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Please let me know which town you would choose to live in with a 725k budget given the following parameters:
1. Only need to be in Boston for work 1 or 2 days per week.
2. Excellent Schools are a must
3. Access to stores, shops, etc within a reasonable distance
4. Overall quality of life
I'm going to assume most people will pick Concord given the location, history and bike paths, but its more expensive than the others.
* Note all of these towns were picked because they all appear to have excellent high schools.
Many Thanks-
Last edited by AboveTheIce; 06-06-2018 at 03:00 PM..
I'm not sure I could pick one. My first thought was Concord, because it has a nice downtown and good restaurants, but I don't know what you can get in your price range. Really, any of them should be fine, and they're not far from each other. I'd keep them all on the list, and look at all the homes for sale in your price range in all 4 towns. Then pick the house that you like the best.
I think with your budget and requirements I would pick Carlisle. My grandparents lived in Carlisle near the town center (if you can call it that). You feel like you’re in rural Vermont but are still relatively close to a lot of ammenities.
There's no reason to live in Bedford over Acton or Westford unless there's a daily commute requirement IMO. Smaller, less amenities, less conveniences in town (but close proximity to Burlington is nice), and it has become increasingly more expensive than either.
Concord is simply too expensive, and for those resources/amenities that you enjoy in Concord, you can always shoot into town for them.. The towns on your list all border Cncord anyways. Carlisle is essentially a far reaching neighborhood of Concord.. There's nothing in Carlisle except for beautiful homes and windy roads.
So, with $725k in mind, and with a family, I'm without a doubt going with either Westford or Acton. Having grown up in the Acton area, and now having family in Westford, I have some first hand experience. I'll start by saying that, they're sister towns.. rivals..and quite frequently buyers are actively looking in both. Personally, I prefer Westford. The housing stock is nicer, you'll save ~$5/10 p/sq.ft., and there is more to do in Westford. Multiple power boatable lakes with several town beaches, Westford public swim club, brand new indoor town recreation center called Mill Works, Nashoba Ski Hill, Tiki Bar, Friday night concerts at the Parish on the Common, Apples Blossom Parade, a number of apple orchards, Whole Foods/flagship Market Basket, and a fairly extensive choice of restaurants/eateries along 110 (growing by the minute). And to me, the aesthetics in Westford are simply nicer. The drive from Abbott School through the center to Westford Academy is wonderful.. As are the areas around Hills Orchard, down by Carlisle, etc.
With that budget, you should be able to sneak into some houses in the nicer areas of town. Just googled it, and some of my favorite roads are Woolsack Lane, Randolph Circle, Preservation Way, Baldwin, Priscilla, Chamberlain, Alcorn Crossing, Aldrich, Lakeview, Hutchins Way, Vose Hill, Anne Teresa/Jennifer Dr, Jennie Richards, Steeple Chase, Morning Glory.. All great choices/areas. I will say that Westford has some areas that are not as nice as others. Nabnasset, Forge Village and Graniteville being the ones that come to mind. They were once lake communities/areas, and over the last few decades have become a haven for first time buyers/those looking to get into the schools. You'll end up here quite frequently if you do move to town, though, as much of the water falls within these two areas. Really fun with families, and a GREAT 4th of July show on Nabnassett Lake.
As far as schools, Westford and Acton are generally listed as top 5-10-15 in Massachusetts. People on C-D hate those lists, but I'd assume you subscribed to them to boil it down to this group of towns. For the sociodemographics, I think they're almost identical. I think city data has Westford being a bit more affluent, though both have as many Prius' as BMWs, and neither are loud or in your face at all. And both are at ~20% Asian, and <10% other ethnicities.
DM if you have any questions on Acton/need any more info on Westford! Goodluck!
With that budget, you should be able to sneak into some houses in the nicer areas of town. Just googled it, and some of my favorite roads are Woolsack Lane, Randolph Circle, Preservation Way, Baldwin, Priscilla, Chamberlain, Alcorn Crossing, Aldrich, Lakeview, Hutchins Way, Vose Hill, Anne Teresa/Jennifer Dr, Jennie Richards, Steeple Chase, Morning Glory.. All great choices/areas. Some examples of said areas below (don't focus on houses, but areas):
There's no reason to live in Bedford over Acton or Westford unless there's a daily commute requirement IMO. Smaller, less amenities, less conveniences in town (but close proximity to Burlington is nice), and it has become increasingly more expensive than either.
Concord is simply too expensive, and for those resources/amenities that you enjoy in Concord, you can always shoot into town for them.. The towns on your list all border Cncord anyways. Carlisle is essentially a far reaching neighborhood of Concord.. There's nothing in Carlisle except for beautiful homes and windy roads.
So, with $725k in mind, and with a family, I'm without a doubt going with either Westford or Acton. Having grown up in the Acton area, and now having family in Westford, I have some first hand experience. I'll start by saying that, they're sister towns.. rivals..and quite frequently buyers are actively looking in both. Personally, I prefer Westford. The housing stock is nicer, you'll save ~$10/15 p/sq.ft., and there is more to do in Westford. Multiple power boatable lakes with several town beaches, Westford public swim club, brand new indoor town recreation center called Mill Works, Nashoba Ski Hill, Tiki Bar, Friday night concerts at the Parish on the Common, Apples Blossom Parade, a number of apple orchards, Whole Foods/flagship Market Basket, and a fairly extensive choice of restaurants/eateries along 110 (growing by the minute). And to me, the aesthetics in Westford are simply nicer. The drive from Abbott School through the center to Westford Academy is wonderful.. As are the areas around Hills Orchard, down by Carlisle, etc.
With that budget, you should be able to sneak into some houses in the nicer areas of town. Just googled it, and some of my favorite roads are Woolsack Lane, Randolph Circle, Preservation Way, Baldwin, Priscilla, Chamberlain, Alcorn Crossing, Aldrich, Lakeview, Hutchins Way, Vose Hill, Anne Teresa/Jennifer Dr, Jennie Richards, Steeple Chase, Morning Glory.. All great choices/areas. I will say that Westford has some areas that are not as nice as others. Nabnasset, Forge Village and Graniteville being the ones that come to mind. They were once lake communities/areas, and over the last few decades have become a haven for first time buyers/those looking to get into the schools. You'll end up here quite frequently if you do move to town, though, as much of the water falls within these two areas. Really fun with families, and a GREAT 4th of July show on Nabnassett Lake.
As far as schools, Westford and Acton are generally listed as top 5-10-15 in Massachusetts. People on C-D hate those lists, but I'd assume you subscribed to them to boil it down to this group of towns. For the sociodemographics, I think they're almost identical. I think city data has Westford being a bit more affluent, though both have as many Prius' as BMWs, and neither are loud or in your face at all. And both are at ~20% Asian, and <10% other ethnicities.
DM if you have any questions on Acton/need any more info on Westford! Goodluck!
Ok, so where do I send my money for your consulting services?
Wow- I could have not asked for a better rundown if I tried. That was well thought out and really painted
an excellent picture for me. I have not spent much time in the area since I was a kid and my Grandparents had a quite a bit of land around Harvard MA.
We will certainly take your advice and look hard in the areas you suggested. Seems like Westford is well liked in many circles I have been in, ditto for Concord (big plus for the bike trail that I believe runs all the way into Cambridge).
You mention growing up in Acton- what is your take on Boxborough? Stowe?
I think with your budget and requirements I would pick Carlisle. My grandparents lived in Carlisle near the town center (if you can call it that). You feel like you’re in rural Vermont but are still relatively close to a lot of ammenities.
Thanks- the thought of being close yet away certainly has some appeal.
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