considering relocating to brookline/hollis (Manchester, Milford: for sale, real estate, leasing)

[winstella]

My husband and I are looking at Brookline and Hollis as two potential towns for relocation from western mass. We have two kids - junior and high school - so the excellent rating of the Hollis/Brookline school district is a huge draw. We want cleaner air and a safer area for our kids - Springfield and Holyoke have really high crime rates. Can someone tell us how long it takes to get to Boston (would have to go in a few times a month) and the Manchester airport and where is the closest ski area and closest/best places for beaches and boating? Also, from what I've read on this site, it seems that Brookline may be a bit more rural than Hollis... is that right? We're going up to see both towns next week, but any insight from people familiar with the area would be a big help.

[WannaComeHome]

Originally Posted by winstella

Can someone tell us how long it takes to get to Boston (would have to go in a few times a month) and the Manchester airport and where is the closest ski area and closest/best places for beaches and boating? Also, from what I've read on this site, it seems that Brookline may be a bit more rural than Hollis... is that right? We're going up to see both towns next week, but any insight from people familiar with the area would be a big help.

I can help some on that. It takes about 1/2 hour (depends of course on your driving speed and any traffic) to get from Hollis to the airport - longer from Brookline as it's on the other side of Hollis. Depending on where you're going in Boston, and whether your crazy enough to go during rush hour traffic, it's about 45min - hour from Hollis to Boston.

I'm not a skier, so it's hard to say about that. I guess it depends on where you like to ski! It's about 2 hours from Hollis to our architects place in Waterville Valley, so depending on where in the mountains you're headed, you might shave off 1/2 hour of travel.

Silver Lake State Park (swimming) is in Hollis, so it's right there. There was another area on the lake called Wallace's Grove, but it's up for sale so there's no telling whether that will ever open again. There are a number of large ponds in Hollis, with summer cabins around them - like Rocky Pond.

I think Brookline is a little more rural than Hollis, not sure if it has a town center per se - Hollis does. The taxes in Brookline are amazingly slightly higher than in Hollis - which surprises the heck out of me, since Brookline used to be considered the less expensive town. You'd have to check housing values to see if it makes any difference.

Also in Hollis you have Brookdale Fruit Farm (Hardy's) and Lull's Farm Stand (run by Dave Orde) for fresh fruit.

Definately go and visit. They are lovely.

[lisa g]

I know that the upper elementary offers a winter ski program that takes the kids to Pat's Peak for skiing. I think it's in Henniker, and figure it can't be too far if they go after school mid week. You might want to ck out that area for skiing. There must be places to ski in Mass that are not so far from Hollis too. Brookline is more rural than Hollis. I used to live in Brookline and now live in Hollis. Brookline has a tiny main street of a town center. It's a longer commute to/from Boston from Brookline though. The airport at Manchester is a shorter commute, probably shorter from Brookline than Hollis.
WannaComeHome I am shocked to hear that taxes in Brookline are slightly higher than in Hollis. It was considered the less expensive town yrs ago when I lived there, and I still think home prices are less than in Hollis. At least they were when we were shopping real estate earlier this year. Hollis has the farm stands - you're right about that, but there is a Lull Farm stand in Milford on Rt. 13 which was convenient to us in Brookline. I personally love both towns, and my 2 upper elementary kids are very happy at school so far, although we have issues with public school in general that not everyone has.
WannaComeHome, is Wallace's Grove the area of Silver Lake with the old refreshment stand? If so, our friends are leasing it currently!

[WannaComeHome]

Originally Posted by lisa g

WannaComeHome I am shocked to hear that taxes in Brookline are slightly higher than in Hollis. It was considered the less expensive town yrs ago when I lived there, and I still think home prices are less than in Hollis. At least they were when we were shopping real estate earlier this year.

You'd think so, wouldn't you! sure surprised me when I was looking at the '06 tax chart. But here, fresh of both town websites: Brookline comes in at a total of $26.44/1000 and Hollis is $23.38/1000. go figure. I agree, I would think the houses would be cheaper in Brookline, but... ?

Hollis has the farm stands - you're right about that, but there is a Lull Farm stand in Milford on Rt. 13 which was convenient to us in Brookline.

Yup, Dave's sister Debbie Orde (she dated my brother in high school for a while. Really nice gal) runs that one.

WannaComeHome, is Wallace's Grove the area of Silver Lake with the old refreshment stand? If so, our friends are leasing it currently!

Yes, I believe that's the one. It's off Federal Hill Rd (before all the lake houses around Silver Lake). That's where we did more of our swimming, since the state park was a bit more crowded. Are they? Do they think they can make a go of it? My sister and brother-in-law looked at it a while ago and seemed convinced it couldn't possibly manage itself. I'd love to see it open and running again.

[lisa g]

Originally Posted by WannaComeHome

Yup, Dave's sister Debbie Orde (she dated my brother in high school for a while. Really nice gal) runs that one.


Yes, I believe that's the one. It's off Federal Hill Rd (before all the lake houses around Silver Lake). That's where we did more of our swimming, since the state park was a bit more crowded. Are they? Do they think they can make a go of it? My sister and brother-in-law looked at it a while ago and seemed convinced it couldn't possibly manage itself. I'd love to see it open and running again.

After we got settled we actually went to Lull's in Milford since we were regulars 10 yrs ago. We were pleased to be able to say hi to Debbie again (although I'm sure she didn't remember us). Super lady.

& yes, our friends rent the house & refreshment stand(it was included w/house rental) on Silver Lake right off Federal Hill. They don't plan to reopen the place though, since they're probably only there temporarily. My daughter goes there to play once a week-excellent sledding hill on the property. I haven't allowed her to skate on the lake yet though.