Help! Moving to Boston area - looking for best elementary schools and places to live (Lynn: rent)

[TVnewsAnchor]

Hi everyone,

We are going to be moving to Boston in December and our primary goal is to find the best schools in the surrounding areas. My twin sons are 6 years old and in first grade. I will be anchoring and reporting for a local news station and the studios are right in the heart of downtown Boston near the TD Garden.

I will have an assigned parking spot so I will be able to drive to work, but I would also like to have easy access to public transportation as an alternative. My wife is a fitness instructor/personal trainer so we would ideally love to find a place to live near phenomenal schools, a great gym, restaurants and shopping, and commuter trains. We would probably rent for the first year unless we can find a great deal on a nice home.

I have heard that Newton, Winchester, Brookline and several other places have a lot to offer, but moving from the Memphis area the first thing I noticed was the sticker shock of housing costs! Wow! I would love to hear some suggestions and advice..thank you in advance for all of your help!

[495neighbor]

You are working in a great location for public transportation for any of the commuter lines ending at North Station.

I would recommend looking in both Belmont and Concord. Both towns have highly reputable schools, commuter rail stops, several country clubs, and very health and fitness conscious populations. The Thoreau Club is a high end fitness club in Concord. Both of these higher-end towns would be much more affordable than Newton, Winchester or Brookline. Obviously, Belmont would be more convenient of the two. Many of the 128 big corporations and office parks close to both towns have their own fitness facilities.

[gf2020]

Kris Anderson? Welcome to Boston. Dress warmly!

Winchester, Belmont and Arlington are good suggestions for that station's location.

Can't help with the price of housing here, if you need to spend less, then Reading and Burlington would be good alternatives.

[MikePRU]

First, welcome to Boston!

Second, when you're looking at public school systems in the area it's important to remember that the quality of education in this state is far superior to the public education in most of the country. So, a mediocre school here would be a top performing school in many states. This being said, it is also far more expensive to live in Boston than many parts of the country. Home values will vary quite a bit from town-to-town as well. Did you have a budget you wanted to stick to? If you can share that with us, you'll get far better quality answers to your question.

[Lisa Zais]

Hello There,
I am a local realtor and would say your best choices for schools are as follows. Dover/Sherborn, Weston, Wayland and Newton. Yes, the prices of homes in these areas is crazy. West of Boston being Holliston, Hopkinton and Medfield are gorgeous and have great schools. Have you began your search?

[superleggera]

Lynnfield has very good school and is in close proximity of Boston. If you want more for your money then stick with North Shore. Good luck!

[Beantown_mama]

I think Winchester would be a great commute and the schools are top notch.

[Beachcomber4]

Congratulations on the new job and welcome. Assuming you will be commuting off hours for your job, I would definitely consider the south shore as well. Hingham would be a great fit. It boasts excellent schools, wonderful shopping and restaurants at Derby Street, the Shipyard and the charming and eclectic Hingham Square. All of it is nestled in a quintessential seaside New England town. There is easy access to route 3 and 93 along with commuter train service and a boat that docks near Rowes Wharf which is a lovely walk to the TD Bank area. It's a very family friendly community with lots to do for 2 active boys. It is also a very fitness oriented and your wife would have no problem continuing her career.

[mlhm5]

If you want to live on the water, Marblehead (commuter rail from Salem to North Station) Swampscott (has commuter rail stop). If you drive you will have to cross the water (not good). Mike Lynch, sportscaster at WCVB lives in Swampscott and commutes to Needham.West of Boston rail goes into South Station, and you would have to make a subway change to get to the Garden. Hingham is on the water has rail but it too goes into South Station and requires a subway change to get to the Garden.

Best schools in the are are in Sherborn/Dover. 45 minute commute