Relocating - Need Town Recommendation

[West-Bost-West]

Fitchburg Line without question. Transfer at Porter. Minimize the pain. Find an area with low development and stringent, well-established, low-density zoning regulations. Get as far from the townies as possible.

This didn’t work for us so we’re moving to Bedford-Katonah. mwj119 is creating a stawman for me to defend (except perhaps the ubiquity of chain eateries in this state): based on cost of living, I’ve contrasted Boston to NYC and thus “Metro-West” to Westchester and they’re incomparable. My train ride into the city might be longer, but there are 3x as many trains, it’s 3x as reliable, and at least when I get there I have a sense of being in an actual place.

[MrLinderman]

Originally Posted by West-Bost-West

Yes. Because you have to risk your life driving among belligerent/homicidal motorists to Braintree or East Braintree stations and then - as you suggest - switch to the Red Line at JFK, you're better off living in a decent town farther away, using that town's train station and reading a book while you give yourself heart disease. Put another way, a slightly shorter train commute for you does not absolve BraWey (as it's lovingly called) of the miserable quality of life your family stuck there will endure.

Your options are essentially this: find a decent, affordable community (with a village center) as far away as you can get from Boston while still working from an office there, and raise a decent family.. but you'll never see them. Or, look for the shortest commute you can find and hope the dumpy town you just invested in somehow does a 180 against 300 years of bad decisions and raise an unhappy, irritable family.. but you have to live with them.

If by "homicidal motorists" you mean old ladies driving too slow or parents driving kids to school then you're spot on.

You're about as delusional as the guy who thinks Brockton is paradise.

[mwj119]

Originally Posted by West-Bost-West

Fitchburg Line without question. Transfer at Porter. Minimize the pain. Find an area with low development and stringent, well-established, low-density zoning regulations. Get as far from the townies as possible.

This didn’t work for us so we’re moving to Bedford-Katonah. mwj119 is creating a stawman for me to defend (except perhaps the ubiquity of chain eateries in this state): based on cost of living, I’ve contrasted Boston to NYC and thus “Metro-West” to Westchester and they’re incomparable. My train ride into the city might be longer, but there are 3x as many trains, it’s 3x as reliable, and at least when I get there I have a sense of being in an actual place.

Regardless of our disagreements, and what I believe to be completely false and baseless claims on your behalf about the area..

I was just poking around, and Bedford-Katonah does look very nice. Katonah seems to have an expansive yet charming downtown with the train built right in. Congrats, and I hope it does work for your situation better.

[tysmith95]

Originally Posted by West-Bost-West

Fitchburg Line without question. Transfer at Porter. Minimize the pain. Find an area with low development and stringent, well-established, low-density zoning regulations. Get as far from the townies as possible.

That costs lots of $$$$ or has a long commute (talking about the low density).

[beachangel]

I'm a realtor and I can tell you by your description of what you want, and you're budget , there are many many options. The closer to Boston, the higher the price and less of a house you will get. Check into Holliston, Westborough, Acton, or even Braintree, Marshfield areas.
You are going to need to come to Massachusetts and spend the weekend just driving around.
Personally I would stay away from heading up toward North shore, I hear the traffic is bad. Someone else mentioned Franklin,its a nice area.
Honestly, its a great state with many choices that may meet your requirements.
Best of luck and Welcome!!

[tysmith95]

Originally Posted by beachangel

I'm a realtor and I can tell you by your description of what you want, and you're budget , there are many many options. The closer to Boston, the higher the price and less of a house you will get. Check into Holliston, Westborough, Acton, or even Braintree, Marshfield areas.
You are going to need to come to Massachusetts and spend the weekend just driving around.
Personally I would stay away from heading up toward North shore, I hear the traffic is bad. Someone else mentioned Franklin,its a nice area.
Honestly, its a great state with many choices that may meet your requirements.
Best of luck and Welcome!!

Honestly if you're driving the traffic is worse on the south shore then anywhere else.

[sal1181]

Agreed traffic on the South Shore is always horrendous no matter the time and day.

[mwj119]

Originally Posted by tysmith95

honestly if you're driving the traffic is worse on the south shore then anywhere else.

+1