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I know of someone that moved away after couple of years in Chelmsford school system because they felt that extracurricular activities were not very good, and that general atmosphere was very into NE sports. There was very little enrichment opportunities through schools, and parents seemed disinterested in shaking things up for various reasons. This was 5-6 years ago, so it might have changed.
Family moved to higher preforming school district, and never regretted it.
Something to consider. In this area excellent schools will carry you through any downturn or recession much better, than bigger, better house in town with not as well regarded schools. Chelmsford is not ranked very high, more middle of the pack, where e.g. Westford or Acton stand much better, and are therefore lot more sought after.
Acton would be my first choice since it is developing into very family friendly town, with lots to do and good shopping. Home prices are very reasonable for services and school quality it offers.
Check Discovery Museum, or NARA park. It even offers train into Cambridge and North Station in Boston should employment change suddenly.
We were also considering Chelmsford. In a nutshell I'd say its a great working class, family oriented town. We nixed Westford as we felt we'd have trouble "keeping up with the Jones's." Its has plenty of outdoor space and seems to be attracting active families, like us.
What confuses you about the schools?
I wouldn't define Chelmsford as a working class town. North Chelmsford is a bit working class. Most of Chelmsford has everything from nicely preserved historic buildings in the town center to working farms to scenic forested streets near Great Brook Farms to post World War II. neighborhood with ball parks to palatial homes near the Westford border.
The town center was a little empty when Marshalls and Stop & Shop left the shopping area in the town center. The space is now renovated with new businesses and a new Japanese restaurant. (I was in the center today.) There is also a new Brazilian restaurant coming off the center.
It is a good mix of middle class people from all walks of life, a true suburb as most of us know it.
Westford has a Chipotle. It does not have a Qdoba.
The restaurant scene in Westford is so-so. Better choices in Chelmsford in my opinion.
One of the best hidden gems in Westford is the restaurant and lounge attached to Nashoba ski area. This is also the site of many festivals including a large Halloween haunted house in the fall and the popular Blues & Brews event.
Yep. Westford's restaurant situation is pretty limited. Chelmsford and Lowell have more interesting restaurants. That said, the restaurant at the ski hill is fun, for the views out the windows and the fireplace in the winter. Belle's Bistro is very good, as is the new Korean restaurant where the Westford Grille used to be. There are a couple of new restaurants in the new mall which are OK: Burton's (smaller chain) and Evviva Cucina. The food is decent, but they are crowded and noisy. BBC is awful, IMO.
A couple of other corrections to a previous post. Westford is no longer rural, definitely suburban. That intersection where the new Market Basket is is NOT Westford Center. It is Minot's Corner. Westford Center is where Main St, Depot St, Graniteville Rd and Boston Rd come together and it is a very pretty, traditional, New England town center, nothing like that horror show where 110/Boston/Carlisle come together at Minot's, where the retail is.
Start with westford. If it's too rural for you, go to chelmsford. If that's too rural, you'll need to lower your school expectations i.e. head to lowell/nahua/Hudson/framingham
The developed part of Westford is not rural. It's one of the fastest growing communities with malls, etc in eastern Mass.
^^it's a matter of perspective. Someone from NYC could perceive parts of westford as rural. Someone from Northern Maine might find it urban. My post was not labeling westford as "rural." BTW congratulations on all your expanding strip malls Haha
Westford is exurban in parts, suburban in others. It is not rural. There are no longer any working farms or agriculturally related businesses so not rural.
Hmmm. Very interesting. Lots to ponder. Thank you everyone for all the insight.
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