Reading, North Reading or Lynnfield (Newton, Waltham: houses, good schools, living in)

[LYLAS]

We are currently looking for a home around 500K in Reading, N. Reading, Peabody. We are also open to other nearby towns w/ easy access to highways, good schools. Husband will be commuting to Waltham. I'm hoping to find some meaningful part time work, we have a bright 6 yr old daughter. Please advise on which town or towns would be best, or at least better or affordable.
Thank you

[3cents]

You'll be looking at an hour's commute (with traffic) each way, from those towns to Waltham. Have you considered towns south east of Waltham? : Wollaston, Natick, Needham, Newton.

[konfetka]

What are you looking for in a town? Is downtown important?

Lynnfield has a small center, but good schools. Also, it's one of the priciest in the area. It's more white collar and homogenous. A lot of beautiful houses on large lots in the woods.

Peabody is the most affordable. But the schools are average. There are many immigrants from Greece, Portugal and Brazil. It's also more 'blue collar', and has the North Shore Mall. There is a Main st. with some shops and restaurants. Near downtown it's dense and historic, and some parts are more spread out and quiet.

Reading and N. Reading are more affordable then Lynnfield. Schools are pretty good. N. Reading is more rural, and Reading has more of a downtown.

Burlington has good schools, and it's closer to Waltham.

Wakefield is also a typical family suburb with better then average schools, and is one of the more affordable places.

If you are considering Peabody, Danvers and Beverly are not that much further, but are a better alternative for an affordable family town with better then average schools. The commute to Waltham could be long, though.

[Cato the Elder]

Originally Posted by 3cents

You'll be looking at an hour's commute (with traffic) each way, from those towns to Waltham. Have you considered towns south east of Waltham? : Wollaston, Natick, Needham, Newton.

This makes much more sense than relying on 128 for a commute. Needham and Newton will be too expensive, but I believe Natick is doable. Your husband could take surface streets for his commute from Natick, but it's pretty much 128 living in Reading and the North Shore.

[3cents]

Bedford just popped into mind.

[wxjay]

Are you absolutely sold on those three towns? As others mentioned, the commute to Waltham and back would be terrible.

If you definitely want to be north of Waltham, I would consider Burlington.