Natick, Massachusetts, is one of the most desirable places to live for a variety of different reasons. It is located just 15 miles west of Boston, providing residents with a thriving city atmosphere, and has many cultural attractions. There are so many reasons why Natick is the optimal choice for many homebuyers. Nonetheless, it is important to know the costs and benefits of living in Natick before deciding to move here. Stephanie Barber of Barber Real Estate Group lays all of these out for you so you don’t have to do extensive research on what your lifestyle will look like in Natick.
Pros of living in Natick
Prestigious school system
One of the factors that attract so many families to Natick is its highly renowned school system, including both public and private schools. Schools for all age levels offer competitive academic programs covering a wide range of subjects. High schools in Natick are known for being academically rigorous and expertly skilled at preparing students for their undergraduate careers if they choose that path.
Many of the teachers in Natick schools are well-trained and educated in their fields, including professionals who specialize in Special Education. In addition, the schools in Natick offer superb extracurricular activities, including sensational sports programs. Finally, because of the town’s affluent nature, the schools are well-equipped with state-of-the-art technology. When evaluating school systems in Massachusetts, Natick is certainly one of the most impressive.
Superb dining options
Food lovers simply cannot resist the delectable dining options that Natick offers its residents. Though Boston is nearby and also has eclectic restaurants to explore, locals of Natick love that they do not need to travel to another city to have a delicious meal.
Upscale dining in Natick is seemingly endless. Aquitaine is an incredible French bistro that serves French delicacies. Locals also enjoy eating a satisfying brunch at Aquitaine, inspired by classic French breakfast and lunch cuisine. Also, Natick has some high-end chain restaurants in its neighboring towns as well including the iconic Smith & Wollensky and Legal Seafoods, both of which serve juicy steaks and marvelous seafood dishes, respectively. Thus, residents have the benefit of accessing incomparable food options.
Excellent shopping opportunities
Natick also has some fabulous shops and shopping centers to explore. The best-known center in Natick is the Natick Mall, a desirable location that people across New England travel to for its unique blend of upscale shopping options. The mall hosts various high-end stores, including Louis Vuitton and Tiffany & Co, and Nordstrom, which carries an assortment of luxury brands.
Besides the Natick Mall, Natick also has a charming downtown area that locals enjoy frequenting on the weekends. Luxury boutiques and gift shops abound here. There are also plenty of accessible stores for your grocery and home needs as well. Whatever you desire, you can buy in Natick.
Exciting community events
A wonderful aspect of living in Natick is the town’s fun community events, bringing neighbors together to support their area’s success. The Natick Farmer’s Market is a superb outdoor event in which locals can purchase fresh produce and homemade baked goods from small businesses in the area. Some of the best events in Natick are during Natick Days, a festival that occurs every September to commemorate the end of the summer. The event has many activities for children to enjoy, including free food and live music.
The Natick Center for the Arts organizes cultural events throughout the year. These events are typically either music performances, art exhibits, or theatrical shows, and they showcase different dimensions of multicultural groups or artists. One of the events that the Center hosts is the Natick Art Walk, in which locals can stroll through downtown and examine the beautiful artwork created by local artists on display for the day in small shops and businesses. Thus, in Natick, there is no shortage of community events to participate in, creating a sound community atmosphere. There are plenty of things to do in Natick to keep families entertained.
Convenient transportation options
One of the significant advantages of residing in Natick is the town’s excellent transportation options. Natick locals can use the MetroWest Regional Transit Authority to bus to nearby cities like Framingham and Marlborough. There is also a commuter rail that serves Natick through the Framingham/Worcester Line, with a stop at Natick Center Station. This provides direct transportation to inner city Boston. Of course, driving is always an option. Natick is conveniently located right by I-90, the Massachusetts Turnpike, and Route 9.
Cons of living in Natick
High traffic volume
Despite the option of traveling by car, many residents do not choose to do so because of the highly congested traffic, especially in Boston. Traffic is worst during rush hour, so many commuters take the commuter rail. Nonetheless, if you plan on traveling during low-traffic hours, this is not too much of a burden.
Cost of living
The average home cost in the Framingham-Natick area is about $827,135, a hefty price for some homebuyers. The cost is so high because demand for homes in Natick is very strong, given its optimal location. Due to Natick’s high quality of life, demand has driven costs up for a while now. In addition, Massachusetts has high property taxes like many other states, but many agree it is well worth the investment.
Chilly winters
While the changing seasons are stunning to behold in New England, chilly winters can also be expected. Though the winter months have been much milder in recent years, it is fair to say that most residents can expect about 44 inches of snow throughout the winter season annually. Some people are hesitant about the snowy conditions of Natick and do not want to spend their winters shoveling snow. Yet, snowy weather can also bring fun adventures, such as sledding and building snowmen.
Lack of city amenities and nightlife
Though thrilling nightlife is not too far away in Boston, Natick is more suburban in nature. While for some people, this can be a positive factor, others might desire a city that has more city life amenities such as subway lines and bustling districts.
Moving to Natick
Pros:
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Prestigious school system
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Superb dining options
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Excellent shopping opportunities
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Exciting community events
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Convenient transportation options
Cons:
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High traffic volume
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Cost of living
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Chilly winters
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Lack of city amenities and nightlife
Should you live in Natick?
Now that you know the pros and cons of a life in Natick, you can evaluate for yourself whether Natick is the place for you. If you want to purchase a home for sale in Natick, Call Stephanie Barber today to get started. You can count on Stephanie and her team members at Barber Real Estate Group for expert advice on real estate in the area.
