Possible transfer to Natick...best area to live with children? (Boston: real estate, houses)

[nene70]

My husband has a good chance of transferring to Natick, Ma...we are excited about this as we would like to be closer to Maine, where we both are from. We are unfamiliar with the whole Natick area and would love some information regarding safe towns with good school districts within 30-40 minute commute to Natick. Would prefer some space landwise as well. Thank you in advance for any information you may have!

[Concepts]

Property prices vary widely in this area - could you give us an idea of your price range so we can make better suggestions?

[nene70]

We would prefer to be under the $400,000 mark, though we realize it is much more expensive there than we are used to. We prefer a fairly newer home (not a fixer upper) and would like some space between houses and TREES :-)

[DreamworksSKG]

Why not Natick itself?

its a good town, good schools, commuter rail to Worcester and Boston

easy access to the highways , services such as the Natick Mall in the area

[nene70]

Natick is nice, agreed. We had a few people tell us to go a little further out from Natick for lower cost of living. We certainly can check out real estate there as well. Some towns that were mentioned to us...Grafton, Westborough, Shrewsbury...

[Concepts]

Yes, Grafton, Westboro and Shrewsbury are good choices (along with Northboro). You will get more for your money in Grafton while Northboro and Westboro have very highy rated school systems. You would stilll be an hour or less from Boston but can enjoy the more small town feel. There is good shopping closeby and lots of restaurants.


There are several homes in all of these towns under $399,000 - however, they do tend to sell very quickly in that price range.

[nene70]

Thank you~ we will certainly keep our eyes out for properties in the westboro/grafton areas. We definitely want to have a country feel but close to amenities...particularly kids recreational areas (and of course, shopping doesn't hurt :-) ! Once we know for sure if we are relocating there, I am hoping for it to happen quickly, as the earlier in the school year, the better!

[ogre]

All good suggestions in the above posts. Close to Natick, you might also check out Hopkinton and Holliston. You may have to dig for a bargain in those towns, but they're worth looking into and adding to the intitial list of possibilities.

[pino3]

Hi Fellow Mainiacs,I am considering moving to Mass. with my 3 school aged children. Any suggestions on where to start?

[susanewood]

Hi! Natick is popular! I just did a post on Natick, I like Natick! Depending on how you like to commute, via backroads or highways, is a consideration. Franklin is a town southwest of Natick (about 30 minute commute), nice common, great library, YMCA is really nice in the town for kids. I like Franklin also, and the house prices are a little less than Natick. Also, as others mentioned, Holliston, Millis and Medway are nice, but smaller towns. I focus on the southwest towns because that's what I know - they have a lot to offer, including 1/2 way between Providence and Boston, so you can use either airport (we like TF Green because it's smaller). But it's a longer distance to Maine from Franklin, versus if you found a home north of Natick!