Possible job in Brockton, what nice towns are nearby? (Plymouth: for rent, daycare)

[ferbstoesser]

Thank you! We are looking at Dartmouth now. New Bedford looks pretty and historical from pictures I have seen, but would it also be a good option? I noticed rents there are fairly inexpensive.

[massnative71]

Originally Posted by ferbstoesser

Thank you! We are looking at Dartmouth now. New Bedford looks pretty and historical from pictures I have seen, but would it also be a good option? I noticed rents there are fairly inexpensive.

They are inexpensive for a very good reason.

[Shutout]

I think Mansfield would be a decent choice and is much closer to Brockton than Dartmouth. Dartmouth to Brockton is 50 minutes to and hour.'

There's Mansfield Crossing as a shopping center: http://www.mansfieldcrossing.com/directory/ and of course more restaurants and shopping options nearby.

There's no college in the town but one in Norton and Easton. (Both are small private one's though.)

Mansfield Library: http://www.mansfieldlibraryma.com/

Hiking Paths and such: http://www.mansfieldma.com/html/conservation_areas.html

There are farmer's markets, too. So I think it would be more ideal than Dartmouth, minus maybe the "culture".

[lrfox]

Originally Posted by ferbstoesser

Thank you! We are looking at Dartmouth now. New Bedford looks pretty and historical from pictures I have seen, but would it also be a good option? I noticed rents there are fairly inexpensive.

Downtown New Bedford is nice to visit and grab a bite to eat, but it's an economically depressed city with low educational attainment, higher crime, and living there can be sort of depressing. You're much better off sticking to the towns outside of the city. I still really like New Bedford, but after looking at properties there and spending more time outside of the downtown area (which is nice but small), I reconsidered living there. I certainly wouldn't recommend it.

[lrfox]

Originally Posted by Shutout

I think Mansfield would be a decent choice and is much closer to Brockton than Dartmouth. Dartmouth to Brockton is 50 minutes to and hour.'.

Mansfield's great, no argument there. But an hour is a real stretch to Brockton from Dartmouth. Maybe during rush hour and a snowstorm. I drove from Dartmouth to Quincy Adams every week day for over a year at rush hour and it took me 50 minutes to an hour to get there. Brockton was 35 minutes or so (exit 17) for me. Another 10ish to downtown. I'd bank on 45. If the OP is working somewhere closer to Route 24 (like the VA, or Good Samaritan MC- two of the biggest employers in town), it'll be less. If the OP is working in the city center or beyond (like Massasoit or Brockton Hospital, it'll be around that or a little more).

[David223]

Look into Easton.

[jimmy s1963]

Your best choice is Brockton!! Stop at Gerry's Farm for fresh produce......hike on the Audobon Trail....enjoy a baseball game at night.......and live in a palace on the West Side for no more than 500K!

[ferbstoesser]

Hello, we have a likely job in Brockton, MA. We don't want a horrible commute, but heard bad things about Brockton. I would like to live in a coastal area with cute shops, nice places to go for walks, coffee shops, etc. if possible. We will also need the lowest rent possible as his starting salary may be fairly low. Any advice would be great! We really liked Dartmouth but it looks like it will be too far. We have a small dog and it would be very important to have places to walk. Thanks!!

[gf2020]

Coastal area and low rent don't usually go together. What is your actual budget?

[johngolf]

I had family in Mansfield MA (while I as living in Andover, MA) and while not spending that much time there, the place impressed me.