Londonderry, NH vs Townsend, MA. Which would you choose? (Nashua: sales, real estate)

[Bruins3445]

I posted this in the MA forum as well but hoping I can get a variety of answers posting here too.

Houses in both towns seem comparable, though Townsend has higher ratings on greatschools website. Both seem like quiet rural towns though it appears Londonderry has better access to Boston (93).

Homes in Londonderry are more expensive with taxes but the easy access to Boston (93) could make that worth it to spend slightly more. (Will be working near kenmore square).

However the better schools in Townsend and the slightly larger homes for the $$$ seem to make the less convenient drive to Boston worth it.

My wife's family said Townsend doesn't have much to offer but that it is so close to major towns and tax free New Hampshire that it is worth considering and that many of the quieter towns in MA get built up slowly over the years so in 10 years there could be more right in Townsend.

So if you were me which would you choose? Keep in mind I will work night shift so not dealing with rush hour traffic.

So far I've compiled the following list

pros to Londonderry
-Overall tax free of NH outweighs the high RE taxes
-High RE taxes are deductible when filing taxes
-93 access makes for an easy commute
-Has small shopping plaza with TJ Max, a movie theater, and a Home Depot

Cons to Londonderry
-Live in NH but work in MA so pay MA taxes
-Schools aren't as good as MA
-Homes are not as big/nice as homes in Townsend (in our price range)


Pros to Townsend
-MA school system. Rates higher than Londonderry. I've heard MA schools in general are more accommodating to things like IEP (our kids don't have disabilities but you never know what learning accommodations may be needed down the line)
-Bigger, newer, nicer home for our $$$
-Still close to NH so any bigger purchases we can go right across the border to get tax savings
Lower RE taxes

Cons to Townsend
-No direct highway to Boston (looks like I'll have to cut through a couple towns to get to the highway plus take 1-2 highways to get to Boston. Though this would be at night so not sure if that's even an issue because wouldn't be dealing with rush hour traffic)
-MA sales tax and tax on everything else
-Quiet town that doesn't offer much (from what I'm told).. Aside from a grocery store there isn't any shopping or stores, you need to travel for that.

If anyone can help me compare these towns by offering more in depth insight I would appreciate it. We realize with our budget we are going to be +/- an hour from Boston. I am fine for that. Don't want to buy an old fixer upper just to be closer to Boston. Want a home we can live in for 10+ years that's close to NH. Someone recommended we consider Townsend or Pepperell and also recommended Londonderry or Salem. Salem doesn't have decent schools so that's how we settled on Londonderry as a contender for a NH town seeing as it's right off 93

[Valerie C]

If you are considering Londonderry, be sure that you aware and in understanding of the changes that Woodmont will bring to town. People are split on whether this will be a good thing for Londonderry, or not. I'll keep my opinion to myself on this forum, but it's one thing (of many) that you should factor in when making your decision not only on a town, but also the location within a town...

[GregW]

read my post on the Nashua to Boston thread.

there are several towns within a 20 minute drive from I-93 Exit 4 that are less expensive than Londonderry. Considering what we spend on the Londonderry School system it is one of the best anywhere.

Val - PM me with your opinions on The Woodmount project. I would like to know what some of the real estate community thinks.