Boston

[Jessenhaus]

Starting to explore other options.  What do you think is the best town/value for a 500k budget considering commute to boston, good schools, great community.  There seem to be tons of options at that price point all within an hr. commute to town.  

[davidpollack]

Places like Chelmsford, Boxford, Topsfield, Andover, and Middlton have great school systems but tax and home values are a lot more. North Andover, Haverhill, and Methuen are locations that have average rated school systems, but you will get a lot more for your money especially with a $500k budget even though the median list price in methuen is close to $240k. If you search for any town/city in the search homes tab on the Redfin website you can click on "stats and trends" on the left side. Under stats and trends you can get current market trends, price reduction meter, median sold price, school ratings, and more.

Hope That helps

[Jessenhaus]

Thanks - it does.  I recently went to check out hopkinton, holliston, and southborough as well.  Seem to have a higher median price, but still within my range.  Too many options so I think I'll start limiting to metro west and south of the city.  

[RK100]

Metrowest offers a lot of value for money. Southborough is probably the best, but yes expensive accordingly. Westborough, which is right next door is cheaper, has great schools is close to highways, offers a train station in town for access to downtown and has nice grocery stores and restaurants. Northborough and Shrewsbury also worth checking out.

[01581]

if you are going to check out hopkinton and southborough, don't forget westborough. great schools and close to 495 and the pike.

[drr]

Would consider Littleton and Acton as well - they have the benefit of offering a commuter rail option into both Cambridge and Boston.

[Jessenhaus]

Thanks for the advice everyone.  It seems the inventory is starting to pick up and the bidding getting pretty competitive.  I'm sure it will level out a bit come May/June. 

[davidpollack]

Hey Guys,

Redfin wrote a blog about the recent shortages in inventory and all the bidding wars going on in the country- http://blog.redfin.com/blog/2012/03/inventory_shortage_move_along_nothing_to_see_here.html

More of this is happening closer to the city, but it does happen in the suburbs as well.

- David

[Somerville_buye]

Hi. I'm a reporter for the Boston Globe. 

I'm interested in interviewing people currently in the market to buy a home or refinance, so I'd love to hear from you (or other people in Greater Boston.)

My e-mail address is twallack@globe.com

Phone is 617-929-2069

Todd Wallack

Business Reporter

Boston Globe

[-_-]

Have you considered Watertown? Much closer to Boston, some great family-friendly neighborhoods...