Coastal/Near Coastal Family Town (Boston, New Bedford: buy, camps, property taxes)

[msRB311]

Unfortunately it's not really possible to live near a 'nicer' beach and have a good commute to Boston as well. This used to be possible...but no longer the case.

[massnative71]

Originally Posted by lrfox

Longwood is walkable directly from Ruggles (Franklin, Needham, Providence/Stoughton) and Lansdowne (Framingham/Worcester). So 4 lines stop within walking distance.

You're talking like a 20 minute walk from Ruggles to Beth Israel. On top of waiting for the train and parking wherever you are originating, it typically makes more sense to just drive the whole route.

[massnative71]

Originally Posted by msRB311

Unfortunately it's not really possible to live near a 'nicer' beach and have a good commute to Boston as well. This used to be possible...but no longer the case.

That's the whole point here, and that the OP is finding out. But that seems to be the majority of what people arrive at this forum are seeking, a unicorn for all intents and purposes.

[msRB311]

Originally Posted by massnative71

You're talking like a 20 minute walk from Ruggles to Beth Israel. On top of waiting for the train and parking wherever you are originating, it typically makes more sense to just drive the whole route.

I did actually used to walk from Ruggles to the Longwood area. It's doable but it's a walk that you definitely have to factor into your commute time. There were times I'd find myself running to catch the damn train (commuter rail). I think it took 15-20 min for me...so you're right in that the BI would be further.

[massnative71]

Originally Posted by msRB311

I think some people just like being near the water.

And that part is fair. Here is a house in Squantam for $750K, may require flood insurance (doesn't say).

[lrfox]

Originally Posted by massnative71

Face it, none of the South Shore beaches are exactly world class (there is a reason why people go to the Cape). Outside a couple of exceptional ones, none of them can honestly qualify as more than "decent", and the Quincy beaches are a few steps below that. It is deceiving to suggest that Wollaston Beach is on par with Nantasket. It's frequently closed to swimming due to high bacteria counts (after a storm forget it). It's a fine place for an evening stroll or to fish off of, but you couldn't pay me to get in that water (lousy sand and all aside).

You're really hung up on the word "decent" and I'm not sure why. I didn't say "world class" (or even "great."). I didn't even say it was on par with Nantasket (in fact, I specifically said it wasn't). Lots of people are happy to have the Quincy beaches close by which is why there are lots of people there every day (even in the water!). They can still be an asset even if they're not world class (better than the beaches in Needham, right?). That's all I'm saying and there's nothing misleading about it. If "decent" is such a trigger, pick a different synonym.

Originally Posted by massnative71

You're talking like a 20 minute walk from Ruggles to Beth Israel. On top of waiting for the train and parking wherever you are originating, it typically makes more sense to just drive the whole route.

Or a ~7 minute bus connection. Whether it makes more sense to drive depends entirely on the origin, time of day, and other individual preferences.

[msRB311]

Heck some people might see value in being close to a lake or a pond particularly if they have a view of it.

Also true that one could take the bus from ruggles to longwood. I never once did that as they were unreliable and lots of sitting in traffic particularly at red lights. but sure the option is there.

[massnative71]

Originally Posted by lrfox

You're really hung up on the word "decent" and I'm not sure why. I didn't say "world class" (or even "great."). I didn't even say it was on par with Nantasket (in fact, I specifically said it wasn't). Lots of people are happy to have the Quncy beaches close by which is why there are lots of people there every day (even in the water!). They can still be an asset even if they're not world class (better than the beaches in Needham, right?). That's all I'm saying and there's nothing misleading about it. If "decent" is such a trigger, pick a different synonym.

But now you're kind of moving the goalposts, these key words you use very much do matter when speaking to a wide variety of people who don't necessarily have any familiarity with the area. OP is from Long Island, so their point of reference might be the Hamptons and will likely be disappointed with anything on the South Shore (never mind Boston Harbor). Same thing with somebody from Miami or San Diego. You have to accept that someone who's only visited these destination tourist beaches is going to have vastly different expectations, than somebody who grew up thinking Nantasket was the greatest in the world (myself one of those). It's not a knock on our local spots, I already said they are good to have if you live nearby. We ran into a similar disagreement in the RI forum, over Narragansett Bay beaches that are a good notch above Wolly (where if you see somebody in the water btw., I can guarantee you they are not a local).

[massnative71]

Originally Posted by msRB311

Heck some people might see value in being close to a lake or a pond particularly if they have a view of it.

Right, and that's fair as well.

Originally Posted by msRB311

Also true that one could take the bus from ruggles to longwood. I never once did that as they were unreliable and lots of sitting in traffic particularly at red lights. but sure the option is there.

Yeah walking vs. #8 is usually a toss up that will just as likely favor walking.

[GeoffD]

Originally Posted by lrfox

You're really hung up on the word "decent" and I'm not sure why. I didn't say "world class" (or even "great."). I didn't even say it was on par with Nantasket (in fact, I specifically said it wasn't). Lots of people are happy to have the Quincy beaches close by which is why there are lots of people there every day (even in the water!). They can still be an asset even if they're not world class (better than the beaches in Needham, right?). That's all I'm saying and there's nothing misleading about it. If "decent" is such a trigger, pick a different synonym.

I have no experience with those beaches. What’s wrong with them? Our common reference point is Baker’s, Horseneck, and Cherry & Webb. I’m wondering how they compare to, say, the New Bedford municipal beaches.