researching schools: Concord, Sudbury, Lexington, Carlisle, Wayland, Winchester (Boston, Cambridge: low income, fit in)

[MikePRU]

Originally Posted by mom2ak

towns we are looking at: Concord, Carlisle, Bedford, Sudbury - primary areas we like and then Winchester - I hear it is beautiful but know nothing about it.

These are all great towns that have a lot of appeal. The one thing to consider is that a lot of towns known for having large lots often lack a town center, shopping/dining options, and also good commuting options into Boston. Bedford is the one town on the list that I would say is not quite on the same level as the rest of the list.

Originally Posted by mom2ak

Budget for house: we would like to stay under $2.2M.

This budget opens up a lot of options. Considering your commute, I personally would buy in Lexington if I were in your shoes. At this price point, you should be able to get a house with at least 3/4 acre if not a full acre. The house itself should be around 5,000 sf and new or completely renovated. The town itself is great with a wonderful town center and if you're going to be NW of the city for your commute to Burlington/Woburn then Lexington makes a lot of sense.

Winchester is a nice choice too and is closer to Boston than Lexington. Personally, Lexington has more appeal to me but you may have a different opinion. Can't go wrong with either really.

Originally Posted by mom2ak

High school size - we would like something we say around 1500 students. Lexington HS looks BIG at around 2100 students from what I am seeing online.

My feeling on a big school has always been that it's more likely that you'll find a nice big group of friends. Lexington is a highly regarded school system. So, I doubt your son would fall through the cracks.

[gf2020]

Originally Posted by mom2ak

Commute: we are very aware of the horrible traffic at rush hours with 95/128 and 93 or even Rt2. Ideal would be to not have a commute longer than 45 minutes. Work will be in the Burlington-Woburn area.

Budget for house: we would like to stay under $2.2M.

That budget only reinforces my earlier recommendations of Lexington and Winchester. Come on out and visit for yourself and if you can make the move before the end of the school year, all the better.

[mom2ak]

everyone is so helpful - thank you very much!
What is the thread I was reading on here about demographic changes for the state of MA?
40B? Is this something all towns need to be concerned about or only bigger city types?
That thread topic caught my eye.

[mom2ak]

@gf2020 - thank you! Although I am finding there is not to our liking in our criteria seach in Winchester?

How does the H.S. in Winchester compare to say Concord/Carlisle in reputation and what all of you may know in the area?

Thank you -
Jennifer

[CaseyB]

Originally Posted by mom2ak

everyone is so helpful - thank you very much!
What is the thread I was reading on here about demographic changes for the state of MA?
40B? Is this something all towns need to be concerned about or only bigger city types?
That thread topic caught my eye.

It applies to all towns. Per state law a certain percentage of the housing has to be "affordable". It allows developers to ignore the zoning laws as long as the municipality has not met it's percentage.

[Parsec]

Originally Posted by mom2ak

@Parsec - thank you for your input. What is your personal take on Bedford? It seems to be have nice homes, amenities and schools are good.

I am trying to understand what private school (s) to the towns of Bedford, Carlisle, Sudbury and Concord feed into?
Our elementary aged child is currently at an independent, co-ed PK-12 - very well regarded academically and overall private school. It is a wonderful school NOT snobby, although you can have that anywhere but truly not a big snobfest (do NO want). Suggestion on which schools DAY schools private to consider for elementary into middle school or is there one that has K-12?

Curious as to what private schools are noted in these areas and the reputation they have to be very frank.

Carlisle has some really nice homes along with Bedford and Sudbury. I am not sure about Lexington - lots seem a lot smaller from what I can see on realtor.

Please keep the input coming - I am very overwhelmed at the moment trying to absorb lots about the towns and also the schools.

Thank you very much!

I don't know enough about Bedford to comment in detail, but it doesn't have the longstanding reputation or cachet that the other towns on your list have. Many upper middle class families have moved there in the past 10-20 years due to its proximity to all the new office complexes popping up along Rt-128 West and NW of Boston.

Believe it or not, there aren't that many people who send their kids to private schools because the public schools are top notch. Only the top tier private schools perform better than the top public schools here. The one exception I can think of is Lincoln. A very large percentage of families (I've heard as high as 25-30%) send their kids to private school despite having very good public schools.

Lexington does have larger lots than most towns inside Rt-128. They may not be quite 1 acre, but most are around 1/2 to 3/4 acres. This town still gets my vote because with your husband traveling and working so much it would be nice to be very close to the office.

[mom2ak]

@Parsec - thanks!
Lexington - what is the overall vibe in this town?
The biggest worry I have is that the high school is over the top pressure cooker over crazy must succeed academically. Our teen would not do well in that environment (B student yet very athletic, is very outgoing and social though).

Is Lexington friendly? I just want to make sure we do not end up in snob - Tiger mom schools. Please pardon that term, but it is the one I am thinking of at this time.

I fully realize you have these types of people all over. We have them where we are in the Midwest too.

I do feel you can be upper middle class, have all the accessories if you will but when it comes down to it all - I want nice real minded people we can connect with. I would hope for that for our children too.

I hope I am making sense. Thanks!

[GeoffD]

Originally Posted by Parsec

1 acre lots are nonexistent in Winchester. If budget is truly not a concern, OP can find what she's looking for in Lexington for under $2 million. It checks every box and along with Winchester has the shortest commute to Woburn. Of course if she wants to save a buck and still be in a top tier school system, she can find the same type of house in Westford, Sudbury or Wayland for just under $1 million but will have to deal with a 45-60 min rush hour commute and not have the nice walkable downtown that Lexington has.

I used to own a 1 acre lot in Winchester up on the hill above the boat club. There aren't many but they exist. The current owner has expanded my old house to 7,000 square feet.

I agree that Lexington and Winchester are the best options if housing cost isn't a consideration. I'd pick walkable to the town center in Lexington even if I had to go with a 1/4 acre lot. It's a much more vibrant place.

[GeoffD]

Originally Posted by mom2ak

Is Lexington friendly? I just want to make sure we do not end up in snob - Tiger mom schools. Please pardon that term, but it is the one I am thinking of at this time.

The towns you listed are going to be stuffed full of it. When everyone buying in the town for the last 20+ years has been a high income professional, it comes with the territory. If you just bought in town, the snobbery isn't going to be directed at you. People segregate along socioeconomic lines. You're picking towns where even 5%-ers have to make some tradeoffs in house size, lot size, and location to buy into the town. College educated professional couples are going to be very engaged with the school system. It's why people buy into those towns. Most of the children are bright and well prepared so the schools cover much more material than other places possibly could.

[mom2ak]

GeoffD - Thanks so much! Great info.