best suburbs driving from foxborough (Boston, Franklin: transplants, 2015, new house)

[mcm214]

My husband and I are relocating to Massachusetts early 2015 and are trying to decide on a town. He will be working in foxboro and a short commute (25 minutes max) is our main priority. Most of our friends live in Boston so we'd like to be as close to the city as possible. At the same time we have a 4 month old son and like having a nice space to live in. We are currently in Texas and have a 3500 sf home in a neighborhood in the city. We're looking at medfield, franklin, walpole, dedham, sherborn... we really like homes with neighborhoods where we could take longer walks from right outside the front door. I'd love any insight on the types of communities in these various towns -- where are there more young families and transplants vs not? Thanks so much in advance for help!

[SpringMom3]

What is your budget? Are you looking to stay in a 3500 sq ft home? (updated?)

[mcm214]

Our budget is 750-800k, new ideally and similar SF of around 3500

[CaseyB]

Sherborn and Medfield are most likely out with that budget. A house of that size would be over a million, especially a new house. You could look in Walpole, Franklin, Mansfield, possibly Norfolk.

[495neighbor]

I would look in Walpole. Out of those towns on the list, it is the only one with a real town center. Most of the town, other than the part near Norfolk, is very walkable with sidewalks. Maybe checkout Canton. Maybe Easton.

[SpringMom3]

You can also look in Foxboro itself, although its a 35-40 min drive into the city wo traffic. But that is not further than the towns you mention to the city so i think its within your constraint. the benefit of foxboro aside from being so close to work is you will be near patriot place and not far from the Sharon and Mansfield train stops into the city (depending on where in Foxboro you are.) Although I doubt you will take the commuter rail into the city to visit your friends on the weekends, you will prob just drive on a sat or sunday.

[kingeorge]

Your money will not go as far here in MA. You have two options: got for little bit smaller home in more upscale community with better schools like Needham, Westwood, Medfield, Sherborn or Dover. Or get into much bigger home in decent towns, but not as sought after.

It all depends on your long term goals. All towns suggested are very good contenders but many will not have sidewalks or nice town centers. Needham would offer most walkable lifestyle with easy train ride into Boston.

Good luck.

[CaseyB]

Originally Posted by 495neighbor

I would look in Walpole. Out of those towns on the list, it is the only one with a real town center. Most of the town, other than the part near Norfolk, is very walkable with sidewalks. Maybe checkout Canton. Maybe Easton.

Franklin has a large town center. So does Mansfield.

[traffic_lover]

Remember you'll need to heat that 3500 sq ft crib in winter. Personal taste but I'd slash the sq ft req and buy in the more desirable town/hood

[495neighbor]

Originally Posted by CaseyB

Franklin has a large town center. So does Mansfield.

Isn't Mansfield's town center heavily populated with sports bars? If it is where I am thinking it doesn't seem like a pleasant place to walk with children.