Why is Brookline cheaper than Hollis? (Nashua, Bedford: environment, budget, for sale)

[NH2008]

We've been out to look around several times but the realtor steered us away from Brookline, so I didn't even bother to drive through. However, I saw something posted here about it so I checked it out and it looks like the schools are just as highly regarded as the Hollis schools, (obviously, they eventually merge into one school district) and it's right next door. Yet the prices on MLS appear significantly lower and there aren't any million-dollar+ houses (not that that's our budget!) So what's the catch? Is there something about Brookline that people don't like and aren't willing to pay as much for? Or is Hollis just a "name brand" and Brookline is a great deal?

Would Brookline be significantly farther from Boston? Yahoo says it's only 5 miles away, so I can't see how.

Is the community less friendly? or is it the extra distance from Nashua? And why didn't the realtor want us to see it - simply because it's cheaper?

Thanks!

[WannaComeHome]

Hi NH2008,

Brookline used to be cheaper, and many people who couldn't afford to live in Hollis lived there. Yes, the schools merge at the middle-school level, although Brookline is frequently petitioning to come out (not sure why that isn't allowed, but it always gets voted down).

taxes are slightly higher in Brookline than in Hollis, but assessments are lower in Brookline. Only thing I can think of is that Brookline is one town farther away from easy shopping? They haven't been building the McMansions in Brookline to push the assessments up (that's what my mother always complains about).

both are nice towns to grow up in, and the schools are tops.

[NH2008]

Hmmm...sounds like a good deal! We will check it out. The realtor mentioned that she thought it would be harder to meet people in Brookline or Mount Vernon...do you think that is true?

Is there anywhere in any of those towns where we might be able to get a mountain view? I know there were some in Bedford but I'm really hoping to be in Brookline/Hollis...

thanks!

[WannaComeHome]

it would be harder to meet people in Brookline or Mount Vernon...do you think that is true?

well, it depends. Do you have kids? It's often easier to meet other people in town if you have kids. If you don't.. it can be difficult anywhere. I don't know about Brookline, but Hollis has an apple festival, a strawberry festival (both events on the town common where the ladies club sells food and the town band plays. Lots of people come out). I know my mother belongs to the local Extension Group which probably also includes Brookline - clubs are a good way to meet people.

s there anywhere in any of those towns where we might be able to get a mountain view?

not really. It's pretty wooded around there. the White Mts are way too far away for a view, and it's not really the Monadnock Region - you need to go a couple towns west, closer to Mason or New Ipswich.

As to Mont Vernon, I couldn't say much about that. My other mother used to live in Mont Vernon - but other than visiting her I never really knew much about the place.

[NH2008]

We do have kids and one will be starting school, so I'm not really sure what she meant....thanks!

[Valerie C]

I would recommend that you just come right out and ask... after all, maybe in her mind, there is a good reason. perhaps something you may have said during a conversation, etc. Property values ARE distinctly higher in Hollis, although they share schools, etc. and there are reasons for that perceived difference in towns... It may not matter to you, the adults in the family, but I'm sure that there's competition in the schools (who is from Hollis vs. Brookline, etc)

You might also consider sending a direct message to Lisa G (lisa g) who posts here often. She lives in Hollis, and might be able to give you some valuable insight and direct opinion of schools in Hollis.

I'm growing somewhat hesitant to answer on "best towns" questions, because while it might be my honest opinion, it's also possible that somebody could think that I just say that because the houses are higher priced, based on what I do for a living

[NH2008]

No, I wouldn't think that - I know you're not trying to sell me anything! Our realtor lives in Hollis and her family has been there for generations, so it may be as simple as that. If there is something we like on the market when we start shopping, I'll try to find out more. Gosh, I hope there isn't rivalry in the schools, that would be really unfortunate.

Feel free to pm me anytime if you know something you don't want to share with the whole board - I know what you mean about not wanting to offend anyone, but at the same time I'd always rather hear the unvarnished truth and as many opinions as possible!

Thanks!

[lisa g]

Hi NH2008,

I live in Hollis, and lived in Brookline about 10 yrs ago, so I can give you whatever insight I can on both and the comparison. I love both towns, and think this choice really comes down to a matter of personal preference. About Hollis, so far, (aside from obsessing about my own kids individual needs and rarely being 100% satisfied) school has been pretty good. I can elaborate on this if you like, just ask. We are super picky about schools, so coming from me this is a substantial recommendation. I'm told that before the towns students merge(middle school), they offer participation in a week long trip together to bond through team building activities.

With my husband driving to & from Wilmington, MA to work, we simply wouldn't consider Brookline because of that extra few miles. It's only a few miles, yes, but windy single lane rds, frequently driven slowly in bad weather or stuck behind someone driving slowly....it can add another 20-30 minutes to the commute. My husband said "NOT again!" to that Hollis is closer to Nashua, with the N. part of town having easy access to rte 101A and the SW part of town having easier access to Daniel Webster Hwy.

Hollis has the reputation of being an upscale town compared to Brookline. People assume that you're a rich snob if you say you live in Hollis. There are McMansions, but beautiful older homes dripping with character, too. In other words, yuppies and people like myself

Again, I'd be happy to help you w/any questions you have. Where are you moving from? Have you been here yet to look? Sorry if I've missed those details, I have the flu and have been pretty out of it, it's not that I'm not interested.

I should mention that I don't find other's opinions of my town/area offensive, and never understood why everyone in SoCal defended the reputation of the place so irrationally. Some people probably do tie their egoes to their locales I suppose. Not me!

[NH2008]

Lisa,

Thanks! It's great to hear from someone with firsthand experience. We live in the SF Bay Area now, but my family lives near North Conway, so we've been out several times to look around. (We own our own business and hope to be able to work from home, but in case things don't work out and dh needs to get a job in Boston, or at a minimum for his frequent travel from Logan, we want to be as close as possible to Boston...so the mountains are out.) I love the small town feel, open space, and old houses in Hollis and I've heard great things about the schools.

Would you say it takes significantly longer to get to Boston from Brookline than Hollis? Have you heard different things about the two elementary school systems? (My oldest will be starting K next fall.)

We saw a few houses we really liked near the high school on Main St. I love the idea of being able to walk to the store and library, but there seemed to be a surprising amount of traffic when school was letting out and all the kids were driving home. Does it get noisy? Would we be able to let our kids (when they get a bit older) ride bikes, or does Main St get too congested?

Thanks again!

[lisa g]

Hi NH2008,

Since you're leaving CA for NH, I'll let you know that we left Brookline for SoCal & returned to Hollis. And perhaps like you, we just closed our CA Corp. & incorporated in NH, although my husband is also employed.

About travel from Brookline-Boston; There is no quick direct route from Brookline to Rte 3. Depending on where in Brookline you're thinking about, add another 20-30 min.(compared to parts of Hollis) onto the drive to Boston. The best advice I can give you is check your map. Even part of Rte 13 through Milford is one lane in each direction w/a 35 mph speed limit through part of Milford before 101.

Main St.(aka rte 122) is Hollis' historic district. You must have looked at the light blue-green house that's been for sale for months On Main by the HS you'd be within walking distance of the library, church, town hall, Dunkin Donuts & the little convenience store in the town square. It is, however probably one of the busiest parts of town. The intersection at rts 122 & 130 is the only traffic light in Hollis, and with the HS & Middle School on 122 on the S side, and the Elementary & Upper Elementary on 122's N side, you'll pretty much always see traffic. Yes, all 4 schools are on that stretch of 122. Dismissal times are staggered, so things don't jam up (well, not by our CA standards anyway!), but there's quite a bit of school traffic there between buses and valet parents. I wouldn't call it noisy, but in terms of comparison between Brookline & Hollis, Main St. in Hollis is probably the most lively, most trafficked area. Rte 122 is a direct route (from Mass) to state-tax free shopping access on Rte 101A, leading to Nashua. Not a place for kids on bikes, although cyclists/runners take this route, much to my irritation

There are lots of side streets in Hollis that are much quieter if you're wanting a place where your kids can play in the street as they grow. You might want to find a dead end type of street or a circle. My street is not Main St, but is still not safe for my kids to play in, since it's a direct shot from 130-Depot Rd, close to the Mass border. We have a long driveway for that purpose.

I don't know much about the comparison between the two elementary school systems, but can tell you what little I do know about my experience w/kids in Hollis Upper Elementary. Hollis Upper Elementary = grades 4,5 & 6.(for many towns 6th grade means middle school, which was not our preference) The staff there is top notch and highly competent. There are substantial enrichment classes, meaning art, music, PE(gym), computers, environmental science, & spanish. In CA my kids only got substantial enrichment of this kind in private school. I take issue w/some of the curriculum, but it's state mandated, and probably not relevant in this discussion. Also, there are paraprofessionals in some if not all classes specifically to assist special needs kids.
School offers a ski program which takes kids on coach-type buses to Henniker for skiing one afternoon/week, and they learn XC skiing in PE.

Remember, if you're looking at older homes especially, that home inspectors here do not need to be licensed, so anyone can call themselves a home inspector. It's the "Live Free or Die" state, and lots of regulations you may be used to simply do not exist(thankfully), so make sure your inspector is reputable. This can save you lots of $$ & heartache!!

Hope this helps!