https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Tue, 05 May 2026 08:33:38 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/question-about-boston-suburbs#post-953715 Mon, 22 Jul 2013 16:14:57 +0000 mrsmate 953715@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think this question is impossible to answer without knowing where you're going to be working. Boston is small but not that small! There are affordable towns right next to expensive towns, and the commuter rail radiates out from downtown Boston in all different directions. That said, the real estate market is very tight right now, bidding war-level tight. Good luck! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/question-about-boston-suburbs#post-953376 Mon, 22 Jul 2013 14:47:04 +0000 ShootingStar 953376@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I live northwest of Boston by about 40 minutes without traffic, and my 2 bedroom (brand new) townhouse community goes for $250k. I would not recommend the northern suburbs for commuting because the commuter rail stations are a lot farther apart than they are on the south east side of Boston.</p> <p>My MIL lives in Hyde Park and she can walk to the commuter rail. Her house is valued in the 300s. And a good friend of mine lives in Quincy, which has commuter rail and subway, and their house is in the same range. But most places are much much more expensive, and what you get in the 300s generally is old and needs lots of work. </p> <p>The other thing to consider about Boston, depending on what you do, there's tons of companies in the suburbs. IBM is in Lexington and Westford, my company is in Burlington, my husband works in Concord. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/question-about-boston-suburbs#post-953267 Mon, 22 Jul 2013 14:26:01 +0000 BSB 953267@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@JoJoGirl: We did visit Boston back in June but stayed at a friends home in downtown Boston. That's when I remembered that I'm definitely not a city girl. It was just too noisy. I would hear police cars and fire trucks about every couple of hours. Definitely a suburbs kind of girl. </p> <p>Also, I wasn't too impressed with the city. Mainly traffic. Maybe when I get interviews, I'll have to have another feel of the city. We did travel up north and I drove through the city of Peabody. It definitely had a suburbia feel to it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/question-about-boston-suburbs#post-953201 Mon, 22 Jul 2013 14:08:41 +0000 looch 953201@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>This thread is making me nostalgic for Boston, Chestnut Hill and Newton, specifically. </p> <p>I would move there in a heartbeat, if our jobs were there. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/question-about-boston-suburbs#post-953190 Mon, 22 Jul 2013 14:05:09 +0000 BSB 953190@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Shutterbug: Thanks. That's a great visual. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/question-about-boston-suburbs#post-949406 Sun, 21 Jul 2013 06:50:10 +0000 Shutterbug 949406@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>If you're looking at a map of eastern Massachusetts, for a 3 bed, 1-2 bath house with a yard, generally speaking, inside rte 128/95 will be at least 500k, outside 128/95 but inside 495 will be at least 300k (more in the fancy suburbs like Weston, Lincoln, Wayland, Concord, Sudbury) and outside 495 you can get a house with a large yard for under 300k but your commute (driving) will be at least an hour. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/question-about-boston-suburbs#post-948521 Sat, 20 Jul 2013 14:49:28 +0000 sorrycharlie 948521@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'd pick some zip codes and just search remax.com and get an idea of what's within your budget in the area, too. Lincoln is 02865, Cumberland is 02864, Attleboro is 02703. North Attleboro is 02760, 02761. </p> <p>here's the link for the attleboro station - <a href="http://www.mbta.com/schedules_and_maps/rail/lines/stations/?stopId=193" rel="nofollow">http://www.mbta.com/schedules_and_maps/rail/lines/stations/?stopId=193</a> </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/question-about-boston-suburbs#post-948513 Sat, 20 Jul 2013 14:47:21 +0000 sorrycharlie 948513@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>the family I babysit for lived in Lincoln, which is about an hour south of Boston - and she took the train in Attleboro, which is about 15m away. So you can definitely get flexible with locations! In Lincoln, for instance, houses range from 129k-600,000. It depends what you're looking for. My town, Cumberland (RI) is also right on the Attleboro line near the train station (literally - I'm about 10 minutes from the train in traffic). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/question-about-boston-suburbs#post-948477 Sat, 20 Jul 2013 14:18:48 +0000 JoJoGirl 948477@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Oh man. I think you need to come visit and drive around a bit - there are so many choices of neighborhoods and so much variation in price - but expect this to be one of the most frustrating real estate markets in the country (think NYC or SF) - everything is listed as crazy expensive, then you get outbid by someone who wants to pay cash only, etc. Anywhere within an hour of the city will be expensive, yes more than $400K if you want a yard and near a 'downtown' and the train station. But if you're willing to be an hour away you should be able to find something more affordable (ie driving to the train station from a more remote suburb).</p> <p>ETA: Agree with @navy_mommy about things being old!! Most of the affordable options in nice neighborhoods closer to the city (like $600K) were built in the 1800s! So you have to expect to completely remodel kitchens, bathrooms etc if you find a good price on a home. I have a friend that bought a BEAUTIFUL 3K sq foot house in a nice neighborhood - cost $900K to start, they still did $60K worth of work and the house doesn't even have central air!! They have units in the windows! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/question-about-boston-suburbs#post-948336 Sat, 20 Jul 2013 12:51:45 +0000 Foodnerd81 948336@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@bpcmarj: If anything is the 'Boston way' it's traffic! That and having lanes with no markings or indication of turn only lanes, street signs etc. Drives me crazy! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/question-about-boston-suburbs#post-948321 Sat, 20 Jul 2013 12:42:56 +0000 bpcmarj 948321@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Foodnerd81: I would think that depending on where in boston the jobs were and if 93 and 128 could be mostly avoided but could be an hour-ish without traffic. I used to commute from Falmouth to Needham and Lowell to Needham, so traffic to me was just a way of life! It's the Boston way ;) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/question-about-boston-suburbs#post-948288 Sat, 20 Jul 2013 12:22:42 +0000 Foodnerd81 948288@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Navy_Mommy: Ah. Of course, that makes way more sense. Thanks! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/question-about-boston-suburbs#post-948285 Sat, 20 Jul 2013 12:20:20 +0000 Navy_Mommy 948285@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Foodnerd81: I would say take the train. There's a station in Norfolk </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/question-about-boston-suburbs#post-948282 Sat, 20 Jul 2013 12:18:45 +0000 Foodnerd81 948282@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Navy_Mommy: @bpcmarj: Don't you think driving from that area during rush hour would be more than an hour? I may have a skewed sense of this but I feel like it takes almost an hour to get there even during off hours. (BUT I get lost easily so perhaps that's clouded my view). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/question-about-boston-suburbs#post-948280 Sat, 20 Jul 2013 12:16:58 +0000 Foodnerd81 948280@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>It varies SO much. There are tons of towns with good schools but the prices can be crazy different depending on the town. Generally, of course, the towns with the easiest commute into Boston (on the commuter rail or the T) and with the best schools will be the most expensive. We are still living in the city (in a rented condo) but we know we will move to a suburb and buy a house in the next few years. We just have no idea what suburb that will be. For us we feel like we will need to buy a house that's over $750K for it to be a long term home though, based on our requirements (less than an hour commute, good size (3-4 bedrooms), good schools, good neighborhood with interesting things to do...) But we really haven't looked at all yet, that's just the number we feel like we'd need to get what we want.</p> <p>You'll also want to factor in major traffic if you plan to drive. The farther out from Boston you are the cheaper, but you could easily have your "45 minute commute" turn into 2 hours during rush hour. </p> <p>All that said, I my impression is that Boston and the surrounding area is more expensive than Philly and less expensive than NYC area. If I was moving here, I'd rent for a year or two while you figure out where you want to settle down. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/question-about-boston-suburbs#post-948278 Sat, 20 Jul 2013 12:16:24 +0000 Navy_Mommy 948278@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@bluestriped bee: That COMPLETELY depends on what you're looking for and if you're willing to put some work into a home. Like I said, a lot of the homes in the area I grew up in are ooooooooooooold homes, so if you want one that's completely updated you're going to be spending a pretty penny. If you're willing to go for a fixer-upper you'll spend A LOT less. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/question-about-boston-suburbs#post-948277 Sat, 20 Jul 2013 12:14:48 +0000 BSB 948277@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Navy_Mommy: @bpcmarj: @rachiecakes: Thanks! Now my next question is how much are these home? Like more than $400k? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/question-about-boston-suburbs#post-948275 Sat, 20 Jul 2013 12:14:38 +0000 Navy_Mommy 948275@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Going south of Boston and going north of Boston are two COMPLETELY different experiences. You'd really have to go and see for yourself what you prefer. I'm partial to south of Boston, but I'm biased lol. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/question-about-boston-suburbs#post-948271 Sat, 20 Jul 2013 12:13:07 +0000 Navy_Mommy 948271@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@rachiecakes: my house... well, my mom's house, lol... is less than a mile from the outlets. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/question-about-boston-suburbs#post-948269 Sat, 20 Jul 2013 12:12:15 +0000 rachiecakes 948269@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Navy_Mommy: outlets! (&amp; Cracker Barrel) :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/question-about-boston-suburbs#post-948268 Sat, 20 Jul 2013 12:11:51 +0000 rachiecakes 948268@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think you'd have a ton of options in Boston 'burbs! :)<br /> Woburn, Arlington, Waltham, Natick, Norwood, Dedham, Braintree, Quincy. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/question-about-boston-suburbs#post-948267 Sat, 20 Jul 2013 12:11:27 +0000 bpcmarj 948267@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I agree with @navy_mommy about that area. If you look over towards Norwood, Norfolk, Stoughton, etc you should be able to find a house to purchase, and be close to a train or an hour drive to the city.</p> <p>Good luck! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/question-about-boston-suburbs#post-948262 Sat, 20 Jul 2013 12:07:16 +0000 Navy_Mommy 948262@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm from Wrentham, which is south of Boston and actually borders Rhode Island. My sister just bought a home in the town next to Wrentham - Norfolk - which has a train station.</p> <p>Beautiful colonial style home, perfectly placed between Boston, The Cape, and Providence, great schools...I loved growing up there. My sister is a whack job though, so you should avoid her, hahaha.</p> <p>Houses are expensive though. And most homes are OLD homes. The house I grew up in was built in 1735 and is protected by the Historical Commission. The house my sister just bought is an 1800's home, but she loves it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/question-about-boston-suburbs#post-948239 Sat, 20 Jul 2013 11:56:24 +0000 BSB 948239@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>So I'm currently job hunting and there are a ton of job listings in my field and in Boston. I've been applying to jobs in the Philadelphia area because I want to be back home and there's a good chance that we could rent/own MIL home (a large home that would be our forever home.) Anyway, job listings in Philly are very slim picking. </p> <p>Back to Boston, if I get a job there, what cities in the suburbs can I buy a home with a yard and near a rail line? I don't mind a hour commute. It would be nice to take a train to work but I could drive to work as well. Also, how much would a home cost in that area?</p> <p>We are in Seattle and in an apartment but I want to buy a home. I'm just hesitant in looking in Boston because I don't want to live in a condo or apartment for a long time but I know that I need to go where the jobs are. </p>