Billerica vs. Chelmsford schools, living, etc. (Lowell: renting, buying a house, neighborhood)

[Billericares]

We are currently renting a house in the River Pines neighborhood of Billerica and are thinking of buying a house in the coming year in either Billerica or Chelmsford. My husband works at Hanscom A.F. Base and has a great commute along Hwy 4. We have been told that Billerica is quite a bit cheaper (water, taxes, etc.) but that the schools are comparable. We would probably buy in Chelmsford along Hwy 4 south of the crazy intersection or in Billerica in River Pines (Dutile School) or West of Hwy 3. We would want .4 acres or more and don't want to spend more than $325,000 for a house. We want to get the best value for our money but also live in a nice area. We don't have kids yet but plan to start a family soon and stay in the house for awhile. Any opinions pro/con for Billerica vs. Chelmsford?

4/8/09

[meltinjohn]

Avoid Chelmsford.
My mom made a huge mistake trying to move me to the Chelmsford school system in her thinking that Id be around better quality students than the "scum" of Billerica and that so turned out to be not so. To this day I say, its worth it to attend school in a nice town even if the schools have more pregnancies and fights. At least the kids wont look down on your kids like the Chelmsford ones will.

[massdilema]

Not sure you should avoid Chelmsford. The schools have always had a great reputation, and the town manager is committed to supporting the schools. Sounds like Meltinjohn had a bad experience in Chelmsford, but the data tells us that Chelmsford spends more per pupil than Billerica, and has higher MCAS scores.

As for housing - there are great opportunities now in Chelmsford. Look in both Billerica and Chelmsford, you should compare prices in both places.

[meltinjohn]

Originally Posted by massdilema

Not sure you should avoid Chelmsford. The schools have always had a great reputation, and the town manager is committed to supporting the schools. Sounds like Meltinjohn had a bad experience in Chelmsford, but the data tells us that Chelmsford spends more per pupil than Billerica, and has higher MCAS scores.

As for housing - there are great opportunities now in Chelmsford. Look in both Billerica and Chelmsford, you should compare prices in both places.

In the long haul, all that MCAS hoopla means nothing really.
10 yrs from now, those kids in Billerica will really be the more successful ones. Its the short run people always look at but the long term development that matters. In the short run, Chelmsford looks better on paper I am gonna admit but otherwise, wouldnt advise a move there. NoCho isnt a bad place. I liked being able to walk to Lowell and that graveyard when I lived there but attitudewise, go with Billerica.