Massachusetts most afforable/desirable areas (Boston, Worcester: renting, low crime, house)

[Vera206]

Looking to return to MA.......any possible feedback from others on "best" communities and why they feel this way. There is a site called "neighborhoodscout.com"........people can check this out and find the best area for themselves. However, nothing beats the reality of being there. It always comes down to money, what is expensive to one person is not to another. I have lived in Revere (do not want to go there), Winthrop (wonderful place, but everyone knows your business), Somerville (now real expensive, more for the college crowd), Malden (not the best, unless on the Melrose side), West Newton......to expensive.
Feedback on Saugus (trying to become a city, therefore taxes will increae). Peabody (one of the lowest tax rates, why?)........Salem (too touristy).......suggestions............Andover/No.Andover???, Tewksbury, does not have city sewer for most of city.
Would take a knowledgeable baystater to answer, any suggestion would be appreciated. Looking for also low crime, good high schools.....don't want to really be in the boondocks....but would go up to Amesbury, Georgetown, Groveland>
Must get out of Calif. LA LA land.....The "thumb down was to Los Angeles, not MA. Did not do that right.........

[WSGSD]

Think about Western Massachusetts! I'm in West Springfield, which is suburbia and it's a great place to live. Good schools, nice parks, crime isn't anything that routinely makes the headlines, property taxes....well who doesn't complain about that?, many amenities in town (shopping areas, Home Depot, Costco etc..) & close to most communities where one could find notable employment. Population is just around 27,000 to 28,000(ish). Other areas in Western Mass to consider....Agawam (Feeding Hills section) and some outlying sections of Westfield. Wilbraham is nice too. Some areas in Holyoke near the West Spfld line aren't bad either. None of these areas are in the "boondocks." Russell, Chester, Becket are examples of what I label as back-country.

[sally0]

The Worcester MA area is the only break in rents or prices of homes. Springfield and Westfield are kind of cheap but there's nothing there. You have to travel for miles to get things you need or have a night out. Or the Berkshire region which is pretty but desolate. There are alot of universities and colleges in Worcester area. Worcester is pretty cool and you can get a nice big safe place and still save money. It's pretty country nearby. It's close to everything. The Mass Pike or Rt. 9 will take you into Boston or America's Technology Highway, Route-128. You will see every store or restaurant, bank you can imagine along the way. MA is awesome. It is very modern and stable economy. I sure would like to get back home. My 2nd favorite New England state is RI because it's 2nd to MA.

[b52]

Weichert Realty has an excellent site. When you click on MA, a map of the state comes up. You choose an area; No Shore, So Shore, Springfield, etc. All cities/towns are then displayed and you choose a town(s). You choose price range for a house, new construction, b/r, ba, etc. When you scroll through the listings (with pics) you can click on neighborhood information and get schools (complete profiles), crime rate, what's nearby, etc. It is the best on the web.

[Vera206]

Thanks b52; I know about Weichert Realty........I check their site all the time.

[Waterlilly22]

I currently live on the North Shore but have lived all over the Boston area for a long time. You asked about Peabody - I don't live there but I think the only reason it's cheap(er) is because it's just plain far out of the city and it's just as far as more desirable towns that are right next to it (Salem, Beverly because of the proximity to the water, Marblehead). Amesbury and Georgetown are both gorgeous, really nice places to live I think. I have a friend that lives in Amesbury and one in Georgetown and they both love where they live. I've stayed in Georgetown and would definitely live there - it's really charming. And Amesbury is a really good investment- the prices there just keep going up. They are both quiet, pretty, safe, towns with lots of trees and an old New England feel. I don't know about the school systems I'm afraid. I would recommend either one of these above Worcester or Springfield and I grew up in western Mass. (no offense to anyone living there!). I just don't find either of these cities that exciting as cities go. But I have to admit that Amesbury and Georgetown don't have a lot of cultural activities like Worcester or Springfield do.

If you decide to go to western Mass. I would definitely try Amherst, Northampton, Hatfield, South Deerfield, Pelham or Hadley. They are small towns (Northampton is technically a city but whatever) but because they are close to so many colleges, they have a lot of cultural activities/arts, great restaurants, cafes, etc. Very safe and the schools are good. Amerst and Northampton may be too expensive due to the proximity of the colleges.

Good luck!

[puffle]

Originally Posted by Vera206

Looking to return to MA.......any possible feedback from others on "best" communities and why they feel this way. There is a site called "neighborhoodscout.com"........people can check this out and find the best area for themselves. However, nothing beats the reality of being there. It always comes down to money, what is expensive to one person is not to another. I have lived in Revere (do not want to go there), Winthrop (wonderful place, but everyone knows your business), Somerville (now real expensive, more for the college crowd), Malden (not the best, unless on the Melrose side), West Newton......to expensive.
Feedback on Saugus (trying to become a city, therefore taxes will increae). Peabody (one of the lowest tax rates, why?)........Salem (too touristy).......suggestions............Andover/No.Andover???, Tewksbury, does not have city sewer for most of city.
Would take a knowledgeable baystater to answer, any suggestion would be appreciated. Looking for also low crime, good high schools.....don't want to really be in the boondocks....but would go up to Amesbury, Georgetown, Groveland>
Must get out of Calif. LA LA land.....The "thumb down was to Los Angeles, not MA. Did not do that right.........

Hi Vera, I remember seeing your posts in the past....where in Ca. do you currently live? What are you looking at doing, buying or renting? What is your price range for both? I have been researching to death places to live for over six months now with great feedback here, but ultimately it is a personal choice based on what is important to you. Less expensive with good schools without the snot factor I found was Westford, Acton,Reading,Arlington,Bedford,Sharon,Westborough ,Ashland,Medfield,Franklin,
Chelmsford to name a few. I would cross reference statistics on the high schools,parent reviews,taxes,public sewage and trash pick-up,commercial development (less tax overides needed for schools)congestion, close proximity to the city but not too close (30 minutes)boredom factor for myself and teen,conveniences without traveling too far,public transportation if needed,being able to buy after renting to stay in same high school for the fours years. I am sure you have considered these options too and it can be nerve racking but if you don't want to move again for at least four years while you kid is in high school, these are the things I found to be the most important in my new town. I chose Marblehead as my future destination after a long hard search. As anyone! What came close was Lexington,Winchester,Westford and Acton but I believe Marblehead has lower taxes probably because of tourism and commercial areas yet still has affordable areas as well.
I am from Westlake Village, with a brief yet agonizing stop over in Bakersfield for the summer (don't ask) but hopefully will see you in Boston! Pm if any suggestions are needed.

[bostonlady]

Amesbury looks like a nice town- we are looking in the portland me area-(due to the extremely high cost of living in MA)- but I've seen some rents in Amesbury in the low 750'-900's- which by Ohio rates is very high. (you can buy a 7 room house for what you pay for a studio in boston) I grew up in lynnfield -so I'd love to be close to my family. Can anyone give me any info on amesbury- I spent 18 yrs in L-town and never got to see that area.

[Valerie C]

Amesbury is a very nice town, great highway access north or south via 495 to 95. Walkable downtown area, lots of places to get your errands done, restaurants, etc. It's not quite as "touristy" as Newburyport can get (a good thing, IMO) but very nice nonetheless.

[GreenMachine]

I think it's kind of exciting to hook up with all these people on here who are all trying to get from west to east. I'm in Los Angeles and hoping to get to Mass in the next few months !!!!

Greenie