Young Couple Looking on the North Shore (Boston, Lowell: condo, townhouse)

[Duckzoom75]

Need some guidance

Young couple looking to buy first home - Fiancé was just re-located to Andover MA. I am currently living in RI and commuting to Canton MA. I am in the job market on the North Shore.

Our budget would probably be $325,000 MAX or 2000/month Max

Looking for the following in a community -

1) Good neighborhood
2) Affordable
3) Decent commute to Andover and Waltham
4) Access to the city
5) Lower property tax

What do you think of the following?
1) Dracut
2) Chelmsford
3) Billerica
4) Lowell

I have heard mixed things about Lowell but from looking around it is pretty affordable.

[Duckzoom75]

No one has anything to say on this?

[surfingatwork]

you do have to be careful with lowell (grew up there). there are certain sections to avoid. the nicest areas (imo) are belvidere, christian hill, certain parts of highlands and upper highlands. dracut is nice as well especially the area by the lowell/dracut line. Can't help you with billerica. I don't know anything about it other than when my sister was younger she started hanging around with the wrong group of kids from billerica. Chelmsford is very nice. if i had a choice between all four i would start with chlemsford.

[Vera206]

Originally Posted by Duckzoom75

Need some guidance

Young couple looking to buy first home - Fiancé was just re-located to Andover MA. I am currently living in RI and commuting to Canton MA. I am in the job market on the North Shore.

Our budget would probably be $325,000 MAX or 2000/month Max

Looking for the following in a community -

1) Good neighborhood
2) Affordable
3) Decent commute to Andover and Waltham
4) Access to the city
5) Lower property tax

What do you think of the following?
1) Dracut
2) Chelmsford
3) Billerica
4) Lowell

I have heard mixed things about Lowell but from looking around it is pretty affordable.

Might check out Tewksbury, near Andover.........most older homes do not have public sewer////////Do not go anywhere near Lowell or Lawrence. Property taxes; Peabody has the lowest in the area. May consider more nothern communities, like Townsend etc. Good Luck......I am trying to move back to MA from Calif...

[oldxiao]

affordable 3-level townhouse in Andover MA with $266.900. Just move in and enjoy the new cantral air system. walk to train (about 45 minutes to Boston). lower condo fee.

[june 7th]

My vote: Tewksbury or Chelmsford. Lowell is rather "iffy."