Up-and-coming neighborhoods close to Boston/Cambridge (Newton, Somerville: car insurance, condos, homes)

[maccoombsM]

My fiance and I are currently living in Boston and plan to start a family in the next couple of years. I was wondering if anyone could point me in the direction of towns close to Boston with an hour or less commute via public transportation (I work in Cambridge. He works in Newton.) that have good schools but are not off the charts as far as purchasing a single family home. I'm thinking less than $350,000. We would be willing to do some "tlc" or "updating" but not a complete remodel.

[brightdoglover]

I think anything up and coming has already come up. There aren't too many hidden treasures left, at least not to my eyes.

[maccoombsM]

O.K. maybe not up and coming. Just neighborhoods that can easily access Cambridge via public transportation, with good schools, and property that is not ridiculously expensive.

[brightdoglover]

Depends on your definition of "not ridiculously expensive."
I know I sound like a broken record (or a stuck CD) but I'd look at Arlington. An easy bus down Mass. Ave. to Cambridge/Boston, low car insurance, virtually no crime, urbane areas and a good family environment.

[jayrandom]

I agree that Arlington is very nice, but I don't think Arlington is going to have much to offer in single family homes under 350K. While it's true that Arlington is more reasonably priced than its neighboring towns of Belmont, Lexington, Winchester, or even Cambridge, it's still pricier than many towns further out.

If a 350K single family close to Boston in an area with good schools is what you're looking for, you may struggle to find everything you're looking for without some adjustment in goals. You'll either have to increase your price, look for a condo, or try a town with maybe less well rated schools. One possibility, especially relevant for you, would be Waltham. It's convenient to both Newton and Cambridge (although probably not as convenient from a transit sense as Arlington) and seems to be a pretty nice city (although probably schools aren't as good as Arlington), but is more affordable than Arlington. You could also look for a condo in Arlington, or you could even look at condos in places like Belmont or Newton.

Of course, you could get lucky and find a great single family home in Arlington for 350K, but it's good to have other options as well.

[smarty]

Expectations... my friend... Expectations...

If one can live in an 80 yr old house, 800-1200 sq ft single family house, 7K lot size, ... there are lots of options.

Also Towns North (Woburn) and South (Canton) are usually less expensive than West.

[clevedark]

What about Watertown? I don't know much about the schools or the prices, but it seems convenient and that it would be more affordable than some other towns.

Waltham is a nice suggestion.

[Snallygaster]

Somerville

[brightdoglover]

Somerville schools are not... good.
Housing in Somerville and Watertown is very high because of proximity to Cambridge/Boston. I am still amazed at the crappy rundown housing that is overpriced in these areas. And there are few smaller single-family homes- lots of double-deckers and so on.
Waltham, maybe. Very diverse area. An academically inclined friend of mine raised his adopted Korean kids in Waltham and in public schools, and felt that, while it wasn't an ideal suburbo education enviroment, the international aspect was very broadening. Both kids went on to good colleges, too.

[Snallygaster]

Originally Posted by brightdoglover

Somerville schools are not... good.
Housing in Somerville and Watertown is very high because of proximity to Cambridge/Boston. I am still amazed at the crappy rundown housing that is overpriced in these areas. And there are few smaller single-family homes- lots of double-deckers and so on.
Waltham, maybe. Very diverse area. An academically inclined friend of mine raised his adopted Korean kids in Waltham and in public schools, and felt that, while it wasn't an ideal suburbo education enviroment, the international aspect was very broadening. Both kids went on to good colleges, too.

I take it you are one of the people who call Somerville 'Slummerville' without ever visiting the place? The fact is Somerville is one of the most happening , gentrified towns around Boston- Davis Square is vibrant at night with Tufts and Harvard students, families and artists; and there is a great sense of community.

And having been a sub at Somerville High School, I can say your claim that Somerville schools are not good is pure snobbery. Sure, most of the kids are from working class families, and there is a large number of immigrants from Brazil, but the kids seem to go that extra effort to do well, and the school spirit is strong.