CelticsStrong
Other Discussions => Off Topic => The City Of Boston / Travel Tips => Topic started by: BleedGreen1989 on September 05, 2013, 09:23:33 AM
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So me and my fiancé are looking into moving down to the Boston area in maybe a year from Maine. Not looking to move into the city but probably within an hour or so.
Still in the very early stages of scouting and researching towns to live in. Both in our mid-20's but not real "party animals" so a fantastic night life is not a big priority. We do not have kids and have no intentions of having kids as of now so schools are not a large priority. Things that are a big priority would be safety and affordability. We both come from small towns of around 20k people or so and enjoy that feel. Also, I suppose jobs would be nice LOL.
Any advice from people in the area would be greatly appreciated! Thanks
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So me and my fiancé are looking into moving down to the Boston area in maybe a year from Maine. Not looking to move into the city but probably within an hour or so.
Still in the very early stages of scouting and researching towns to live in. Both in our mid-20's but not real "party animals" so a fantastic night life is not a big priority. We do not have kids and have no intentions of having kids as of now so schools are not a large priority. Things that are a big priority would be safety and affordability. We both come from small towns of around 20k people or so and enjoy that feel. Also, I suppose jobs would be nice LOL.
Any advice from people in the area would be greatly appreciated! Thanks
Do you want to work in the city or do you want to work along the 128 belt? There are some affordable towns between 128-495 but those would be a pain if you were working in Boston. If you wanted to work in Waltham, Burlington, Bedford, etc. somewhere between 128 and 495 would work niceley.
Currently I work in Burlington and my Fiance works in the city. We live in an apartment in malden. Its decent, I reverse commute, (going away from the city in the morning, towards the city and night) and she is able to take the orange line.
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Wilmington, Woburn, Burlington, Lexington, Bedford
All close access to every major highway and are nice.
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Wilmington, Woburn, Burlington, Lexington, Bedford
All close access to every major highway and are nice.
Agreed but those are some expensive towns haha. I was thinking maybe Billerica being a happy medium with safety, location and affordability.
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So me and my fiancé are looking into moving down to the Boston area in maybe a year from Maine. Not looking to move into the city but probably within an hour or so.
Still in the very early stages of scouting and researching towns to live in. Both in our mid-20's but not real "party animals" so a fantastic night life is not a big priority. We do not have kids and have no intentions of having kids as of now so schools are not a large priority. Things that are a big priority would be safety and affordability. We both come from small towns of around 20k people or so and enjoy that feel. Also, I suppose jobs would be nice LOL.
Any advice from people in the area would be greatly appreciated! Thanks
If you're looking to be an hourish away from the city you could also move to most Southern part of New Hampshire. No sales tax and probably a bit lower cost of living which is nice. Im in a very small town (which doesnt fit your description) and its under an hour and a half away from the city and I'm 45 minutes away from the Mass line.
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Do you want to work in the city or do you want to work along the 128 belt
Tbh, I don't think I've given it enough thought either way. I think I would hate commuting in the city lol but there's obviously more job opportunities.
If you're looking to be an hourish away from the city you could also move to most Southern part of New Hampshire. No sales tax and probably a bit lower cost of living which is nice. Im in a very small town (which doesnt fit your description) and its under an hour and a half away from the city and I'm 45 minutes away from the Mass line.
That's actually not a bad idea either. I'll have to check that out. Thanks!
P.S. what town do you live in?
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Do you want to work in the city or do you want to work along the 128 belt
Tbh, I don't think I've given it enough thought either way. I think I would hate commuting in the city lol but there's obviously more job opportunities.
If you're looking to be an hourish away from the city you could also move to most Southern part of New Hampshire. No sales tax and probably a bit lower cost of living which is nice. Im in a very small town (which doesnt fit your description) and its under an hour and a half away from the city and I'm 45 minutes away from the Mass line.
That's actually not a bad idea either. I'll have to check that out. Thanks!
P.S. what town do you live in?
If you are thinking of NH, I am from Hampton. You should check out the property taxes in the town you are looking at...there is a big difference because of the state tax code (richer towns are "donor towns" who help pay the way for poorer towns via larger property tax rates.)
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Do you want to work in the city or do you want to work along the 128 belt
Tbh, I don't think I've given it enough thought either way. I think I would hate commuting in the city lol but there's obviously more job opportunities.
If you're looking to be an hourish away from the city you could also move to most Southern part of New Hampshire. No sales tax and probably a bit lower cost of living which is nice. Im in a very small town (which doesnt fit your description) and its under an hour and a half away from the city and I'm 45 minutes away from the Mass line.
That's actually not a bad idea either. I'll have to check that out. Thanks!
P.S. what town do you live in?
I live in, ironically enough, New Boston. Great town to raise a family in. Incredible school system, voted best school in the state for 5 years in the 2000's, friendly people extremely safe. Very rural and country, 25 minutes from Manchester, 25 minutes from Concord 30 from Nashua, hour and fifteen to Portsmouth and the Ocean.
Only about 5,000 people in the town. One restaurant, tavern, and a country grocery store, hardware store, river going through the center. Nice but very small. If you like privacy of your home and family its greats. Not sure what type of place your looking for.
But a lot of the NH towns are like that. As you get closer to the MA border Amherst is a really nice area that certainly has more civilization (restaurants both chain and family owned, targets etc...) Nashua is one of the bigger cities, nice parts and sketchy parts. Going down 93 from Manchester you also have Derry, Londonderry (nice town), Windham, and Salem before you hit the mass border.
Edit: Just saw you aren't looking for schools. My bad. Manchester, Nashua, Concord, Salem would give you more activity, not necessarily nightlife.
Actually Portsmouth is probably the most amazing town in New Hampshire. Its where Id like to relocate and its actually only an hour from Boston. Expensive. But great for the mid 20 somethings (such as myself and you guys). Coffee shops, book stores, music shops, live music, outdoor movies, right on the water, 15 minutes from York Maine. Really great great small town city feel.
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Wilmington, Woburn, Burlington, Lexington, Bedford
All close access to every major highway and are nice.
Agreed but those are some expensive towns haha. I was thinking maybe Billerica being a happy medium with safety, location and affordability.
I can vouch for Billerica as that is the town I grew up in.
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There's a few places that are pretty good. Arlington, Lexington are two places that I really like. A bit pricey but it's very safe, public transportation are all within each other. (Arlington, you have access to the Red Line). All those places have great restaurants within 5 minute of each apartment.
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Living in Wakefield and love it. 30 minutes to Boston. Small town but tons of stuff in and around Wakefield. Melrose is nice as well. Not exactly cheap, but anything in the 30-45 min range from Boston is going to be expensive.
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Malden. 10-20 minutes away from Boston depending which part you live in. Relatively safe. Affordable. And probably the most diverse town in Massachusetts if you're into that stuff. Also has the orange line if you're looking for public transportation.
Malden, Everett, Medford, Somerville, Randolph, Quincy.
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Awesome suggestions guys! Really like the small town feel and seems a lot of these towns are right in that ballpark.
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I went on a really long bike ride a couple weeks ago through the towns of Lexington, Bedford, Carlisle, Concord, Sudbury, and Weston.
They all seemed really nice, not too over-settled but also reasonably close to major roads.
They also seemed like they might be on the more expensive side of things, though.
In any case, I'd suggest you look north, northwest, or west of Boston as opposed to northeast, south, or southeast.
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Amherst and Northampton in Western MA sound the closest of what you're looking for, but they're about an hour and 45 min away from the City. They're both beautiful places to live, though. You may have trouble getting a job you like, although you could really hit the jackpot out there with the Universities, Springfield, etc.
If you don't end up living there, you will want to be on one of the subway lines in Boston. Anywhere that is about an hour away is terrible with a few exceptions if you are specifically trying to raise a family (Duxbury, Norwell, etc can be ok). There are a list of places that are more or less affordable to rent but outrageously expensive to buy in that I would recommend, like Jamaica Plain, Brighton, Brookline, Newton, Union Square and Cambridge Port. Any of those are highly recommended if you're renting.
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If you like small town feel you probably won't be finding it In metro west boston
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My advice: avoid Massachusetts like the plague. It sucks (not that I would live in Maine either).
NH is where it's at!
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Actually Portsmouth is probably the most amazing town in New Hampshire. Its where Id like to relocate and its actually only an hour from Boston. Expensive. But great for the mid 20 somethings (such as myself and you guys). Coffee shops, book stores, music shops, live music, outdoor movies, right on the water, 15 minutes from York Maine. Really great great small town city feel.
Amen!
I live in Dover, which is just on northern side of the bay (only 15 mins away). The NH seacoast is simply the best. Mountains only an hour or so away, and the beach pretty much right there.
Also, Portsmouth has a thriving economy and there are numerous high paying, advanced career opportunities available on the Pease Tradeport and in the surrounding areas.
As an added benefit about Dover. The taxes are lower (than Portsmouth), and the Amrtak Downeaster runs right through downtown. I can literally walk 5 mins to the train station and be in Boston in a hour.
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I'd move elsewhere. MA has terrible weather and the people arent that friendly. Its also very expensive to live in much of MA.
Nice sports teams and museums though.
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MA has terrible weather and the people arent that friendly.
Point of contention, MA weather is no different than anywhere else in NE, so I doubt BG is worried about that. Also, I've never noticed the people of MA to be unfriendly.
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MA has terrible weather and the people arent that friendly.
Point of contention, MA weather is no different than anywhere else in NE, so I doubt BG is worried about that. Also, I've never noticed the people of MA to be unfriendly.
hey! I lived in Boston for 20 years and its awesome and filled with nice people! Just don't live in Dorchester, East Boston, New Bedford..actually don't live anywhere south of Braintree...it just gets worse, Brockton and down just keeps getting worse
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The Framingham/Natick area has some very nice areas (and not so nice) with affordable housing, shopping, their own centers of industry, and rail service to Boston/Worcester along as bus hubs. Both towns have hospitals.
Nice combo's of Urban/Suburban depending on the area of town(s) you're looking at.
Framingham 68K people
Natick 33K
Both about 25 miles from Boston & Worcester but traffic makes them both about a 45 minute drive depending on the hour,
Framingham was placed at # 36 on 'Best Places to Live in US' by CNN Money magazine in 2012
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Very small town atmosphere but still about1/2 hour commute from Boston, with train/bus transportation handy to Boston...Nahant and Swampscott. Both on the north shore/coastal towns.
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my advice.....dont move to mass, move someplace warm with nice weather 8)
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Wilmington, Woburn, Burlington, Lexington, Bedford
All close access to every major highway and are nice.
Agreed but those are some expensive towns haha. I was thinking maybe Billerica being a happy medium with safety, location and affordability.
I can vouch for Billerica as that is the town I grew up in.
Billerica doesn't have great highway access to Boston, though. The fasted way to route 93 is either through Wilmington or through multiple junctions Rt3, 95 and then 93.
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The Framingham/Natick area has some very nice areas (and not so nice) with affordable housing, shopping, their own centers of industry, and rail service to Boston/Worcester along as bus hubs. Both towns have hospitals.
Nice combo's of Urban/Suburban depending on the area of town(s) you're looking at.
Framingham 68K people
Natick 33K
Both about 25 miles from Boston & Worcester but traffic makes them both about a 45 minute drive depending on the hour,
Framingham was placed at # 36 on 'Best Places to Live in US' by CNN Money magazine in 2012
Agree, I was born in Framingham and my Brother lives in Natick. I imagine Framingham is still somewhat affordable.
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Framingham must have changed dramatically from when I lived there as a child in the early 80's. I don't remember much about it at all, but my parents always said it was a horrible, run-down ghetto.
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Very small town atmosphere but still about1/2 hour commute from Boston, with train/bus transportation handy to Boston...Nahant and Swampscott. Both on the north shore/coastal towns.
Whoops...sorry...Nahant has no train service, and not sure about bus. Have to drive to Lynn or Swampscott/Lynn line to pick up the train.
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I live in Dedham, which is a suburban town, but basically borders the city. Small, quiet town with plenty of hipster appeal (great restaurants, Whole Foods, upscale athletic complexes, etc.) and my house is for sale!!
we also have bus a commuter rail that runs all day and night and goes directly into the city. It is borderline affordable and we have great schools.
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My advice: avoid Massachusetts like the plague. It sucks (not that I would live in Maine either).
NH is where it's at!
I have lived in Mass my whole life and I disagree about avoiding it. I have also worked in NH for 30 years -- there are decent places there and you'll get a small town feel in a number of towns. But southern NH isn't necessarily cheap.
Some have suggested Billerica as less expensive small town (not Maine small town, but smallish) that is probably affordable and a decent location to mall towns -- 10 minutes from Burlington, 20 from Nashua; and on a good day only about 30 minutes from Boston.
I live in Chelmsford which borders Billerica, Lowell (nice restaurants and some night life -- a city), Carlisle and Westford. Chelmsford would be more expensive, generally, than Billerica, but very nice, safe, and good proximity to Nashua, Boston, Burlington, Lowell.
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Wilmington, Woburn, Burlington, Lexington, Bedford
All close access to every major highway and are nice.
Agreed but those are some expensive towns haha. I was thinking maybe Billerica being a happy medium with safety, location and affordability.
I can vouch for Billerica as that is the town I grew up in.
Billerica doesn't have great highway access to Boston, though. The fasted way to route 93 is either through Wilmington or through multiple junctions Rt3, 95 and then 93.
True, but say if you work in Boston, or want to spend a day there on a weekend there is a commuter rail stop in North Billerica, or if you live near the Wilmington border it could be a quick drive to the Wilmington commuter rail stop. If you live near 3A towards Burlington you are not too far from 95, and then 93. If you live near route 3 yeah that can be a bit of pain if you want to go into Boston (not that bad though if not dealing with traffic.)
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I'm personally very fond of Sudbury, Wellesley, Newton, (parts), Chestnut Hill, Plymouth, and Danvers. I've lived in Brighton, Braintree, Boston (Riverway), Cambridge, Salem, and Peabody, and while I personally never had many problems outside of riding the "T" late at night, (robbed and attacked more than once), and Cambridge, (car stolen), they aren't quite as safe or nice as the list I started with.
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newton, lynn, natick
really depends on your spare change ;)
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So me and my fiancé are looking into moving down to the Boston area in maybe a year from Maine. Not looking to move into the city but probably within an hour or so.
Still in the very early stages of scouting and researching towns to live in. Both in our mid-20's but not real "party animals" so a fantastic night life is not a big priority. We do not have kids and have no intentions of having kids as of now so schools are not a large priority. Things that are a big priority would be safety and affordability. We both come from small towns of around 20k people or so and enjoy that feel. Also, I suppose jobs would be nice LOL.
Any advice from people in the area would be greatly appreciated! Thanks
I just moved to Rehoboth from RI in the past year (Saturday is the anniversary of buying the new house) and love it. very rural yet within 10 -15 of major shopping areas in Attleboro and Seekonk. highly recommend it.
Other nearby towns like Seekonk, Dighton, Swansea, Somerset, Norton, Attleboro and North Attleboro have a lot of suburb feel to them.
I work in Boston and only need 10-13 minute to the train station and I'm in Boston in 45 minutes. beats driving into Boston any day.
just my 2 cents