Reading (Boston, Newton, Peabody: real estate market, rental homes, homes)

[puffle]

O.K. What's up with Reading? I have asked as other's have and have noticed very little response or info. Is there a reason for this such as no one goes there or not worth talking about? Is it a nice area with a village feel or not so nice? A little info please. I don't live in Ma. so I can't see for myself. Thanks!

[NY'er lost in MA]

Reading is at the intersection of 95/93. Expensive area because of its proximity to Boston. I wouldn't consider it to be a quaint New England village feel...

Plus- 93 is probably the worst as far as traffic goes.

What are the areas you are considering Puf?

[LovelyBoston]

If the only way to get anywhere is to drive on either 93 or 128, you're in trouble. I think that's the problem with Reading. I have never been there, though. I would imagine it is quite crowded, because of its location near Peabody and Woburn. But I think the schools have a good reputation.

[momoffive]

i think reading is okay, good to very good schools system, does have a downtown area....ymca, commuter rail parks and the like. i don't think it's a bad place to live...

[puffle]

Originally Posted by NY'er lost in MA

Reading is at the intersection of 95/93. Expensive area because of its proximity to Boston. I wouldn't consider it to be a quaint New England village feel...

Plus- 93 is probably the worst as far as traffic goes.

What are the areas you are considering Puf?

Well, the only comparison I have to a "New Englandy" feel was living in Lexington and going through Winchester, both of which have nice downtown sections, great schools,but too expensive to buy. Soooo, we are looking at areas that have good schools first, then which of these areas have good rental homes and possibility to buy in the future, reasonable proximity to Boston with rail or T or boat, and walkable town. Not too much to ask, right? So we already know from experience that to go to the best schools we will be living in a fairly expensive area to different degrees. Our first choices are Hingham (my son and I have terrible allergies so closest to the ocean the better) Winchester,Reading,North Reading, Concord,Acton and Westford. Any suggestions or opinions are so greatly appreciated. We only have four months. Oh, we were looking at Newton South and Needham too but seemed a little pricey and rentals did not have much for the money.

[Ravesox34]

Originally Posted by puffle

Well, the only comparison I have to a "New Englandy" feel was living in Lexington and going through Winchester, both of which have nice downtown sections, great schools,but too expensive to buy. Soooo, we are looking at areas that have good schools first, then which of these areas have good rental homes and possibility to buy in the future, reasonable proximity to Boston with rail or T or boat, and walkable town. Not too much to ask, right? So we already know from experience that to go to the best schools we will be living in a fairly expensive area to different degrees. Our first choices are Hingham (my son and I have terrible allergies so closest to the ocean the better) Winchester,Reading,North Reading, Concord,Acton and Westford. Any suggestions or opinions are so greatly appreciated. We only have four months. Oh, we were looking at Newton South and Needham too but seemed a little pricey and rentals did not have much for the money.

Hey Puffle.

Just wanted to let you know that I grew up in Concord. It is a very nice New England town with very good schools. There is public and private schooling in town depending on what you are looking for (I went to CCHS and thought it was a great high school education).

I was obviously never a home owner in Concord, but I do know that it is very expensive to live there. West Concord is usually more affordable than Concord center and beyond. The commuter rail goes through West Concord as well as Concord center.

People there are pretty nice for the most part, but some are extremely snobby and love to flaunt how proud they are to be from Concord. That is truly the biggest thing I hated about Concord. People from West Concord are much more down to earth.

Acton is also a really nice town and not as big money/snobby as Concord, but probably still expensive to live in.

If you are definitely looking into these areas let me know and I can give you more info based upon what you might be looking for.

Not sure if you have explored this yet, but Arlington is a nice option (not next to Concord, Acton, etc.). It offers you a very nice town with convenience to public transportation. Not sure about schooling and the real estate market though.

Anyway, hope some of this was helpful.

[NY'er lost in MA]

If you need to be closer to the coast, then Acton is probably out...

Winchester is probably a very good bet in all categories. Also check out Manchester by the Sea. Only issue is that driving to the city isn't ideal, but they do have the commuter rail.

You also might get lucky with some areas of Natick. Not sure how the school area however. THe you have the Ws: Wayland, Weston, Wellesley. All very good choices, but at a premium price! Newton is also logical and convenient.

The only town on the cpast is Manchester.

What is your range for buying eventually?

[puffle]

Originally Posted by NY'er lost in MA

If you need to be closer to the coast, then Acton is probably out...

Winchester is probably a very good bet in all categories. Also check out Manchester by the Sea. Only issue is that driving to the city isn't ideal, but they do have the commuter rail.

You also might get lucky with some areas of Natick. Not sure how the school area however. THe you have the Ws: Wayland, Weston, Wellesley. All very good choices, but at a premium price! Newton is also logical and convenient.

The only town on the cpast is Manchester.

What is your range for buying eventually?

Good question! My husband is self employed and who knows what I will do for work but I'm not going to worry about buying for now. I would like Newton but it doesn't seen like you get much for the $$ especially buying and I think the schools are too much of a pressure cooker for kids. My head is spinning right now. Rentals, schools and dogs make it very confusing.

[puffle]

Originally Posted by Ravesox34

Hey Puffle.

Just wanted to let you know that I grew up in Concord. It is a very nice New England town with very good schools. There is public and private schooling in town depending on what you are looking for (I went to CCHS and thought it was a great high school education).

I was obviously never a home owner in Concord, but I do know that it is very expensive to live there. West Concord is usually more affordable than Concord center and beyond. The commuter rail goes through West Concord as well as Concord center.

People there are pretty nice for the most part, but some are extremely snobby and love to flaunt how proud they are to be from Concord. That is truly the biggest thing I hated about Concord. People from West Concord are much more down to earth.

Acton is also a really nice town and not as big money/snobby as Concord, but probably still expensive to live in.

If you are definitely looking into these areas let me know and I can give you more info based upon what you might be looking for.

Not sure if you have explored this yet, but Arlington is a nice option (not next to Concord, Acton, etc.). It offers you a very nice town with convenience to public transportation. Not sure about schooling and the real estate market though.

Anyway, hope some of this was helpful.

Thanks so much for your input. I think it is all going to boil down to what we can get the most for our money rental wise that will take our small dogs in a school district that we like not too far from Boston. Virginia is an option too just to make matters more confusing!

[Ravesox34]

Originally Posted by puffle

Thanks so much for your input. I think it is all going to boil down to what we can get the most for our money rental wise that will take our small dogs in a school district that we like not too far from Boston. Virginia is an option too just to make matters more confusing!

Have you thought about taking a trip to Mass. for a couple days just to see everything again? Perhaps you can get some insight on the towns you are looking at and narrow things down for your eventual move. It seems like you are trying to plan way too much without getting the chance to really see things for what they are.

If you are thinking about Virginia too then maybe you are not feeling Massachusetts as much as you thought. A trip to Massachusetts might clear your head a little.