Coastal/Near Coastal Family Town

[johngolf]

I seem to remember a restaurant or two on Wollaston Beach that backed right up to the beach. They had outside decks overlooking the beach. I am talking late 1960's. Am I remember correctly?

[GeoffD]

Originally Posted by tcalloway4

Interesting points! So yes, I was so fortunate to be 10-15 minutes from Robert Moses/Atlantic Ocean growing up. Keep in mind I haven’t lived on Long Island since 2008 and moving to Charlotte where you’re 4 hours from the coast was an adjustment. My little guy is a fish. I think we are more excited at the idea of sailing, rowing, fishing, recreation and if it happens to have sand and is swimmable - even better! We are still in better shape vs. Charlotte, where we see the water maybe 3 days out of the year.

Not necessarily looking for a unicorn but it seems overall the science opportunities for him, engaging camps, great schools, proximity to a coast line with maybe accessible day and weekend trips as options - for the full ocean experience? My kid wants to tag sharks, get scuba certified (N. Readings own YouTube star Jonathan Bird is this kids idol). I think anything he can get his hands on is just an huge win in our eyes. We are cheap dates er….I guess not really cheap but lol!

There is a difference for sure between bay beaches and ocean beaches - I envision this to being similar to CT? Where they are on the LI sound vs. the Atlantic? The Gulf of Maine is new to me, I only have experience with the other gulf! Which is much calmer than an ocean (when there is not a hurricane lol).

What are your thoughts on a boat? There are tons of Boston ‘burb people on moorings in my harbor. I did that for 20 years. You don’t have to live on salt water with an awful commute. There are other ways to get access.

[tcalloway4]

Any thoughts on Wayland? Looks like there may be some water around there with lots of things to do?

[massnative71]

Originally Posted by tcalloway4

Any thoughts on Wayland? Looks like there may be some water around there with lots of things to do?

It's one of the "W" towns, known for $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$. If you can find something there in your range, go for it. Lake Cohituate is there, or bordering it.

[massnative71]

Originally Posted by tcalloway4

Interesting points! So yes, I was so fortunate to be 10-15 minutes from Robert Moses/Atlantic Ocean growing up. Keep in mind I haven’t lived on Long Island since 2008 and moving to Charlotte where you’re 4 hours from the coast was an adjustment. My little guy is a fish. I think we are more excited at the idea of sailing, rowing, fishing, recreation and if it happens to have sand and is swimmable - even better! We are still in better shape vs. Charlotte, where we see the water maybe 3 days out of the year.

Not necessarily looking for a unicorn but it seems overall the science opportunities for him, engaging camps, great schools, proximity to a coast line with maybe accessible day and weekend trips as options - for the full ocean experience? My kid wants to tag sharks, get scuba certified (N. Readings own YouTube star Jonathan Bird is this kids idol). I think anything he can get his hands on is just an huge win in our eyes. We are cheap dates er….I guess not really cheap but lol!

There is a difference for sure between bay beaches and ocean beaches - I envision this to being similar to CT? Where they are on the LI sound vs. the Atlantic? The Gulf of Maine is new to me, I only have experience with the other gulf! Which is much calmer than an ocean (when there is not a hurricane lol).

I sympathize with all the wide range of responses you have received, in how it must be confusing to sort through and make sense of. But this is good food for thought, regarding Wollaston and other harbor beaches that don't get the natural "flush" of the ocean facing ones. And this headline is actually pretty misleading imo, as I would be more concerned with "can you trust the BLUE flags (water safe to swim)".

Seeing red: Water quality postings at Wollaston Beach are 'fatally flawed,' nonprofit says

https://www.patriotledger.com/story/...o/10224137002/


Would "you" take the chance and rely on "yesterday's" readings for your own safety and health???

[msRB311]

If you want sharks you should move further down the south shore aka the cape.

[chicagoliz]

Originally Posted by tcalloway4

Thanks everyone for your feedback and sticking with me!! I truly appreciate it! Front runners and a commute to Needham: Hingham, Milton, parts of Norwell and most SW towns (if affordable). Steering clear of too far West as I work in Finance and in the event the bank changes it’s mind about me being fully remote (which has been known to happen!)

We are touring towns and visiting the Needham studio in the upcoming weeks and will be touring a lot of the towns all of you have recommended! I appreciate the feedback as always! Our home goes on the market at the end of this week, so we are chugging along!

I think a Hingham to Needham commute would be soul-sucking and horrifying.

I would live in Needham (or wherever near Needham you can find a place in your budget -- maybe even Medfield or Sharon) and just go to the beach every weekend if you want. You could then pick North Shore or South Shore.

We have friends in Needham who have a boat, which they keep docked in an area not far from the airport. They are on the boat pretty much every weekend in the summer.

There are also some lakes nearby if you need something super close.

I love the beach and the water, too. So I get the allure of possibly living right on the shore. But not at the cost of a horrible commute -- especially one that would be daily.