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Old 06-15-2013, 02:32 PM
2MA 2MA started this thread
 
3 posts, read 3,634 times
Reputation: 10

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We are moving to MA. Spouse starting a job in Andover. I have a sister who lives in Sharon, MA. I am from south of Boston, and both spouse and I went to college in Boston/Cambridge and lived our younger lives in Back Bay/Brookline. Loved it there. Fast forward 30 years, we have two teens. One is 16 and at a boarding school 3 hours from say, Kenmore Square. Our 13 year old is the issue. He is entering 8th grade in September 2013. We had planned on letting him finish 8th grade in public school and then apply to two private high schools where we are now. But now we need to consider towns, public v private, commute for my spouse, and being near my sister. I also love Sharon, MA. But that would make my husband's commute terrible. I currently live in an upscale, "desirable" highly competitive ex-urban town that I do not like. I want my 13 year old to be in a smaller (less than 1000 if possible, high school). He's very smart, but he is into his instrument, not sports, video games like every other boy, art, - just not sports. Moving into a HS that is all sports all the time worries me. (Sounds like I am generalizing; I am sorry, but a big HS that self segregates more than others, I guess). The west of Boston towns are great, but pricey, competitive, and HS are large, so I am in need of suggestions. Wish I could give you a price range. Income is changing. We might rent for a while if we need to save some. I am thinking $450K-$650K. Advice on private schools is welcome too. I just really don't want to live so far from my sister in Sharon and so far from my own comfort zone. Also, we need to be able to get into the Boston hospitals easily. We have medical needs. Lots of appts. I am a SAHM. Or at least will be for a while after we move. HELP.
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Old 06-15-2013, 07:32 PM
 
Location: North of Boston
3,689 posts, read 7,432,032 times
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Let's see...

Commute to Andover

Good highway access to visit Sharon

High school enrollment under 1000 with a good arts program

Housing budget up to $650K

There really aren't too many towns that fit the bill; Bedford, Stoneham and Lynnfield may be worth a look.
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Old 06-16-2013, 08:55 AM
2MA 2MA started this thread
 
3 posts, read 3,634 times
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We are considering Bedford. Thoughts on Bedford? Looks great on paper.

Seriously! The work location in Andover is really posing a problem for us. Beautiful, historic and many expensive towns, much like west of Boston, but we just don't know anything about them. Might as well be moving to an totally unfamiliar state. Newton, which would always be our preference, to rent or buy a smaller town home or condo, is just too far and a horrid commute from/to Andover. We are from MA, but west and south, we are clueless about north. So frustrating. Thank you for your thoughts. More????
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Old 06-16-2013, 08:56 AM
2MA 2MA started this thread
 
3 posts, read 3,634 times
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Oh, and thank you.
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Old 06-16-2013, 08:55 PM
 
Location: Massachusetts
6,301 posts, read 9,647,821 times
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Wayland comes to mind.
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Old 06-17-2013, 12:18 PM
 
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My five cents. Your husband commute is happening every day ( I will assume) and probably should take precedence over being close to Sharon. Any way you slice it, commute will be hellish if you stay South, more to the South and West. I would recommend Andover or North Reading. North Reading is small school district, but well regarded.Good Luck!
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Old 06-17-2013, 02:37 PM
 
Location: Massachusetts
6,301 posts, read 9,647,821 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by kingeorge View Post
My five cents. Your husband commute is happening every day ( I will assume) and probably should take precedence over being close to Sharon. Any way you slice it, commute will be hellish if you stay South, more to the South and West. I would recommend Andover or North Reading. North Reading is small school district, but well regarded.Good Luck!
Good honest advice given here. (Could not rep you kinggeorge due to too many recent reps.)
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Old 06-19-2013, 05:37 PM
 
Location: Lexington, SC
4,280 posts, read 12,670,274 times
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Sharon to Andover commute is one worth slicing your wrists and bleeding out over versus doing it daily or even weekly.

Andover is a good choice. The public schools are good. You could kick it up a notch and sent him to Phillips Andover as a day student or even really kick it up some and send him to the Brooks School in North Andover.

PS

North Reading is also a reasonable cost, good alternative selection. Whitey Bulger and the Angiulo's used to bury bodies in North Reading, so you might be close to some long lost relatives.....LOL
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Old 06-19-2013, 09:20 PM
 
Location: Winchester
229 posts, read 384,884 times
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Andover, Topsfield, Lynnfield, Winchester. All great schools. Topsfield should be the most rural, but excellent HS. Winchester is close to activities and hospitals.
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