Need more info about good neighborhoods in Framingham/ Shrewsbury/ Northborough (Boston: low crime, townhouse)

[PlzGiveMe]

Hi my husband and i just moved to MA from California few weeks ago and we are planing to purchase our dream home either in Shrewsbury, Northborough or Framingham, as according to our friends these few areas are more city-like. We prefer a place with higher resale value as we may have job-relocation again in another 4-5 years and definitely don't want our cash get stuck in housing.

We are comfortable not to spend more than $580k and prefer a neighborhoods easy access to grocery, restaurants, Boston (hubby's work place), and also a place that we can really call a HOME which with low crime rate and friendly to raise a kid. That will be good if someone can provide some decent neighborhoods to me for I'm totally new to this state.

We attended a few open house in north of Shrewsbury and there is a house that we are interested with built in area of 2800sqft and also 800sqft finished basement, anyone has any idea about the highest monthly heating & cooling bills for this 1993 weatherboard heated and centered-ac house? It also has 2 skylight in the living room, will it worsen the heating bill in winter assuming they are in good shape?

[kingeorge]

Originally Posted by PlzGiveMe

Hi my husband and i just moved to MA from California few weeks ago and we are planing to purchase our dream home either in Shrewsbury, Northborough or Framingham, as according to our friends these few areas are more city-like. We prefer a place with higher resale value as we may have job-relocation again in another 4-5 years and definitely don't want our cash get stuck in housing.

We are comfortable not to spend more than $580k and prefer a neighborhoods easy access to grocery, restaurants, Boston (hubby's work place), and also a place that we can really call a HOME which with low crime rate and friendly to raise a kid. That will be good if someone can provide some decent neighborhoods to me for I'm totally new to this state.

We attended a few open house in north of Shrewsbury and there is a house that we are interested with built in area is about 2800sqft with 800sqft finished basement, anyone has any idea about the highest monthly heating & cooling bills for this 1993 weatherboard heated and centered-ac house? It also has 2 skylight in the living room, will it worsen the heating bill in winter assuming they are in good shape?

All three places are IMHO not the best options if you need daily commute to Boston. My suggestion is to look in Natick which has better resale value than any of the three you were inquiring about. You could include Westborough as well, but commute is pretty long. Rule of the thumb: closer to Boston with public transport and good schools=higher prices, and easier to sell.

Other places to consider are Westwood, Reading, Arlington and Hingham. All offer good commute into Boston, good schools and family oriented atmosphere.

Good luck.

[Shrewsburried]

Originally Posted by PlzGiveMe

Hi my husband and i just moved to MA from California few weeks ago and we are planing to purchase our dream home either in Shrewsbury, Northborough or Framingham, as according to our friends these few areas are more city-like. We prefer a place with higher resale value as we may have job-relocation again in another 4-5 years and definitely don't want our cash get stuck in housing.

We are comfortable not to spend more than $580k and prefer a neighborhoods easy access to grocery, restaurants, Boston (hubby's work place), and also a place that we can really call a HOME which with low crime rate and friendly to raise a kid. That will be good if someone can provide some decent neighborhoods to me for I'm totally new to this state.

We attended a few open house in north of Shrewsbury and there is a house that we are interested with built in area of 2800sqft and also 800sqft finished basement, anyone has any idea about the highest monthly heating & cooling bills for this 1993 weatherboard heated and centered-ac house? It also has 2 skylight in the living room, will it worsen the heating bill in winter assuming they are in good shape?

I grew up in the north side of Shrewsbury, and while I think it's full of incredibly stable/safe neighborhoods, I would NEVER commute to into Boston from Shrewsbury as there really is no direct route. Doable? Sure.

What part of Boston is your husband commuting to? (i.e., financial district, Cambridge, Seaport, Longwood etc.)

If your willing to settle for less sq/ft and pay higher taxes, Acton provides better access and equal or better schools.

[PlzGiveMe]

Originally Posted by kingeorge

My suggestion is to look in Natick which has better resale value than any of the three you were inquiring about. You could include Westborough as well, but commute is pretty long. Rule of the thumb: closer to Boston with public transport and good schools=higher prices, and easier to sell.

Yup, we like Westborough and Natick but the houses in these 2 regions are far more higher than we can afford. We prefer a 4 bedroom house so our families members can stay with us during holiday. Townhouse will be our last consideration since we have 3 dogs and it will be very inconvenient if we cant build the fence around the backyard.

[PlzGiveMe]

Originally Posted by Shrewsburried

I grew up in the north side of Shrewsbury, and while I think it's full of incredibly stable/safe neighborhoods, I would NEVER commute to into Boston from Shrewsbury as there really is no direct route. Doable? Sure.

What part of Boston is your husband commuting to? (i.e., financial district, Cambridge, Seaport, Longwood etc.)

If your willing to settle for less sq/ft and pay higher taxes, Acton provides better access and equal or better schools.

My husband works at Longwood and the traffic is getting really worse recently due to the bridge repair project. It sounds like Acton is somewhere we can look into, thanks.

[wistagirl]

Are you commuting by train? Parts of Shrewsbury are very close to the Westborough commuter rail station

[Shrewsburried]

Originally Posted by wistagirl

Are you commuting by train? Parts of Shrewsbury are very close to the Westborough commuter rail station

Yes, but it's a miserable train commute as one has to backtrack via the green line to Longwood. The commute rail trips become far less desirable if your employer isn't near your commuter lines hub (North/South Station).

-Zach