Stoughton vs Randolph (Boston, Brockton, Milton: crime rate, loans, houses)

[RyanHLe]

Which towns would you guys refer? and why?

[Beachcomber4]

I don't know much about Stoughton but I would not live in Randolph.

It's a very rough town.

[seldomseen]

I would definateley recommend Stoughon over Randolph. Randolph isn't a terrible place to live and is quite diverse for its location. But it has a growing crime rate compared to Stougton.

[goyguy]

I'm not a big fan of either, but prefer Randolph if given a choice between the two. Its town center is livelier, with many shops and a couple of diners. Stoughton Center's principal claim to fame is a "cinema pub," and the town's main draw - at least to certain people - is the Alex's strip joint. Neither community has much in the way of distinctive housing, but there are some nice "antique Colonials" to be found amongst block upon block of cheesy 1950's-to-70's ranch houses and split-levels. It's a toss-up in terms of convenience to other places, since there are commuter-rail stations in both towns and the main highway - Route 24 - skirts the boundary line.

Greater Boston's AA population, and that of Brockton, is continuing to expand into the towns along Routes 24 and 28 between the two cities. Randolph has been known for its "multicultural" and socially accepting makeup for about half a century. With racist attitudes becoming less blatant in society as a whole formerly "off limits" communities are now "integrated" to some degree, most notably in Milton but also in Canton, Avon, Stoughton, etc. A megachurch in Boston serving an essentially all-Black congregation - once known as New Covenant but now going by the name Jubilee Christian Center - recently took ownership of a former Catholic church in Stoughton for its satellite location. I know of AA families who now reside in both places in question, and in all cases they're happy with where they are. An unfortunate consequence of people's leaving the city but taking it with them is an increase in crime thereabouts, principally in Randolph. There's been a lot of noise made about how it's so dangerous and undesirable there. In reality some issues between kids who've "emigrated" and their former cohorts in the cities have led to a fight here, a shooting there, and much being made of it in the media. You still know you're in suburbia by how quiet things get at night and how safe it really is.

If the TO is of Vietnamese background (I'm guessing the last two letters are their actual last name, could be wrong of course) and it's important to have fellow townspeople - if not immediate neighbors - "look the same," Randolph wins over Stoughton hands down. There's a good-sized representation of Southeast Asians woven into the patchwork quilt of humanity that dwells there. Stoughton's reception is unlikely to be hostile; however, few are those who are willing or who have the stomach for being a "pioneer" or a token.

[busymomto3]

Stoughton ALL the way ! Randolph has really become overrun with crime and is overpopulated compared to 10 years ago. Stoughton has grown over the past 10 years but has still managed to maintain a suburban feel. Definately a "safer " community in my opinion.

[MichelleLane]

I agree with the theme of responses. Sadly Randolph has deteriorated badly over the last few years. I believe the years of loans to anyone pulled more people from the city into Randolph and it changed the face of Randolph, bringing problems typical of a city to Randolph, crime, gangs, etc. There were 17 stabbings at the High School last year.

Stoughton, on the other hand, is a typical suburban town with no drama.

Hope that helps.

[happywifey]

Ooh. Tough one. It depends on who I was referring to and what their situation is (if they had kids mostly). If I had to pick just on the surface, I think I'd go Randolph. There's some great sections of Randolph. I know some people who live in Randolph and they're very well-adjusted and down to earth. Stoughton seems too "po-dunky" to me. But that's just me. Some people like lots of trees and land.