Family of 4 looking for the best suburb (schools, vibrant community) we can find/afford near the city (Boston: real estate, how much)

[sal1181]

Andover would be a good choice. The commuter rail stops in Andover and you can find a decent home for $500k.

[G-fused]

Well, I haven’t looked at prices for a while but you may (and I stress “may”) find something in Newton Highlands or some other neighborhood in Newton (town house I mean) that is a 3 bed.

Like I said, you’ll have to compromise somewhere, with some things (and maybe a combination of compromises). Either a lesser sized home, a lesser school system, a further commute, an area that is not as walkable, or an area that isn’t here. I personally believe that Boston, and many places in the greater Boston area is a great place to raise kids (which is why I’m here) for many reasons but if you want more, you gotsta pay fo mo...and this place is no different. The more desirable places (for most) are that way for a reason. Mortgage rates are still low, up that budget, get a town home that doesn’t have it all (kids in Brookline and parts of Newton are hardly home after a certain age anyway) in exchange for a good school system and voila...live happily ever after.

If you are moving here to give your kid the growing up in Boston experience, then you’ll have to live close enough for him/her to have access to that experience. Otherwise, Jr. will be raised in the burbs and it’ll be a similar experience as many other burbs but with a much higher price tag. Why do that? Only if you have family here that’ll help raise the kids or some other like reason. But hey, that’s just my .02.

Best of luck with whatever you decide.

[G-fused]

Originally Posted by marria77

I appreciate it. That is what I am worried about. I mean I know suburbs like Raynham and Bridgewater and other are in my price point, even below it...but that isn't what I am after.

Do you think my biggest problem is the schools or proximity to Boston? If I went a little further out- could I find great schools in a not too cookie cutter suburb in my price point?

I think it's more the schools rather than proximity to Boston. There are areas that are close to Boston Proper like Hyde Park and some others where you may come close to your price point but they are not as convenient, a little less safe, and the schools are not nearly as good as others that are just as close or even father from Boston Proper.

Sharon may have something around the price range. But it's not a walkable place, not cookie cutter either though. It is somewhat rural. Has a community beach (at a lake, not the ocean) and nice parks. But the parks aren't used nearly as much as other areas. Big thing about Sharon is the schools. They are fantastic. And very surprisingly, the town is pretty racially diverse. The amount you can spend won't get you much, but it may get you something. Sharon has a commuter rail stop.

Maybe if you list your items by priority we can help more? Like is the house/space take precedent over the school system?

[timberline742]

Originally Posted by marria77

Do you think my biggest problem is the schools or proximity to Boston? If I went a little further out- could I find great schools in a not too cookie cutter suburb in my price point?

Schools. They're here. They're expensive. If you want great schools, you'll need to compromise on distance and house, likely both.

[traffic_lover]

Search natick, walpole, foxborough, mansfield?
Factor 1a & 1b re: housing price is Boston proximity & schools. (Factor 2 perhaps being lot size)
It sounds like schools would be priority 1 for you. So living inside 128 probably ain't hapnin.
Ppl aren't being mean when they demand to know job location. The abysmal public transit & commuter traffic is a recurring theme on this board.
If you're not tied to Boston why not look at portsmouth, nh? Or mystic, CT? Awesome locations/communities where $$ goes further

[marria77]

Thank you so much everyone. This is incredibly helpful and you guys are really hitting the important points and being straight forward- which is fantastic. Really thank you times one million.

My priorities are:
1st. Schools are my number one. I went to decent Mass schools but really want to find higher level schools for him. Really the highest I can afford and more than average/improving. Know what I mean? On that note- in your opinion, city data posters, are the great school ratings accurate?
2nd 3 bedroom is a deal-breaker (I gotta get out of this 2 bedroom) and some space for a play room
3rd As non-cookie cutter as I can afford. I know I can't get the Lexington/Concord downtown charm...but I just want to see if I can avoid the nothing but big box store and chain restaurants of my youth (Raynham).
4th Commute. I know that I can't do anything like the Raynham to Boston commute I did for years but am definitely willing to compromise as long as it is not that bad

I guess I am having sticker shock because 500k feels like SO much money but I have to accept that it is all relative.

I actually love Portsmouth and Exeter, NH. We are considering the NH seacoast as well...but wanting to see if we can make Boston suburbs work because career opportunities would be better for us, I know.

Thank you again

[ashcav]

Some suggestions based on a quick search of listings: Milton, Quincy, Dedham, Medford, Melrose.

[495neighbor]

Melrose, Beverly for a starter list. They are both places ≤ 500k. Both have distinct personality and would be commutable to Boston.

If you'd prefer to be closer to family on the south shore, Walpole and Holliston.

Generally speaking, few of the Boston suburbs are entirely cookie cutter. Some are quieter than others, but few are identical to one another.

[jan0105]

Would you do South Shore or do you want something different from where you grew up? With some patience you could find a three bedroom for $500,000 in the Hingham/norwell/scituate/hanover area.

[alidmc]

You cannot go by the great schools ratings. There are some very highly ranked schools that are 5s and even 6s on great schools. I was surprised to find that.
The best way to weed out great schools is to look at test scores (kind of hard to do in 2015 since not every school took MCAS) and do your research on the towns you have narrowed your search to. I know there are threads on this forum that list the top 10 and top 20 school districts, but also visit the Web sites. Will you require before or after school care (you need to know if the school offers it)? The School Committee meeting agendas and minutes are on the town Web site, so you can get a feel for what the issues are.
As for suggestions of towns with great schools, houses in your price range and proximity to Boston, you could look into Natick, Andover, Swampscott, North Reading, Reading and Milton. Melrose may work as well.