What's your opinion on living in the town of Sharon, MA for a young professional? (Boston: apartment complex, rent)

[qwertyytrewq01943]

I'm currently in my mid twenties and will be moving to Boston by the end of the year for work. I'm looking at places to live and so far I've found the town of sharon appealing. I know most people my age would prefer to live in the city but I kind of like that small town feel since I grew up in one. The nearest MBTA stop to my future workplace is back bay station and according to google maps I can get there in 30-40 mins by train which includes driving to the station and walking to the office which I think I can manage since I commuted an hour to college each way for all 4 years. There's also nice luxury suburban apartment complexes here and around canton which I'm looking at as well within a much more reasonable rent range than downtown boston can offer.

I don't know, what do you think?

[xo_kizzy_xo]

Sharon's a nice, pricey family-oriented town but there's not much going on there AFAIK. That's its major drawback. Back in the Dark Ages my ex's younger brother who was in his early 20s at the time lived there for a spell. He used his apartment as a place to sleep and socialized elsewhere: There were very few people around in his age bracket.

I wouldn't trust the MBTA timetables, especially in inclement weather. The commuter rail, which you'd be taking from Sharon, has the tendency to break down and/or run slower than usual.

[Dm84]

Originally Posted by qwertyytrewq01943

I'm currently in my mid twenties and will be moving to Boston by the end of the year for work. I'm looking at places to live and so far I've found the town of sharon appealing. I know most people my age would prefer to live in the city but I kind of like that small town feel since I grew up in one. The nearest MBTA stop to my future workplace is back bay station and according to google maps I can get there in 30-40 mins by train which includes driving to the station and walking to the office which I think I can manage since I commuted an hour to college each way for all 4 years. There's also nice luxury suburban apartment complexes here and around canton which I'm looking at as well within a much more reasonable rent range than downtown boston can offer.

I don't know, what do you think?

You will be pretty bored as its mostly families with kids. Canton probably has a few more singles but even still you'll find yourself pretty isolated. A car is a must in either place.

[chicagoliz]

If you don't care about doing anything with other people and don't socialize -- that is, if you pretty much want to be all by yourself when you are not working, it will be fine.

If I were a single person moving here from a different area, I wouldn't do it. But that's me. And you are not me.

[missionhill]

If you did live in Sharon you would learn why smaller towns in Massachusetts do not want--and why it is impracticable to build-- Dallas-style housing tracts on unbuilt land. Sharon has lots of open space, including beautiful Massapoag lake, and the notion of covering its landscape with housing estates would put the citizens into NIMBY alert at a moment's notice.

I am not sold on the idea that a young single adult could not find society in a quiet suburban town. The apartment complex living could be very nice. If you get involved in local groups, synagogues/churches, etc., you would meet people. Why not try it; you can always move.

[Dm84]

Originally Posted by missionhill

If you did live in Sharon you would learn why smaller towns in Massachusetts do not want--and why it is impracticable to build-- Dallas-style housing tracts on unbuilt land. Sharon has lots of open space, including beautiful Massapoag lake, and the notion of covering its landscape with housing estates would put the citizens into NIMBY alert at a moment's notice.

I am not sold on the idea that a young single adult could not find society in a quiet suburban town. The apartment complex living could be very nice. If you get involved in local groups, synagogues/churches, etc., you would meet people. Why not try it; you can always move.

It could absolutely work but the apartment complexes aren't really cheap. In fact they're so expensive you could spend the same money for a 1 BR in Brighton and have a much easier day to day routine.

[ndcairngorm]

We lived in Sharon years ago as new empty nesters. Loved, loved, loved the pond there where you can swim to your heart's content and no worries about motorized anythings - not allowed there. There are trails where you can do lots of walking in all weathers, and of course the ambiance is quiet and beautiful. We actually walked from our house every morning and evening to the train, on a trail through the woods. It took 20-30 minutes "door to door."

[Dm84]

Originally Posted by ndcairngorm

We lived in Sharon years ago as new empty nesters. Loved, loved, loved the pond there where you can swim to your heart's content and no worries about motorized anythings - not allowed there. There are trails where you can do lots of walking in all weathers, and of course the ambiance is quiet and beautiful. We actually walked from our house every morning and evening to the train, on a trail through the woods. It took 20-30 minutes "door to door."

Unless you literally live and work next door to the train station there is no way you can commute to Boston in 30 minutes door to door, and even then it would be tough.

[ECPCVC]

What about Norwood? There is a lot more going on, but still a small town feel. Close by train to back bay as well. We used to live along the Franklin line and it was very reliable.

[chicagoliz]

Originally Posted by ECPCVC

What about Norwood? There is a lot more going on, but still a small town feel. Close by train to back bay as well. We used to live along the Franklin line and it was very reliable.

I have a single friend who just moved to Norwood (an apartment complex) and already she's looking to move someplace with more going on. At one point, she had a huge house in the boonies with just her and her dog. She thought she would like it. She didn't.

Especially when you're new in town, most people want to build a social network. If you look at any of the groups on meet up (or just the types of groups that would be on meet up) -- book clubs, social clubs, alumni events, sports groups, dinner groups, etc., they're almost all in the city. So, yes, you can go to the city, but it's a real drag if you do that all the time.

Best to be a loner if you want to live by yourself in the far-out burbs.