North Reading for an Indian family (no kids yet) (Boston: fit in, townhouses)

[scoping-boston-1]

After looking into various places around Boston, we really liked N Reading. It had the right mixture of commute, affordability, school system and some fairly new townhouses (<20 year old :P).

We are an Indian couple in our early 30s and I have not seen any Indian presence in that area. I am just wondering if we would end up becoming isolated. I know there are a lot of variables in this, however it would be helpful if someone can help us know if Indian families were able to fit in that area.

Also what is the catch with North Reading. Why is it still affordable?

My definition of affordability is fairly new 2B2B townhouse under 600K.

[BosYuppie]

I'd say North Reading just isn't a terribly exciting place in terms of local business and culture. (The only reason I've ever gone there was to go to the Wal-Mart, one of the few in the area) There are some more desirable towns nearby such as Andover, Lynnfield and Burlington (big south asian community here). But it's a solidly safe middle class suburb place. Easy to commute to the 128 belt job centers, commuter rail available to get to Boston but not the quickest commute.

"Fairly New" under 600k is going to be a challenge a lot of places in metro boston.

[cb2008]

Originally Posted by scoping-boston-1

After looking into various places around Boston, we really liked N Reading. It had the right mixture of commute, affordability, school system and some fairly new townhouses (<20 year old :P).

We are an Indian couple in our early 30s and I have not seen any Indian presence in that area. I am just wondering if we would end up becoming isolated. I know there are a lot of variables in this, however it would be helpful if someone can help us know if Indian families were able to fit in that area.

Also what is the catch with North Reading. Why is it still affordable?

My definition of affordability is fairly new 2B2B townhouse under 600K.

One word - Schools.

May I ask : if you like the town and are ok with schools, what does it matter there are no other Indian families. Lots of Indians up north in Andover, North Andover, Westford, Acton. Also Cambridge, Newton.

[scoping-boston-1]

Originally Posted by BosYuppie

I'd say North Reading just isn't a terribly exciting place in terms of local business and culture. (The only reason I've ever gone there was to go to the Wal-Mart, one of the few in the area) There are some more desirable towns nearby such as Andover, Lynnfield and Burlington (big south asian community here). But it's a solidly safe middle class suburb place. Easy to commute to the 128 belt job centers, commuter rail available to get to Boston but not the quickest commute.

at this point in our lives, we are not looking for a "terribly exciting" place.
In fact I love a quite community, however I am not sure why South-Asian community stayed away from here. So I am just
curious what I might be missing.

Originally Posted by BosYuppie

"Fairly New" under 600k is going to be a challenge a lot of places in metro boston.

Yes, I understand. This is the reason I was surprised to see that N Reading seemed affordable.

[scoping-boston-1]

Originally Posted by cb2008

One word - Schools.

Shouldn't that make it a little more expensive?

I felt like this was affordable, fairly closer to Boston and good schools. It is almost as good as Natick. In fact I find it better than Natick. But I am surprised people preferred Natick and it is hence considerably more expensive than N Reading which is something I did not understand.

This is the reason I was asking if there is something I am missing in N Reading except for it being a "not terribly exciting" place.

Originally Posted by cb2008

May I ask : if you like the town and are ok with schools, what does it matter there are no other Indian families. Lots of Indians up north in Andover, North Andover, Westford, Acton. Also Cambridge, Newton.

That is correct. In fact I don't mind it.
I just fear that if I do have kids in the future, they may end up having a culture shock. I might be exaggerating here.
But really I have no experience with this. And I am somehow not willing to test this theory with kids.
If you look at it from my side, I just fear if kids would end up becoming isolated in school/pre-school.

[sal1181]

North Reading is a nice town with good schools. I'm not sure what the percentage of Indians in town are but In Andover & North Andover there is a decent size Indian population. Indian restaurants in both towns and the Temple is right in Andover

[BosYuppie]

Originally Posted by scoping-boston-1

Shouldn't that make it a little more expensive?

I felt like this was affordable, fairly closer to Boston and good schools. It is almost as good as Natick. In fact I find it better than Natick. But I am surprised people preferred Natick and it is hence considerably more expensive than N Reading which is something I did not understand.

This is the reason I was asking if there is something I am missing in N Reading except for it being a "not terribly exciting" place.




That is correct. In fact I don't mind it.
I just fear that if I do have kids in the future, they may end up having a culture shock. I might be exaggerating here.
But really I have no experience with this. And I am somehow not willing to test this theory with kids.
If you look at it from my side, I just fear if kids would end up becoming isolated in school/pre-school.

First, he is suggesting the schools are not in the elite category of nearby Andover, Lynnfield etc. But don’t get it wrong. They are fine schools. No gangs or anything like that.

As for your kids and culture shock, They have no culture yet to shock because they don’t exist. If you have children and raise them here, their experience will be American, growing up with Americans in America. Even if you move to a town with a strong Indian population. They will be a part of the great melting pot of our culture and they will be stronger for it.

[gf2020]

I live in Lynnfield. I would say North Reading is priced a bit lower because of a couple of factors...

1) Property taxes - tax rate is higher than some other comparable towns

2) Accessibility - except for some limited commercial activity on Routes 28 or 62, you have to drive thru other towns to get to the highway or public transportation for the bulk of your commerce, jobs, etc.

If you think North Reading is undervalued, then jump in now, because surely it won't stay that way.

Lynnfield does not have much of an Asian or Indian population either, and yet one of my sons' best friends is the only Indian male in their high school graduating class. That young man and his younger brother never had an issue with assimilation.

[cb2008]

Originally Posted by BosYuppie

First, he is suggesting the schools are not in the elite category of nearby Andover, Lynnfield etc. But don’t get it wrong. They are fine schools. No gangs or anything like that.

As for your kids and culture shock, They have no culture yet to shock because they don’t exist. If you have children and raise them here, their experience will be American, growing up with Americans in America. Even if you move to a town with a strong Indian population. They will be a part of the great melting pot of our culture and they will be stronger for it.

Andover schools are not all that elite. Just good. I don’t know how NR compares. Indians who move to Andover do so for it’s easy access to 495 and 93

No matter where you live your kids will have to live within a largely white community. I thought it was YOU Who was concerned about Lack of Indian community. Indians look for good schools but they also don’t worry if they can afford private schools.

[scoping-boston-1]

Originally Posted by sal1181

North Reading is a nice town with good schools. I'm not sure what the percentage of Indians in town are but In Andover & North Andover there is a decent size Indian population. Indian restaurants in both towns and the Temple is right in Andover

Got it. It is still surprising why this town was left alone considering the fact that this meets all the factors.
Quiet, suburban, good schools, mildly affordable and decent commute.