A good compromise between Boston and Worcester? (Framingham, Fitchburg: condo, house)

[cawiau]

My wife works in Boston and I work in the Worcester area. We currently live in Clinton and she drives to Westborough and take the train into the Back Bay, depends on the day I have a 20-45 minutes commute.

We are looking for a condo/towhhome or maybe house (we know that one is a long shot) that would reduce her commute and keep mine within an hour. We are both first time homebuyers.

Price range - I would prefer to stay within 250k while my wife is willing to go up to 300k. What towns would be a good compromise? 10-15 minutes drive to the T would be desirable.

[MikePRU]

Framingham is smack dab in the middle of Boston and Worcester. It's also far more affordable than many of it's neighbors like Natick and Sudbury.

[scorpio516]

Westborough, Southborough, Ashland, Framingham, Hopkinton.

Once the route 9 bridge is done, commutes into Worcester should be easily less than 1 hour.

[cawiau]

Originally Posted by MikePRU

Framingham is smack dab in the middle of Boston and Worcester. It's also far more affordable than many of it's neighbors like Natick and Sudbury.

We looked into Framingham and are still looking; but I was told to cautious because a wrong left or right I may end up in a bad neighborhood.

Also my boss suggested to remain on the north side of Framingham so that is the area we have been looking into, it is also more expensive $$$

[cawiau]

Originally Posted by scorpio516

Westborough, Southborough, Ashland, Framingham, Hopkinton.

Once the route 9 bridge is done, commutes into Worcester should be easily less than 1 hour.

Thanks, all areas we are considering. Thank you

[BitofEndearment]

What on Earth are you doing west of 495? Is there action up there in the land of the Museum of Russian Icons? Get yourselves down to Framingham or Southboro stat. (Bit of sarcasm happening here, but I mean, yes, do move).

[FCMA]

Hudson? Ayer? Littleton? Marlboro? Beware the high prices and so-called "amenities" in the nether regions of MetroWest. Framingham is pretty hit or miss and pricier than where you are now. In Clinton you at least have a pretty reservoir and can see Wachusett and a hill or three. Plus that budget limits you unfortunately! Your wife sounds like she probably needs could use North Station, so maybe just consider a spot on the Fitchburg line around 495. Ayer and Littleton might fit the bill and aren't entirely perversely expensive. Ayer is pretty similar to Clinton anyhow, just with the bonus of a commuter train!

[scorpio516]

Originally Posted by FCMA

Hudson? Ayer? Littleton? Marlboro? Beware the high prices and so-called "amenities" in the nether regions of MetroWest. Framingham is pretty hit or miss and pricier than where you are now. In Clinton you at least have a pretty reservoir and can see Wachusett and a hill or three. Plus that budget limits you unfortunately! Your wife sounds like she probably needs could use North Station, so maybe just consider a spot on the Fitchburg line around 495. Ayer and Littleton might fit the bill and aren't entirely perversely expensive. Ayer is pretty similar to Clinton anyhow, just with the bonus of a commuter train!

Not if she needs to get to Back Bay.

[MikePRU]

Originally Posted by cawiau

We looked into Framingham and are still looking; but I was told to cautious because a wrong left or right I may end up in a bad neighborhood.

Also my boss suggested to remain on the north side of Framingham so that is the area we have been looking into, it is also more expensive $$$

I think someone has given you a cartoonish image of Framingham. I actually grew up in Framingham and lived there for nearly 20 years. It's not quite the same town I left after I graduated college but it's definitely would never say "one wrong turn and you can end up in a bad neighborhood." I would also caution you against painting a line along route 9 and ignoring the entire side of town south of that line. There are actually some very lovely and expensive neighborhoods on the south side. The Macomber Farms neighborhood is quite expensive and lovely and it's definitely on the south side just to name one example.

I think your problem is that you're talking to people who don't really know Framingham all that well.

[ogre]

Originally Posted by MikePRU

I think someone has given you a cartoonish image of Framingham. I actually grew up in Framingham and lived there for nearly 20 years. It's not quite the same town I left after I graduated college but it's definitely would never say "one wrong turn and you can end up in a bad neighborhood." I would also caution you against painting a line along route 9 and ignoring the entire side of town south of that line. There are actually some very lovely and expensive neighborhoods on the south side. The Macomber Farms neighborhood is quite expensive and lovely and it's definitely on the south side just to name one example.

I think your problem is that you're talking to people who don't really know Framingham all that well.

Second all of this, and I've lived in Framingham within the past decade.