Young family from Boston to 'burbs (Cambridge, Quincy: how much, home, transfer)

[Linky2013]

Hello,
I'm in a suburban pickle!
Some background I've been living in boston / ashmont line all my life. Went to Latin, went to college in Boston. Grandpa lives down the street and watches our toddler, and family lives in seaport and Quincy.
Right now we own SFH and take train to work.

However, life's throwing us a curveball.

My husband's work has transferred from downtown Boston to Southborough end of year and I may be heading to new job in Marlborough. I have been working in Cambridge.

Do we stay and commute or move to the 'Burbs?


Our wish list :
Newer home priced low 400k max
At least 2-3 BR
Good schools since we have a toddler
Close to highways or 30 mins or so to Boston since we will miss Grandpa and spend weekends with him
Not wanting like an acre of land, manageable yard for kids to play
Near parks or lake or nice playground

So far, we have looked into Hopkinton since it would be closer to Marlborough. But I'm reading Southborough has less taxes..
Are there better parts of Hopkinton if we can't find a newer home? How does the elementary school system work is it by lottery ?

Thanks.. We've been going back and forth on this.

[SalamanderSmile]

How long do you plan to be in these jobs? Most people these days change jobs every three years. What is the liklihood of both of your next jobs being in the far suburbs? I would stay in the city, you already have what everybody else wants. Maybe look for new jobs. See how the reverse commute goes when the jobs start, enjoy watching everyone else stuck in traffic going the other way- now imagine youself doing that in three or four years when you change jobs. Then decide.

[johngolf]

Linky

I would commute to the new jobs for at least 6 months before I made a decision to relocate.

[BostonMike7]

I voted to leave the city. Boston is great when young and child-free but as you get older, the suburbs may be more appealing for some to raise a family.

I've been in Boston all my life and couldn't wait to get out.

[semiurbanite]

Ask yourself how much you take advantage of the city, and how much will you when you have kids? Do you drive everywhere today or do you walk/bike/T? Did you value the diversity you experienced in school?

I live in Somerville with kids, I think the kids are better off here than in the suburbs for many reasons, it would kill me to move further out because we have created a life that rarely requires driving and we walk or bike to almost everything. We live in a very close and friendly neighborhood that I think is harder to find in the bedroom communities of the suburbs.

SalamanderSmile made a good point, if you switch jobs again you are more likely to be in or closer to the city. Most people I know that moved to the suburbs have regrets, but they think they had to do it for the kids, which I couldn't disagree with more. That said, some people in my neighborhood do not take advantage of anything that the city has to offer and would probably be fine in the suburbs.

[missionhill]

My sense is this is a tradeoff between family connection and support and economic needs. It's a tough one because relocating for the convenience of jobs leaves the OP much more isolated from family but staying in the family 'nest' makes the work trips untenable.

[495neighbor]

I voted for Hopkinton. Southborough is very spread out. I think this would be a bigger adjustment than Hopkinton, coming from the city. Hopkinton has the pretty State Forest and town center. Also if I were you I would consider splitting the distance between family and jobs and also look in Holliston, Walpole, Dedham, Natick.

[Linky2013]

Originally Posted by SalamanderSmile

How long do you plan to be in these jobs? Most people these days change jobs every three years. What is the liklihood of both of your next jobs being in the far suburbs? I would stay in the city, you already have what everybody else wants. Maybe look for new jobs. See how the reverse commute goes when the jobs start, enjoy watching everyone else stuck in traffic going the other way- now imagine yourself doing that in three or four years when you change jobs. Then decide.

You ask great questions! The industry that I work in is pretty flexible so I could move around if I wanted to, but I definitely prefer to plant my roots somewhere for quite a while. Unfortunately I've switched jobs every 3-4 years b/c management was a bit unbearable (I know.. you see this everywhere). But, I am hopeful this new company's culture is better; the folks seems more reasonable/ have it together - it's a smaller department and I think I can move up or have that possibility.

But you are right - I will try to commute first. :-) Thanks for your input!!

[Parsec]

Originally Posted by 495neighbor

I voted for Hopkinton. Southborough is very spread out. I think this would be a bigger adjustment than Hopkinton, coming from the city. Hopkinton has the pretty State Forest and town center. Also if I were you I would consider splitting the distance between family and jobs and also look in Holliston, Walpole, Dedham, Natick.

Huh? Hopkinton has twice the land area that Southborough does, with fewer major routes running through town. I get annoyed every time I have to drive through Hopkinton to drop off my kids at camp because it takes forever to get from one side of town to the other. Southborough has a Pike exit and a train station, so it feels more connected to the Boston area. Hopkinton is only convenient to 495, so if feels disconnected from everything. I think both are way out of the OP's price range anyways.

[sawyer2]

Like others have said, I would absolutely commute first to see if you like the job/company, has real prospects etc before I would jump ship