In search of: Friendliest town in MA??? (Boston, Chelmsford: condo, custom home)

[puffle]

Originally Posted by lorilou

2Kids, I had one more question! When we were looking into Duxbury, which some might call snobby, we were basically told that 1.) if you live on the wrong side of the highway, you're trash 2.) if your house costs less than
$700K, you're trash 3.) No $50K+ car, trash....you get the idea. Someone has recently described Southborough in a similar light. What's your take on that? If I buy a house for $525K, will my family be looked down upon? I'm just trying to put this all into perspective. Thanks again, LL

LL, I have mentioned a few times a town called Westford which is near Acton and Boxborough. Today we spoke to the Principal of Westford and the Principal of the high school in Southborough. I must tell you that we were very impressed with Westford Academy and thought you should know that they have a large "Arts" department including Orchestra,Band, Drama,Directing and behind the scenes. The do NOT have an open campus that the kids can leave during breaks, which I thought was a good thing, lots of school spirit, sports and academically excellent! They are known for the amazing drama productions they put on and the involvement of parents and faculty is huge. The principal at the other high school sounded nice and had good things to say but to us there was no comparison. There is a commuter bus that goes to Boston and the train which is quicker with less stops than the T only a few miles from town (Westford) For $525k you can get an amazing home, probably by the lake with tons of land. Just thought it would be worth your while to check it out. Let me know what you find out.

[lorilou]

Originally Posted by 2KidsforMe

We live in Southborough and love it. I have found the neighbors to be super friendly. I was invited to join a mom's group, and invited over for playdates before we even unpacked! I don't feel the snob factor here so much, but I did spend the first 30 years of my life in Orange County, so maybe it's relative. I like that we have shopping nearby, good access to major routes, a T station in town, Hopkinton state park nearby, good schools, and a nice community feel. The downside is that the town can be pricey. We reached a bit to buy a newer home here, but we haven't regreted it at all. Good luck lorilou, in whatever you decide, and welcome to MA!

2kids, one more time! I just looked at SBoro real estate and saw that even $650K doesn't buy a whole lot there! Posh, indeed! Enjoy, but it might be more than we can afford. We were hoping not to exceed $600K. LL

[smarty]

Originally Posted by lorilou

2kids, one more time! I just looked at SBoro real estate and saw that even $650K doesn't buy a whole lot there! Posh, indeed! Enjoy, but it might be more than we can afford. We were hoping not to exceed $600K. LL

Prices are dropping. If you are willing to go with smaller and/or older houses, I am sure you can find plenty of houses for your price range in Southboro. It may take some getting use to. A smaller house will also reduce your utility (heating) bill.

Houses in general are bigger in TX. My friend sold his house here in MA for $600K (3K sq ft) a few years ago and bought (5Ksq ft) brand new house for the same price in TX. You do get a lot more house for the money. One thing to remember, the construction of house is a little different between TX and MA. I do not think there are basements in TX . Hence, you can use unfinished basement for storage and own a smaller house. However, the biggest factor is probably the land price. A buildable lot here is very high ($100-300K/acre) mainly due to supply and demand. In Newton, Contractors actually buy old house with big lots, tear them down and build 2 houses.

MA is really small compare to TX. Rt495 is only ~30 miles from Boston. That may be the distance from one side of a city to the other side for Texas. This is a very small and high density area. We can be in Canada (Montreal) in 5 hours.

[lorilou]

thanks Puffle, I will do that and let you know. do you think you guys might head in that direction? LL

[lorilou]

Smarty, what you say is true. We live in Houston, which is hands down the best housing market for a major city in the US. You cannot begin to imagine what you can get here for $650K...a dream home in a deluxe area, 5000 s/f, marble floors, pools with cabanas, outdoor kitchen by pool, the list goes on. I am a little depressed, because for what we're going to pay in MA, we could live like kings here. On the other hand, I am looking forward to a change of climate, people, character, and all that goes with it. We might try N. England for a few years and then relocate back to TX. I'm a native Texan, and I will welcome the change for a few years...I need a new perspective, if you know what I mean. We have realized that we are not going to get a house for $525K, unless God himself intervenes...and believe me, I'm in the mood for a miracle! Smarty, I keep coming back to Franklin. Shorter commute, reasonable prices on homes, decent schools, music programs. I've heard it's not lovely, but I've also heard that it's a good town for newcomers, because much of the population comes from all over...easier to fit in, because others are in the same position. Tell me what's not to love about Franklin again? LL

[lorilou]

Originally Posted by puffle

LL, I have mentioned a few times a town called Westford which is near Acton and Boxborough. Today we spoke to the Principal of Westford and the Principal of the high school in Southborough. I must tell you that we were very impressed with Westford Academy and thought you should know that they have a large "Arts" department including Orchestra,Band, Drama,Directing and behind the scenes. The do NOT have an open campus that the kids can leave during breaks, which I thought was a good thing, lots of school spirit, sports and academically excellent! They are known for the amazing drama productions they put on and the involvement of parents and faculty is huge. The principal at the other high school sounded nice and had good things to say but to us there was no comparison. There is a commuter bus that goes to Boston and the train which is quicker with less stops than the T only a few miles from town (Westford) For $525k you can get an amazing home, probably by the lake with tons of land. Just thought it would be worth your while to check it out. Let me know what you find out.

PUffle, I think Westford t drops you off at the north station, am I right? We need south station. Not sure how that works, but everyone has told us to stay south.

[smarty]

Originally Posted by lorilou

PUffle, I think Westford t drops you off at the north station, am I right? We need south station. Not sure how that works, but everyone has told us to stay south.

Yes. It is true. Your hubby probably need to go to the financial district that is why you want South Station. However, North Station is only 0.5 miles away from South Station. It is amazing how lazy we become... haha... I used to walk 0.5mile to school. Now, I drive from one side of the mall to the other side 0.1 miles away.

Also, from the North, you can also get off at Alewife station and take the red line to downtown.

[smarty]

Originally Posted by puffle

LL, I have mentioned a few times a town called Westford which is near Acton and Boxborough.

Since you are near Westford, have you checked out Acton/Boxborough, Harvard or Littleton? They are also top school systems. Just throw those towns in to confuse you more... hehe

[JAH]

If your husband will work in Boston I suggest looking northwest of the city. Try looking in Westford, Littleton, Chelmsford, or Acton. I know Westford has an orchestra program and Littleton has Indian Hill Music which is a wonderful center for the arts. My son studies the violin there. Littleton and Acton have commuter rail stops in town and provide parking. There are other suburbs northwest of the city that are closer but the price of homes is high although now is a good time to buy with the market softening. Prices in Littleton are down about 10-13%. There is a lot of information on the internet that you can obtain regarding the public school systems. I have two children one in the high school which was built in 2001 and one in the middle school which is brand new. It will be opening in about 2 weeks.
Good Luck!

Originally Posted by lorilou

Help us, please! We are moving to MA from TX, and we are in search of The Friendliest Town in MA. It's confusing if you listen to people! Some people will tell you that MA is filled with rude, cold people; others will say the opposite. I must say that so far, everyone I have spoken to (long distance) has been very kind and informative. It gives me hope. We are looking at moving in March '07 and we need to figure out where we are headed. My children are in 8th and 9th grade. They are both orchestra students, and we have been surprised at the scarcity of orchestra programs in MA schools. We would like to keep our kids in music, and it also seems like a good way to immediately be a part of a group and make friends. I keep hearing that Marshfield is friendly, but my husband will be a commuter. I've heard nothing nice about that commute on the south shore. Any Marshfieldians want to jump in here? Your insights are most welcome. I've heard that Hingham is gorgeous, but the friendliness sort of correlates to the price tag on your house and car. Again, that might just be jealousy or speculation...I do not know. ANYONE who has any kind of advice or info, please please share with me. It takes a village, you know! thanks, Lori L

[smarty]

Originally Posted by lorilou

Smarty, I keep coming back to Franklin. Shorter commute, reasonable prices on homes, decent schools, music programs. I've heard it's not lovely, but I've also heard that it's a good town for newcomers, because much of the population comes from all over...easier to fit in, because others are in the same position. Tell me what's not to love about Franklin again? LL

Franklin is a great choice! If you decided on Frankin, just beware that there are significant difference amongst the elementary school scores. The newest and prettiest building may not be the best choice. There are also more than one middle school.

If you have not decided on Franklin, but like the general area, look into Mendon/upton, Holliston, Bellingham, Medfield and Norfolk as well. They are close and similar. Each town has its own character. You may like one town a little more than the other just because ..... how straight the road is.