Hi Everyone:
Usually just enjoy reading everyone's posts, but since I live in Massachusetts, I thought I would post on this one.
Just want to re-assure the OP that I do think you will be able to manage financially in the Boston area.
We are about an hour outside of Boston (central mass.) in a great town with great schools. Our house is valued at around $375K and our mortgage is about $1300 a month including all the taxes.
My dh is a town employee in another town and makes about $80k a year. I am a SAHM who subs at one of the local schools. Any money I make we don't really count since it is very sporadic. We have 3 kids who are 13, 11 and 9.
We live in a 2800 sq ft house that is about 10 years old. Our winter heat runs about $2500 if we only use oil. But...we have 2 pellet stoves that we installed last winter and spent only $1100 to heat our home to a comfortable 72 degrees every day.
I understand your concern with the cost of rent/mortgage, but definitely think you would be able to find cheaper housing. I would NEVER pay$2300 a month to rent a place...I'd buy a small condo first. I also know for a fact that you can rent cheaper than that here.
Some areas I would suggest looking in are: Southern NH and towns west of Reading. They will be cheaper than heading towards Boston.
We used to live in Framingham which is 20 miles west of Boston. (45 minutes from Reading) You can still find a 2 bedroom to rent there for under $1500.
I urge you to not give up. Just keep searching and you will find it can be done.
We are doing very comfortably here. You just have to know your limits.
Best of luck to you!
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