Boston Magazine recently published their “Best Places to Live 2010” list, covering neighborhoods around Boston, North Shore, South Shore, Downtown, Inland South, Inland North, and MetroWest. Utilizing data collected from the Massachusetts Association of Realtors, residents, town clerks, and recreation departments, they picked the best cities and towns in the state of Massachusetts to call home, designating them a “gold standard,” “best value” or “opportunity knocks.”
LandVest specializes in assisting those interested in buying and selling real estate in the most desirable markets throughout New England and specifically in the markets listed below that have been recognized as being a top place to live.
Downtown Boston
Gold Standard: Brookline
Brookline residents enjoy a lovely neighborhood feel with all the amenities of a larger city. With highly regarded public and private schools, several libraries, museums, and golf clubs, it truly is a “Gold Standard.” Located in Brookline is also The Country Club, one of the oldest country clubs in the United States. This blend of recreational activity, fine schools, numerous dining opportunities, and proximity to Boston makes it one of the finest communities in the state.
LandVest Brookline, Massachusetts real estate for sale
Classic Brookline Estate For Sale, Brookline, MA
For more information on properties for sale in Brookline Massachusetts, contact Terry Maitland (tmaitland@landvest.com) or Nicole Monahan (nmonahan@landvest.com)
Opportunity Knocks: Waterfront, South End Fringes
The Waterfront and South End areas of Boston are truly up-and-coming. Renovations, lovely boutiques, eateries, and outdoor activities make this a vibrant and attractive area of the city. There are several private schools in the area and students also have the choice to attend Boston public schools.
For more information on Boston Waterfront real estate and South End Properties for sale contact Terry Maitland (tmaitland@landvest.com), Nicole Monahan (nmonahan@landvest.com) or Mary-Elisabeth Jones (mejones@landvest.com)
North Shore
Gold Standard: Manchester-by-the-Sea
Manchester-by-the-Sea, located on Cape Ann, is a small community of 5,500, well-known for waterfront properties, conservation land, and lovely sandy beaches. Public schools are regional (Manchester–Essex) and very strong; students have amongst the highest testing scores in the state. This is one of the largest draws, according to LandVest Principal, Lanse Robb,(lrobb@landvest.com) “Young parents are looking for a great place to live and school systems to rely on.”
Manchester-by-the-Sea also has very low crime rate and many community organizations. Located twenty miles north of Boston, the town is within commuting distance to the city, but allows for luxury waterfront living.
LandVest properties for sale in Manchester-by-the-Sea, Massachusetts
Best Value: Essex
Essex shares the same excellent (and wonderfully test-scoring) schools with Manchester-by-the-Sea; some of the highest MCAS scores in the state. The towns put a lot of resources into the school systems and recently built a new high school. The town is also home of two public marinas, many tourist attractions, and community activities. Several antique shops, boutiques, and lovely restaurants line the downtown, providing a quaint small-town feel. The houses are more affordable than Manchester, but also offer access to great beaches on the North Shore.
Opportunity Knocks: Hamilton-Wenham
Hamilton-Wenham shares a regional school district, commuter rail, and many community activities. Hamilton is known for equestrian estates. There are many signs that the housing market in each community is on the uprise. According to LandVest’s Lanse Robb,(lrobb@landvest.com), who has worked extensively with buyers and sellers of luxury properties on Massachusetts’ North Shore, “Opportunity Knocks” because of the “good School system, large lot sizes, commuter rail to Boston, and quick access to North Shore beaches.” One should note that while the houses are less expensive than Manchester-by-the-Sea, taxes are significantly higher. It is important to calculate all variables.
LandVest listings in Wenham, Massachusetts
For More information on North Shore Real Estate for Sale contact Lanse Robb (lrobb@landvest.com).
Inland North
Gold Standard: Winchester
Just eight miles north of the city, the 20,000 person community of Winchester is one of the “Gold Standards” in the state. With highly regarded public, private, and Catholic schools; very low crime rate, high household income, and many local community organizations Winchester is an ideal community in which to live. The town has several bodies of water including Mystic Lakes, Wedge Pond, Aberjoba River, and Sucker Brook.
LandVest real estate for sale in Winchester
Winchester Lakefront for Sale, Winchester, MA
For more information on properties for sale in Winchester, MA contact Richard Church (rchurch@landvest.com)
MetroWest
Gold Standard: Concord
Concord is well-known for distinguished schools and accessibility to Boston. This tight-knit community has many activities, a historic downtown green, several community organizations and events.
LandVest agent Mary-Elisabeth Jones (mejones@landvest.com), who has worked with buyers and sellers of luxury real estate in the Concord area for years says “the town is celebrated for its sense of community, deep commitment to open space, generational family farms, community based library system and community organizations devoted to the arts, music and theatre. The Sudbury, Concord and Assabet Rivers provide opportunities for boating and fishing. Pond skating is a favorite winter activity. Concord is a community where people have their feet on the ground, respect their neighbors and live life to the fullest!”
LandVest real estate for sale in Concord, Massachusetts
5-Acre Retreat on Spencer Brook Road for Sale Concord, MA
For more information on real estate for sale in Concord, Massachusetts, contact Mary-Elisabeth Jones (mejones@landvest.com)
Opportunity Knocks: Wellesley, Weston, Dover, Sherborn
It is an opportune time to purchase homes in Wellesley, Weston, Dover, and Sherborn, as they are selling for much less than the listing prices. In each of these towns, Wellesley, Weston, Dover, and Sherborn, there have been significant decreases in home prices, making them the frontrunners in MetroWest for the “Opportunity Knocks” category.
Ruth Kennedy Sudduth, LandVest agent specializing in the MetroWest area, believes that these towns are “within easy reach of downtown Boston and Route 128 and offer Boston’s most gracious country living. Generations of commitment to land conservation have preserved a genteel rural New England character, where you can ride horseback or walk along quiet trails throughout both towns. Farm Pond in Sherborn offers sailing, swimming and paddling in its clear quiet waters. Supported by an excellent public school system and engaged spirit of community, Dover and Sherborn offer homeowners rare opportunities to live in rural quiet and privacy within easy reach of Boston.”
LandVest properties for sale in Sherborn, MA
LandVest Properties for sale in Dover, MA
For more information on Real Estate for sale in Sherborn, Dover and surrounding towns contact rsudduth@landvest.com
