raising a family in Boston metro - suburb recommendation (Cambridge: how much, house)

[scorpio516]

Originally Posted by wolfgang239

What you are hoping for are places like Lexington, Burlington, Westborough, Shrewsbury. Those don't sound possible right now.

I thought for sure there's something in Shrewsbury (note: pushing 90 minutes to Cambridge), but there are only 2 3/2 for less than $400k and neither have garages!

[scorpio516]

Originally Posted by KemBro71

Curious why the asbestos thing? I ask because way back when I was in the asbestos remediation racket and residential asbestos was such an almost non-issue.

I've walked through a couple 50s houses that have still had asbestos floor tiles, intact. Which is perfectly safe, until they break or you are chewing on the tiles.

I've walked through a lot more higher ed and municipal buildings with asbestos though

[missionhill]

Here's a paste from U Mass Boston's Institute for Asian American Studies

Cities and Towns with Largest Indian Population (Alone or in Combination)

Boston 8,489
Cambridge 4,129
Shrewsbury 3,261
Quincy 2,550
Lowell 2,472
Waltham 2,405
Burlington 2,276
Westborough 2,229
Somerville 2,023
Framingham 2,018

Boston, Cambridge, Somerville and Lowell aren't at all suburban. Shrewsbury, Westborough and Burlington are all good suburban locations for IT employment. Good luck!

[Lampert]

Originally Posted by BosYuppie

I think you should get on Rt. 2 at Alewife and drive northwest till you can afford something.

I feel he will need to go at minimum around 190 to find what he is looking for (forget about the Indian community though).

[Lampert]

Originally Posted by missionhill

Here's a paste from U Mass Boston's Institute for Asian American Studies

Cities and Towns with Largest Indian Population (Alone or in Combination)

Boston 8,489
Cambridge 4,129
Shrewsbury 3,261
Quincy 2,550
Lowell 2,472
Waltham 2,405
Burlington 2,276
Westborough 2,229
Somerville 2,023
Framingham 2,018

Boston, Cambridge, Somerville and Lowell aren't at all suburban. Shrewsbury, Westborough and Burlington are all good suburban locations for IT employment. Good luck!

Both Shrewsbury and Westborough will require at least 500k and we are talking older than 1980 for sure.

[chicagoliz]

You probably have to go someplace like Pepperell. It's not very diverse, though.

[Lampert]

I don't think schools are very good in Pepperell, Groton has good schools but I don't think it's cheap.

I am not sure a diverse place with good schools that is cheap exists in MA.

[rsnsmh]

Thank you all for your input. After reviewing all the feedback, looks like I will need to up my housing budget. I can go up to 600K if that puts me in more desirable suburbs. I was hoping to avoid that as spending over half a mill for housing - seems bit excessive IMHO but i guess reality is different.

[Lampert]

You will still need to be quite far out. Shrewsbury may be a good bet, great schools, Indian community and far enough from Boston that prices are a bit lower.
Commute is not going to be fun.

[LLCNYC]

400/600 = Nope.