Best bang for your buck - towns on the North Shore?

Submitted by beepboopitsajoop03 t3_z7gapa in massachusetts

Hello - I’m from the south MetroWest area and rent in Watertown now, but I’m looking to buy a home in the North shore area.

I need to commute to south Winchester everyday and my partner needs to commute to Boston three times a week.

Some towns we’ve been looking at are Woburn, Billerica, Burlington, Reading, and Stoneham, but we’re open! We are trying to focus on communities with or near a commuter rail stop. Our budget is $600-650k ideally (or below would be nice).

Any favorites or advice? All would be greatly appreciated!

TIA!!

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frazzledfortime t1_iy6f5rd wrote

We looked at the same towns! We moved from Watertown to Wakefield. We weren’t looking at Wakefield until we happened upon a house here.

I love walking downtown to the library, restaurants, and the town common by Lake Quannapowitt. We have easy access to Breakheart reservation through and the vocational school parking lot, I love hiking there. Happy to answer questions!

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beepboopitsajoop03 OP t1_iy82aee wrote

No way! Small world lol. Sounds like Wakefield really has everything, I think it’s probably moving up on our list. Thank you so much for the help!!

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frazzledfortime t1_iybfsfk wrote

One of my friends rented a hotel or Airbnb in the towns they were interested in to check out the commute and have a local day.

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chickadeedadee2185 t1_iy7w2i3 wrote

Wakefield is a good town. It has both the commuter rail (Haverhill Line) and the bus (136,137). It is just funky enough to not be stuck on itself. It is right off the highway, has a great lake (Quannapowitt) and does the Fourth in grand style.

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beepboopitsajoop03 OP t1_iy8315i wrote

Another vote for Wakefield! From what it sounds like most people really love it and it’s got everything we’re looking for so it is definitely a top contender. Thanks for the suggestion!!!

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chickadeedadee2185 t1_iy84e6i wrote

A relative just bought a house there. You can find them in your price range, but you have to keep your eyes open and check it out promptly.

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1000thusername t1_iy6fszi wrote

North Reading - better than Reading! here is a cute place in your price range - needs new carpet and some paint but would be a great house

Bradford (neighborhood of Haverhill)

Georgetown (close to Newburyport/Rowley/ipswich/Haverhill stations

North Andover this place looks great

Maaaaaaaybe Rowley

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lodger238 t1_iy7ni0m wrote

Beverly.

Commuter rail, on route 128, harbor, cool downtown, new schools, and above all - nice people.

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beepboopitsajoop03 OP t1_iy82x65 wrote

I’ve heard great things about Beverly for sure! My only concern would be the commute to Winchester- I didn’t want an hour+ commute but I will definitely check out the actual times. Thanks for your suggestion!!!

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B-Roc- t1_iy8i6lf wrote

That commute would suck. 128 is only 2 lanes and it is slow all the time from 93 up. It's a nice town but you will always have traffic to deal with.

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[deleted] t1_iy9qahg wrote

Any commute is terrible this has been played out for 10yr minimum lmao

Moving to Salem or bev is laughable

What a shitshow, guess the answer is just lower your standards and live in some shithole like Billerica til the townies are pushed out

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SkipAd54321 t1_iy6g86d wrote

All those are fine towns and you should be able to find something there for 650k. If you want to go. But cheaper Check out Lynn. If you want so spend more but get easy access to the water try swampscott

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chickadeedadee2185 t1_iy7w711 wrote

Hell of a commute out of Swampscott for Winchester.

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jp_jellyroll t1_iy8j3dk wrote

Yeah, my advice is to stay close to 95 / 93. Local traffic in those areas -- Saugus, Swampscott, Lynn, Salem -- is absolutely horrible. I lived in Salem for 2 years, very close to the Swampscott line, and getting to & from 95 was miserable. Beautiful town though!

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SkipAd54321 t1_iyawerp wrote

Agree! Maybe live in Peabody. Easy access to a lot of major roads if transportation is a big factor

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beepboopitsajoop03 OP t1_iy82im3 wrote

Definitely the commute is something to keep in mind, I personally have never attempted the commute from anywhere north of Boston so I really appreciate the tip!

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Turbulent_Warning842 t1_iy6nju2 wrote

There are parts of Lynn that are quite nice near the Lynnfield Peabody line. Close to route 1, 128, Lynnfield Marketplace etc.

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beepboopitsajoop03 OP t1_iy82cjr wrote

We will definitely keep that in mind - I don’t think we considered Lynn before. Thanks for the suggestion!!

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KG4212 t1_iy6kpmg wrote

I'd steer clear of Lynn. My son & wife bought a fixer-upper in Wakefield and they love it (I do too) and my niece is now in N. Reading and loves it... all in their 30s. Best of luck 👍

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chickadeedadee2185 t1_iy7wbso wrote

Don't understand the downvotes except that maybe N. Reading has no public transportation.

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beepboopitsajoop03 OP t1_iy82me3 wrote

Thanks for the suggestion! From what it sounds like Wakefield is definitely a winner!!! North Reading is lovely from what I can tell too.

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