Boston Area

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   amy janeposted 15 years ago

   What are your favorite towns surrounding Boston?  We may be relocating soon and I was hoping to get a feel for the area from people who really know what they are talking about!
   
   I love charming old New England towns.
   
   Any suggestions? I have heard a lot about the North Shore towns and am leaning in that direction. I don't really want to live in a town where the teenagers drive bmw suvs, you know what I mean?!? We have lots of that here in CT.

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      crashcromwellposted 15 years agoin reply to this

      It sounds as if you are looking into relocating, and if that is the case, I hope you've got some significant bucks, because Boston area is muy expensivo (not sure if that's actually a word, but I've been saying it forever, so I guess it works, right?)
      
      I grew up out in Western Mass. and only escaped from there about six years ago. If you're looking for charming New England towns, the sea coast of New Hampshire is nice, and my neck of the woods in Southern Maine is good too. They're all cold in the winter, but summers are nice.

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      tksenseiposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      This is probably waaay too late to be of use, but you should look at Winthrop or Nahant.

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      Jane@CMposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      Funny you should ask!  We may have to relocate also and the prime jobs for my husband are in the Boston area.  Will look forward to the responses here

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2. 72

   amy janeposted 15 years ago

   Hi CrashCromwell,
   Lol! Yes, it is an expensive area. We are originally from NY, now living in Fairfield county CT, so we are accustomed to being ripped off by inflated real estate prices! The Boston area is actually slightly more affordable than where we are now, and the taxes are less as well.
   I would love to go as far as New Hampshire (so I could have enough space for horses) but I think the commute into Boston would be tough for my husband.  I thought the North Shore looked nice, near Rockport, Manchester, maybe Beverly.
   Western Mass is so beautiful - to visit. Too country for you? My only worry is that everyone in Mass is going to be all "Go Sox, Go Pats"  as that would be horrible for my Mets/Jets loving husband. 

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   1. 70

      lady luckposted 15 years agoin reply to this

      Oh and it's more like GO SOX AND GO CELTICS
      
      you do not want to be anywhere near boston on a game night
      
      
      

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      1. 72

         amy janeposted 15 years agoin reply to this

         LOL! Thanks for clarifying that.   Can you tell how much I love sports?

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            drummer boyposted 15 years agoin reply to this

            I agree but definitely go Celtics

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      tksenseiposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      That is exactly what everyone does. Mets fans are largely ignored, but take out extra insurance on a Jets fan.

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3. 73

   thranaxposted 15 years ago

   I've been living around Boston for my whole life (within 20 miles of it). There are a lot of nice places around here. You might want to try a coastal location if you don't mind being too far away from Boston. Gloucester and Rockport and nice locations. There are way to many locations to get into but if you tell me more about what your looking for I could help you find that location ^_^

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   1. 72

      amy janeposted 15 years agoin reply to this

      Thank you, Thranax! I have been looking online at that area. My only concern was that it might be too far to commute into Boston (by train). More than an hour is too much, I think.   I also liked the town of Boxford. It looks kind of country without being too far out there. I'm going to go track the commute from Rockport now...maybe it isn't that far...

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      1. 73

         thranaxposted 15 years agoin reply to this

         I have family that lives in Danvers MA. That isn't bad, for them its a 15min drive to the train station and then the train is less then an hour ride directly to the FleetCenter. They have a friend who lives on there street that does that every morning, I don't know the wearabouts of where she works but she gos to the train station, takes the train, then takes a bus or walks (again not sure) to her area. (might also be subway). I do know that the traffic is horrible for going into Boston by car .

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4. 58

   Taryn Elizabethposted 15 years ago

   Try the Rockport area~ it's one of the most beautiful places in Massachusetts; right near the water, with lots of local charm and not more than a half hour from the city.

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   Chloe Comfortposted 14 years ago

   Salem, MA - love that town - the history, the shops, the homes - would move there in a heartbeat if my hubby would go! Too cold for him come winter time :-(

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      tksenseiposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      We lived in Salem for some years. A great place to live. A little nutty on Halloween though.

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         Chloe Comfortposted 14 years agoin reply to this

         I know - that's the best part! My kinda town, especially then. Going for another visit in October - unfortunately not on Halloween - but will be there for "Haunted Happenings" festivities taking place over the month.

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            tksenseiposted 14 years agoin reply to this

            Actually, in recent years it has gotten a little hairy at times. Being right smack in the middle of downtown at midnight on Halloween is not exactly a 'family' environment. Other than that time though Salem is a pretty nice, quiet place to live. A lot of interesting historical sites and the Peabody Museum is just great.

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6. 62

   Lisa HWposted 14 years ago

   I think in most Massachusetts towns (not cities) you may find things like downtowns that have hints of "old New England".  Some, more than others.   The ones that really focus on that look are often more "upscale".  You can also find in that individual neighborhoods.  Most towns have lots of perfectly pretty neighborhoods away from their downtowns or "main drags".
   
   As far as the North Shore goes, Salem was featured in the local tv program, Chronicle, within the last few years as having earned some recognition for something like "best place to live" (within some category).  They pointed out lots of work Salem has done to enhance its beauty and call attention to things like museums and transportation in the area.  Chronicle is a WCVB show.  I don't know if they have archives or anything like that.
   
   I, personally, would not choose Beverly (although they have a commuter rail station), Peabody, or Danvers.  They're fine, and they tend to be where the industry/shopping is.  If I'm looking for a suburb I like something less developed. 
   
   Ipwish has an adorable downtown.  Rockport has its own, unique, look.  Gloucester is said to be a "blue collar".  (Last year when there were all those unmarried, pregnant, teen girls news features kept saying how the kids in Gloucester aren't necessarily the ones looking to go to college.)  Hamilton is pretty.

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7. 59

   tksenseiposted 14 years ago

   That's all about true. I still recommend taking a look at Nahant if you can.

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