Which coastal towns close to Boston are most reasonable? (New Bedford: neighborhoods, school)

[DreamworksSKG]

They are also building Hollywood East-plymouth rock studios in Plymouth :-)
and Southfield Studios in South Weymouth in the new town of Southfield.

[lrfox]

Fairhaven, Dartmouth and Westport are affordable hidden gems (Westport is particularly stunning with it's rolling farmland along the scenic river down to it's gorgeous New England harbor and stunning ocean beaches). A good friend of mine lives across the street from a beach in Dartmouth in a nice 2 bedroom for $800. These communities are 45-55 minutes from Boston but they're about as good of a deal as you'll find on the ocean in Southern New England. They have the added benefit of facing South (South of Cape Cod) which allows them to benefit from the warm gulf-stream as opposed to the cold water currents (Labrador current) coming in to the North of the Cape. This means that the water down that way heats up earlier than it does North of Boston, gets warmer and stays warmer longer. It's the best swimming area in New England (along with Rhode Island).

I noticed you posted in the Maine forum about your willingness to be a certain distance from Boston. If this is true, then you should seriously look into these three towns. You'll fall in love.

[floridadreamer]

I'll take a look at those areas. I'm pretty open at the moment, and i have time to choose wisely.

[lrfox]

The New Bedford Standard Times is the local paper for that area (Dartmouth, Westport, Fairhaven) so checking there may be a good place to start (aside from craigslist). The Fall River Herald News may have some listings for you too, but it's sort of a mediocre (to be kind) paper. Just to give you an example of what you may find, There is one currently available in Dartmouth... a single family home adjacent to the beach for $1200. one is a winter only rental (Sept.-June) on the ocean for $850/mo in Mattapoisett.

As tempting as the rents in the city may seem, Fall River and New Bedford are not a great place to move a family into and I'd stick to the surrounding communities. While each city has some nice neighborhoods (in fact, some VERY nice neighborhoods) and wonderful amenities (wait until you see New Bedford's Whaling District National Historic Park), the services (particularly schools) are TERRIBLE in both. Westport, Dartmouth and Fairhaven will offer what you want and put you close to these amenities without forcing you to deal with subpar schools and services. I'd also add Mattapoisett and Marion (same area) to the list although it can get a bit more pricey.

Best of luck!

[floridadreamer]

Originally Posted by CityGirl52

Are you going to be okay with the winters in New England? You'll have to change the way you dress and try to stay up here for at least 2 years to give it a try.

I've lived in cold before. It isn't the snow, or cold, it's the wind and icy slushy stuff I don't care for.

We've lived in Atlanta (windy, icy, slushy) and Indiana.
I didn't care for either, but I prefer to live closer to the water. I mostly grew up in So Dakota but that is just fricken cold no matter how you slice it, plus not much access to good shopping or restaurants, not even close to the ocean, and the wind chill SUCKS! I never noticed a whole lot of the 4 seasons there either. It was more like- not as cold, more cold, and just too fricken cold to leave the house.

[floridadreamer]

Originally Posted by CityGirl52

Hey I saw 2 apartments for rent (by owners) on Craigslist, right in Winthrop at the beach, it's a hidden secret to live down there, believe me. They have the MBTA bus that would bring you to the subway in no time to connect to get over to Cambridge. Just a thought for you, just a thought. One of them is a 1 bedroom for $875 with a private deck, near the bus and around the corner from the beach, the beauty of it is it includes HEAT, that's a biggie. You take Moore St. at Shore Drive to get to it.

Thanks, I have been looking like crazy, there's just so many options. I do need at least a 2 bedroom though. I'd like to keep rent under $900, little more if it includes heat, and more if includes all utilities.

Doesn't Winthrop get a lot of airplane noise from the airport? I'd think any flight headed to Europe would cross right over.

[llebrew]

Originally Posted by floridadreamer

I'm thinking of moving to the Boston area for family reasons - I have two small kids and their dad lives in Cambridge. I'd really like to live closer to the water and am looking for a coastal area that isn't too outrageously priced, but is "nice". I've seen a lot of winter rentals, and that's tempting but I really don't want to have to choose between moving in May, or handing over my savings account.

Hello! I read your post about your potential move to a coastal town in MA. and wondered if you made the move yet or have gone to visit any of the towns suggested? I am a single woman from New York with a big dog (golden retriever), just getting over a very traumatic divorce. I'm also looking to move to an urban-like town near beaches (or ferries to beaches) in MA. I can afford about $900/mo. for preferably a 1 BR. I wonder if you have any info. to share? Thanks very much! - Julie

[floridadreamer]

Originally Posted by llebrew

Hello! I read your post about your potential move to a coastal town in MA. and wondered if you made the move yet or have gone to visit any of the towns suggested? I am a single woman from New York with a big dog (golden retriever), just getting over a very traumatic divorce. I'm also looking to move to an urban-like town near beaches (or ferries to beaches) in MA. I can afford about $900/mo. for preferably a 1 BR. I wonder if you have any info. to share? Thanks very much! - Julie

It is still being considered but I haven't been able to get up there. My ex has been very unstable in his jobs, so until he finds a permanent position, I am considering all options. In the end we may end up near my family in South Dakota.

[brightdoglover]

I don't know about the towns listed with Westport, but most of the other towns are not coastal and you would be very hard-pressed to find a 2-bed under $1000 with utilities. Rentals just haven't gone down very much even while sales have taken something of a hit.
People love Winthrop as a hidden coastal treasure, great for families. It's always popular, so I guess the airplanes aren't that much of an issue (as they are in East Boston). I do believe getting in and out of Winthrop by car can be very clunky due to the airport and location.
If you'd live inland and still acessible to Cambridge, Acton would be a good option. Excellent town and great schools, lots of apartments on Route 2A (ordinary suburban boxes, but possibly in your price range) and a 20 mile straight shot down Rt. 2 to Cambridge.
You didn't mention if you will be needing to find a job or get to a job. Of course, that would be a huge factor.

[brightdoglover]

Add- to Ilebrew- your price range is reasonable. The bigger issue might be your dog (grrr.) It's really hard to find rentals that allow dogs. You likely would be better off with an apartment in a converted house or something where you can meet the owner as a person, not as a big company that manages a complex. References regarding the dog will help! It really rags me how landlords are about dogs here. I guess a few careless people have wrecked it for many of us (as is the case too often).
Best wishes on moving here with your golden. They are such lovely dogs.