Difference between Newton and Needham? (Boston, Cambridge: rental, condos, townhouses)

[elijahwilliams]

We're (still) looking to buy a place and are getting priced out of Arlington. I was surprised that Newton and Needham are coming up in our price range. What is the feel of these towns? How are the high schools? Any information you had to share would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks

[scarletfire]

Newton has been considering a huge investment in a new south high school that would be the most expensive high school in the state. I seem to recall reading in the Globe a few days ago that this is now going forward.

[CaseyB]

That would be Newton North High School.

[Beachcomber4]

There was a great article on it in Boston magazine a few months back. Very interesting.....

[brightdoglover]

Priced out of Arlington but affordable in Newton? That sounds very strange. What are you looking at?
Both are fine communities. Newton is more upscale and Jewish and educated, Arlington a bit less urban/urbane but steps from Cambridge and a bus to Cambridge/Boston. Both are great locations. I suspect the Newton education system is far superior, as it is to most towns. Best wishes.

[ukwoman]

Well, both Needham and Newton are both wealthy. Newton is much bigger and it's a city. Both towns have excellent schools. Recently Needham has been attracting younger families spending big bucks to have Mcmansions built, and the town is being filled up with these families. Personally I would choose Needham because I like the smaller feel and the leafy trees and the more suburban feel.

[camer]

Originally Posted by elijahwilliams

We're (still) looking to buy a place and are getting priced out of Arlington. I was surprised that Newton and Needham are coming up in our price range. What is the feel of these towns? How are the high schools? Any information you had to share would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks

We've been living in Newton for 16 years. We're city types so we chose Newton over Needham. No regrets. More diverse. When we want the "small town feel", we drive over to Needham and enjoy what that town has to offer. Yes, McMansions are going up in Needham; but its happening in Newton too and in many other towns. The schools are great by national standards but there has been a significant decline in the past 10 years. I feel the high schools have lost their competitive edge. Unfortunately, more problems are ahead which I feel will erode the system even more.
Goodluck.

[elijahwilliams]

Thanks for all your responses.
It surprised us but condos and even some single families (more Needham than Newton) are coming up in our range. The Arlington market is crazy with houses selling for over and the condos are still priced high and not really dropping. It's been a shock that we can afford a condo in Belmont and now even Newton and Needham over Arlington. We'd rather stay in Arlington but not sure it's going to happen.

[MichelleLane]

I am also surprised to hear you are being priced out of Arlington. The average SF home in Arlington is about $525 as opposed to $830 in Newton and $480 vs $620 for townhouses. It may be that Arlington is getting to be the place for young people to buy their first home as they got priced out of Needham and Newton. I am a realtor and know several couples who bought in Arlington last year. So the demand may make it seem that prices are rising at a greater ratio in Arlington.
A search of the MLS for houses under $400K returns 9 in Arlington and only 2 each in Newton and Needham.

[WestonMD]

Newton has a more city feel to it, as previously mentioned. Needham, my town, is quainter and with slightly more open space. Trains/Commuter rail in both. I have seen many condo complexes going up in Needham over last 5 years but not all are full-so rental prices may have been adjusted to attract applicants.