Working in Peabody, MA...commute from Marblehead and surround? (Boston: for rent, crime)

[Kiltmadoc]

I am sick of driving more than 30 minutes to get to work where the family and i currently live (denver). We are moving to MA for my new job on centennial drive in Peabody. The wife and child stay home and need a town with a good "feel" and good schools. We are wandering around Marblehead this weekend with a realtor, but do folks have an opinion or two about surrounding towns and how long it takes to commute to the intersection of highway 95 and 128? I have briefly looked at Danvers, Lynnfield, Swampscott and so on, but I am not sure a bout how crowded things get on 128 during commute hours.

Ideas, comments, thoughts....all are appreciated.

[Nav795]

All depends on what you are looking to spend on housing, but if you are looking in Marblehead you could most likely afford Lynnfield. I would choose Lynnfield over all of the others. Very good schools, small town, youth sports and a VERY short commute to Centennial Park. On 128 you would be going in the opposite direction of rush hour(s) traffic or you could avoid the highway by going out of Lynnfield via Salem St. to Goodwin Circle to Lynnfield St., Peabody and a short distance to Centennial Park. Marblehead-long commute/good schools. Swampscott-shorter commute/ok schools. Danvers-commute down 128 with traffic unless you find the back roads/no opinion on schools. Hope this helps. No, I do not live in Lynnfield, but I wish I did!

[Kiltmadoc]

Thanks for the succinct advice! My wife and I are going to explore lynnfield today and see what open houses we can find that aren't over $1,000,000.

[MAtoNC!]

I prefer Marblehead over Lynnfield. I think it may actually be more affordable. And Marblehead isn't cheap! I love the coast. That is one of the reasons I prefer Marblehead. It also seems like a smaller and cozier town. The downtown is really nice. It has a nice community feel. I used to live in Swampscott. I think you need to be more choosy with your neighborhoods there. There have been some crime issues on the Essex St side of town In Swampscott. A commute from Marblehead to Peabody is doable. Because it's not a highway commute it can be a pain in the neck. But the distance is not bad at all. And many Massachusetts commuters think nothing of much longer commutes. Many people from those towns commute into Boston. There is public transportation. But it's still a long commute. So it really isn't bad commuting from Marblehead to Peabody.

[burnw005]

Greetings from Celebration, Florida...but I wish I was you! Lived and raised my family in Marblehead all our lives, kids went to public schools in town, participated in all the sports and activities. Great, absolutely, great place to raise a family, wish I was still there.
The commute to Peabody would be a bit challenging, but not bad at all once you get familiar with the shortcuts, be thankful you don't have to go into Boston everyday. In fairness, Swampscott and Salem are also nice, just need to pick area carefully. Good luck with your choice, you are lucky...fall in the North Shore and apple picking is so fun, I could go on and on.

[Nav795]

Kiltmadoc - Hope you were able to visit Lynnfield today and find something in your price range. In reference to the posts about Marblehead over Lynnfield - I find that Lynnfield is more "spread out" and Marblehead is less so. In regards to the commute from Marblehead-three ways in and out. One along the ocean if you were headed to Boston. The others through Swampscott, Salem and then through a good portion of Peabody until you get to Centennial Park. Lynnfield and Marblehead are both great places for different reasons. I was mainly focusing on the commute since that seemed to be a big concern of yours! Best wishes whatever you decide!

[vter]

Some other nice towns to check out would be up toward Cape Ann - check out Hamilton and Wenham, and also Manchester-By-The-Sea and Essex. These towns should still be within your 30 minute commute range. Ipswich might be worth looking into too.

[krizzybelle]

I live in Swampscott, in a very nice part of the town. Posted my house for rent and received a lot of response. People loved the neighborhood, the school sytem and other facts. I drive to Peabody and takes me 20 mins or so.
Marblehead, is nice as well...downtown is cute and is close to the sea, family oriented and fair commute.

[gpapuchis]

The commute from Marblehead to Peabody can take up to 30 minutes. Have you considered finding a home in West Peabody or Lynnfield? Both of these towns are well known as an "upity" type of town as far as the cost of living. In addition, these towns are closest to 128. I live in Central Peabody and can get to Centennial drive in just a few short minutes. I'm looking for a job working in Centennial Park and came accross your post. I had to reply because I use to commute to Marblehead from Peabody which took be anywhere from 20-30 minutes. Good Luck!

Originally Posted by Kiltmadoc

I am sick of driving more than 30 minutes to get to work where the family and i currently live (denver). We are moving to MA for my new job on centennial drive in Peabody. The wife and child stay home and need a town with a good "feel" and good schools. We are wandering around Marblehead this weekend with a realtor, but do folks have an opinion or two about surrounding towns and how long it takes to commute to the intersection of highway 95 and 128? I have briefly looked at Danvers, Lynnfield, Swampscott and so on, but I am not sure a bout how crowded things get on 128 during commute hours.

Ideas, comments, thoughts....all are appreciated.