Reading and North Reading (Boston, Lynn: apartments, rental, condos)

[Amandabk]

I have been researching these two towns as places to raise my 3 and 4 year olds. I currently live in Ipswich but my husband I both work in Boston and the commute is too time consuming.

I understand from my research that benefits of either North Reading or Reading are:
30 minutes in and out of Boston (given time of day, train vs car etc,)
family friendly neighborhoods
community sports

In looking at what is on the market, I am confident we can afford the houses.

I am curious to hear from people familiar with one or both towns. I believe the Ethel Little school is in the top 10% in MA, is that correct? What other schools have good reputations? I would love information about the different neighborhoods and where we might find a neighborhood where the kids can ride bikes, have other kids around, play outside by themselves etc.

Any and all feedback is appreciated.

[BettyBoopMini]

I live in North Reading (also grew up here, returned after 20 years). First off there is no public transportation, the commuter rail is available in Reading, Wilmington, Ballardvale and Andover.
The town has many family type events, even in the winter some are held at Carks Park (Martians Pond) some in the center.
The Property taxes have gotten out of control, I have two lots the one I live on and one that is rental property, We wanted to take down the rental and build two small homes on the land (there a 3 houses on other side of street in same amount of space), but they told us that it was a non-buildable lot. So we updated things on the rental property. The taxes on the rental have more than doubled in a 4yr span. Our house has also increased, but not a much as the rental.
They have made many condo’s where the state hospital use to be, across from the pits,
In the summer when they blast, our house shakes at times and we don’t really live near them.
North Reading is a nice town, but figured I should tell you about the downside.

[SwiftCreek]

Amandabk, check out boston.com and do a search for MCAS. It'll give you the ratings on every school district and school in the state.

[mailinator]

I think its a great town for what you get, its not too pretentious. The parks are great, there is a good community involvement, etc. All towns have their issues, I have friends in Lexington, Concord, Carlisle, Newton, bsaically all the same complaints, taxes too high, construction going on, etc.

This is a great mix of middle and upper middle class.

Someone pointed out the apartments that went up, if you live on that side of town it is probably a bad thing but the town push it through as there was a insufficient affordable housing available and it was allowing developers to get the 40b condos/apartments in residential neighborhoods that were zoned for 1 or 2 houses. This was the best way to deal with it, but getting all the required stuff done and now the town does not hav eto allow anymore condos/apt etc in neighborhoods. Also it is located right off the highway so it should mitigate commuter traffic from going through town. The appts are 2 bedroom only so it will minimize families. They rent for about $2000 a month.

Personally I feel the east side of town is a little quieter and more spacious. Anything near route 28 is a little more busy. (hence the condos and apts that went up) People make fun but for a town that doesnt have much for business you have a walmart in town which is good if you are on a budget and saves on the gas bills so you dont have to drive to a mall.

There is a huge highend mall going in at lynnfield on 128/95, look at www. northreadingma. org on the right for area projects to get a look. There are also plans to improve the gridlock situation on 95 and 93. I think this will greatly improve property values in the future as it will ease congestion and as fuel prices rise people will want to move closer to boston and the 128 corridor.

Taxes here are no higher than any other town 1000$ per 100k value of the house, they have been going down however. Also the CPC here is very against growth and tries to stop just about any housing development.

There is a push to get sewer on 28 (north reading is all septic) with the hopes of getting more business in since taxes from business account for less than 2% of the tax base revenue (someone can correct me since I can't remember) that is what the current issue is right now like most towns, budgets are tight.

The Batchelder Elementry school in the center of town is brand new, just finished in the last 2 years.

About 5 minute drive is the commuter rail in reading, yes it is generally a very quiet safe town, the east side near the town center is the quieter side. Any and almost all issue that involve the police are on the rt28 corridor, usually out of town drunk drivers or domestic stuff in the condos and appts. I think there has been 2 murders in the last 100 years, not sure if that says anything. Less than 10 minutes is the Winchester Hospital clinic. They have an emergency room but are not open late and on sundays. Otherwise you can got to the Winchester hospital in Winchester which is about 15 or less minutes away.

Not many people know about it, it used to have to reputation of as the town where all the surrounding "rich" towns (Reading, Middleton, Lynnfield, Andover, North Andover) kids would move to so they could afford a house.

It has a very woodsy country feel to it, when people come visit they are like you live in the woods! Even though it is 15 minutes or so drive to Burlington, MA or 25 to downtown boston.

Originally Posted by Amandabk

I have been researching these two towns as places to raise my 3 and 4 year olds. I currently live in Ipswich but my husband I both work in Boston and the commute is too time consuming.

I understand from my research that benefits of either North Reading or Reading are:
30 minutes in and out of Boston (given time of day, train vs car etc,)
family friendly neighborhoods
community sports

In looking at what is on the market, I am confident we can afford the houses.

I am curious to hear from people familiar with one or both towns. I believe the Ethel Little school is in the top 10% in MA, is that correct? What other schools have good reputations? I would love information about the different neighborhoods and where we might find a neighborhood where the kids can ride bikes, have other kids around, play outside by themselves etc.

Any and all feedback is appreciated.