Moving To Boston area (Newton, Brookline, Watertown, Melrose, etc) (Cambridge: rental, condo)

[sawyer2]

Will your company provide parking in Copley ..... or if not, are you willing to pay for parking .......or will you be dependent on public transport?

[mwj119]

Though I'm making some assumptions, as someone who is fairly familiar with the Atlanta area, you have to be prepared to make some sacrifices. At your budget, only the outer suburbs will give you more of that "clean" aesthetic, with nice/newer homes and developments, teir 1 schools, etc. If you want good schools, and a house that is in decent shape, $800k won't get you therein the inner ring. If you sacrifice on the schools, it may get you close, but expect the quality of the area (from an aesthetic perspective) to be inferior to what you're used to. Or, you can buy an older home with upside in an inner suburb and in a good district, but expect to be above $800k all-in.

Knowing what I know about the ATL suburbs, I'd recommend that you sacrifice on the commute and look a bit further out. Eat the 60 minute commute to avoid major culture shock. We have friends that moved from Alpharetta and Johns Creek (albeit, also further out), and decided to move to Andover and Westford respectively. They love the area, and were able to find two really nice homes in nice areas despite the higher COL. The former works downtown, and the latter works along 95.

If you do decide extending the commute is feasible, I'd recommend:

Andover to the North. Transient, high income, good schools, great facilities, nice downtown, train access, very pretty housing stock. I'd also consider Reading as an option North too.. As I always mention, I'd look at the areas West of downtown Reading for the nicer neighborhoods, and walkability to the train.

Good location close to downtown/schools/train in Andover: https://www.realtor.com/realestatean...-05549?view=qv

Nice areas of Reading, a bit far to walk to the train though: https://www.realtor.com/realestatean...-92199?view=qv
https://www.realtor.com/realestatean...-17329?view=qv

I'd recommend trying to squeeze into Concord to the Northwest. Fantastic schools, great reputation, beautiful neighborhoods and country side, two separate downtown areas with train access, very active. Homes do pop up in the $700-$800k range, it might just take a bit of patience.

Something like this could work: https://www.realtor.com/realestatean...-83675?view=qv
Unfortunately, a majority of homes listed right now sit >$1M: https://www.realtor.com/realestatean...-71337?view=qv

Due West, I think Natick will be your best bet. It's not my favorite of the bunch, but it has a nice little downtown/common area with train access, new developments, and there should be some decent housing stock at the $800k price point.

walkable neighborhood close to downtown/train: https://www.realtor.com/realestatean...-71572?view=qv

[mwj119]

If you decide to pursue a fixer upper/smaller house in a less desirable individual neighborhood within in a good district with closer proximity to Boston, then I'd recommend Needham, Arlington, and *maybe* see if you can find something in Winchester or Belmont. Arlington is probably the most urban, but has consistently been one of the hottest markets in the country. A bit of a mixed bag.. Some very high end areas, some apartment buildings, some blue collar feeling areas too. Great walking downtown, with schools that continue to get better, and better. Nice walking and biking paths that directly connect to Alewife (T stop) too. Needham is a great option too, though I do like that Arlington is connected to Cambridge and Somerville. As for Melrose, the schools get interesting reviews- Based on my experience, a good portion of the affluent eastern neighborhoods in Melrose send their kids to private/Catholic. I'm sure the public schools are just fine, but do not carry the same reputation as the others mentioned in this post/my prior post. Melrose will look and feel a lot like Arlington, with a few more areas that have not seen a lot of housing updates.

Needham: https://www.realtor.com/realestatean...-87262?view=qv

Arlington: https://www.realtor.com/realestatean...-46482?view=qv

Winchester (it abuts the middle school, but great price and location for the town): https://www.realtor.com/realestatean...-69402?view=qv

No homes for sale in Belmont for <$800k right now, but worth keeping an eye on.

[bugelrex]

820k in newton. From the photos alone, it looks ok.

https://www.redfin.com/MA/Newton/66-.../home/11493526

[mwj119]

Originally Posted by bugelrex

820k in newton. From the photos alone, it looks ok.

https://www.redfin.com/MA/Newton/66-.../home/11493526

OP, to put into perspective the housing market in the inner ring, look at the views on this 9 hour old post.. 500+. I'm not sure if houses are still going over asking price, but in recent years, this would likely go over asking price by $30k.

[bjimmy24]

Even if you somehow magically got that Newton house for 800k, the commute to Copley would still be convoluted and take up to anywhere between 45 minutes and 1 hour 20 minutes on worse days, which definitely happen, especially in winter..

[redplum33]

There are several single family houses available in Newton for around 800k. Most need work.

You can get a small condo in Brookline for 800k. If schools and commute time are top priorities, that may be the way to go.

[bugelrex]

Originally Posted by bjimmy24

Even if you somehow magically got that Newton house for 800k, the commute to Copley would still be convoluted and take up to anywhere between 45 minutes and 1 hour 20 minutes on worse days, which definitely happen, especially in winter..

There is an express bus stop 3-4 blocks away. 5 min drive will get to the commuter rail which only takes 25 mins to south station. The limited schedule is only suitable for struct 9-5 folks. Can't comment on how reliable either is...

I noticed the housing market has softened from the high, might be a good time to look seriously. less crazy bidding wars

[simplexsimon]

Originally Posted by mwj119

OP, to put into perspective the housing market in the inner ring, look at the views on this 9 hour old post.. 500+. I'm not sure if houses are still going over asking price, but in recent years, this would likely go over asking price by $30k.

When we were house hunting this spring, a house in Needham we looked at eventually went $50k over asking.

[simplexsimon]

You may be able to get an okay house for $800k in Westwood and the commute would be decent if you live on the right side of town. All the trains that run through Dedham Corp Center Station and Route 128/University Ave Station stop at Back Bay.