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Both of these were towns for the poor 40+ years ago. Now they are both bustling middle class suburbs undergoing rapid price appreciation. Both have strong tax bases consisting of both retail and corporate offices and offer low tax bills for residents as a result. Both have huge swathes of working class ranch homes that are being demolished and turned into vinyl clad starter mansions for the 10%er class. Both offer solid schools and a good location for commuting. Both are adjacent to 1%er fully bulldozed towns (Lexington and Wellesley) where the starter mansion costs 1.8M (but they have Hardie instead of Vinyl)
Even though i live in Natick i'm impressed by Burlington the more learn about it. If i were to buy again i might even buy in Burlington over Natick. It's very close...
I like Burlington cause of the kid friendly neighborhoods, great recreation department, proximity to Boston, Chik-a-filet, and grocery stores. Wegmans, Market Basket, HMart, and Trader Joe's are all close to each other. I like that the residential area is segregated from the businesses. If you go to Boston from Natick, you have to pay a toll for the pike or hit every stop light on route 9. I'm not a fan of route 9. The Natick Mall is nice but it's a pain to get in and out. I do love the sushi buffet at Minado.
One would think that from reading this forum; that outside of Boston there is nothing to the state beyond Burlington, Billerica, Natick and Acton. Set your visions a little higher folks. Just sayin!
I can remember when Natick was blue collar working class but it was not "for the poor. Places like Lawrence are for the poor.
People who want to live close in to Boston have to make the sacrifice of living crammed in. I was in Burlington ONCE and never went back. Much too crowded and it seemed like one big mall. Yesterday I was in Natick and again, it's crowded, especially in the downtown area, but their neighborhoods are still nice, often with big yards. They have that park (I think it has its own lake and I think you can rent a boat or go swimming.)
Unfortunately the unassuming ranch houses are being ripped out and being replaced by McMansions that cost a small fortune. They have rte 9 which is not pleasant for driving. There is always rte 128 matter where you go--and you know what that's like.
I'd take Natick though, if I had to. There is still some open space, like the park. If you can find one of the older ranches and just make a small addition, you can have a normal house with a nice big yard. You've practically on the Mass Pike. There are other towns though and I'm from WMass, so I don't know, but Wayland and Sherborn seem nice. Natick is okay for now but it won't be long before it's composed of tacky McMansions and competitive "keep up with the Joneses" type people. You're ruining your towns.
Why no Framingham love? When I hear Natick, the next town that pops into my mind is Framingham.
Have you ever been to Framingham?
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