Where to live between Billerica and Boston? (Cambridge, Newton: relocation company, lenders)

[mwj119]

Originally Posted by amalia2150

Omg congratulations!! Ha you sound a lot like me, I would also be posting from the delivery room. If I move let's be friends. Thanks so much!!

No problem at all. Please do DM me with any follow up questions on the area!

[amalia2150]

My husband just accepted the job, so we'll be moving sometime in March. Thanks so much everyone for all of your help!

Can anyone recommend other forums or Facebook pages (moms' groups, etc) for the northwestern suburbs that I should check out? Hoping to get some additional insight into neighborhoods, activities for toddlers in each area, etc. if I can.

[tysmith95]

Originally Posted by amalia2150

My husband just accepted the job, so we'll be moving sometime in March. Thanks so much everyone for all of your help!

Can anyone recommend other forums or Facebook pages (moms' groups, etc) for the northwestern suburbs that I should check out? Hoping to get some additional insight into neighborhoods, activities for toddlers in each area, etc. if I can.

Andover has a very active Andover Mums Facebook group. I'm sure there's something similar for Westford and other area towns.

[mwj119]

Originally Posted by tysmith95

Andover has a very active Andover Mums Facebook group. I'm sure there's something similar for Westford and other area towns.

Yeah, Westford Moms Group is per request. Big following with loads of information, though my wife and I get a good laugh at a lot of the active members commentary..

[amalia2150]

Sigh. I had pretty much settled on Andover or Westford, but my husband has a good college friend in Waban and would like to be close both to work and not too far from Waban (which I get, as it'll be nice knowing someone nearby). Plus I guess a lot of pharma is in Cambridge if he were to ever change jobs? It looks like there are some nice places in Carlisle at the upper end of our price range... is that situated decently for what he's looking for? There are also a few places on the market now we could potentially afford in Bedford or Burlington. Anywhere else between Billerica and the city/Cambridge/plus Newton area I should be researching?

[tysmith95]

Originally Posted by amalia2150

Sigh. I had pretty much settled on Andover or Westford, but my husband has a good college friend in Waban and would like to be close both to work and not too far from Waban (which I get, as it'll be nice knowing someone nearby). Plus I guess a lot of pharma is in Cambridge if he were to ever change jobs? It looks like there are some nice places in Carlisle at the upper end of our price range... is that situated decently for what he's looking for? There are also a few places on the market now we could potentially afford in Bedford or Burlington. Anywhere else between Billerica and the city/Cambridge/plus Newton area I should be researching?

Bedford is your best bet. Could also look at Acton.

[mwj119]

Originally Posted by tysmith95

Bedford is your best bet. Could also look at Acton.

Carlisle is largely a farming-turned-luxury town for the wealthy and elite. There’s nothing there except for large estates and country roads with some select ranch/split level housing. For a typical white collar transplant, Concord would be a better choice than Carlisle, as would Acton to the west and Westford to the north. They will feel less isolated and more neighborly at heart.

I agree that Bedford may be your best bet all around if you want to get closer to Newton yet stay within close proximity to Billerica for the daily commute. Any other options closer to Newton will be too expensive based on what we know about you/your family situation. A town like Arlington may work if you’re willing to live small (very small in the nice neighborhoods). The only one that might make sense is Waltham, which is a large urban suburb.. Very diverse, city-like downtown. Neighborhoods bordering Lexington and Belmont are very familiar freindly. Schools won’t “rank” high, and you’ll see a lot of socioeconomic diversity there.. It’s definitely not for everyone.

FYI, Waban is just a village/area of Newton.. One of thirteen.

FYI 2.0, towns along 95 in the area between Burlington and Newton are among the most desirable in the state. They offer close proximity to a good majority of the states jobs, and access to Boston, so it’s hyper competitive for a reason. Lexington, Concord, Lincoln, Newton, Arlington, Belmont, even Waltham.. Not an easy place for reccomenstions without a big budget.

[robr2]

I'm tellin' ya - Burlington will give you the most bang for the buck and position you very centrally for jobs in Boston, Cambridge, or Metro West. Unless you're going to be in Waban multiple times a week, don't worry about it. It's a 25-30 minute from Burlington.

Carlisle is nice but it's going west. If you husband were to ever move to a job in Cambridge, the commute can be hard and one either has to get over to Concord or go through Bedford to 128.

From Burlington, there is a bus to Alewife Station which is a short Red Line ride to Kendall where the pharma and tech are.

[mwj119]

Originally Posted by robr2

I'm tellin' ya - Burlington will give you the most bang for the buck and position you very centrally for jobs in Boston, Cambridge, or Metro West. Unless you're going to be in Waban multiple times a week, don't worry about it. It's a 25-30 minute from Burlington.

Carlisle is nice but it's going west. If you husband were to ever move to a job in Cambridge, the commute can be hard and one either has to get over to Concord or go through Bedford to 128.

From Burlington, there is a bus to Alewife Station which is a short Red Line ride to Kendall where the pharma and tech are.

Robr2, meant to say Bedford/Burlington probabaly make the most sense.

OP, he’s correct in adding Burlington to the list of towns that check your boxes..

[htfdcolt]

Originally Posted by robr2

I'm tellin' ya - Burlington will give you the most bang for the buck and position you very centrally for jobs in Boston, Cambridge, or Metro West. Unless you're going to be in Waban multiple times a week, don't worry about it. It's a 25-30 minute from Burlington.

Carlisle is nice but it's going west. If you husband were to ever move to a job in Cambridge, the commute can be hard and one either has to get over to Concord or go through Bedford to 128.

From Burlington, there is a bus to Alewife Station which is a short Red Line ride to Kendall where the pharma and tech are.

Let me second this. I've taken the 350 bus many times, and it's nice to have this car-free option. Plus Burlington is along 128, and assuming hubby sees his friend on weekends, the drive to Newton is very easy. Plus Burlington is pretty much self-sufficient in itself. We live in adjoining Woburn and end up in Burlington for most of our needs (including dining out!).