Pembroke Seems Too Good To Be True (Boston, Hanover: middle-class, low crime)

[danial1]

As my family and I continue to plan a relocation to the Boston area, Pembroke just seems too good to be true. Low crime, less expensive housing, proximity to commuter rail, and North Pembroke seems to have good schools. Can anyone comment on whether this is all true?

[smason]

We are considering Pembroke as well. Heard only good things. We have two young kids, and we want a small town with newer homes in planned subdivisions and friendly people with middle-class values. Hoping that we will find that in Pembroke.

[Atlantica]

Pembroke is a nice little town. Some areas are nicer than others. The high school was part of a regional district in the recent past. I have not heard anything about it since they made the switch to a town school.

I've never heard much about Pembroke- good or bad. I think that's a positive thing. Most towns on the south shore have a specific identity where Pembroke doesn't fall into that.

[MichelleLane]

Pembroke has the feel of a summer cottage town, which it was. Many houses are small and crammed together, particularly around the lake and near the ocean. I don't say that as a bad thing. The people there seem to have a sense of community and there are often children playing in the streets together. As you move away from the Ocean or Lake, it becomes more spread out. The ride from most parts of Pembroke to the train station can be long and the commute into Boston can be long if you drive. The distance from Boston and the commute are what make it so affordable.

[kaioak36]

Hanover or Norwell would be a better choice if you can afford it.

[smason]

Originally Posted by kaioak36

Hanover or Norwell would be a better choice if you can afford it.

I was leaning toward Norwell and Hanover, but Norwell seems to be more expensive -- we want to spend about $700K for a newer home (at least 3,000 sq) in a family-friendly subdi. Most Norwell homes I saw were in the 800's and up. And Hanover is not right for me b/c their middle school starts at 5th grade. My son will be in the 5th grade this Fall, and I am not ready to send him to a middle school in a brand new town. Hope the kids are kind and welcoming to the new students.

[Atlantica]

Smason, I hear what you're saying but think about this: ALL the kids will be starting Middle School anew, together. It might be easier to transition into a new school with everyone else than it would be to start a school where every kid has been together since kindergarten. Sending them off to middle school mixes things up and kids start forming new peer groups.

Good luck to you and your family.

[smason]

Thank you, Atlantica! You have a good point. We will also look Hanover as well.

[RESouthShore]

Originally Posted by smason

Thank you, Atlantica! You have a good point. We will also look Hanover as well.

I live in Hanover and it is a great town. The middle school actually combines 2 elementary schools so the kids from both of those schools are going to be meeting a lot of new kids when they start 5th grade. This may help to ease your worry about your son being in a new school. My daughter is going into 5th next year and she's excited to meet all of the new kids from the other school. Please feel free to email me with questions.

Katie

[baystater]

I'd say Pembroke is a very nice town. It's not on alot of peoples radar I think because it not right on the water (ocean). But it's pretty close. I would agree with an earlier poster that it has a summer cottage feel for the most part. And I would say that the schools in the area are good and educate the kids well. When I lived in marshfield full time I found the people in Pembroke to be very nice and not pretentious at all. Basically they were good folks that were friendly (at least friendly in a new england sense.)
I'd definitely tell you to check Pembroke out and get a feel of the town yourself and see if you like it.