Anyone Familiar with Leominster? (Boston, Worcester: sales, real estate, renting)

[JefJarrett]

Hi - I know I posted this a few days ago, but if anyone could share any insight, it would be greatly appreciated.

I am thinking about purchasing a condo in Leominster in the Fallbrook condominium complex. Is there anyone familiar with Leominster at all that can share thoughts on that part of the city, or the city as a whole?

Any info would be helpful.

Thanks so much.

[MAtoNC!]

It's a depressed city. It probably doesn't have great resale value. I've only been to the mall there. I've never lived there. Lancaster, Bolton, are Sterling would have better resale value. Those towns are very rural though. If you want something less rural I would recommend Westford.

[LeavingMA]

I grew up and still live in Leominster, so i can certaintly help. I wouldn't say Leominster is a depressed city. Schools are decent, there is plenty of shopping, chain and local restaurants around, and the surrounding more rural communities like Lunenburg, Lancaster, Westminster, Princeton, and Sterling are pretty. Lancaster, Bolton, and Sterling do have better resale value, but are more expensive. Leominster isn't rural at all though, it has over 40,000 people and the city of Fitchburg next to it has around 40,000 people. A lot of central MA gets overlooked because people think anything outside of 495 is "in the sticks".

Leominster is roughly 40 miles from Boston and 20 miles from Worcester. You can be in the mountains and at the beach in around an hour.

The fallbrook condos are some of the more affordable condos, the location is ok, not the best, but not the worst. They are about 1300 SF, 2 BRs, 1.5 baths and have no basement, which is unusual. There is no garage, and there is a 3rd floor loft which is used as the 2nd bedroom. Prices are usually around $150k to $185k, i think HOA fees are around $200.

What else specifically would you like to know about the area?

[MAtoNC!]

On a parenting message board I frequent there were quite a few moms that were not thrilled with the schools. That is something that should always be considered when buying real estate (IMNSHO In my not so humble opinion).

A lot of central MA gets overlooked because people think anything outside of 495 is "in the sticks".

Yes, once you get outside 495 it's not really considered commuting distance to Boston anymore.

It depends how long you want to live there and how concerned you are about resale.

[LeavingMA]

Well as far as resale value, Central MA has done quite well. More people have left the metro Boston area than Central MA in the recent years. Home sales haven't dropped quite as much as many areas around Boston.

There are lots of people in Leominster who commute down Rt. 2 to jobs in or around Boston. They are quite a few people who commute even further west of Leominster into the Boston area. On off peak travel times I can get to Logan Airport in 50 minutes to an hour. The Boston media just ignores anything than is West of 495 and even 95 most of the time. They tend to act like the rest of the state doesn't exist unless something really bad happens. And forget Western MA that area gets no respect even though it is quite beautiful.

The schools certaintly have some problems, Leominster needs a new high school. Most of the school issues Leominster is facing are similar to what many other towns/cities of similar size are facing.

[JayG]

I purchased a townhouse in Leominster 3 1/2 years ago and during the process I looked at just about every complex in Leominster. Out of all of them Fallbrook was the one I liked the least. The design was very odd and when we were touring the place I was looking at I could hear the neighbors talking!

[ecd1974]

I owned a condo at Fallbrook and sold it 4 years ago. I couldn't wait to get out!!! There was no soundproofing in this place at all. I could hear neighbors talking, phones ringing, toilets flushing, etc.

My condo was in sort of a bad location for noise. I had a speed bump close by. The noise of cars slamming over the speed bump at all times of the day was annoying. The property management company did little except to collect the HOA fee every month. The condos were beginning to look run-down when I sold. It's a good thing the market was still OK when I sold! I wouldn't buy now with the market the way it is. The Chapman complex is across from Fallbrook. I knew some people that owned a Chapman condo and the soundproofing is much better. The units also have basements. Steer clear of Fallbrook at all costs.

[wheelz]

Didn't Leominster at one time have the most suicides out of any other school system?

[LeavingMA]

Originally Posted by wheelz

Didn't Leominster at one time have the most suicides out of any other school system?

Not sure about that, but they did have a problem back in the late 80's with a few suicides. There was an old factory wall and i believe a couple of teens drove their cars into them commiting suicide.

[LEOMINSTER NEWBEE]

I just moved to Leominster a year ago. We found FallBrook to be reasonably priced (as with the market now ALL real estate value has dropped). I have a teen ager in the Leominster High School and she loves it. She was an honor roll student and by the 4th quarter she got Straight A's. I think some of that should credited to the teachers. I also have a 10 month old son. I find Fall Brook friendly, 190 is only about 5 minutes away from Fallbrook. They are in the process of building a Lowe's and Super Walmart right before you get on the 190 ramp (this will increase property values). I find it quiet, everyone minds their business. I do NOT hear my neighbors toilet flushing, I think that an over exaggeration. I will admit some of the units look older and then some, but they are also in the process of redoing the outside stairs and walkways, starting with the oldest buildings first. We haven't had any problems since we've been there. I hope this helps.