Here we go again: Winchester and Lexington

[MovingtoMass2019]

We want them to have a nice sense of community and play outside a lot while they’re little...

Does Winchester have a newcomers club? Are there other good ways to get to know people there? I have a good feel for how to navigate in Winchester or advices? Thank you!

[htfdcolt]

Originally Posted by MovingtoMass2019

Everyone has been so helpful and we appreciate it a lot...

That said, there are always trade offs: would you choose walking distance to Lexington center but very cramped or a house with more space and a lovely street but by mystic lake in Winchester so not in town center? Thanks... we’re torn and it’s hard not being there to already know.

I'd go with the Winchester option myself.

To your other question...there is a Facebook group for Winchester residents, but I'm not aware of something specific to newcomers. Maybe you could ask there. Good luck with your decision!

[roadstrailstris]

We have friends who have been in Winchester for years and seem to love it. It's also right by the Middlesex Fells which I've always loved for trail running, nice walks, and mountain biking.

[mwj119]

Originally Posted by MovingtoMass2019

Everyone has been so helpful and we appreciate it a lot...

That said, there are always trade offs: would you choose walking distance to Lexington center but very cramped or a house with more space and a lovely street but by mystic lake in Winchester so not in town center? Thanks... we’re torn and it’s hard not being there to already know.

I'd take the Winchester option, as you're probabaly still only ~1 mile to Winchester Center, and everything is connected well with sidewalks. Plenttyyyy of folks do that walk/bike ride quite frequently.

I'm not sure why it has to be one or the other, though.. Can't you wait for a house to come up for sale in a neighborhood within walking distance to downtown Winchester?

[MovingtoMass2019]

This all helps so much everyone — makes us even more excited to move.

(We aren’t able to wait for the right house in walking distance because my husband has already been working in Boston for several months and it’s really difficult for our children being apart.). Thanks again!

[chicagoliz]

I would rate Winchester higher than Lexington. We looked at both when we moved a few years ago. The more I looked at Lexington, the less I liked it, primarily because it's further out from downtown than I'd like, and it has no train. I did love Lexington Town Center, but if you weren't walking distance to the town center, then it was fairly car dependent and many areas weren't any better than Bedford, which is right next door, but less money.

I have a friend from college who could afford to live in any town he wanted. His family has lived in Winchester for years now, their kids have gone through the schools, and they are very happy with the town.

[Ash33]

I was curious if you made the move to Winchester and what you think of living there. Anything you wish you had known before moving there?

I have older kids and need to commute to Revere.

[GeoffD]

Not very well useful this year but Winchester is much easier access to Logan Airport. When I owned a house there, I was doing a lot of business travel. You can cut through Chelsea for a morning flight and the drive is fairly deterministic since no tunnel.

[MovingtoMass2019]

Hi there,

We ultimately did choose Winchester, and even though we moved as the pandemic ramped up, we couldn't be happier with our choice.

The commuter rail is excellent, and the 20 minute drive into the city -- and to the pastries of the North End -- can't be beat...or at least, won't be able to be beat once it's usable and open again.

Everyone has been incredibly warm and welcoming, and we appreciate the number of small businesses and how eager people are to help. We also really love that, in spite of the easy access to the city, there is such abundant access to green space, the Fells and beyond...from just walking/running around Mystic Lake, to safely walking into town with our kids, to venturing out to other nature areas in places like Lexington/Concord. It feels like the best of everything.

I typically agonize over decisions and rehash them, but this is one of the few I can unequivocally say I feel like we got right and wouldn't change if given a chance.

THAT SAID...while driving recently, a community we wish we had considered that has a few great houses on and is totally different in terms of environment and perks...Nahant! It's close to Revere, close to the city, has a small town feel, and great beach access. Odd, since it's so removed from Winchester, but that's the only other place I wish I had known to look.

Good luck!

Originally Posted by Ash33

I was curious if you made the move to Winchester and what you think of living there. Anything you wish you had known before moving there?

I have older kids and need to commute to Revere.

[massnative71]

Originally Posted by MovingtoMass2019

Hi there,

We ultimately did choose Winchester, and even though we moved as the pandemic ramped up, we couldn't be happier with our choice.

The commuter rail is excellent, and the 20 minute drive into the city -- and to the pastries of the North End -- can't be beat...or at least, won't be able to be beat once it's usable and open again.

Everyone has been incredibly warm and welcoming, and we appreciate the number of small businesses and how eager people are to help. We also really love that, in spite of the easy access to the city, there is such abundant access to green space, the Fells and beyond...from just walking/running around Mystic Lake, to safely walking into town with our kids, to venturing out to other nature areas in places like Lexington/Concord. It feels like the best of everything.

I typically agonize over decisions and rehash them, but this is one of the few I can unequivocally say I feel like we got right and wouldn't change if given a chance.

THAT SAID...while driving recently, a community we wish we had considered that has a few great houses on and is totally different in terms of environment and perks...Nahant! It's close to Revere, close to the city, has a small town feel, and great beach access. Odd, since it's so removed from Winchester, but that's the only other place I wish I had known to look.

Good luck!

Thanks for the update and glad you are so far happy! Nahant certainly has its appeals, but downsides as well to include coastal flooding and the fact that you have to go to Lynn for most things (not a nice city). Sounds like you made a good choice.