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I have a job opportunity in a company in North Billerica. I am not keen on moving for lots of reasons, but am trying trying to get a better idea of what such a move would require. If one worked in North Billerica, where would be good options to live? My criteria would be good schools (kid entering middle school), good architecture (older homes), nice downtown with good restaurants and amenities, and a somewhat artsy progressive vibe. We'd want an older house with 3 or more bedrooms. Budget would be up to 900K, preferably lower. Also, as my wife would probably need to commute to Boston, it would need to be on the commuter rail line.
Andover meets your criteria for schools, good architecture, and a decent downtown but if you're willing to drive a little further, I think Newburyport would be a much better fit - wonderful historic center, well rated schools, train access to Boston, lots of stuff to do. I have a colleague who lives & works in that area if you'd like to chat with someone more about its pros & cons.
I'd go with andover. Its so much closer, the commute from newburyport would suck. Has better train access too with a much shorter ride. Lot more convenient, and i feel its more artsy progressive than newburyport, though neither are very much so. Like the downtown better as well, better choice of restuarants.
I'd go with andover. Its so much closer, the commute from newburyport would suck. Has better train access too with a much shorter ride. Lot more convenient, and i feel its more artsy progressive than newburyport, though neither are very much so. Like the downtown better as well, better choice of restuarants.
I grew up in Andover (from 6 years old). I would pass on that town.
Agreed, Newburyport would be an awful commute.
Towns close to Billerica would be Carlisle, Chelmsford, Acton, Lexington, Concord, Arlington etc. All within the price range stated.
I would agree with Andover in terms of a great commute and school system, but I am not a fan of that general area.
I would go with Concord. Great New England town, excellent school system, nice quaint downtown area, and you will find a place in your budget. The commute would be ~20-25 minutes on local roads.
I would agree with Andover in terms of a great commute and school system, but I am not a fan of that general area.
I would go with Concord. Great New England town, excellent school system, nice quaint downtown area, and you will find a place in your budget. The commute would be ~20-25 minutes on local roads.
The school system is, ehhh.... Rated 38th in the state. I went there until I got sent to Phillips.
The good thing about living in Andover is that you can go to Phillips Academy and still live at home. (though it is only high school).
The school system is, ehhh.... Rated 38th in the state. I went there until I got sent to Phillips.
The good thing about living in Andover is that you can go to Phillips Academy and still live at home. (though it is only high school).
my feeling on that statement is that if you dont feel that concords schools are good enough for you, you dont deserve to go to any public highschool. Go to philips academy if you can afford it and get in but dont complain about a pristine public one.
what do you have against andover? my uncle's living there now and every time i visit it seems like a nice town, i mean, theres not a lot to do there but there are good schools, and GLTS, and it has good train access so its easy to get into boston.
actually, i think id rather live in concord but i couldnt afford a home there.
my feeling on that statement is that if you dont feel that concords schools are good enough for you, you dont deserve to go to any public highschool. Go to philips academy if you can afford it and get in but dont complain about a pristine public one.
what do you have against andover? my uncle's living there now and every time i visit it seems like a nice town, i mean, theres not a lot to do there but there are good schools, and GLTS, and it has good train access so its easy to get into boston.
actually, i think id rather live in concord but i couldnt afford a home there.
My impression is that he was speaking about Andover public schools, not Concord public schools.
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