would you accept a condo? A townhouse/duplex? An old house that needs work? A house smaller than what you have now?) I loved my house in the Philly area, although I hated the location. My current house was MUCH MUCH more expensive, 75 years older, with a one car garage instead of a large 2 car garage, and a significantly smaller kitchen and bedroom. But I am much happier in it.

Also, schools in MA are better than they are in PA, where the legislature has had a war on education for quite some time.

We live in Media, PA and it's a beautiful little town and affordable when compared to Boston suburbs of the same quality..Yes, we will be open to a townhome..

And the reason why we are looking to move is exactly like yours - for career advancement.
Thanks

[sunguy13]

Originally Posted by life4orce

You've already have a prejudiced opinion, so it's unlikely that things will get better from your point of view. You sound like you really don't want to do it, so trust your gut. If you happen to move on from this job, do you really want to get stuck in an area you didn't want to be to begin with?

The housing market is very competitive in this area, so you're going to have to fight for a house you like. I had a relative that lived in Woburn and relocated to another part of the country. Listed their house at market value and ended up selling in 2 weeks, 3 people bidding against each other and got 40k over listed price.

Valuable advice. Thank you

[sunguy13]

Originally Posted by bjimmy24

Did you or did you not say you don't really want to move?

This is a stupid thread imo. Make your own decision. We don't care.

Well thank you for writing a reply to a thread you don't care about

To clarify - we are going to move..Came to this forum for Bostonian perspective on where to look.
Thank you

[gf2020]

If you're working in Woburn then anywhere up 93 is worth considering. With a budget to $600K and young children you should be able to find something to meet your needs in Wilmington, Tewksbury or Andover.