10 Best Boston Towns For 1st Time Homebuyers

Top 10 Boston Suburbs for First Time Home Buyers

Let’s take a look at the top 10 suburbs for First Time home buyers in the Boston Metro market. 

How did we get to this top 10 list? First, a suburb would only be eligible if it was under the average sales price of $800,000. The further below the sales price, the more points that town received. The closer the town is to Boston, then the more points that town received. If the town had a commuter rail, then the community got some more points. If not, then they got no points. We used the Boston Magazine School Rankings to determine more points. The higher the school ranking, then the more points the town got. And then we also factored in Violent Crime. The less violent crime, then the more points the town got. Add them all up and there is our top 10 list. No feelings. No bias towards the North Shore, Metro West or South Shore. All a numerical calculation. 

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Number Ten is Wilmington, MA. Wilmington is situated approximately 15 miles north of Boston. 93 runs through WIlmington and it’s a stones throw from the 93/95 split. The town also has two Commuter Rail stops which in combination of 93 proximity helps make this a relative commuter's paradise! Wilmington’s population is around 23,000 residents. The town is located near major highways and public transportation which allows for an easy commute to Boston. People who call Wilmington Homes For Sale home enjoy numerous parks, trails and green spaces which includes Silver Lake. Wilmington High School ranked 50th on the Boston Magazine School Rankings List. The median price for a house in Wilmington in 2022 was $722,436.

Number Nine is Millis, MA and is known for its small-town charm and is located to the West of the city of Boston. It is pretty much dead center in between 95, Mass Pike and 495. Despite the town’s small size of 8,000 residents, it packs a great punch of value. This small-town charm gives way to its close-knit community while being surrounded by beautiful natural landscapes. The natural landscape includes lush forests, serene lakes, and picturesque trails. The Charles River offers opportunities for outdoor activities such as kayaking, fishing and hiking. Millis High School ranked 22nd on the Boston Magazine School Rankings List. The median price for a house in in Millis Homes For Sale in 2022 was $646,560

Number Eight is Norton, MA which is 35 miles south of Boston in between Mansfield, Attleboro and Taunton with 495 running through the town. The town is home to approximately 20,000 residents and is known for its natural beauty and open spaces… Not to mention its well-preserved historic landmarks and buildings. The town boasts a beautiful landscape which includes scenic parks, forests and open spaces. The Norton Reservoir is a must stop place to check out as it offers recreational activities like boating, fishing and hiking. Norton homes for sale is home to Wheaton College which adds to the town’s cultural and educational appeal. Norton High School ranked number 68 on the Boston Magazine School Ranking List while the median sale price for a house in Norton in 2022 was $537,742

Number Seven is Littleton, MA which is 30 miles Northwest of Boston. Littleton has easy access to 495 and Route 2 while also having a commuter rail stop. Littleton is a town of peace and tranquility and is home to 10,000 residents. It’s quintessential New Enlgand with its tree lined streets, historic buildings and beautiful landscapes. Littleton homes for sale also offers a ton of natural beauty and vasts of open green space for its residents with many saying Nagog Pond and Long Lake being the crown jewels. Littleton is situated at the crossroads of two major highways, I-95 and Route 2 which helps with easy access to nearby cities and towns. And then there are the schools. Littleton HIgh School ranked number 10 on the Boston Magazine School Ranking list. This would be the highest school ranking in this top 10 First Time Home Buyer list. The median price for a house in Littleton in 2022 was $735,000. 

Number Six is Whitman, MA which is located approximately 24 miles south of Boston about halfway between Route 24 and Route 3. Whitman is home to approximately 15,000 residents and has an abundance of green spaces and parks which provide ample opportunities for outdoor activities and leisure. Whitman is known to be a close-knit community with family-friendly attributes that has convenient access to Boston. Whitman homes for sale shares a High School with Hanson and is ranked the 114th school on the Boston Magazine School Ranking list. The median price for a house in Whitman in 2022 was $490,107.

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Number Five is Abington, MA which is also located on the South Shore and actually abuts Whitman. Abington has a population of 16,000 residents while exuding small town charm with its quaint streets and cozy neighborhoods. Abington offers its residents parks, playgrounds and sports fields for recreational use with Ames Nowell State Park and Island Grove Pond being on the must check out list. It is located between Route 24 and Route 3 with access to the commuter rail in Brockton or the Holbrook/Randolph stop. Abington Homes For Sale High School is ranked as the 103rd school on the Boston Magazine list while the median price for a house in Abington in 2022 was $554,956.

Number Four is Hanson, MA which is another town that abuts Whitman, but this time being east of them! Hanson is located on the South Shore and has a population of approximately 10,000 residents. The people that call Hanson home will cite it’s more rural beauty with rolling landscapes, lush greenery and tranquil ponds as some of the best attributes of living here. They have Burrage Pond which is a 1,675 acre nature reserve, Maquan Pond, Indian Head River Reservation and many others. There is much to enjoy in this town. As I mentioned earlier, Hanson Homes For Sale shares a high school with Whitman which is ranked 114th. The median price for a house in Hanson in 2022 was $505,408.

Number Three is Ashland, MA is located in the Metro West and abuts Framingham and Hopkinton. On a personal note, I was really excited that Ashland made the list… I always feel like they get lost in the shadow of other towns. The strategic location of Ashland is probably one of their biggest strengths as the town enjoys convenient access to the Mass Pike as well as 495. Enjoying more convenience, they also have a commuter rail stop in town. Ashland State Park is located on the shores of Ashland Reservoir and is a pretty special place that offers hiking, boating and picnicking. The town of Ashland Homes For Sale has a population of approximately 17,000 residents while their high school is ranked 21st on the Boston Magazine School Ranking list. The median price for a house in Ashland in 2022 was $674,364.

Number Two is Avon, MA is located on the South Shore and would be the closest suburb on this list to Boston. Avon is located off of Route 24 in close proximity of the 93 split and also within close proximity to either the Randolph/Holbrook Commuter stop or the Brockton one. The town has approximately 4,300 residents and is one of the smallest towns on the list. The town of Avon offers its residents parks, playgrounds and sports fields while also offering unique shopping and dining experiences. What makes Avon special is its small-town atmosphere, very convenient location and thriving business community. Avon Middle High School ranked 106th on the Boston Magazine list while the median price for a house in Avon Homes For Sale in 2022 was $485,220. The $485,000 is one of the lowest median sales prices in the survey. 

And the Number One town for First Time Home Buyers is Halifax, MA. The difference between Halifax and Avon was two points. It was the school rankings which helped Halifax pull this one out and make up for the additional difference from Boston. Halifax has a rural charm and scenic landscape that people of this approximately 7,500 person town call home. It’s got a strong sense of community which gives it a close-knit atmosphere. Green spaces that Halifax offers its residents include Burrage Pond Wildlife Management and Peterson Swamp Wildlife Reserve. Another town treasure is the Country Club of Halifax. Halifax Homes For Sale is part of the Silver Lake School District which serves students from Halifax, Kingston and Plympton. The High School was ranked 51st on the Boston Magazine School Ranking. The median price for a house in Halifax in 2022 was $517,039.

There are a lot of great towns in Massachusetts that are perfect for First time home buyers. The difference between the 10th town and the 20th town was a matter of 45 points! A couple school rankings higher and these towns could have easily been on the top 10 list. Wondering which towns were 11 through 20… Well fair enough. Pembroke came in at number 11. Followed by Bridgewater, Billerica, Hudson, Maynard, Lowell, Wakefield, Weymouth Homes For Sale, Norwood and then number 20 being Medway.

If you are thinking about buying or selling a home in the next 9 or 90 days, then I would love to chat with you. Real estate is my passion and I love talking to people about their real estate goals. You can find all of my contact information in the description below or you can reach me at YouTubeRealEstateAgent.com.

Until next time.