Tewksbury, Lowell, Billerica may be the area to look at. Prices aren't terrible, for instance this is for sale down the street from me, on a quiet cul de sac: https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/54-James-St-Tewksbury-MA-01876/56344771_zpid/

And the commuter line is super close (~10 minutes) will bring you into boston in ~an hour (give or take 20 minutes).

The YMCAs in the area offer childcare at a great rate, and - at least in Tewksbury - there are a number of SAHP who watch other people's kids for cheap.

>I realize my tone was downplaying the level of threat, and that was not my intention. When I posted this, the only other comment was urging a white mountains hike seemingly (to me) with the tone of "it's been so warm and the mountains are more interesting" and that part of my comment was in relation to the previous poster.

I realize my tone was downplaying the level of threat, and that was not my intention. When I posted this, the only other comment was urging a white mountains hike seemingly (to me) with the tone of "it's been so warm and the mountains are more interesting" and that part of my comment was in relation to the previous poster.

PP is right, Cape Cod is dead in the winter - but that means the walking and hiking trails are dead too, which I love. The whites get dangerous suddenly, it's more of a concern when it's not this unseasonably warm, but I think it's something to note.

Washington Square Tattoo in Haverhill runs events where they do that occasionally