Jobs in Chelmsford and Weston - Where to buy? (Waltham: rent, houses)

[pearlygrl9]

We've been house hunting for quite a while, but I'm looking for some fresh opinions.

I work in Chelmsford and my husband works in Weston. We currently rent in Hudson. We're looking to purchase a single family home with a decent sized yard on a quiet street for under $350,000. We don't have children yet, but don't want to feel as if we have to move when we do, so schools are very important to us.

If you were us, what would you do?

[brightdoglover]

Littleton. (Disclaimer- my town).
Maybe with the current downturn, you could find something modest in your price range in Sudbury or Wayland. I think both towns are worth a more modest house.

[ogre]

I'll second Littleton. Acton and Westford are other towns, in addition to Brightdog's suggestions, where it might be worth searching for a bargain. Maybe the West Concord section of Concord as well.

[pearlygrl9]

Interesting responses! I've thought about Littleton, but my husband seems to think the commute is too much for him. He'd have to take 2A down and that is pretty slow, isn't it? Westford seems out of the question for the same reason. I have to say, I would love to buy in either town and have been pushing my husband to reconsider - maybe he should test out the commute one day and see what happens?

Wayland is too far for me. I've done the drive in the afternoon a couple of times and it took me at least an hour - NOT during rush hour. We've been keeping our eyes on Sudbury without much luck.

We'd love to buy in Acton and a couple of very modest properties have come on the market CLOSE to our price range, but still a bit above. We're trying to be optimistic that the spring will bring more.

One town that has struck a chord with both of us is Northborough. It's a tad for for my husband, but it seems to have more inventory in our price range and good schools. We're also looking in Southborough for the same reasons, but things are a little more expensive there.

Hopkinton has been a top town for us just because we like it and have actually come close to buying houses there a couple of times. The commute is not ideal for me, but really not much farther than say Northborough or Southborough.

Anyway, thanks for the responses. I'd appreciate any further feedback you can give. It has been a long year for us and we're starting to try to reevaluate things.

[smarty]

I think the biggest problem is your expectation of the house vs the price you pay.

Other towns to consider are Stow, Hudson, Bolton, Berlin.
Most of those towns can take back roads to Weston and highway Rt495 to Chelmsford.

Other options.... Woburn, Billerica or even Chelmsford are more working towns

Littleton and Acton are good options... if you can avoid Concord rotary (or travel outside of rush hours)

[SickOfRevere]

All the towns mentioned will be tiny or run-down places on your budget. You'll get the biggest bang for your buck in Billerica, or Chelmsford

[FellsMom]

I think Chelmford is a good option. I know professional families live there and are happy. In addition, one parent close to home is very important for two-career families. You never know when the school will call about an emergency or a sick child......

[Billericares]

Commuting north on 95 and 3 is a lot easier than commuting south in the mornings. Do you think you'll keep working once you have kids? If not, I'd stay closer to Weston if you husband's job is secure. I live in Billerica and like it quite a bit. Chelmsford is probably a slight step up. But I would hate to have to commute down 3 to 95 south in the mornings (and vice versa in the evenings). 95 is stop and go in the mornings up until Waltham. If you are going to be the one to have to bring kids to school, etc. though, I would think about that.