Lower key Boston suburbs with decent schools? (Newton, Framingham: private school, college)

[Matt32]

Just curious, what time of day does your husband have to get to the station(s) by so that parking isn't a problem?

I've been curious about Canton for a while; we're still years away from buying a SFH but our preferences are very much like the OP's (albeit our budget will max out a decent tick below theirs) and Canton has seemed like a nice fit, potentially. While it's always great to live within walking distance of a train station, it opens up even more possibilities if a 5-10 minute drive is doable daily.

[TAM88]

Canton is slowly (like most cities along 128) getting to the point where it's going to price out a lot of people. People either cannot afford, or don't want to spend $850k on a move in ready house. Or they don't see the value in spending $550-$600k on a house that is dated and needs work.

Canton's in a great location and apart from a terribly laid out road network and a lack of good restaurants, it's a solid town.

[Edsmom722]

Originally Posted by Matt32

Just curious, what time of day does your husband have to get to the station(s) by so that parking isn't a problem?

I've been curious about Canton for a while; we're still years away from buying a SFH but our preferences are very much like the OP's (albeit our budget will max out a decent tick below theirs) and Canton has seemed like a nice fit, potentially. While it's always great to live within walking distance of a train station, it opens up even more possibilities if a 5-10 minute drive is doable daily.

I drive him to the train station anywhere from 6 am to 7:30 am. He walks home. Sometimes he’ll walk to the station, but he’s not a morning person and I like a few minutes with him to go over our days. If I’m working, I usually head for work after dropping him off.

[boschi]

Thank you all for alot of helpful responses!

Originally Posted by Rick Solie

This thread (//www.city-data.com/forum/massachusetts/2428108-boston-area-cultural-niche-between-blue-7.html[/url]) might be of interest to the OP. It's now some three years old but probably still relevant.

Thank you also for this - interesting thread, will read through today. This OPs concerns align with ours fairly well.

I do still worry, but given our price range Natick and Melrose are pretty much our targets at this point. I have a friend who lives in Natick who has some complaints about the "Moms club" type atmosphere growing. For example, they are a dual income family and she is routinely expected to attend school events and get her children to sports practices at 2/3:00pm. Obviously this is probably not unique to Natick, but her perception (having lived there for years) is its a recently worsening issue driven by changing demographics and increasing number of stay at home parents in town. Anecdotal, of course.

[plaiddad]

Originally Posted by brainbree

Again, if you go to the government site for MCAS scores you can see most schools are basically the same when you control for socioeconomic status.

This makes a lot of sense and I totally want this to be true but what exactly is the data for this? Are you referring to %SGP?

[runningman1976]

Originally Posted by boschi

Hi all,
We are looking for Boston suburbs with decent schools but that are a little more down to earth and diverse, and a little less "pressure cooker" atmosphere-wise. Wellesley/Weston/Lexington/Newton type cities are really not the right fit.

Budget is $750-800k for 2-3 bedroom (which I realize rules out most of the above cities anyway - but I specifically listed them because I think they are illustrative of what we're not looking for). Looks like this price point also excludes Cambridge and Somerville, which look like good fits.

Hoping for a single family home, <45mins to the financial district.

I am told that Melrose might fit the bill? Anything else come to mind?

Thanks in advance for any suggestions!

We are moving to Boston too, and are in a similar situation to you on schools and budget. I heard from many on this forum that Natick, Melrose, and Milton will be good choices. We are also going to look in Sudbury, Sherborn, Dover and Westwood. Further up north, there is also Concord, Carlisle, and Acton, although I haven't head anything about whether their schools are "pressure cooker" or not. Good luck with your home search.

[semiurbanite]

Originally Posted by plaiddad

This makes a lot of sense and I totally want this to be true but what exactly is the data for this? Are you referring to %SGP?

SGP but also test scores by subgroup. Earlier in this thread on page 2 I posted below when someone was claiming that Natick schools are great an Lowell schools are bad.

I'm not saying one is better than the other, but just be careful when using MCAS data. Ditto for USNews or Greatschools which do not factor much for SES.

For example, the Morey school in Lowell is as good or better than every single school in Natick when you control for SES. 87% of the 4th graders passed the Math MCAS at Morey, while not a single Natick school is above 80% pass rate and most are BELOW 70%. Kind of amazing when you actually look at data subjectively eh?

[BosYuppie]

Originally Posted by semiurbanite

For example, the Morey school in Lowell is as good or better than every single school in Natick when you control for SES. 87% of the 4th graders passed the Math MCAS at Morey, while not a single Natick school is above 80% pass rate and most are BELOW 70%. Kind of amazing when you actually look at data subjectively eh?

But.. but.. but.. Natick!!!!

[panchilly]

Originally Posted by semiurbanite

SGP but also test scores by subgroup. Earlier in this thread on page 2 I posted below when someone was claiming that Natick schools are great an Lowell schools are bad.

I'm not saying one is better than the other, but just be careful when using MCAS data. Ditto for USNews or Greatschools which do not factor much for SES.

For example, the Morey school in Lowell is as good or better than every single school in Natick when you control for SES. 87% of the 4th graders passed the Math MCAS at Morey, while not a single Natick school is above 80% pass rate and most are BELOW 70%. Kind of amazing when you actually look at data subjectively eh?

This is a stupid way of looking at it.

Would you send your kid to Lowell public schools over natick? Didn’t think so.

[mdovell]

Originally Posted by panchilly

This is a stupid way of looking at it.

Would you send your kid to Lowell public schools over natick? Didn’t think so.

Depends really. Do you want them to be socially isolated or not? I've never seen a job ad saying "Must be willing to work with upper middle class WASPS" but I've seen plenty that say you must be able to work with a diverse workgroup. I've been told bluntly before being a guy starting a job with nearly all women. If you think that doesn't get said in more diverse environments it does.