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Hi, my husband will be working in Billerica next year, and we are a family of 4 (children ages 3 and 5). We are looking for a good school district and a charming town center that has character and is walkable, and a "decent" proximity to the water. We have lived in Marblehead before, but this is a tricky commute from anywhere! So this is what we've narrowed it down to based on my research. I'd love your opinions between:
Chelmsford or Andover?
Newburyport or Ipswich?
Also, any other town recommendations are welcome! Our housing budget is up to $550,000 for a 4 bedroom single family home, and we would like at least 1/3 acre of property. Many thanks.
Last edited by bensheimer; 07-16-2013 at 05:12 AM..
Reason: bolded title
You would need to be very anxious to live near the coast to go with Ipswich or Newburyport. The time spent commuting (not to say the gasoline, tires, and wearing out a car) won't be paid for--and there are plenty of nice houses in the inland towns, and it's not abusing your children to put them in school there. I'd say work outward from your husband's workplace, and give strongest consideration to the nearest places.
Andover has better regarded schools, but that doesn't mean that Chelmsford has bad ones. I like Andover because of the commuter rail stop. Chelmsford has none. Andover is more upscale (and expensive) as well.
Newburyport is very walkable, charming town with lot to offer. There is always something to do there.
Ipswich is smaller, quieter, and off the beaten track kind a place, that offers an amazing perk to its residents: famous Crane's beach. Both towns can get bit touristy and crowded in the summer. Schools are probably very comparable, although most people will say that NBPT schools are notch better. Both have train in town.
Visit all of them and see what energy attracts you more. They are all different.
Andover and NBPT are more upscale, more vibrant, upper middle class types of town. NBPT has very distinct seaport flavor, that Andover lacks. Andover is home to famous and very prestigious Phillips Academy in its downtown area.
Ipswich and Chelmsford are more homey; with less transplants; less expensive, but very nice, solid communities. I would say that Ipswich has nicer downtown IMO than Chelmsford.
Hope it helps.
Thank you so much for your replies. Your insight is great! I wanted to add that my husband will be working from home part of the week, and only going to Billerica perhaps 2 or 3x/week, so a longer commute is not so bad. And he is used to commuting from RI! We are currently living in Germany but our assignment is ending next year, and we are starting to do the research now. Many thanks, please keep your comments coming. They are much appreciated.
I commute 3 days per week to Billerica and live in Lynnfield. With your budget I would focus on Westford and Littleton. Plenty of my colleagues live in these communities and seem quite pleased. The commute to towns like Marblehead, Ipswich or Newburyport, isn't justifiable unless you really want to live closer to the ocean.
Given the OP's situation, price range, and company loyalty, I wouldn't be surprised if the husband had a company vehicle.
If that's the case.. why not live next to the ocean.
Morris, we don't have a company vehicle, which would make commuting to an ocean town much better indeed. Judging from the map, a 30 or 40 mile commute to an ocean town doesn't appear too bad, but that's why I value your opinion...if it would make for a miserable commute, then we won't do that.
I commute 3 days per week to Billerica and live in Lynnfield. With your budget I would focus on Westford and Littleton. Plenty of my colleagues live in these communities and seem quite pleased. The commute to towns like Marblehead, Ipswich or Newburyport, isn't justifiable unless you really want to live closer to the ocean.
I will research both Westford and Littleton, thank you. Do you think it's worth also looking at Groton, in that case? A thriving town center is very important to us. Which of these three towns would best fit the bill?
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