Which "affordable" towns are clearly up and coming? (Boston: new home, neighborhoods)

[mwj119]

Originally Posted by robr2

Burlington is now the place where wanna be Lexingtonians now buy because the $800K 3 BR Cape with the pink bathrooms just doesn't make sense. Those $400K ranches are the tear down targets. Closer to $500K is where people can just squeak into town and if they are willing to spend $470K for a 3 BR/2 Bath Cape, there are overspending IMHO. That listing is simply greedy.

+1

Burlington hasn’t really been affordable since the recession. Both Bedford and Burlington are the clear beneficiary of the commercial boom in Burlington, and the continued rise in prices in towns like Lexington. Woburn and Billerica are also seeing a large upward swing for the same reasons, though Woburn is no longer a cheap alternative.

[massnative71]

Originally Posted by Shrewsburried

Clinton could revitalize purely on the back of it's neighbors - Bolton, Sterling, Boylston all have high median incomes which can support a small and robust main st.

I have a feeling Clinton could take off a little more when people discover how close to 495 much of it actually is (<10 min., no red lights or anything). You are already seeing stuff going on like the lofts at Lancaster Mills, etc. Yes there is the school thing, but Hudson was in the same predicament not long ago (now they are considered very solid).


Saying that, places like Clinton, Ayer, Worcester, Fitchburg, Leominster are what I consider affordable now. Hudson has been expensive for several years now. Framingham is long past that point too, unless you are comparing it with its neighbors.

[sarahmccoy]

Tewksbury

[Atomicdoug]

Originally Posted by CaseyB

I've been saying Millis for years and I think prices have already risen there.

Just be aware, Millis has some of the very worst roads in this area. A lot of them are minefields. I don't need a town line sign to know when I've crossed into Millis.

[Brave Stranger]

Originally Posted by robr2

Burlington is now the place where wanna be Lexingtonians now buy because the $800K 3 BR Cape with the pink bathrooms just doesn't make sense. Those $400K ranches are the tear down targets. Closer to $500K is where people can just squeak into town and if they are willing to spend $470K for a 3 BR/2 Bath Cape, there are overspending IMHO. That listing is simply greedy.

Following your real estate link, I see a lot of the new construction is over one million dollars in Burlington....cripes.

[yellowstatus]

I would say Back Bay, especially along Commonweath ave. Defining affordable as providing value with an eye towards long term appreciation. Boston is an excellent city, and Back Bay will continue to set the benchmark of an outstanding combination of location, amenities, and quality construction. Back Bay has been up and coming for over 200 years, and that's where I'd put my money.

[mwj119]

Originally Posted by Brave Stranger

Following your real estate link, I see a lot of the new construction is over one million dollars in Burlington....cripes.

It's crazy.

In fear of offending anyone in Burlington, I really can't imagine spending $1M+ on a house in the town. I'd say the same thing about Chelmsford or Wakefield. That is just a lot of dough for what I feel to be a very normal, middle class suburb with limited cohesiveness, no real core, and adversely not a ton of large lots with mega benefits that come to mind. At least in Carlisle I can own my 5 acres, enjoy the hills, and walk to get farm fresh eggs from the neighbors.

[Brave Stranger]

Originally Posted by mwj119

It's crazy.

In fear of offending anyone in Burlington, I really can't imagine spending $1M+ on a house in the town. I'd say the same thing about Chelmsford or Wakefield. That is just a lot of dough for what I feel to be a very normal, middle class suburb with limited cohesiveness, no real core, and adversely not a ton of large lots with mega benefits that come to mind. At least in Carlisle I can own my 5 acres, enjoy the hills, and walk to get farm fresh eggs from the neighbors.

Yup....was not expecting to see that price-point in Burlington on the upper end.

[massnative71]

Originally Posted by yellowstatus

I would say Back Bay, especially along Commonweath ave. Defining affordable as providing value with an eye towards long term appreciation. Boston is an excellent city, and Back Bay will continue to set the benchmark of an outstanding combination of location, amenities, and quality construction. Back Bay has been up and coming for over 200 years, and that's where I'd put my money.

Back Bay affordable, OK.

[timberline742]

Originally Posted by massnative71

Back Bay affordable, OK.

Well, does anyone think back bay is going down in price in the next 50 years?