Moving from California to Boston (Natick, Hudson: homes, job transfer, public schools)

[Mossy]

Hi!
My husband got a job transfer with Intel in Hudson. We are relocating from Sacramento. I am from and my husband is from Ireland. We are looking forward to this move. I have to really start looking for a school for my first grader. We are open to a catholic all girls school or public school. She is very bright. Which areas should we concentrate on looking at? Looking to live in a small downtown village area with walkability to stores and cafes.

Thank you!

[LMMEGNA]

Wayland
Concord
Natick

All are lovely old towns with loads of character. I have never lived in any of them, but having been a MA resident for 45 yrs., these towns are very well known for being a wonderful place to raise a family. My first choice would be Wayland (my aunt lived there). Anywhere out near Hudson is going to be more "country-like" since it is west of Boston. I hope you have a safe and pleasant move and best of luck.

[kmann-sherborn]

The Catholic school that was in Hudson closed due to declining enrollment but there are a wealth of good choices for public schools in the area.

Re: recommending towns, how long of a commute are you looking for and roughly what price range? That will help folks on the forum to make better recommendations. :-)

[Mossy]

Thanks Megna for the great suggestions. Wayland looks darling and it will be great to be back East!

Kmann, our budget will be around 500k give or take. Looking for a property with over 1/2 an acre. Schools are most important! Hubby will be working in Hudson and he wouldn't mind a commute of up to 30 minutes.

Much Thanks!

[kmann-sherborn]

There aren't all that many great walkable town centers in the suburbs here. Concord has one of the nicest but it's quite pricey. For top ranked schools & very attractive communities I'd look at Sudbury & Wayland (also very pricey though), then Westborough & Northborough. If Holliston isn't too far I'd check that out as well because it has a quaint walkable town center with a lot to offer. I like Natick fine but it wouldn't be my first pick personally. The green is pretty and there are a few nice places in the center. It's an odd mix of nice looking places and some that are a little drab.

[Mossy]

Originally Posted by kmann-sherborn

There aren't all that many great walkable town centers in the suburbs here. Concord has one of the nicest but it's quite pricey. For top ranked schools & very attractive communities I'd look at Sudbury & Wayland (also very pricey though), then Westborough & Northborough. If Holliston isn't too far I'd check that out as well because it has a quaint walkable town center with a lot to offer. I like Natick fine but it wouldn't be my first pick personally. The green is pretty and there are a few nice places in the center. It's an odd mix of nice looking places and some that are a little drab.

I guess visiting these towns is the only way to see. I was looking at Holliston and I really liked it and the homes don't seem as pricey. It is about 35 min to my husbands work. Not sure what it would be like in traffic. Haven't looked at Sudbury. We don't really want suburbia...more of a little downtown scene or country. I had enough of suburbs in California to be honest. Thank you for the advice!