Move to Billerica MA from Austin TX

Can I trade you places?? I call Bedford, MA "home" and that's so close! I want to go back!!

That aside, I think you'll need to move a little further out to get a decent sized house for that price (I'm thinking 2000-3000 square feet), and I'm not sure about schools since I haven't lived there since 1999 and I was in 10th grade then. I went to a school in Lowell (private) for 7th grade, on base at Hanscom AFB for 8th, and then Bedfor High for 9th and 10th...they were all good.

Have fun!!

I grew up in Lexington (a couple towns away from Billerica- but very expensive- for your price range you could probably only get a cape or small ranch, or a fixer upper split level). I now live in Framingham. I have a good friend who lives in Billerica and has 2 kids in the public schools (2nd grade and kindergarten). Her husband grew up there and went to school there. I have met many of her friends and they seem great, the kids are doing well in school, and they are both involved in soccer. My brother and his family live in Bedford and LOVE it... great schools, small town feel but a lot of sports/extracurricular opportunities around. Bedford is on the expensive side to, but not as bad as some of the other towns in the area. We looked in Bedford in the same price range as you about 5 years ago, and just realized we got so much more house for our money in Framingham, plus my husbands job was here- but I do love the town. As far as public schools, really, most of the Boston Suburbs have schools that are considered very good as compared with most of the country. Good luck in your search... if you need more info let me know!

Massachusetts recently scored the TOP IN THE NATION on 8th grade science and math testing. So you really can't go wrong. It's a choice between great schools and REALLY great schools. Bedford, Lexington and Concord/Carlise (separate elementary/jr high, joint HS) are all nearby and all very good. But you'll see as you look at houses that there is a premium for certain towns ($500k buys you a bigger house but schools not quite as good, vs a smaller house but better schools).

On another note, good to live relatively near to a major road (Routes 2, 3 or 93) to make getting around easier. If you haven't already, it might be good to check out traffic during commuting hours. That could influence things. Coming down from Nashua NH might be a messy commute on Route 3.

My sister lives in Acton and is really happy there. It's a nice, affordable neighborhood with a great school system. It's probably a 20-25 minute drive from Billerica (we actually stayed in Billerica when we visited in August - the Homewood Suites there is very nice!!). Your husband would be mostly going against traffic, so it shouldn't be too bad of a drive even during rush hour.