With most of its best-known attractions hugging the Atlantic coastline, it's easy to forget that the Bay State has a wide range of locations that most of us would be proud to call home. There are many Massachusetts cities that offer most of the amenities and cultural options that attract people to the bright lights of Boston, without having to sign up for the professional pressure that inevitably arises from living downtown.
Last year, a study by Ernst & Young found that around one quarter of full-time U.S. employees believe it's getting harder to maintain a healthy work-life balance. Successfully mixing work life and leisure time is on the minds of most prospective homeowners. The desire to live in a place that's near enough to work to avoid a lengthy commute, yet far enough away to find a change of scenery and sense of tranquility, is a balancing act that requires time and research. It can also be a uniquely personal combination of factors that define what constitutes a healthy blend of work and life, which is why we've considered cities from around the state.
There should be something for everyone in this selection, so start reading and find the city that gives you all the benefits of a happy home life without sacrificing a productive work day on the other side.
Calculating the value of a particular location in any context is complex, but balancing two potentially competing qualities is especially tough. Our selection is focused on cities that are either close to major metropolitan areas or offer excellent transport links while having plenty of cultural and leisure pursuits on hand.
With that in mind, these are the places at the top of the list for the best balance of work and play in the Bay State:
Famous for its stadium that plays host to everything from international concerts to the area's beloved New England Patriots, the town of Foxborough is also a winner when it comes to juggling the demands of work and leisure. It is located almost an equal distance from Providence, RI and Boston to the north, nestled right in between these two major cities on the I-95 corridor. With a median income of $64,323 (2010 Census) and starter homes available slightly under the $200,000 mark, this area offers an affordable alternative to popular suburbs closer to the cities that surround it.
This is a small town that exudes natural charm and has plentiful entertainment options. Neighboring Walpole and Mansfield are also worth looking at as Massachusetts cities that carry similar work-life benefits by their position next to Foxborough. If you're not a Patriots fan, however, you might want to explore another location on this list!
For a city located inside the I-95 boundary that encircles Boston's closest suburbs, Waltham is a surprisingly attractive and affordable location. Its position on the Charles River provides an allure that only a few other suburban spots can offer, as the vibrant nightlife of Moody Street and its many restaurants mean residents don't have to head back downtown to get their entertainment fix.
With two interstates slicing through it and a train line that runs right into the heart of Boston, Waltham provides both a quick commute in and readily accessible ways to escape the big city. Homes start in the $300,000 range and the median price , so it isn't the least expensive option on this list. Nonetheless, with a median annual income of $54,010 and the cost savings realized by commuters just 11 miles outside Boston, it's clear that Waltham is as affordable as it comes if your idea of work-life balance is focused around big city activities.
If this spot sounds familiar, it's because Marshfield topped our previous list of the best Massachusetts cities to live in. That study factored in a variety of ideas for what makes a great place to live in the Bay State, but one look at the map tells us why it's right for mixing work and play.
Just a short drive over to Braintree makes it easy to access the Boston T's red line, while the removed coastal location also offers plentiful beaches and fast access to Cape Cod for a weekend getaway. For such an attractive location the real estate is fairly affordable, with spacious single-family homes starting in the mid $300,000 range. If your preference for a relaxed lifestyle away from work includes a good size home with beach views and opportunities to explore the coastline in your down time, Marshfield might be the perfect place to start your search.
If you want to escape the big city life and prices altogether, perhaps focusing on Massachusetts cities in the middle of the state, Amherst is one of the more attractive options you'll find. A short drive to both Springfield and Worcester, as well as Hartford, CT further to the south, this is a location where you'll certainly need a car, but you won't have to drive too far to find commuter options that access those cities.
In terms of your leisure time, Amherst offers more cultural options that most of its immediate neighbors, largely thanks to the presence of the main campus of the University of Massachusetts. That inevitably brings a large community of students and all of the population rotation that this brings, but it also provides more opportunities for intellectual stimulation and artistic inspiration than you'll find in most other towns of this size.
With a median list price that trends around the $325,000 mark over the last five years and a median income of $40,017 (2010 Census), Amherst provides an attractive location for first-time buyers with an interest in the area to put down roots. Throw in the fact that the beautiful Berkshires are under an hour away and there's a lot of escape packed into this place, at a relatively affordable price.
Situated on the Massachusetts North Shore, the town pronounced "Gloss-terr" - thanks, England - is one of the most distant coastal locations still accessible by commuter rail. Only Rockport to the north offers a similar blend of remoteness and public transport, which is one of the reasons it makes for such a popular break for city dwellers during the summer months. It also attracts plenty of commuters, eager to sample the New England shoreline every time they come home from a hard day at work, which even from downtown Boston should take little more than an hour.
As you might expect for such an appealing getaway location, property in the area can get quite pricey. Even with a median list price in the high $500,000 range, however, there are still affordable homes to be found if you're just starting out and willing to put location ahead of luxury. For those that do, the proud claim of living in America's oldest seaport and all of the history that surrounds it makes Gloucester an exciting place to buy a home.
There are many Massachusetts cities that offer the right blend of weekend relaxation and weekday proximity to the workplace. Make a list of all the lifestyle factors important to you and use the ideas in this article to start your search for a home with a healthy work-life balance
