Costs to Heat the home in winter in Boston (condo, daycare)

[nursepaige]

Now that I have a good idea on where to look for a home...can I get some input on what it will cost to heat my home. I heard the winter can be brutal.
Is gas better than oil (I didn't even know oil heaters existed... i'm from San Diego)? Is electric the way to heat and gas to cook? Hot water...??

I will be getting a 3 bedroom home....

I am just trying to average out all my monthly expenses before I make this HUGE decision to move out there.

Many thanks all.

[nursepaige]

Also, can anyone tell me what the after school programs/daycare is like out there... I am getting conflicting info. Costs...are they with in the schools itself..most of the time?
Where I live now, a kid can just walk aroung the corner after school and stay there till I pick them up. It costs me about 280 a month for two kids...is it the same there?

[nursepaige]

One last thing....I might sell me car once it get out there...to give more money during the month. Is this a smart thing to do...how easy is it got get around with out a car for a while?

[felicitev21]

The public school in my area offers extended day before and after school, right in the school, for the children. For care both before and after school the cost is 450/month for 3 days and 600/month for 5 days. For after school only, it is 240/month for 3 days and 400/month for 5 days. This is for kindergarten. If you are living in Boston, a car is not necessary, but I would suggest having one if you have children. Makes it easier to get out to the beach, errands, etc. It sure is a pain to take the taxi or subway if you have to get to the store in snow, rain etc., with kids.

[Hollytree]

You'd probably be good with budgeting 1700. a year for heat if you have gas.
Oil will be more or less depending on price of oil per gallon (likely more).

Electric would be too expensive to consider. You could supplement with a pellet or wood stove if desired.

The good news is that you can easily get by without AC the rest of the year. Just get a few window fans.

[nursepaige]

What is a pellet stove?

What are some of the better schools in or around somerville, medford, malden..ect?

[felicitev21]

(I think) a pellet stove is a special stove you buy-like a woodstove-but it uses pellets to heat. I have heard great things about pellet stoves.You may like it being from Cali, because I heard they provide a LOT of heat. Here's a link
Home Tips : Pellet Stoves Buying Guide

[gf2020]

$1700 per year sounds low to me to heat a 3 BR home.

I pay $3000 per year to heat my 55 year old, 4 BR, 2 BA, 2300 square foot cape with oil.

[xS☺B☺s]

MY very well insulated double pane windows 3rd (of 4) floor 900 sq ft condo in BOS hit a high water mark of about $150 for gas heat in January.

My poorly insulated 1000 ft apt in Dallas cost $350 in January. Lame, eh? Jan in DFW is like November in BOS!

[haberstroh]

I have a 4 bedroom colonial, 20 years old with pretty good insulation, tankless oil heat. So for both heating and hot water I pay ~$3000 a year. Add another $100 a month for electric, that is higher of course if we run the AC.