Can I get a decent sized house in a safe town in MA for $350k? (Boston: for sale, low crime)

[redplum33]

Those street view pictures are from 2013, so it might look very different now. Regardless, it's still a converted garage.

[Shrewsburried]

Originally Posted by massnative71

Ah...

I figured something had to be up. Yeah hard pass there.

Yeah, using that as an example of being ‘wrong’ is ... quite the stretch.

Realistically, $350k currently nets a very modest post-war ranch/cape in the Wachusett towns. The house will likely also have old systems, old roof, or other deferred maintenance.

Anything cheap is west of 190, south of 495, in a poor performing school district, and/or is a small condo unit + HOA.

[Shrewsburried]

Originally Posted by redplum33

Those street view pictures are from 2013, so it might look very different now. Regardless, it's still a converted garage.

You can tell from the pics that the conversion is price point s___. I would not touch that property during record low borrowing rates ... that’s a recipe for instant negative equity when 30yr rates are back to 4%+ apr.

[BostonMike7]

Originally Posted by airunxc

all wrong, inside 495 with good schools, safe town, a little weird location, but walkable to downtown/commuter rail etc.]

You could throw a rock from that "house" to 495. Being inside 495 is a mere technicality.

They did a decent job with that renovation, but it's still a converted garage behind someone else's house. Hope the neighbors are friendly.

[Urban Peasant]

Originally Posted by ObedientSir

I'm not familiar with most towns in MA. I wouldn't mind living in MA, but the main reason I'm looking into it is because my wife wants to live there. I prefer CT because I grew up there and seems way more affordable. All the houses I see on Zillow for around $350k, when I look up the city on it says the cities have high crime and/or bad schools. So am I missing something? I don't care what area of MA it is, I just want to find a decent sized home in a safe town with good schools for up to $350k. Is that possible in MA?

What qualities of Massachusetts draws you and your wife to our state over Connecticut? Surely outside of Greater Boston, Massachusetts isn't that much more different than Connecticut is it? Your best chances at finding a nice home in a nice community in that price range is in Western Mass and parts of Central Mass. You'll probably have to rely on an automobile to get around everywhere if you don't mind.

[massnative71]

Originally Posted by BostonMike7

You could throw a rock from that "house" to 495. Being inside 495 is a mere technicality.

They did a decent job with that renovation, but it's still a converted garage behind someone else's house. Hope the neighbors are friendly.

It's not that close to 495.

[BostonBornMassMade]

but hey folks will have you know the GDP per Capita is only behind NY and DC!!!! /s

[in_newengland]

Certain areas of western MA, like Northampton and surrounding towns are very desirable. CT also has affordable houses but the property taxes are high. There are gorgeous towns surrounding Northampton, like Williamsburg, Southampton, Hatfield. Down rte 91 there are the former Springfield suburbs of Longmeadow, East Longmeadow, Hamden, and Wilbraham. All are nice towns with good school systems, low crime.

[Shrewsburried]

Originally Posted by BostonBornMassMade

but hey folks will have you know the GDP per Capita is only behind NY and DC!!!! /s

It’s not wrong. If only I were a neurosurgeon who could earn $300k in some bucolic low COL backwater ... but I’m not. Well, time to set an alarm for that AM client review in Kendall.

[BostonMike7]

Originally Posted by massnative71

It's not that close to 495.

Ok it's 1 mile from 495