Nashua, NH/ MA Area… possible relocation… (Boston, Lowell: renters, house, buy)

[wxjay]

Originally Posted by brightdoglover

I'd say Manchester is another 40 miles or so northwest of Nashua. It's absolutely not cool, for anyone, never mind someone urbane. I'd forget about Manchester right away.

Manchester is 20 miles straight-shot up from Nashua on Route 3.

[mcj79]

wxjay,

so what do you think about Manchester or Nashua?

How far is it from Nashua to Cambridge/Boston area? Are there any trains near?

[holden125]

I was just in Nashua over the weekend. It has its good qualities and there are some pretty places nearby but honestly I don't think it's really a good match for what you're looking for. Nashua itself is, in my experience, a combination of suburban sprawl and a somewhat run-down downtown. Not too many authentic ethnic restaurants like in Southern California. Manchester, I would say, is a bit better but also not what you describe either. It really is nothing like Long Beach. The towns in NH around those two larger towns can be quite pretty but are on the rural and sleepy side. I think the best hope for your preferred lifestyle in NH would be Portsmouth or Durham, but they are too far from Nashua to be viable.

Of the six New England states, New Hampshire is by far the most conservative. The conservatism tends toward the libertarian, which means that the political culture is economically conservative and very anti-tax, but socially more tolerant. For the most part, it is definitely not crunchy. The taxes are lower, though property taxes are high in southern NH towns with decent schools. Compared to other places I've lived, like the NYC and DC areas, the taxes in Massachusetts are quite low. I am pretty sure the state income tax there is lower than in California. Gas prices are a lot lower. New Hampshire overall has a lower tax burden, but that is because the dominant feature of the state's politics is opposition to taxes. As a result, there is a preference for "roughing it," so to speak, as NH provides fewer services. For example, many New Hampshire towns don't offer kindergarten. Also, for legal protection in terms of marriage and adoption, you're much better off in Mass.

California is quite expensive, so you might not be affected as many newcomers are by sticker shock on housing. But people coming to New England from away are often surprised by how old a lot of the housing is. Personally I prefer old houses and wouldn't trade New England for anywhere else, but a lot of people don't like the housing options they find if they're used to new.

Unfortunately, the towns in Massachusetts within a short distance of Nashua are also pretty sleepy. I agree with the suggestion that Arlington would be a place you'd like, but Arlington is much, much more expensive than the Nashua area. What you could probably find there is a 2-3 bedroom condo in a two-family house for under $400,000. Many of those are newly renovated in the conversion from a rental to a condo and are quite nice. I've lived in them and never had any problems. Otherwise, the Boston suburbs become typical suburbia to very quiet with not much open after 9 PM very quickly once you leave Boston. Lowell is the exception to the sleepy rule. They are trying to spruce it up but as someone else said it's got a way to go. Lowell has had urban problems for a while and the schools are troubled.

Coming in on the train on the weekend is, unfortunately, not that great a deal. The train runs infrequently on the weekend and takes you to North Station, which is not near very much (except Celtics and Bruins games, and the North End-which you should check out if you move east). As someone suggested, you can park at Alewife. If you can get used to the roads, it's not so bad to drive into Boston on the weekend and you can park at the Boston Common garage for $11 flat rate. Cheaper than the train (other than the gas cost) and gives you flexibility).

For work, the train from Boston to Lowell is not something I'd recommend. You'd first have to get to North Station in Boston, which is not that quick if you're not living right by North Station in Boston. Then the time on the train is fairly significant, but most importantly Lowell is not that close to Nashua and there's no easy way to get there. Driving from somewhere closer to Boston out to Nashua is againt traffic, but Arlington to Nashua is still something like 40 mins. minimum. It might be worth it.

[brightdoglover]

Thank you for the correction about Manchester's distance from Nashua. I must have been thinking about another starting point.
That said, I doubt anyone would recommend Manchester for the OP.
I do think you can find a modest single-family house in Arlington for under $400K (or a great condo).

[mcj79]

Okay, so my wife might go out to Nashua next week for a interview. We want to check out housing & life in Nashua, NH & Arlington, MA if possible. But we are also checking out housing/areas in between, we would like to keep my wifes drive to 30 minutes or less. If we can get a little more space & land in a home I don't think we would mind being 15 -20 minutes from a lot of "stuff" to do in Arlington/Cambridge or other areas and being about 30 minutes or so to Boston would be fine. So what other towns might be a nice place to get a home, as long as there is some shopping/dinning (a movie theater, mall, maybe a good pizza place, sushi, cafe and a nearby pub) close that would be good. Coming from here driving 15-20 minutes to better/dinning and what not is really not that far. We would like a nice home in a nice area, good schools (not that we have kids yet) but all that good stuff. And hopefully within about 30 minutes of Nashua, NH... Just looking at the map.. I'm seeing carlisle, westford, tyngsoboro, north chemsford, chelmsford, north billerica, billerica, lexington??? I'm sure if we make the move we will just rent for a little while until get a a feel for the area.. but if we get a chance to go house hunting we just want to check out all the areas that might work for us.

Oh, hey does anyone know of nice places to rent that will allow for big dogs??? And we will need to find a new vet and boarding kennel... any recommendations?

[brightdoglover]

It is extremely difficult to rent in the area with any dogs. It's a major reason I felt the need to buy rather than rent.
All of the towns you name are very minimal-nada for walkable town amenities. Lexington is by far the most expensive, and no such thing as land and space there. The other towns might well offer a bit more housing and space, but have little to nothing to offer in the way of cultural/culinary environment. Somehow it doesn't feel like "going out" to drive up to a strip mall and eat there (although there are a few excellent restaurants- Vincenzo's in Chelmsford, Benjarong in Acton).
East Arlington has a old-fashioned Art Deco movie theater that is the heart o the neighborhood. Really, I can't think of any other place that would begin to suit you.

[slang75]

What about Burlington, MA? It's right on the 3 so you would have a straight shot into Nashua. It's also only 20-25 minutes to Cambridge or Boston and 10-15 to Lexington Center or Arlington Center. I don't know what the commute daily on the 3 would be north. At least it would be opposite traffic. It's only 25-30 minutes on the weekend. Burlington itself is a nice safe suburb. Plenty of shopping and lots of chain restaurants. I can't imagine it being a hot-date destination. But, it does have a lot of entertainment options.

If your wife is willing to travel a little further each day...Arlington would be a great choice. Lexington is more expensive, but would be another great place to live. Good luck. We might be making the move back from OC in the next year.

[mcj79]

Thanks, for all the impute... We have been doing house hunting on-line and it looks like we can get something nice & a good size in MA for under $500, but there are some nice homes for 4350-450. Of course its a bit less in Nashua. I'm hoping for 1700sq feet & maybe a basement! Coming from CA thats large!! Anyway we will check it Burlington & East Arlington. Maybe we can do some in person looking in a couple weeks. Anyone know any good realtor's in the area's that might be will to show us a few homes in MA (Arlington, Burlington, Lexington areas) and NH (Nashua)? If we get and offer and take it we will have a house hunting trip later, but it would be great to get a feel for the areas before taking an offer.

[brightdoglover]

There are relatively few single family homes in East Arlington, but many out towards Arl. Center and then the Heights (also closer to the highway outta town to Nashua).
Most houses in MA have basements. The only ones that don't are some post-war slab houses- unlikely in Arlington. I honestly think you could get what you want (maybe with a bit less land) anywhere in Arlington. It's not a big town- if you live in the Heights, you can get to East Arlington (and then on to Cambridge and then on to Boston) very easily.
Burlington, while a nice suburbo area, is mall city. The biggest mall I've ever seen is there. Shopping, shopping, shopping. Traffic.
Obviously, I'm stuck on Arlington as a great location for you folks. Best wishes.
Oh, and virtually zero crime and your car insurance is incredibly cheaper than in Cambridge, which is right across the road. Car insurance is calculated by town. Cambriddge was a "19," (Boston "21") and Arlington a "1". For perspective, where I live in a quiet rural-like town, I'm also a "1."

[mcj79]

So how are the Colleges & University's out there??? I'm hoping to get my masters in a education related area. I currently work at a University in Cali and would like to work in a primary-high school or college/univ in counseling/academic advising, TA type of work. I also am interested in checking out the correctional systems (preferably Juvenal or re-entry programs) as I used to work in that area as well. Any leads?