Braintree, Ma (Boston, Newton, Natick: real estate, home, neighborhoods)

[Brooke05]

I've noticed there has not been a lot of mention about Braintree. It seems that it would be a fairly easy commute to Boston. What is it like in terms of schools, community, family friendly? Any advice? Still looking into some other towns other than Wellesley and Newton for our move. What about towns closer to the coast? What is it like living closer to the water? I've heard Scituate is a good place for families?

THANK YOU!

[Brooke05]

Anyone??

Need help with information on Braintree!! Please and thank you!

[Beachcomber4]

Braintree is economically diverse. There are neighborhoods of slab ranches mixed in with neighborhoods of McMansions and everything in between. Schools are historically decent. Thayer Academy, a prestigious private school is also located in town. Youth sports has a strong tradition and Braintree is known for turning out top notch athletes. There is a T station in town and commuting is probably quicker into Boston via car.

Tax rates are low because the town is full of commercial real estate. Name a chain store or restaurant and it's there. If you notice alot of places with FX in the name, it is because it is or was owned by FX Messina, a well known commercial developer from the town.

[Brooke05]

Thanks Beachcomber. Hmmm, sounds interesting. Maybe not the most ideal setting for a young family. I do like the idea of how athletic the youth population is, but that may not be enough to get us to live there.

Thanks so much for your input. I think I'm narrowing it down and it may be that Newton is the most ideal place for us.

[Beachcomber4]

I don't want to talk you out of it because it's just not my cup of tea. Anyone who I know who lives there loves it. Many who were raised there aspire to eventually purchase a home there. I think my bias against overdevelopment and chain anything showed in that post.

You mentioned Scituate which I love. But that's me. I love the ocean and open space. Schools are good and the town truly has a sense of pride. Sports are huge (actually the entire south shore is sports country). I love that there is economic diversity as well. The downer is commute time. There's no easy way to get to route 3. Scituate was on my short list until we realized that we would be adding on extra commute time just to get to the highway. That and getting stuck in a 2 hour traffic jam on 3A sealed the deal.

Newton is a great. The schools can be pressure cookers for sure. But if your child has the personality and drive to succeed, it could be a great place for them. It's truly an area that has lots to offer socially and culturally.

[shiver]

Braintree is underrated in my opinion. Overall it's a solid middle class suburb. Newton and Wellesley are much more upper middle class to wealthy. Braintree is nice, convenient, and solid schools, but if you have your heart set on an area like Newton et al, you won't be wow'd by Braintree. That's not a dig at Braintree at all, but it's not the upper crust of 'burbs.

I think Braintree is actually a great option for a young family because it's a nice area and while Newton is fabulous, it's very expensive, a bit of keeping up with the Jonses' and not in the price range for a majority of young families. My friends, a married couple in their late 20s had a baby this year and just bought a home in Braintree. They are very pleased with the area.

[clevedark]

If you want to live in Newton or Wellesley, you will be bored out of your mind on the South Shore close to the coast. It's very quiet and country down there, with a white bread crowd.

[Brooke05]

Thanks everyone for your opinions. We certainly haven't settled on Newton but it is probably top on our list. We have yet to actually visit as I want to compile as much information as possible before we make our first trip there. Any opinions on Natick?

[m.1]

i don't like braintree personally, as far as child safety/public schools are concerned, and being next to maybe more undesirable areas like randolph,etc.,the only real convenience is proximity to boston, and the subway to and from.
scituate is much better in my opinion, as far as safety, peace and quiet/peace of mind, the school system including sports programs, etc., though in many instances you'll find it twice as expensive. also, they just completed a 500 million dollar commuter rail from scituate to boston. i take it all the time and it's great . . . scituate all the way.