Moving to Mass, Where to live? (Boston, Fitchburg: sales, real estate, apartments)

[t_mnoel]

There is a job opportunity in Ayer, Mass and I am wondering what areas would be ideal for our family of 5. We have 2 kids in elementary, we are an active family who spend a great deal of time outside, running, swimming, etc. It's important to find an area that is affordable, good schools, friendly, safe and has a lot to offer for families. I am willing to commute 30 - 60 mins. The position pays in the low $50k range. I have noticed the real estate is much more expensive vs Iowa. Is this Salary Low for Mass?

[holden125]

Originally Posted by t_mnoel

There is a job opportunity in Ayer, Mass and I am wondering what areas would be ideal for our family of 5. We have 2 kids in elementary, we are an active family who spend a great deal of time outside, running, swimming, etc. It's important to find an area that is affordable, good schools, friendly, safe and has a lot to offer for families. I am willing to commute 30 - 60 mins.

The area out by Ayer is pretty and it's got a lot of open space compared to the part of Massachusetts closer to Boston. Affordable is relative. For example, the town of Groton, right next to Ayer, is a very nice town with good schools, etc., and there are large homes with large yards available for $350K or so. Compared to the towns nearest Boston, that is very affordable and many people are sad that it's a bit too far to commute to Boston from there every day. It may not seem affordable to you, though. Still, you are fortunate in that a job opportunity in Ayer gives you a better chance of finding affordable housing with a reasonable commute than would something in Boston.

Harvard, also next to Ayer, has great schools but may be more pricy. Same for Acton, Boxboro, and Stow (though again, still deals for those of us right near the city). Check out Littleton and Westford, which are well-liked towns that might have some more affordable options. The towns heading south along 495 might also include some good options. Sad to say, since I think we need to revive our older small and mid-sized cities, but steer clear of Fitchburg.

To keep it under 300K, if it's possible, you may want to look farther west but I can't really speak to any school districts that far from home.

Originally Posted by t_mnoel

The position pays in the low $50k range. I have noticed the real estate is much more expensive vs Iowa. Is this Salary Low for Mass?

Yes and no. It is true that closer to Boston there are many towns where most households earn more, and many people who earn more (sometimes much more) individually. Some towns have average household incomes well over $100,000. And then there's Weston, which seems to be head and shoulders above all other towns around here in household income.

But the median household income in all of Massachusetts was $62K in 2007, according to the census.
ERS/USDA Data - MA Unemployment and Median Household Income

That means half the state is below that point, some families are below it even with two earners. Throughout the area there are plenty of people who get by on income in that range, particularly as you get farther from Boston, but they may not feel as rich as they would elsewhere. Many families have had no choice but to turn to two earners, and others have just been forced to spend a higher percentage of their income on housing.

[t_mnoel]

Thanks for the info. I checked out a few real estate sites for home sales in and around Ayer and Wow it's hard to believe the housing is sooo expensive..$300 plus for a old home with 2,000 or less SQ Footage.

[Valerie C]

t_mnoel, the price of housing is ALWAYS a shock for folks considering a move here from other areas of the country (unless you're coming from California, and then they appear "reasonable") I've worked with more than one family who has ultimately decided that the job wasn't worth the change in lifestyle that their family would have to get used to. I experienced this myself when relocating BACK to New England after a several year stay in the midwest. We gagged at the huge increase in prices, but this area is home to us... so we sold the 5 year old model home with the 3 car side entry garage, the 4 bedrooms with walk-in closets, the 2 story foyer, the incredible landscaping... and bought the 45 year old house with an original septic system, original kitchen and lead paint. Oh yeah, and we paid 50K more for it than our house in Missouri sold for

[holden125]

Originally Posted by t_mnoel

Thanks for the info. I checked out a few real estate sites for home sales in and around Ayer and Wow it's hard to believe the housing is sooo expensive..$300 plus for a old home with 2,000 or less SQ Footage.

I don't know what houses go for where you live now, but here in Belmont you'd be hard pressed to find anything with 2,000 square feet for under $700K. Which is why I still rent. All in all, it's turned out cheaper for me so far. For the last couple of years I've been splitting time between here and New York City, which is just another planet in terms of housing costs. They have 2 bedroom apartments going for well over a million, with no outdoor or parking space at all, and you pay over $2,000 a month for condo maintenance fees on top of that. So, if I could stand the commute, I'd be looking out in Ayer for a bargain. All in the eye of the beholder...

[Concepts]

Originally Posted by t_mnoel

There is a job opportunity in Ayer, Mass and I am wondering what areas would be ideal for our family of 5. We have 2 kids in elementary, we are an active family who spend a great deal of time outside, running, swimming, etc. It's important to find an area that is affordable, good schools, friendly, safe and has a lot to offer for families. I am willing to commute 30 - 60 mins. The position pays in the low $50k range. I have noticed the real estate is much more expensive vs Iowa. Is this Salary Low for Mass?

You would do better to look either North or West of Ayer. Anything East of Ayer is going to get pricey. Try Townsend and Pepperell which meet your criteria and prices are lower.

You are lucky that right now prices have hit an all time (hopefully!) low and you can probably pick up a decent home out that way for less than $300,000 and likely even less than $200,000. (and I second the suggestion to stay clear of Fitchburg...)

[brightdoglover]

LIttleton, all the way. Very family friendly, small town environment, good schools, lots of conservation land for hiking. Older houses are very affordable. No subdivisions (the town is too small for that) and a five-mile drive, at most, to Ayer. I absolutely ask that you consider Littleton for every reason.
(I do live here, no kids. Love the lakes, conservation land and my one-person house with dogs.
Littleton started the "Appleman Triathalon" which has become quite a big deal. It's a mini-triathalong- I think that's half-mile swim in the local lake (Long Lake, my preferred neighborhood), three-mile run, ten-mile bike. It's been going for about five years and is getting very good press. I think the Rotary Club started it.
Houses here are holding their value (not a boom/bust) because it's a desirable town without being in the snooty range (or very expensive range). Check realtor. com if you want to be convinced.
Best wishes on your move.