young family relocating to work in Lexington with tiny budget, where to live? (Boston: low income, for sale)

[timberline742]

Lowell has a lot going on now. Decent music scene, nice pubs, good cultural events. Its nothing like 20, even 10 years ago. I'd consider that first. Waltham is good if you can find a place near Moody but that must be tough.

[495neighbor]

Originally Posted by gf2020

Framingham, Hudson, Marlborough, Maynard, Billerica, Chelmsford are all good suggestions. You're looking to rent, you don't need to be worried about schools, these towns will serve you fine for now.

Rents for 2 bedrooms are easily going close to $2,000/month in Framingham and Billerica. Both are close to many major employers.

[johngolf]

Look at Wilmington, Burlington, Woburn. Easy commute to Lexington and less expensive apartments.

[Parsec]

Originally Posted by 495neighbor

Rents for 2 bedrooms are easily going close to $2,000/month in Framingham and Billerica. Both are close to many major employers.

And to think I was renting a 2 bedroom in Newton for $1200/mo (heat included) just 8 years ago. At those ridiculous prices you're better off just buying a 3 bedroom house in those towns for the same monthly cost.

[Dm84]

Originally Posted by Parsec

And to think I was renting a 2 bedroom in Newton for $1200/mo (heat included) just 8 years ago. At those ridiculous prices you're better off just buying a 3 bedroom house in those towns for the same monthly cost.

Sure, if you have $100k+ laying around for a downpayment. Plus the myriad of other costs and hassle involved in home ownership.

[MocDoc]

I'd look in Watertown. Not at apartment complexes but at apartments in two families/multi-family homes. The commute to Lexington isn't bad because you can avoid highways and it meets all the other requirements.

[Parsec]

Originally Posted by Dm84

Sure, if you have $100k+ laying around for a downpayment. Plus the myriad of other costs and hassle involved in home ownership.

No, for the example I provided in my post you only need a $18k downpayment. A 3 bedroom ranch on the north side of Framingham can be had for $350k which results in a monthly mortgage of around $2k/mo for P&I, PMI and escrows. Yes, maintenance is another cost I didn't include but you also get 3 bedrooms and a yard vs. a 2 bedroom apartment. Not that this applies to the OP. I was just replying to another post about the $2k rent in Framingham.

[JoeTurcoHomeSelling]

Originally Posted by Dm84

Chasing your dreams is practical advice when you're single in your early 20's, not married with a child.

It's more than a little tough and if their housing budget is so tight what about everything else they need?

Who are we to judge what is practical for the posters family's situation ? We don't know anything about their savings, lifestyle, family needs ex ex. All we can do is give responses about questions asked.

Personally, I try to be positive and encouraging. People fail and prosper ever single day by their choices.

[charolastra00]

Originally Posted by Parsec

And to think I was renting a 2 bedroom in Newton for $1200/mo (heat included) just 8 years ago. At those ridiculous prices you're better off just buying a 3 bedroom house in those towns for the same monthly cost.

4 years ago, I was in a HUGE 3 bedroom (and really could have been 4 - there was a 2nd living room that would have made a great 4th bedroom if we added a door) side by side 2 family with a deck and yard in Waltham for $1800 a month. The same apartment is on the rental market now for $3000 a month. I had planned to move back to Waltham by the end of the year, but even dinky 1 bedrooms that used to go for under $1000 have skyrocketed, so I'm stuck living with roommates indefinitely.

I don't know that you could really find many 1 bedrooms in Newton for $1200 now. 5 years ago, it wasn't hard to find a 2 bedroom away from the T!

[CaseyB]

Originally Posted by JoeTurcoHomeSelling

Who are we to judge what is practical for the posters family's situation ? We don't know anything about their savings, lifestyle, family needs ex ex. All we can do is give responses about questions asked.

Personally, I try to be positive and encouraging. People fail and prosper ever single day by their choices.

Yes, but you really can't always do what you want when you have a child. The child has to come first.

I don't think the posters on this forum are overly negative, just trying to be realistic for the most part. If there's a solution, someone will find it.