House Buying Suggestions?

[DT]

Hey everybody, not new to the boards, but it looks like I'll be new to the area in no time. I'll be working in Bedford, but I'd like to live close to good mountain biking. Also, I'm sure the wife would like it to be under 45 minutes to Boston in case she ends up having to work in the city. Any suggestions on where to start looking?

My first thought was near Fells, but I'm having second thoughts. It seems like the singletrack riding would be pretty limited there with the restrictions on mountain bikes. I've never ridden there though (well anywhere in MA), so I can't really say. I guess I'm spoiled by the fact I can ride out my door and in 2 minutes be on an out and back singletrack trail that totals around 7 miles.

By the way, I'm super excited to get up there and can't wait! Thanks for any suggestions.

DT

[Coolriding]

Questions: do you have kids or planning to (school systems important) and what is price range (renting or buying). Towns near Bedford include Concord, Carlisle (big $$$), Acton, Maynard (relatively cheap), Burlington (has big mall), Westford, etc

For riding, near Greatbrook State Park in Carlisle and Leominster State forest, as well as other smaller places

Good luck

[DT]

No kids here, just me, the wife, and the dog. No idea on the price as this is our first house. It seems they approve you for at least double what you can actually afford, ha. Thanks for the list of towns, I'll start checking them out!

I'm kind of torn between the idea of being able to bicycle to work, so living within 15 miles or living near a place I can mountain bike just by riding out the door. I've actually got a good friend that now lives in Princeton, MA, which looks pretty close to Leominster Forest on the map. But I think the wife might put the kabosh on living that far from the city. Worth a shot I guess, ha.

Thanks again!

DT

[skiierx]

Before you buy, you should come up and rent (short term living). I live in Waltham (couple towns over from Bedford). Its nice, close to the city, and not that difficult to get many places. As for getting close to a good spot to ride, that all will depend on how much driving you and the wife want. Traffic can be a nightmare on 128/95 during commutes and that is what you should first think about. As for the biking, you have quite a few choices but if you want challenging singletrack then you most likely want to get closer to Lynn Woods (one of the better areas that is close to Boston). There are quite a few places that have decent riding but the drive to/from work might be a nightmare (unless an hour in the car each way is ok with you). If you want to stay in the vacinity of Boston, then look right on the 128/95 beltway. It for the most part keeps you within 10 miles of the city. Real estate prices have dropped a little over the last 6 months which is a good reason to buy but the real reason I think you should wait is that way you can find out where you would really like to live without rushing yourselves.

Good luck

[Slappy]

No kids here, just me, the wife, and the dog. No idea on the price as this is our first house. It seems they approve you for at least double what you can actually afford, ha. Thanks for the list of towns, I'll start checking them out!

I'm kind of torn between the idea of being able to bicycle to work, so living within 15 miles or living near a place I can mountain bike just by riding out the door. I've actually got a good friend that now lives in Princeton, MA, which looks pretty close to Leominster Forest on the map. But I think the wife might put the kabosh on living that far from the city. Worth a shot I guess, ha.

Thanks again!

DT

I live in that area (Westminster). Bedford would be about 45 minute commute or so for you; I can be at Logan airport in an hour from my house. Having grown up closer to the 128/95 mess, I personally am all set with the crowds and congestion. Your $$ will go a lot farther out here also. Even got a little ski area in town, as well as pretty much endless riding right out the door.
I'd second the recommendation to try to check things out first hand. I'd rather drive a little farther and have some space myself, but everyone's got their own priorities. :)

[pk]

Bedford itself would also be a pretty good choice. There's decent local riding, and it's more affordable than some of the neighboring towns. Also, Great Brook is 15 minutes, Lynn is 30 minutes, the Fells is about the same.

We do 60+ mile epics leaving from Bedford. And if you road riding as well, just head west for some of the nicest road riding in the area. All the rides leaving from the city, head this direction, and there's a Saturday ride leaving out of the Bedford library.

pk

[hogboy]

Bedford itself would also be a pretty good choice. There's decent local riding, and it's more affordable than some of the neighboring towns. Also, Great Brook is 15 minutes, Lynn is 30 minutes, the Fells is about the same.

We do 60+ mile epics leaving from Bedford. And if you road riding as well, just head west for some of the nicest road riding in the area. All the rides leaving from the city, head this direction, and there's a Saturday ride leaving out of the Bedford library.

pk
don't forget acton 20 mile loop, and then punkatasset, and the PR. bedford is right there near a buncha choices. all of them local or under 10 miles apart

in bedford taking the dirt trail to concord can bring you to acton by only crossing a few roads and maybe 1 mile of connector roads. then there is punkatasset/estabrook and the llama trail and you are in Great Brook with a 1/4 mile road section. bedford is all good

[steve_b]

No kids here, just me, the wife, and the dog. No idea on the price as this is our first house. It seems they approve you for at least double what you can actually afford, ha. Thanks for the list of towns, I'll start checking them out!

I'm kind of torn between the idea of being able to bicycle to work, so living within 15 miles or living near a place I can mountain bike just by riding out the door. I've actually got a good friend that now lives in Princeton, MA, which looks pretty close to Leominster Forest on the map. But I think the wife might put the kabosh on living that far from the city. Worth a shot I guess, ha.

Thanks again!

DT


Unless you are really patient, I don't believe you would enjoy driving in on 62/110/117 everyday from Princeton to Bedford. I'd guess it's about 30 miles, and during commuting hours you are looking at about an hour drive each direction.

If your wife will probably end up working in Boston, you might want to look into moving near the towns that have commuter rail service. The Fitchburg commuter rail line runs through the Concord area, and the Lowell line comes down on the other side of Rte. 3. It beats driving into the city most days unless you go in real early. The Mass Pike, 93, 128, 2, and 3 are all terrible during commuting hours.

[Husqvarna]

Working in Bedford, MA or Bedford, NH? It's only a 30 minute drive from one to the other. Boston would be an hours drive from Bedford, NH.

Not sure where your from, but its pretty common to live in southern NH and south coast of ME and work in Boston or the North Shore. Same goes for living west and south of Boston.

You say your wife needs to be near the city. Well in New England you have to drive at least an hour and half north to get out of the city.

Truthfully riding opportunities are so plentiful anywhere you live in the Boston Metropolis, southern NH, southern ME and RI, you'll be within 30 mins drive of at least 2 and maybe 3 riding areas, that will easily offer 10 plus miles of trails.

[Slappy]

Unless you are really patient, I don't believe you would enjoy driving in on 62/110/117 everyday from Princeton to Bedford. I'd guess it's about 30 miles, and during commuting hours you are looking at about an hour drive each direction.


I was thinking more of Rt 2; guess it would depend what part of Princeton. There's always the Shirley/Ayer/Acton/Lancaster/Lunenburg area off Rt 2 also.
Rt 2 is the new Rt 3 (but not gridlocked just yet) :D

Bedford's a good location, but anytime I go thru now I can't believe the congestion. Same with Billerica/Burlington. Prices are still crazy too (at least for us po' boys). 1/4 million dollars for 600sq feet on .2 acres? Say WHAT???

[SloMoJo]

Before you buy, you should come up and rent (short term living). I live in Waltham (couple towns over from Bedford). Its nice, close to the city, and not that difficult to get many places. As for getting close to a good spot to ride, that all will depend on how much driving you and the wife want. Traffic can be a nightmare on 128/95 during commutes and that is what you should first think about. As for the biking, you have quite a few choices but if you want challenging singletrack then you most likely want to get closer to Lynn Woods (one of the better areas that is close to Boston). There are quite a few places that have decent riding but the drive to/from work might be a nightmare (unless an hour in the car each way is ok with you). If you want to stay in the vacinity of Boston, then look right on the 128/95 beltway. It for the most part keeps you within 10 miles of the city. Real estate prices have dropped a little over the last 6 months which is a good reason to buy but the real reason I think you should wait is that way you can find out where you would really like to live without rushing yourselves.

Good luck

Good advice right there.

[DT]

Thanks for all the suggestions everyone. I made it up to MA last week for work and took an extra day to just drive around the different towns and neighborhoods. I also did the drive from my friends house in Princeton to Bedford during rush hour...that sucked, ha. We won't be living that far away. Carlisle (every lot is 2+ acres!) and Winchester looked great, but definitely out of the price range.

Again, thanks for all the suggestions. I'll be sure to let everyone know how it turns out.

DT

[leebo]

I have lived in Wilmington since 1990. Good local riding nearby. 8 miles to Harold ParkerSF. PR in burlington, 30 min drive to Lynn woods , plus some local stuff. You also might check out North Reading.