I am relocating to the Boston, Massachusetts area and deed assistance in searching for my new home.
i would like to know what are 2 or 3 of the best cities, towns, or suburbs to live in within 50 minute drive of downtown Boston.
my budget is approximately $600000 and please take in consideration the cities/towns/suburbs where I can get the best value for my budget on quality of life factors, such as cost of living, community, safety, schools, municipal services, entertainment, restaurants, etc.
for each recommended town/city/suburb, please provide details of the location and justify why it is a great option for me and my family.
Answers
Answer:
What’s the first thing you think about when you think of Boston? Perhaps it’s the rousing (and borderline annoying) professional sports winning streaks, or maybe the historic sites along the Freedom Trail. While Boston is home to nearly 140,000 seasonal coeds that make for a lively college city atmosphere, it’s not without culture and affluence. There are many reasons why so many people are forking over thousands for rent and mortgages to make moving to Boston a reality.
There are also reasons why people choose not to live in the city and might venture to a nearby suburb. Perhaps they opt out of moving to Boston altogether. The City on the Hill is not for everyone, which is why we wanted to explore some of the pros and cons of living in Boston as well as offer up some moving advice for anyone on the fence. These 12 tips should help you get a clearer picture of how a move to Boston could impact your life for better or worse.
1. Find a neighborhood to live in based on where you’ll spend most of your time.
Neighborhoods in Boston
Boston is a city of commuters (more on that later) who love to use one of the oldest and best public transport systems in the country. Because of this, it’s essential to plan where you live carefully. If you’re living and working in the city, consider a home relatively close to work, or one that’s nearby an MBTA (or “T”) stop.
Like any city, different districts offer varied lifestyles. Depending on your comfort level, you may choose to avoid certain areas altogether. We explored a few leading neighborhoods in Boston, both inside the city limits and nearby suburbs.
*Remember: lots of people live in Boston proper, but many more live outside city limits. Neighboring cities such as Somerville, Newton, Chelsea, Quincy, and Milton (to name a few) are all viable options to live. The T extends to these cities and areas as well, which all have their own price points for housing and city amenities.
Best Places to Live in Boston:
Beacon Hill — This part of town is arguably one of the most beautiful neighborhoods with historical row houses and cobblestone streets that are illuminated with gas street lights. Expect to find both tourists and residents venturing around here. Average two-bedroom rent: $3,000/month.
South Boston — Also known as “Southie,” this once predominantly Irish Catholic neighborhood has become increasingly popular with young families and new graduates. Waterfront access and a plethora of new development have contributed to an increase in rent prices. Average two-bedroom rent: $2,500/month.
Back Bay — This city neighborhood has a reputation for being home to more affluent families and community members. Expect to pay a few hundred dollars more a month here than some other leading neighborhoods. Average two-bedroom rent: $3,500/month.
Best Boston Suburbs & Neighboring Cities:
Cambridge — Located north of Boston, this city nextdoor is home to Harvard and MIT. Other area amenities and picturesque neighborhoods draw more residents here besides over-achieving college students. Highly ranked public school systems and quiet atmosphere drive rent and home prices up. An average single-family home in Cambridge costs around $750,000.
Quincy — Just south of Boston, this city is the unofficial sister of Chinatown, with a strong Asian population. Alongside the perks of fantastic ramen joints and tasty pho restaurants, Quincy is located on Wollaston Beach and has great skyline views of Boston. There are four Quincy subway stops on the Red Line and a booming opportunity of new condos. The average rent for a two-bedroom in Quincy is $2,250.
Worcester (pronounced ‘Woo-stah’) — Tens of thousands of college students call Worcester home and so do 150,000 other residents. The city of Worcester has a small-town feel without seeming too rural; however, it’s about an hour’s drive from Boston without traffic. Significantly lower housing costs and many mom and pop shops add to the overall appeal of this city. Purchasing a single-family home in Worcester costs on average around $225,000.
Belmont — If you have enough money and want to escape Cambridge and Boston but work in one of these places, Belmont may be the suburb for you. The town is filled with green space and is primarily residential. You can purchase a large single-family home here, but you might end up paying between $800,000 – $900,000 for about 2,000 square feet.