Melrose v Belmont Schools

[bigfatdude]

"Progressive" Cambridge spillover isn't necessarily a good thing.

Originally Posted by mwj119

So I think the differences between Melrose and Belmont have been discussed.. One is a legacy suburb for the affluent, one is not.

Personally, I find maybe 1/2 of Melrose truly attractive. But there still exists much of the town that retains it's blue collar, middle class, less "uniformly upscale" aesthetic. Belmont has that too, especially on the Watertown side. But it's far less of a %. So to me, there is just a lot more appeal throughout Belmont for upper class buyers vs. Melrose.

I can't afford Belmont, and this isn't a slight on Melrose. It's beautiful too.

Without knowing much about your situation, I'd highly recommend Arlington. Housing stock is just as diverse as Melrose, schools are held in higher regard, more active/progressive/younger vibe commercially.. Kind of had that Cambridge spillover effect like Medford does now.

https://www.google.com/maps/@42.4289...7i13312!8i6656

If you want a bit more house without sacrificing city/95 access, then I'd focus my search on Reading. The Historic areas in West Reading are special. A bit more room than Melrose, but still very much "on the map". Growing core, ton of young families. $800-950k should get you into a nice house, in a nice neighborhood.

https://www.google.com/maps/@42.5176...7i16384!8i8192

[NU168]

Thanks for the tips. Can anyone point me to any other place online where there has been reasonably recent discussion about schools in Melrose?

[sawyer2]

Originally Posted by NU168

Thanks for the tips. Can anyone point me to any other place online where there has been reasonably recent discussion about schools in Melrose?

We found the town parent group on facebook very helpful, and people were happy to text/have calls with more info.

I would bet that there is a Melrose parent group with some recent transplants

[NU168]

Originally Posted by sawyer2

We found the town parent group on facebook very helpful, and people were happy to text/have calls with more info.

I would bet that there is a Melrose parent group with some recent transplants

Thanks. I was hoping for some discussions on the strength of the system vis a vis other places in Mass.

[simplexsimon]

OP, unfortunately I don't think you'll find a meaningful number of people who have experienced both the Melrose and Belmont school systems to base a decision on (maybe at the elementary school level but not the high school level).

I've only seen one parent here who wrote up a nice comparison of a top (high) school environment (I think it was Acton/Boxborough) to the town he moved to (I think it was Newburyport) and even then it's only one person's experience.