Woburn, Wakefield, Burlington, Beverly? SFH (Boston, Lynn: schools, taxes, live)

[sky8899]

Hi All

I'm looking to move closer to work which is in North Reading. I'm not married and I can drive anywhere so location and schools aren't important. I've been focusing on the following towns.

Woburn, Wakefield, Burlington, Beverly. I don't want to spend more than 500k and I would like to have a garage. Any thoughts/feedback on which towns I should focus on?

[sarahmccoy]

That's a good budget for all of those towns. You can find a really nice single family with a garage for that budget for sure. Feel free to ask me any other specific questions

[gf2020]

Where are you driving from now? Beverly to North Reading is not particularly close. I would add Danvers and Wilmington to your list.

[SalamanderSmile]

As a single person I would want a town with a little bit going on, so I would pick Andover or Wakefield. I would personally choose somewhere between 95 and 93 if ai cared about commute time. If you like to orient toward Boston on the weekends Wakefield would be good.

[rethcir]

Wakefield is a great location. Easy to get to Boston. Close to the hopping Lynnfield market. You have the lake there, and also a small downtown square that is improving.

[BostonMike7]

Need more details. What are you looking for in terms of lot size, amenities, location to things to you like to do, etc etc.


Bev, Wakefield and Burlington tend to be biased a bit towards families. Woburn can be a little bit industrial in areas, and being close to 93 you can get into Boston pretty quick?


Are you an active, get out to a bar type? or a homebody?


I'd research things like utility costs, taxes, etc on each of the towns you are interested in.

[sky8899]

I'm currently commuting from Newton right now and I'm looking at downsizing. It's great proximity to the city and it's wonderful for families.

I'm more of a homebody and like to keep to myself. I'm not huge into the bar scene. I don't mind heading into town when I meet up with friends.

I enjoy the outdoors and I like working on my car(s) in the garage. I do that in Newton right now.

[BostonMike7]

Which one has a vibe you like?


Wakefield has a great town center and the area around the lake is very desirable. Burlington is a bit more spread out. You have the area near the mall, but other than that is can be quiet. Woburn is more industrial with some shopping and officeparks. A little more clustered and congested. Beverly is off in the other direction. Seaside town, good proximity to rockport and Newburyport if you like some nice places to go in the summer. My concern here is the commute from Bev to N Reading might be tough in the AM.


Are those the only towns you are looking at? Which town is top of your list?


I, like you, spent my late 20's preferring to be in the garage working on the car, vs going to a bar.

[sky8899]

I'm open to other towns, it's just that I'm not sure how the towns are as I've lived pretty much my entire life in/around Newton. I think out of those towns, I'm leaning towards Wakefield right now.

[rethcir]

Despite what realtors might tell you, aside from fewer mansions those towns are not so different from Newton, it's only a difference of about 10 miles. It's not like moving to Tokyo.