Medfield, Mass, Barrington RI, or ??? (Boston, Cambridge: houses, school district, college)

[Spiral]

Hello-

My spouse was offered a job in Woonsocket, RI and we are starting our initial search for homes. We are not from the area and wanted to know which area would be the best for us.

The details:

-Parents are early 40's with one apprehensive 4th grader in tow
-Have some experience living in urban areas (Chicago, MPLS, Miami) but have become suburban and enjoy backyard cookouts, walking around the 'hood while being close (within 3hours) to adventurous and interesting places.
-Schools are very important
-Would love some diversity though
-Budget is $400-500K
-Looking ahead, college choice and in-state pricing is preferential so Massachusetts makes sense here for greater potential selection

From our initial search we like what we hear about Medfield and Barrington schools, but aren't sure what to make of the whole RI v Mass thing. Are the schools/quality of life really that disparate or is this some petty geo-psychological warfare stemming from a long standing feud between neighboring states?


Any help and insight would be welcomed and appreciated,

Thanks!

[chicagoliz]

I think you're putting the cart before the horse a bit in terms of the college choice factor. Not so sure UMass is so much better than U.R.I. and you've got quite a bit of time before you even know what kind of college you'll be looking at.

In general, RI is cheaper than MA, but overall the schools are not as good. However, I know that there are some very good districts in RI, I just don't know which ones they are. I'm sure there are others here or in the RI forum who can tell you.

Medfield is a great place with excellent schools. I have friends who live there. (Although in full disclosure, they're moving to the city as soon as their younger kid graduates HS. They moved there when their first child was young and it was in their budget and now they're stuck. But they really like the city, so that's a different issue. It sounds like you're quite happy with suburbia.)

I wonder, though, why go as far as Medfield? I think I'd look in places like Wrentham or Franklin - they're closer to Woonsocket and they will also have more housing in your price range. You're lucky in the sense that if you are looking to commute to Woonsocket, your radius isn't from Boston/Cambridge, and that brings in some more affordable towns.

Some of the key considerations are what your potential commuting needs are and what sorts of things you want in the town you're living in. If you might be commuting to Boston then I understand looking at Medfield. If you can work anywhere or will be working out of the home or not working, then I'd stick with the Woonsocket radius. (Unless you want to be close to Boston or maybe Providence for other reasons.)

As far as diversity, well, in that area there isn't tons of it. But that sweet spot of diversity with good schools and lots of things to do is elusive.

[ECPCVC]

I just looked and it seems Barrington is the #1 school district in RI. It also seems they have pretty nice houses in your budget. Unless you are getting a 2 bed in Medfield I don't think your budget is realistic. I would go with Barrington.

[GeoffD]

Originally Posted by ECPCVC

I just looked and it seems Barrington is the #1 school district in RI. It also seems they have pretty nice houses in your budget. Unless you are getting a 2 bed in Medfield I don't think your budget is realistic. I would go with Barrington.

Usually, East Greenwich and Barrington are #1 and #1A for school systems.

Personally, it would be a no-brainer. Do I come home from work to Medfield and mow the grass? Or do I come home to Barrington or East Greenwich and go sailing?

For Woonsocket, East Greenwich might be easier access via I-295 to 146. Barrington to 146 isn't Boston traffic but those last 3 or 4 miles of I-195 and the couple of miles on I-95N are congested during rush hour.

[CaseyB]

Medfield has great schools but that budget won't work there and it's a little far from Woonsocket.

[massnative71]

I would look in Franklin, Wrentham, Norfolk, also Cumberland and Lincoln, RI. Medfield and Barrington would both be long commutes.

[ECPCVC]

You could also live wherever (that's safe and fits your other criteria) and do private school. With only one child it might work out to less $.

[MMS02760]

Barrington has so much more going for it than Medfield if you do not work in the Boston area. It has the coast, a town beach, and one of the most beautiful bike trails (East Bay Bike Path) in New England. Far more shopping options in its center. Public school system is very good.

I am assuming the commute to Woonsocket is for CVS. The only issue against Barrington might be the commute as the best route would be the highway 195 to 95 to 146 to 99. This path however goes through downtown Providence which would result in potential traffic on the Rte 195 stretch into Providence. There are some alternatives via surface roads to avoid downtown Providence but they add more time so they be a wash.

[G1..]

Franklin would do very nicely.

[Dm84]

If you want good schools you won't really find diversity.