2023 Real Estate Observations (Newton, Waltham, Brookline: oceanfront, for rent, top school)

[charolastra00]

Waltham is a very desirable community for many because it's close to everything, still feels urban, and is cheaper than Newton.

If I had over $1 mill to drop, it definitely wouldn't be on a house with no garage but that location would be great for someone who works in one of the tech companies on 128 and wasn't looking for yard upkeep. Lots of people are willing to pay more for a super short commute, and some subset of those people insist on new construction.

The price likely reflects the builder's costs more than the demand.

[newenglandgal123]

Finally an affordable housing development that makes sense. One that utilizes a property that would have likely become a dilapidated eyesore of a commercial building is being converted to a mix of affordable housing and commercial spaces. Much better than destroying more woods and vegetation to put up another ugly building somewhere it doesn't belong. https://www.masslive.com/worcester/2...velopment.html

[matrix5k]

Originally Posted by newenglandgal123

Finally an affordable housing development that makes sense. One that utilizes a property that would have likely become a dilapidated eyesore of a commercial building is being converted to a mix of affordable housing and commercial spaces. Much better than destroying more woods and vegetation to put up another ugly building somewhere it doesn't belong. https://www.masslive.com/worcester/2...velopment.html

This article says there's a state housing crisis. Crisis is a strong word. When I visit Los Angeles, Seattle or Portland OR I see homeless tent cities everywhere. That's what I think of when I hear the word crisis. I don't see too many of those in MA.

[matrix5k]

Originally Posted by charolastra00

Waltham is a very desirable community for many because it's close to everything, still feels urban, and is cheaper than Newton.

If I had over $1 mill to drop, it definitely wouldn't be on a house with no garage but that location would be great for someone who works in one of the tech companies on 128 and wasn't looking for yard upkeep. Lots of people are willing to pay more for a super short commute, and some subset of those people insist on new construction.

The price likely reflects the builder's costs more than the demand.

Last time I looked at school rankings, Waltham was very low on the list. I was surprised because it's so expensive there. Then I saw an article that 4 Waltham High grads were accepted to Harvard. I guess school rankings don't mean much?

[MtPleasantDream]

Originally Posted by matrix5k

Last time I looked at school rankings, Waltham was very low on the list. I was surprised because it's so expensive there. Then I saw an article that 4 Waltham High grads were accepted to Harvard. I guess school rankings don't mean much?

What they are going to study also matters. Some programs like to admit unique students, not necessarily “good” students in terms of test scores or awards.

[robr2]

Originally Posted by matrix5k

Last time I looked at school rankings, Waltham was very low on the list. I was surprised because it's so expensive there. Then I saw an article that 4 Waltham High grads were accepted to Harvard. I guess school rankings don't mean much?

As I've said before, high achieving kids at second tier school systems are attractive to the top universities. They show that they are able to achieve even in more difficult circumstances. The high achievers at the top school systems aren't very distinct from each other and colleges know that.

[charolastra00]

Originally Posted by matrix5k

Last time I looked at school rankings, Waltham was very low on the list. I was surprised because it's so expensive there. Then I saw an article that 4 Waltham High grads were accepted to Harvard. I guess school rankings don't mean much?

It's likely advantageous to be a smart student in a lower performing (but not horrible and underresourced) school district for college admissions. Everyone (exaggeration) in Lexington, Newton and Brookline are aiming for Harvard, MIT, BU, Northeastern, etc. There's less competition at a school like Waltham High for a student who is motivated and has involved parents.

It's not a horrible school and has honors and AP classes, but has a very different demographic and socioeconomic reality to the "best" districts in Massachusetts. In Lexington, almost all of the parents are college educated. You're just not going to see the same results in schools where a high percentage of students would be first generation college students should they choose to go. Both Bentley and Brandeis offer full scholarships to a handful of students each year, not to mention additional students who attend. Both schools have partnerships with Waltham schools to bring additional educational and research opportunities that most people wouldn't get (without a lot of legwork) in other districts.

Schools are also a lagging indicator. Many successful young professionals chose places like Waltham and Maynard in recent years because they were more affordable but provided reasonable commutes to areas with concentrated jobs. With Waltham in particular, there's no real reverse commute!

Waltham has not been a low income community for a long time. As I look to move closer to work for a year or two, Waltham is on my list and I was shocked to see that most 2 bedrooms or 1 bed+den/office are starting at close to $2700-3000 a month. My 4 bed/1.5 bath townhouse with a yard and ample parking cost significantly less than that a decade ago!

[msRB311]

A school with a high ranking is not going to get someone's kid into Harvard. The same could be said for private schools. Sending a kid to Milton Academy is not an automatic in for an ivy league school. To get into one of those schools you have to be in the top 5 of the class and typically have a specialty in something.

[simplexsimon]

Originally Posted by matrix5k

Last time I looked at school rankings, Waltham was very low on the list. I was surprised because it's so expensive there. Then I saw an article that 4 Waltham High grads were accepted to Harvard. I guess school rankings don't mean much?

Four Waltham High grads from the same year got accepted? Link to the article?

[MtPleasantDream]

Originally Posted by robr2

As I've said before, high achieving kids at second tier school systems are attractive to the top universities. They show that they are able to achieve even in more difficult circumstances. The high achievers at the top school systems aren't very distinct from each other and colleges know that.

But here is another question: are they necessarily better than non-top students from top school systems?
Getting in a good college is just the beginning of one's adult life, but education in childhood can have a long lasting impact. Being habitually hardworking, learning from peers, handling stress and competition..., are all crucial to success.

Particularly, if one wants to build a career in the STEM field, the math and science education before college is very important.