Moving Back to Ma from FL (Boston, Pittsfield: home, public school, college)

[stokess72]

Our family is looking to relocate back to MA. Prior to leaving MA we lived in Berkshire County. We were happy with small town feel but the drive to see a specialist was long. Now with my husband illness driving long distance will be difficult so we need to be closer to specialists and major hospital. We are also looking for excellent school for our children with learning disabilities. Affordable housing is a plus. Any suggestions on where to go I would appreciate it!

Thanks

[Cuda87]

If you're looking for somewhere in the Berkshires still I would try Pittsfield and the surrounding communities.

If you're looking at the Pioneer Valley I would suggest South Hadley, Wilbraham, Longmeadow, E. Longmeadow.

[Boston344]

I live in Shrewsbury, Ma (just east of worcester and 35 min west of Boston). I went through the public school system and it is continually ranked one of the best in MA. As far as medical care, it is very close to Umass Memorial in worcester, as well as St. Vincents in worcester (max 15 min. depending on what side of town you live on). Mass General, Lahey clinic, childens hospital of boston etc are all about 35-40 min away). Affordability in shrewsbury varies...on the north side of shrewsbury, you will be hard pressed to find a home under 500k, but towards worcester the mid 300's are scattered.

good luck!

[katsap]

Nothing can really compare to the Berkshires, but if you're looking to be closer to Boston, I would strongly recommend any of the following towns: Sudbury, Stow, Maynard, Concord, Wayland, Natick, and Bolton. They are all safe, lovely, small towns with lots to do and are all within 45 minutes of Boston.

[stokess72]

Thanks for all your suggestions-

[goyguy]

I love Massachusetts but keep an open mind: have you thought about the Hanover/Lebanon area in NH, and the towns in VT across the river? You'd have "culture" courtesy of Dartmouth College, accessible and good medical care thanks to Dartmouth/Hitchcock, and all the rural small-town atmosphere you could handle.
The same can be said for the Burlington, VT area, which has kept most of its low-key charm even as suburban sprawl gobbles up South Burlington and Winooski.
Either of those locales would likely have better-than-average SPED programs, since UVM and Dartmouth have future teachers in every graduating class who need "lab schools" and faculty/staff members tend to have high standards for their own offspring that they expect to have met.
Welcome back from the world's largest senior-housing/shopping mall complex! I only ask that you leave the hurricanes and flying cockroaches behind. (Gators would be cool to have, though.)