How on earth can we get into Boston? (Worcester, Lowell: appointed, sale)

[msRB311]

Originally Posted by P Larsen

Buy much less house than you think you need. Post-WW2 Americans were groomed to want more than they need. It's learned and can be unlearned.

The closer you get to Boston it does seem like the homes are smaller and closer together but that doesn't mean they will be cheaper.

[skeddy]

you're looking at an hour and a half commute to buy something for $550K.

[gf2020]

I always suggest that people decide on the community they want to live in first and then wait for the right house to come along in that town. Comparing a house in Worcester or Leominster to a house in Westford or Marblehead, for example, is just an exercise in frustration.

If your husband will need to be in Cambridge 2 or 3 days per week, then living somewhere north for driving or northwest for access to the commuter rail or the Red Line makes the most sense.

The sub-$600K market is super competitive but there are houses out there. Towns like Maynard, Chelmsford, Wilmington, North Andover, Peabody and Beverly, are all worth consideration.

[r_p]

You should be able to find houses under 500k. Besides what has been mentioned above, Ashland, Holliston, Medway, Franklin, Walpole etc. are also worth looking at. An hour long commute isn't bad if you're doing it 2/3 days a week. I am in Natick on a 0.25 acre lot and have been thinking of moving further west on 1+ acre lots due to permanent flexible WFH (3-2-2) arrangements.

[BostonMike7]

Right now is an interesting time to buy a house. I can only speak to my area, but inventory is so low that I've gotten texts, letters and even door to door solicitation asking if I was interesting in selling my house. Houses that do pop up for sale, are pending after the first weekend and sell for over asking, which, IMHO, is about $100K more than my perceived value of the house. It's just nuts and I can't imagine trying to be competitive in this market unless you are willing to overpay or able to do something like 100% cash with no contingencies or other aggressive offers.

Good luck in your search.

[scorpio516]

If he's working in cambridge, unless he's married to driving, look north of rte 9. Start a rte 2 and go north.

You used to be able to find something nice in Littleton, but right now there is nothing for sale below $550 there (there's one house listed at $550,000).

If he's close to North Station, it's a 45 minute ride from Lowell to North Station.

[porterhouse]

Originally Posted by P Larsen

Buy much less house than you think you need. Post-WW2 Americans were groomed to want more than they need. It's learned and can be unlearned.

this

[BostonBornMassMade]

Small house in a nice part of an urban suburb like Peabody, Malden, Weymouth, Framingham, Quincy...or buy a condo in a two-family, forget a nifty commute and struggle with the rest of the bulk of the population. Become a new-age townie.

[msRB311]

I also can't help but notice the OP says they're not 'comfortable' going over 550k. Sometimes in order to get what you want you have to leave your comfort zone. Sounds like that is what might need to happen here.

[GeoffD]

Originally Posted by P Larsen

Buy much less house than you think you need. Post-WW2 Americans were groomed to want more than they need. It's learned and can be unlearned.

This. Apply the shrink ray to the number of square feet you think you need and the lot size. Focus on the commute and the school system. No family of 3 has ever died living in a 2 bedroom condo if you can't find the tiny post war starter home. I see a few 2/1 condos in 1920s houses in Arlington in your price range. Really easy Cambridge access. Arlington is now above the magical 70% college educated adult demographic where the school system is strong. Why would you destroy your quality of life commuting from a big plastic box on a larger lot 90 minutes door to door from the office?