Am I crazy to move from Austin to MA? (Boston: sales, real estate)

[ikachu]

Hi all,

I've tried looking at some other threads but everyone's situation is different so I was hoping to get some feedback from MA residents about my current dilemma...

Basically in the last year I've gotten married and had a baby and the things that initially drew me to Austin (cool bars, live music) aren't as important to me anymore. The mixed quality of the schools in Austin and just the insane growth of the city are also scaring me as I try to project what life will be like here in the next 10-20 years as my kid(s) grow up. I've also been unhappy w/ my current company so I'm also looking to change that.

I was just offered what seems to be a pretty good opportunity in Andover. The job seems interesting, they'd pay to relocate me, give me a cash bonus + some stock, and I'd also get a 30% raise (to $120k). The winters scare me a little but I guess I'm more concerned about the cost of living. Is it as high as everyone says? Is a 30% increase in salary enough to cover the cost of living increase? Is $120k a livable salary for that area? My wife will be staying home taking care of the kids (I think we are aiming for 3) until they are at school at least, so I'll be the sole breadwinner (although it'll save us a fortune on child care...).

I have some money saved up so I'd probably like to buy a house, maybe in the 300-350k range. Will I be able to find something in that price range, within a 30-45 minute commute to Andover, with good schools (or at least safe schools with a good honors program)?

Thank you so much for helping me make this decision (or at least to feel a little less anxious about it)!

[SteveJunior]

I grew up in Massachusetts. The winters are difficult. Andover, which is north of Boston usually gets more snow than the city and points south.
I'd personally look in New Hampshire. The southern-most towns are within commuting distance to Andover. You get more house for your money in NH as well. I think you could get a decent house for 300-350k in NH. Towns like Pelham, Hudson, even Londonderry or Derry are nice, if you like a small town suburban feel. Cities like Nashua and Salem have the convenience of tax-free shopping; I can't comment on the schools but overall the areas I mentioned are safe.

Massachusetts will certainly be more expensive but that seems like a fair raise/offer they're giving you. Andover itself is an expensive area as well as other surrounding towns. You might find a modest house in your budget if you want to live closeby to there.

But, yes, coming from Austin, you're going to have to adjust to cold, snowy winters. Cloudy/rainy springs. August, September and October are the best times of the year for spending time outdoors.

I was in Austin one winter and it was a nice escape from the cold.

[Jimrob1]

I'm also going to recommend Southern NH and the towns mentioned in the above post. Generally the home will cost less in NH, but not always. So work with a Real Estate agent you feel comfortable with. I think your job offer sounds like a very good deal. If the job itself is appealing enough to you, I would say go for it. Many people that work north of Boston do live in Southern NH. There is no sales or income tax in NH. However if you work in Mass and live in NH, then you will pay Mass income tax but as a non resident. So your tax burden will be less. The major downfall to living in NH is the high property tax. You live in Texas so that fact may not be a big adjustment, since Texas has rather high Prop taxes. NH is more rural and in most instances a more peaceful environment than Mass. There is a ton of shopping in southern NH. Believe me when I say they are after the Mass shoppers that flock to the state because of no sales tax.

Mass is a decent place to live, but yes it has a very high COL and winters can be difficult. So since the job is in Andover which affords your the choice of living in Mass or NH. Do your research on both states and see which one will work best for you. Its difficult to pack up and move to a place your not familiar with, so take it slow. Or at least I hope you have some time to decide and research more before having to make a decision on this job.

I agree with you Austin is growing much to fast and is really out of control. Much like it is here in Phoenix another sprawled out mess. I don't blame you for wanting to look for a more stable environment. Mass and New England are definitely now like the sunbelt regions. They are not growing they are established stable areas. Places where in most instances you will know your neighbors, and you wont feel that tranisient feel like so much of this country. There is a real sense of place in New England and its many cities and towns. Neighborhoods and town centers with a main street. Something that is surely missing in much of America's sunbelt.

Good Luck.

[accufitgolf]

I am from MA and have spent sometime in Austin. Were it me, I would stay in Austin. MA is one place I would not consider living in again, especially with the winters and cost of living.

[btownboss4]

I would look in Reading, its in your price range and you would be reverse-commuting if you lived in NH you would get caught up in the traffic heading in to Boston. Its somewhat urban (smallish lots are the only disadvantage) but is safe, with decent schools, and a nice town center. Andover itself is beautiful, but all the decent homes are probably too expensive

[TAM88]

No, you're not crazy. Austin is a pretty NICE city, but Massachusetts will offer you more, imo. Yes it gets cold here (there are areas in this country that are colder) and yes it sows here (again, there are areas in this country where it snows more) but that should not deter you from making a move unless you really hate the thought of it dealing with some cold and snow. I have spent a good amount of time down in Texas and I would rather take the cold and snow over the oppressive Texas heat in the summer.

Believe it or not, a lot of people like when it snows and it cold out as there are a wealth of outdoor activities people in this area, and in the other large part of the country where it gets pretty cold in the winter and snows. From cross country skiing, to snowboarding, to snowmobiling, to ice climbing, to snow shoeing, to pond hockey, there really is a lot you can do outside when the temps drop.

If you're concerned about schools, I would avoid NH in general as Mass offers a better education system. Sure you will probably be able to find a cheaper house, but you're getting what you pay for by living up in NH.

As far as salary goes the offer you have received is solid and will allow you to live a nice life in this area. Often times the cost of living here gets a bit overblown on these forums. Sure you won't be able to live in a 4,500 sqf house in Weston and drive a Mercedes and send your kids to private school on that money. But you will be able to find a nice house in a pretty decent town and live nicely. I know plenty of people who have families, own a nice home with income less than that.

[wxjay]

I disagree with the suggestion for moving to NH, particularly for the reasons given. First, you still have to pay MA income taxes as mentioned. Second, while NH has no sales or income tax, they have VERY HIGH property taxes. That alone will eat up a bulk of savings you may get on the same sized house and low. Third, the commute times will increase the further you get away from Salem, and in winter conditions, it could be a mess.

My suggestion - if you work in MA, stay in MA (at least get something out of the taxes you have to pay). There are excellent school districts in MA near Andover that I would look into. Reading is a good suggestion, though you are probably looking into the upper end of your budget for housing there. I would personally look into Chelmsford - just west on 495 with an easy commute to Andover + at the junction of Rte 3 and ~10-15 minutes from Nashua and tax-free NH shopping. Great schools and affordable housing there. You could also look east of Andover to NE MA, a quieter part of the state and closer to the ocean. Topsfield, Georgetown, and Middleton are good areas, but housing will be up there (350-400K+), especially in Topsfield.

[SoFresh99]

Some things just to think about (you probably already are) as you work your budget. Car insurance in MA is insane, food costs more and utilities cost more. As someone who stayed home with a child the MA winter was daunting and there were costs associated with not going insane like $100/mo for the Y and fees for activities/classes so I had somewhere to go other than the mall.

We lived on $120k with a mortgage payment of $2400/mo and no debt/car payments or credit card payments or cable/cell phone and we had enough to live on and if we really had our belts tight could put savings away each month. But we often found that the $1000 or $1500 we could save every other month was eaten up in one fell swoop by things like need new roof, major car repair, house things etc. So we didnt find ourselves able to make much progress in Mass. Working in IT we found that salaries were pretty stagnant unless you switched jobs or employers, raises/bonuses did not keep up with COL if you stayed in your same position. So while one might expect to get some sort of promotion within a couple years at a new job, after that you probably would need to switch employers to "level up." Maybe that's just IT.

[wxjay]

Originally Posted by SoFresh99

Some things just to think about (you probably already are) as you work your budget. Car insurance in MA is insane, food costs more and utilities cost more.

Funny, I had the opposite effect from moving from Atlanta. All of those costs went down for me with the slight exception of utilities, which I pay slightly more for on a year-round basis.

[Boston_Burbs]

Don't the the city-data COL insanity scare you.. there are plenty of people who live in the area for less and do fine.

Check out Groveland, Middleton, Georgetown, and Boxford. With interest rates the way they are today, you could lock in a good mortgage payment. Plus, if your children excell in school, Andover is home to Phillips Academy which is arguably one of the best high schools in the world.