Marblehead? Good place for families? (Boston, Lynn: middle-class, neighborhoods, good schools)

[kristenethom]

My family and I are in search of an active town with a nice downtown and things to do within the community. Moving from RI I would also like a coastal town. Marblehead seems like a nice community and I was wondering if anyone could share their experience.

Is Marblehead the type of place where you will see people out and about walking with kids, going to parks and interacting (not just in their backyards?) Would you consider the town "snobby" I hate using that word, but I am looking for a down to earth community that has regular middle class families, good schools, active commmunity. Is their any diversity? My children are biracial.

I appreciate any info that can be shared.

[RMP059]

Hmmm...Marblehead can be pretty snobby. And there is a sign as you enter that says "Marblehead celebrates diversity", and me and my wife always laugh and say, "yeah, you can be either rich or Jewish, you don't have to be both!"

That said, Marblehead is a really nice little town. Good schools. And while there is little diversity, I don't think you'd feel uncomfortable there, if you can afford to live there. But a very hard commute to and from Boston.

Personally, I like Salem and Beverly much better (both are on the coast too). But Salem schools are not great. Not horrible...but not great. Not sure how Beverly's schools compare. Beverly is big for a No. SHore town, and has everything from working-class to extreme upper-class (Beverly Farms - they don't even like saying they're part of Beverly). Beverly is an easier commute, even though further north, more direct access to Route 128. Swampscott is also a possibility, I think it is more middle-class, has Marblehead to one side, Salem to another, and Lynn to the other. I'd avoid living in Lynn, the schools are weak, and there are sketchy neighborhoods.