Searching MetroWest and MetroSouth of Boston (Quincy, Newton: neighborhood, to buy, good schools)

[jack75gdwin]

Am looking for a decent suburb close to Boston that's not too pricey - 2 family $400-$550k. Was living in Boston but the neighborhood went downhill, and I don't want to experience that again. THAT's KEY. Would like something alone 128 if possible. I work south of the city and so I wouldn't want to consider something too deep along Route 3 or too far north.

Thanks.

[DiJay]

Have you considered Watertown, Belmont, Newton or Natick?

[jayrandom]

How far south is the job? Do you need a two family or will a single family suffice? Do you need good schools, access to Boston, or lots of local shopping? Are you looking for the suburbs, something more urban, or are you looking for something rural? The previous suggestions are all good towns, but all more west than south and could be quite a haul depending on where you work.

Considering towns that are near or on the 128 "loop" starting from the Pike and moving south you've got Weston and Wellesley , Newton, Needham, Dedham, Westwood, Norwood, and Canton (which isn't really on 128, but Westwood is thin enough to consider it, anyway). 128 ends in Canton and 93 N continues the loop, hitting Milton, Randolph, Braintree, and Quincy.

Weston and Wellesly are probably way out of your stated price range and already pretty far. Parts of Newton might hit your price range, especially if you're only looking to buy one part of a 2-family, but if you're looking for both parts of a 2 family it's probably too expensive, as well. So let's throw those three out right away.

Westwood has good schools, commuter rail access to Boston, is right on 128 and located just about in between MetroWest and the South Shore (a region that remains nameless). You won't find a 2 family there for 400k-550k, or really for any price as most of the places are single family, but that's well within the range for single family. I just moved there and it seems like a nice town so far. It's biggest drawback is probably a lack a great town center. I'll probably be able to give you a better response after I've lived here for a few years.

Dedham is close but probably not as good in terms of schools. My wife and I looked here and thought it seemed like a nice community, but people on this board really warned us away without particularly describing why. Needham is further north and bit pricier, but with a much nicer center. Milton is pricey but very nice, as does Canton, but I don't know too much about either. I'm sure someone else on the board has some thoughts on these two places.
I know next to nothing about Randolph, Braintree, or Quincy except that I don't like driving in any of them.
Good luck finding a new place!