Anyone live in Andover/ North Andover?? (Boston, Lawrence: crime, theater, public schools)

[kristenethom]

I am looking at various areas in MA and seem to like the Andover/North Andover area. I have young children and definitely want a family friendly area with things to do. I like a peaceful area, but don't know if I'll feel too isolated.

Can anyone who lives in these areas share their experiences. What are the differences between the two towns and are their any specific things for people with young kids to do...ie are there parks, coffee shops-other families walking around town mid-week.


Thanks for the feedback!

[SPC123]

We used to live in North Andover for 5 years while I was working in Andover. Both are very nice - N. Andover is considered the "lower rent" part but both are good towns. Plenty to do family wise - good small town shops and coffee places. Not a lot of restaurants though.

Great school systems in both and there are some farms like Smolak Farms in North Andover that are great places for kids and always have seasonal activities going on like Haunted Hayrides in October and berry festivals.

Both are fairly pricey for property but definately nice places to live.

[gamecock43]

I grew up in NA...graduated NAHS a year or so before they built that university for a high school.
Pros: has a very country feel about the town
Money, lots of it. Ridiculous amounts of money in that town, even the "townies" living in the "projects" are very well off compared to the rest of the country
Education: top notch. NA and A parents put alot of effort into making sure their kids get a privledged education

Cons: Lawrence is right next door, Lawrence as a whole is not bad. But there are some influences that NA parents would rather their kids did not see.
Drugs: There is alot of drugs in NA and A. I think there are alot of drugs everywhere. The drugs come and go in phases, according to national trends. When I grew up there it was pot, some mushrooms. When I was in college I heard NAHS was inudated with coke. I dont know the current trend, but the high school kids are doing it. Maybe 30% of the HS was doing some form of drug when I was there, excluding alcohal, because well, many many HS kids drink.
Boredom: kids not involved with sports will complain they are bored. I think all kids no matter where they grow up feel they are bored. There is alot of "hanging out" in NA and A. Nothing bad happens except smoking pot and joy riding, it's just acommon complain that there is nothing to do. Unless the kids do sports. Then there is alot to do because A and NA are very sport orientated.
A sense of entitelment: lots of kids have it. I hear its a trend in all American kids. Thats just the way it is. NA kids have it too.
Diversity: NA and A dont really have it. That aside, I think the towns are very open and accepting. Gay/lesbiens may still have some problems, kids were sort of coming out when I went to school there, dont know how it is now. Ethnic diversity is not very well rounded, but I dont think there is racism there (among the kids).

[HBS9]

Andover and North Andover are incredibly similar towns. North Andover is a little more removed from Boston, highways, etc. It's 'downtown' is growing, but is not as well thought out as Andover (which is currently redoing the entire downtown to be more pedestrian and people friendly).

Both have great public schools which send kids to great (some Ivy) colleges (I personally am a graduate of the Andover Public Schools, all 13 years). Both have elite private high schools that send kids to elite private/Ivy colleges.

Lawrence is right next door, and with that crime comes the pros of diversity, some excellent restaurants, a newly revitalized riverwalk, a good hospital, and some very nice people. Of course there is the crime too, but every city has crime. People in Andover/North Andover tend to exaggerate about how bad Lawrence is, people from Lawrence tend to exaggerate how 'snobby' or 'elitist' Andover/North Andover is.

There are drugs in each and every high school in America. I wouldn't say that Andover or North Andover has any more of a problem than anywhere else. In fact, I'd say that all the opportunity and extra-curricular activities that NA/Andover offer helps keep drug use down.

Sports are a big part of public school life, but unlike many other places, being athletic isn't a pre-requisite on being considered 'cool'. Lots of the 'cool' kids I graduated with were into music, art, theater, sports, community service, and almost all of us had afterschool/weekend jobs. If your kids make some friends, they'll find something to do. 'Hanging out' in a friends basement is common before the kids get access to cars.

I also don't think that there is a lot of ethnic diversity in the schools, but kids of different backgrounds weren't singled out for ridicule while I was there (early/mid-90s).

As far as money goes, a lot of people in Andover/North Andover have it. Only the 'new money' show it off and care about it. The folks that are the most well-off would never force you to know their social standing.

In short, I grew up here, and loved it. I moved away for 10 years and just moved back. If possible, I like it more now that I did as a teenager. My only complaint is that I don't have more land!

[loveautumn]

isn't that where JFK Jr. went to school?