I would rent a condo for 3k in Coolidge Corner in Brookline. You can do public school and get a 2bed 2 bath for 3k or less.

Boston winters are, indeed, horrible. I lived in both Boston and Chicago, and Boston has this damp, bitterly windy quality that makes it feel worse than Chicago. The natives do tend to be rather cold and brusque. It's a lovely city with lots to do, though, if you have the money.

Anonymous wrote:
Winters are not vastly different.

No no no no no. Winters in Boston are dreadful. I went through one. Never again.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm jealous. I love Boston.

+1

It beats DC, hands down.

But, if you like DC, you will *not* like New England - as a general rule, I have found this to be true. You have to be pretty tough to bear the New England winters (among other things). There is a considerable difference, in many regards.

Winters are not vastly different. They are colder, with more snow, but they are not like winters in e.g. Minnesota or Michigan.

Summers in New England are glorious - no being trapped in air-conditioning. And the beach and lakes are nearby - no need for a neighborhood pool to go swimming.

Dc rudeness doesn't compare to Boston rudeness. I lived in Boston for two years and found most natives to be obnoxious and over-the-top rude. Perhaps it's the cold weather...

How old are your children? Public and private? Budget?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm jealous. I love Boston.

+1

It beats DC, hands down.

But, if you like DC, you will *not* like New England - as a general rule, I have found this to be true. You have to be pretty tough to bear the New England winters (among other things). There is a considerable difference, in many regards.

Old town is not a good environment for children

Anonymous wrote:I'm jealous. I love Boston.

+1

It beats DC, hands down.

I'm jealous. I love Boston.

Brrrrrrrrrrrr. Did you see the record snow last year? And they had nowhere to put it? I would only move there for a MAJOR pay increase/promotion, and even then it would need to be just for a few years.

You will find a lot of info in the archives:
http://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/174312.page#1632241
http://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/449028.page#6458414
http://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/508387.page#7781592
http://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/7114.page#36676

Etc.

We can probably spend 3K or so to rent a place. I'd like to rent first to try an area before buying (would be looking in the 1 million range at that point).

You need to tell us how you want to live - how much house you can afford?

I am a finalist for a position in Boston and am trying to sell my family that it's not terribly different from where we live now (Old Town).

Does anyone have any opinions on towns/cities in the Boston area that would be a good fit for a family (i.e. good schools, etc.). I would be working on "Seaport" area downtown so commuting tips are appreciated!