Moving to MA, Burlington job, where to live?

[jomas]

Thanks Valrerie. We turned down a NY for the reasons of cost of living, house prices, etc. The husband wants the MA job. We are currently living in the South which I'm sure explains a lot, but we've also lived in the North. Being military, we have moved every 3-4 years for the past 20 years.

I will take your advice and leave off square footage. So I understand the square footage thing....are they allowed to include total square footage on unfinished basements?

[VerBoston]

Jomas,

I think you will find more choices for houses in your price range and quality school systems criteria along the Route 495 belt. Westford, Groton, Dunstable, Chelmsford, Acton and Boxborough come to mind as does Andover and North Andover (although price may be a challenge in the Andovers).

[jdinma]

I'll second VerBoston's advice. My husband just started working in Burlington and we live along the 495 in a small town. He has flex hours so starts around 10am to avoid the worst of the traffic, it still takes him approx. 35-45 min to and from work. If that meets your criteria and you must stay w/inthe 300-400k price, I would check out Bolton (excellent schools, a little more expensive) and Berlin (less expensive tax base, HS not so great) there are many fine homes with land around the 350-400k price range.

[Jefferino]

If no kids then buy a condo in downtown Lowell for the price of renting in all the other towns mentioned.