Weston or Wellesley? (Boston, Cambridge, Newton: new home, construction, school)

[SalamanderSmile]

Weston is far more rural. The town center is just where two roads cross, like Lincoln. I don't think there is a sidewalked neighborhood in Weston. Wellesley is like an actual place with neighborhoods, train service, shops, etc. I would choose a smaller lot in Wellesley over Weston. I like to have a chance to meet my neighbors and have a neighborhood and that doesn't happen in Weston. OTOH traffic in Wellesley will be worse since people actually come there for shopping, train, services, etc. If you are considering Weston you may also like Wayland or Lincoln; and Needham is a lite version of Wellesley with much less stuff but also less traffic while having sidewalks and neighborhoods.

[MikePRU]

Originally Posted by SalamanderSmile

Weston is far more rural. The town center is just where two roads cross, like Lincoln. I don't think there is a sidewalked neighborhood in Weston. Wellesley is like an actual place with neighborhoods, train service, shops, etc. I would choose a smaller lot in Wellesley over Weston. I like to have a chance to meet my neighbors and have a neighborhood and that doesn't happen in Weston. OTOH traffic in Wellesley will be worse since people actually come there for shopping, train, services, etc. If you are considering Weston you may also like Wayland or Lincoln; and Needham is a lite version of Wellesley with much less stuff but also less traffic while having sidewalks and neighborhoods.

Your post reminds me a funny story . . .

One of my very first clients when I became a real estate agent years ago wanted to live in a place where they could have some privacy. So, naturally I suggest towns with larger lots like Wayland, Weston, and Sudbury. One day we went to see a house in Weston and on the way there we passed through Weston Center. I said to them "so this is Weston Center" as we drove through. When we were looking at the house the listing agent said to my clients "the house is really close to Weston Center which is great. If Michael hasn't taken you through there you should ask him to do so." My clients both looked at me and said "yes. That would be great. Can you take us through there on our way to the next house?" I was pretty befuddled because I knew not only had I taken them through the center of town but I also pointed that out to them. So on the way to the next house I intentionally drove through Weston Center and again I said "so this is Weston Center" and my clients shouted "it is? We thought you were kidding when you said that the first time!"

I think this story just illustrates really well how underdeveloped Weston Center is. These clients ended up in Sudbury but for them schools were not an issue, commuting was not a big deal, and their budget was a better fit for Sudbury.

[Parsec]

Originally Posted by MikePRU

Your post reminds me a funny story . . .

One of my very first clients when I became a real estate agent years ago wanted to live in a place where they could have some privacy. So, naturally I suggest towns with larger lots like Wayland, Weston, and Sudbury. One day we went to see a house in Weston and on the way there we passed through Weston Center. I said to them "so this is Weston Center" as we drove through. When we were looking at the house the listing agent said to my clients "the house is really close to Weston Center which is great. If Michael hasn't taken you through there you should ask him to do so." My clients both looked at me and said "yes. That would be great. Can you take us through there on our way to the next house?" I was pretty befuddled because I knew not only had I taken them through the center of town but I also pointed that out to them. So on the way to the next house I intentionally drove through Weston Center and again I said "so this is Weston Center" and my clients shouted "it is? We thought you were kidding when you said that the first time!"

I think this story just illustrates really well how underdeveloped Weston Center is. These clients ended up in Sudbury but for them schools were not an issue, commuting was not a big deal, and their budget was a better fit for Sudbury.

HAHA. I don't think Weston Center is THAT bad, it does have a few more shops than Lincoln does. =p Also if commuting and schools are not an issue, wouldn't East Marlborough by the Wayside Inn have been a better choice? That's where Sudbury empty nesters move to once their youngest kid graduates from high school (assuming they prefer the bucolic atmosphere). I sure as hell don't want to keep paying these insane property taxes once my kids go off to college!

[495neighbor]

Originally Posted by Parsec

HAHA. I don't think Weston Center is THAT bad, it does have a few more shops than Lincoln does. =p Also if commuting and schools are not an issue, wouldn't East Marlborough by the Wayside Inn have been a better choice? That's where Sudbury empty nesters move to once their youngest kid graduates from high school (assuming they prefer the bucolic atmosphere). I sure as hell don't want to keep paying these insane property taxes once my kids go off to college!

True, Weston Center is compact but at least has a bit of everything, even a grocery store tucked away.

Those three Weston train stops do seem to be a waste. When I am taking the Fitchburg line from Acton, the platforms on those stops are often empty. Since the three stops are not very walkable to or from anyplace and have limited parking, I wish the commuter rail would eliminate those stops and just increase parking at Lincoln or Waltham. Or perhaps have the 7:08 train stop one or two places between Acton and Belmont.

[MikePRU]

Originally Posted by Parsec

HAHA. I don't think Weston Center is THAT bad, it does have a few more shops than Lincoln does. =p Also if commuting and schools are not an issue, wouldn't East Marlborough by the Wayside Inn have been a better choice? That's where Sudbury empty nesters move to once their youngest kid graduates from high school (assuming they prefer the bucolic atmosphere). I sure as hell don't want to keep paying these insane property taxes once my kids go off to college!

They weren't downsizing. They just didn't have any kids. They wanted a pretty good size house and when we discussed locations they wanted to be somewhere that would be considered a pretty desirable town for resale purposes. IIRC, they ended up spending about $1.1M and within the first year they gutted the kitchen which was probably 15-20 years old. They spent $50K on the cabinets alone and installed dual Sub Zeros. They also loved that a bunch of little girls brought them cookies the day they moved in. I try to keep in touch with all of my clients and they're incredibly happy living there.

[audemars]

We've now been in Weston for two years and love it. My wife and I have lived all over and this is hands down the friendliest town either of us have encountered. People go out of their way to be helpful and given the smaller population size than Wellesley (~11k), you're seldom more than one degree of separation from most residents. The larger lot sizes do offer privacy and I believe make folks a bit more tolerant of each other. You don't hear someone's tv or stereo when they live 300 yards away.

My wife was concerned when we first moved here about the challenge of meeting people, but like anyplace, it's what you make of it, whether you live on 0.25 or 2 acres. Our neighborhood is fairly large and yet most people socialize fairly frequently, meet up for walks and stop to chat while driving by or walking the dog. Sidewalks aren't necessary when you live on seldom traveled roads. The WCCA is the local parents' organization and most everyone with kids belongs. They have regular events for each age group, along with Moms' Nights In and the annual Father/Child camping night. This has been a fantastic way to meet people, and we recently marveled how many people we've come to know in such a short time.

The folks I've met here are down to earth and more cooperative than competitive. The massive success of some folks does keep a lid on things - there's no keeping up with the Joneses when the Joneses own the Celtics. That would make someone flaunting a car or house look pretty silly in comparison, and it's oddly freeing and puts the focus back where it belongs - on family and enjoying life rather than on who owns what. Good luck with your move.

[Parsec]

Originally Posted by audemars

We've now been in Weston for two years and love it. My wife and I have lived all over and this is hands down the friendliest town either of us have encountered. People go out of their way to be helpful and given the smaller population size than Wellesley (~11k), you're seldom more than one degree of separation from most residents. The larger lot sizes do offer privacy and I believe make folks a bit more tolerant of each other. You don't hear someone's tv or stereo when they live 300 yards away.

My wife was concerned when we first moved here about the challenge of meeting people, but like anyplace, it's what you make of it, whether you live on 0.25 or 2 acres. Our neighborhood is fairly large and yet most people socialize fairly frequently, meet up for walks and stop to chat while driving by or walking the dog. Sidewalks aren't necessary when you live on seldom traveled roads. The WCCA is the local parents' organization and most everyone with kids belongs. They have regular events for each age group, along with Moms' Nights In and the annual Father/Child camping night. This has been a fantastic way to meet people, and we recently marveled how many people we've come to know in such a short time.

The folks I've met here are down to earth and more cooperative than competitive. The massive success of some folks does keep a lid on things - there's no keeping up with the Joneses when the Joneses own the Celtics. That would make someone flaunting a car or house look pretty silly in comparison, and it's oddly freeing and puts the focus back where it belongs - on family and enjoying life rather than on who owns what. Good luck with your move.

Did Jim Pallotta ever finish building that 30,000 sf mansion? I thought it was under construction forever.

[johngolf]

MikePru

I did like the Needham is Wellesley Lite remark. Is Lincoln, Weston Lite.......LOL

I always thought the Wellesley girls were hotter then the St. Regis girls and at least in Wellesley there were place to go to meet them. At St. Regis, one had to work the campus and them nuns would stop you.....LOL

[MikePRU]

Originally Posted by Parsec

Did Jim Pallotta ever finish building that 30,000 sf mansion? I thought it was under construction forever.

Do you mean The House that Ate Weston? Here are a few photos of it from Boston.com:

Details of the Pallotta's Weston mansion - Boston.com

I think people like that are never quite "done" building their house. They're always renovating/updating something.

[coops509]

Wow! I can not thank you all enough for your help and advice. This has been a very hard decision for me. i am reading all your comments and thinking them all over. Thank you for your time and please keep the comments and advice coming! Enjoy the weekend!