Relocating (Boston, Fall River, Taunton: apartment, condo, how much)

[lnjwoodworks]

We are relocating to MA. Will work in Boston. Family in Fall River. Where should we buy a home? Middle age couple - no children.

[scarletfire]

It depends on what you're looking for in a community, what price range you're shopping in, whether you plan to drive or take the train to work & how long of a commute is ok & also how close you want to be to family.

[goyguy]

Choices abound. With light traffic and no speed traps, the trip from downtown Boston to Fall River can be accomplished inside of an hour. Some areas that come to mind for me are: Taunton - Old mill town, housing in condo complexes or "over-55 communities" or older 1- or 2-family houses or 1950's-to-'70s ranch-or-split-level subdivisions, no commuter rail but some bus service, somewhat nearer Fall River; Dighton - closer to Fall River, best bet for finding a large lot in your price range, no public transportation; Middleborough - closer to Fall River, small village, some subdivisions, gearing up for a casino, commuter rail available; Randolph - closer to Boston, many apartment and condo communities, some older Colonials and Victorians but heavy on split-levels, Capes, and ranch houses with small yards; commuter rail service, also adjacent to Route 24 (expressway from Fall River to 128); still probably eastern New England's most diversely-populated suburban town; Easton - about midway between the two cities, semi-rural in feel but becoming more suburb-like, commuter rail may be on the horizon, mainly small older homes with some condo clusters mixed in.

Questions this general are difficult to answer because of the myriad possibilities. What helps me/us to help you is some idea of what your affordability maximum is, how much yard you want to be responsible for, whether public-transportation access is a factor, whether a walkable town center or "mall sprawl" better suit your lifestyles, the type of housing you desire, etc.