Point between Lowell, MA and Providence, RI (Shrewsbury, Franklin: houses, neighborhood)

[Zorry]

I have been looking for a home for awhile. Found this website and would love some input.

I work in Lowell, MA and my husband is located in Providence, RI. My situation is two elementary-aged children and an elderly parent. My "musts" are:
1. good school system - I have been using the US News rankings as a first-pass, then look at detail posted by the city and Great Schools. I know USNews is HS, but I needed a place to start. My kids currently attend private school but I cannot sustain that.
2. Approx 1 hour from Providence, RI and 30-40 minutes from Lowell, MA
3. good place to raise kids - I want to live in a neighborhood. For example I love Bolton, but the houses I can afford are not "neighborhood"
4. My budget is 350k (it seemed so reasonable when I started...)

I have been looking at Maynard, Lancaster, Bolton, Berlin, and Ashland.
Maynard seems nice, but high tax rate.
Just realized Ashland has a superfund site!

I would appreciate any input about the towns I am looking and any other towns you can suggest.

Thank you!
Z

[johngolf]

You seem to be looking closer to Lowell then Providence. I would advise you look at towns off of I495. Some recently mentioned were Hopkinton, Milford, Franklin, Bellingham.

[gf2020]

$350K is about $100K short.

[Shrewsburried]

Originally Posted by gf2020

$350K is about $100K short.

Lancaster is doable at that price point, however, there's no way Providence is a 60 minute commute from there during peak hours. I currently live nearby and a trip to north Providence/Pawtucket is right about 60 minutes during weekend nights (if speed limits are generally followed) ... certainly not a trip I'd care to do daily.

[wxjay]

Hopkinton or Milford would be my suggestions.

[Shrewsburried]

Originally Posted by wxjay

Hopkinton or Milford would be my suggestions.

I agree; however, neither really align with the OPs constraints. Hopkinton exceeds their price point and Milford lacks a strong school system.

Boylston or Shrewsbury might be more realistic in terms of price point, but again, options will be limited to smaller capes/ranches. From Shrewsbury, one can commute to Lowell in approx. 35-40 minutes via 290/495 and Providence in 60-75 minutes (via 290/146 or 290/495/95).

IMO, I would recommend OP buys as far south as possible on 495 as her budget allows (Medway, Hopkinton, Franklin, etc.). Traffic flow on 495 between Lowell and Franklin is generally good (60mph+) so for her husband sake, it makes sense to increase the mileage from Lowell in an effort to ease the RI commute.

If her husband can deal with 146's traffic lights, OP can also consider towns like Holden or Sterling. Both have excellent schools and, unlike the other towns mentioned, offer her plenty of buying power @ $350K. The commute to Lowell would certainly be a bit more tedious, but still within 45 minutes. Providence is 60 -75 minutes depending on traffic.