Relocating to Boston area (Norton) (Florida: new house, transfer to, school district)

[ashleyhm]

My husband has been offered a transfer to Norton, Ma. We currently live in NE Florida but move every few years for his job. My oldest child is about to start kindergarten so we want this next move to be our LAST....I think I only have one more move left in me
Any suggestions on areas to live in Norton or surrounding towns? We want to be within 10-20 miles of Norton at the most. Is it worth looking in RI at all?
Our housing budget is around $500,000 and we are looking for a great school district, quaint town atmosphere, traditional/historic homes ( we have lived in "new" home communities recently and definitely do not want that).
How are property taxes in MA? Health care?
Any advice/tips/suggestions would be GREATLY appreciated!

Thank you sooooo much!

[brightdoglover]

I'm afraid I'm not familiar with Norton, but in your price range, you can likely have anything you want, in Mass. or Rhode Island. There are relatively few "new house" communities, like suburban sprawl. Most areas are towns, with some individual or couple-few-several new houses here and there. Nothing like the tons of new houses in a new suburb.
Health care here is great, and you have a choice of several good HMOs. There are no for-profit chains, or maybe one or two. They've never caught on here. For specialty care, you can't beat Boston's major hospitals.
Best wishes on your move!