Affordability is becoming more and more of an anomaly in Massachusetts. However, there are still a few spots in Massachusetts that are affordable and safe.
The question you need to ask yourself is:
“What is affordable to me?”
Then, you need to ask:
“What does “safe” mean to me?”
We all have different definitions of working, middle, and upper class, so this article can’t provide a definitive answer. However, with our knowledge of the state (being born and raised here), we can share a few of the lesser-known spots that are generally cheaper and safer.
The Skinny
Of the 50 safest cities in the United States, 18 are in Massachusetts. Well, technically, only four of them are cities:
- Franklin
- Marshfield
- Arlington
- Lexington
The great thing about Massachusetts is it’s diversity of activity. You can find rivers, miles of coastline, mountains, hunting, golf, nightlife, and more. If you can handle the snow, harsh winters tends to lower the cost of living.
We’ll also add that crime has steadily declined over the last 30 years. That is to say that “rough” urban neighborhoods are becoming a myth. Yes, there are parts of Boston to stay away from. However, it’s becoming increasingly possible for young people to find affordable housing without the long commute.
The Commuter Rail
If you need to commute into Boston, know that traffic in Boston is among the worst in the nation. However, you’re in luck because Eastern Mass and much of Central Mass has access to the commuter rail. This can turn a 90-minute drive into a 45-60 minute commute. Oh, and you can nap, read a book, or catch up on work.
Childcare & Education
Massachusetts is one of the most expensive states for childcare. However, that cost is offset by the states world-class education system. You can use the Massachusetts Licensed Child Care Search. Daycares have to include their updated pricing every two years when they get relicensed.
As far as education goes, you can look at lists of the best school districts. Those lists really just do a better job of showing you which communities have the richest tax bases. Our biased onion is that almost all schools in Massachusetts are well funded. You don’t need to live in Brookline or Harvard to give your kid a blue chip education.
What you should really compare is size. Generally, bigger school districts will have more extracurricular opportunities. Are your kids fine in smaller, rural classrooms. Or, will they require a school with a math club, debate team, and renowned football team?
Employment Opportunities
If you had your pick, you would have a work from home job. You either wouldn’t have any kids, or your WFH employment would negate the need for childcare. This would allow you to live in a Western or Central Mass. This part of the state doesn’t always have the best access to highways and transportation. If you’re geographically locked because of employment, then let’s discuss the specific geographic locations.
As a rough overview, we’ll break Massachusetts down into five areas:
- Western Massachusetts
- Central Massachusetts
- North Shore (North Boston)
- South Shore (South Boston)
- Cape Cod
Western Massachusetts
More rural areas in the western side of the state are more affordable. Cost of living is lower (home, groceries, childcare). You just have to be fine with having less to do (if you’re the city type). You’ll need a car in all parts of Western Mass because things are more spread out and there’s less public transpo.
Northampton and Amherst have the most reputable school districts in Western Mass. You can find cheaper living and rural living in the Palmer/Monson area. They’re cheaper because you won’t find much public transportation.
If you’re looking to buy a home in Massachusetts and lay down roots, we would suggest Northampton, Amherst, or Easthampton
Springfield
Springfield is the only city of notable size in Western Mass. Like most cities, it has it’s quiet nice parts of town and places to avoid. If you had to lump the whole city together, your dollar will go a lot further here than in Boston.
Holyoke is still the place to find cheaper apartments. Chicopee has affordable apartments, but it’s crime rate is alarmingly high compared to the rest of the state. This is more of a place to slep, not much of a place you’d want to spend a lot of time in.
Pioneer Valley
Pioneer Valley includes the “midwestern counties of Massachusetts, including Springfield, Hampshire, and Franklin.
If you want a more rural feel, we’d suggest Franklin County. Of course, Springfield is the biggest city in Western Mass. However, a young, single individual may find the best dating opportunities and entertainment in Hampshire. This area contains the “Five College Consortium”, Amherst College, Hampshire College, Mount Holyoke College, Smith College, and the University of Massachusetts Amherst.
Berkshire County
If you’re looking for picturesque New England living, then you can’t go wrong with the Berkshires. Pittsfield is the main city in Berkshire county. This goes for all of Western Mass, but don’t live here thinking you’ll have an easy commute to Boston. As of writing this, there’s only one train a day from Pittsfield to Boston. It leaves at 4:30 pm and doesn’t get to Boston until 8:30 pm.
The Berkshires are experiencing a “problem” where many New Yorkers are driving up the property prices. The further away you get from Pittsfield, the more likely you are to have a big house and yard. Up there, your biggest worry will be an encounter with wildlife, not crime.
Central Massachusetts
If you work remote or can find a job in Central Mass, then Worcester is an “affordable” city to Massachusetts standards. Maynard is still affordable and has a decent school system. If you’re looking for the town feel, you can find that in Maynard.
Here are some other cities in Central Massachusetts to research:
- Millbury
- Upton
- Mendon
- Grafton
- Milford
- Holliston
- Northbridge
North Shore
North Boston & North Shore is full of good towns and beaches. You can’t go wrong with towns like Peabody, Middleton, Danvers, or Rowley. However, they’re more on the expensive side. But it’s cheaper than Metro Boston.
The North Shore has excellent access to Boston with the Haverhill, Newburyport, and Rockport lines.
Here are our picks for the North Shore:
- Wakefield
- North Reading
- Bradford/Haverhill
- Georgetown
- North Andover
- Beverly
- Woburn
Edit: Yes, we know that to technically be the “North Shore,” you have to be near the water. For the uninformed reader, there is a difference. But for the sake of simplicity, North Shore = North Boston
South Shore
Living south of Boston does allow you to find an affordable place to live that’s less than an hour’s commute from Boston. However, the shorter your commute, the more you’ll either have to increase your budget, accept a less-than-desirable area, or get roommates.
The further south you go, the closer you get to towns like Taunton and Attleboro, which bring you into the Providence metro area.
Here are our picks for the South Shore:
- Weymouth
- Bridgewater
- Halifax
- Rockland
- Abington
- Duxbury
- Sharon
- Plymouth
My only personal gripe with the South Shore is the commute. You couldn’t pay me to drive on the I-93 south of Boston during rush hour.
Cape Cod
Cape Cod is surprisingly affordable, but it leaves you far away from the rest of the state. It’s full of insular communities with a lack of year-round jobs. The popularity of buying tons of properties and then renting them out to vacationers has caused the prices to skyrocket.
This, combined with 43% of homes being second homes, is contributing to the Cape’s housing shortage. However, let’s touch on that for a second. In the next economic downturn, you can bet your bottom dollar that many homeowners overextended themselves with their second mortgage vacation home.
This is where you want to look for cheaper foreclosed properties.
We had to dig, but you can access their community housing list if your job is affiliated with Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution or the National Marine Fisheries Service.
Oh, and crime. What crime?
Affordable And Safe Does Exist In Massachusetts
Massachusetts is a great place to grow your career on a budget or raise a family. Overall, it’s not the cheapest state, but the expense is offset by its amazing summers, safe cities, and elite education system. If you’re looking to sell your house quickly in Boston so you can move somewhere more affordable, get in touch with our team at New England Home Buyers,
