Possibly moving to Boston...where to live?

[Martha Anne]

Originally Posted by The Michigander

I would settle for a townhouse or condo as long as its newer and has parking for my truck and car. Its hard for me to go back to an "older" home after owning a new one...

Now you're talking. You can buy a townhouse or condo within a reasonably do-able commute to Boston and that townhouse or condo can be in the $200's if you look carefully. You just won't find a house with a garage that isn't needing lots and lots of work for less than $350K, at a minimum.

If you can do without a garage, my friend lives in Arlington Heights, which is such a great and convenient area, an easy commute to downtown Boston on the inexpensive and fast Red Line of the T, and her house is a 2 bedroom ranch worth today on the market in the mid to upper 300's at most.

But there you are. That is too much money for you.

[Boomerang]

Originally Posted by holden125

Making a little more than where you are might not make up for the increase in costs. I love it here and would bear the burden but if you have no particular attachment to the area you might be frustrated.

100% agree! I was going to advise the O.P. to come out here and take a GOOD look around before deciding to move.

Originally Posted by holden125

That said, I think you're reading the drive time wrong. My personal experience is that the north, the ride down on 93 in the morning, is an absolute nightmare, while the Mass Pike coming from the west is sluggish but much better.

I come down 95/93 in the mornings. It's decent all the way down 95, and starts getting congested a few miles before the 93 junction --- but totally do-able as long as you are there before 6:00 a.m. After that----ugh.

Originally Posted by holden125

200K is very tough here for what you're looking for. Things are cheaper as you go farther but it's hard to do 200K.

Agreed. To get close to the $200K mark on the south side, you're down to Plymouth (impossible commute by car; commuter rail only) or the Attleboros on the RI line. I wouldn't go any farther south than North Attleboro. Below that you're running into some pretty undesirable elements.

[The Michigander]

Thanks for everyone's input. I'll make sure to look at all of this if we decide to move out there.

[Ronniec78]

I can't think of a place even near Boston in your price range. The median home price in MA is well over $300,000 and if you're looking for something newer around 200k you're going to have a very difficult time. You might want to look into fixer uppers, pre-foreclosures, or foreclosures.

[holden125]

Originally Posted by Boomerang

I come down 95/93 in the mornings. It's decent all the way down 95, and starts getting congested a few miles before the 93 junction --- but totally do-able as long as you are there before 6:00 a.m. After that----ugh.

6:00 AM???? My hat's off to you. That alone would keep me from living up there. For the next year or so I'm stuck in NYC but at least I don't get to work until 9:30 or 10. I couldn't imagine leaving early enough to make it down 93 before 6. Rather, I couldn't imagine getting to bed early enough to get up early enough to make it down 93 before 6.

[stevojg]

i'd suggest the southwest suburbs, trail route 1 south on the map, i rent in norwood which is nice but i don't know how the house prices are, plainville and attleboro are further out and cheaper, foxboro might be a good choice for you or walpole, the towns are nice and quiet, easy to get to boston by train 30-45 min, also you're close to gillette, fenway, providence, if you absolutely must drive to work in downtown boston, you have to be sneaky and cunning but it can be done in less than an hour

[MAGirlbychoice]

Despair not! I moved in the other direction, and found that MA is not nearly as expensive in many ways. I moved back! Check out property taxes here vs there and services...you may be able to afford a little more for your house. There is currently no sales tax on clothes or food here. Auto insurance is cheaper. For price/safety/convenience, would suggest towns west of Boston ...for price, try Millbury towns near Worcester like Millbury.