bostonbubble.com

[Guest]

Hi All,

I'm looking for some info on Topsfield. I know it's a small town with little to no commercial infrastructure. Is this a good town to buy in for resale? Does this town's homes hold its value? Is it a desireable place to live?

I know the schools are pretty good but I want to make sure it's not too far out to be a desireable place to live come resale time (10+ years). Any info on this town would be helpful and thankful. Thanks!

[Kaidran]

As long as the economy returns and oil does not get too expensive then you will be fine. Not looking that rosy at the moment though. Towns further out seem to be the first to get hit. Definitely seems like a bigger risk but in 10 years we would have probably inflated away our debt so you would not care what you can sell it for because you will have paid it all off.

[john p]

Topsfield is really, really nice.

It's a little New England Norman Rockwell; very pristene quiet North Shore. Their H.S. Masconomet Regional is excellent.

The wealthy professionals, typically native to Mass, love this type of town; the ones that watch Desperate Housewives and have Pottery Barn decor...

I like that it is QUIET. It is a bit of a ride, so it won't appeal to the type that would like a Medford, but there are plenty of people that don't mind driving another 25 minutes to get to a more natural setting...

[Guest]

Thanks for your responses. I don't watch Desperate Houswives or like Pottery Barn so maybe I will be in trouble if I move there... Thanks again.

[john p]

The "Black Cow" Restaurant sort of typifies the area.

http://blackcowrestaurants.com/

give the site a minute and take a look at the photos that come up.

their motto is "City Style in a Village Setting".

I don't think the people here are too much different than city dwellers, the main distinction is that they either choose to be in a quieter setting to unwind versus being stimulated by the pulse of the city, or they have family in the area and they want weekend or afterwork family visits to work out...

[Brian C]

Grew up in the town next door, Danvers.
Topsfield is very nice! I feel its the beginning of old farm country within the north Boston Metro area.

The houses are really spread out but most lack sidewalks and street lighting. Prices have dropped percentage wise inline with other areas but housing is much more expensive than Danvers, Beverly, or Middleton.

One of my relatives bought in 2004 for $1.1M and today its worth about $850k. Middle ranged ($400-600k) houses are still keeping their value.

[Guest]

[Guest]

[Brian C]

[Brian C]

Second note: For more of a value, I would look in the St Johns Prep area in Danvers. John P would agree, its VERY nice and excellent housing stock.

I see your concerned about schools, well im a product of their school system and I did pretty well. My sister is a school teacher for the school system and they are overhauling for the better. If have boys, they can attend St John Prep for a lower cost than out-of-town.

Im not sure what your price limit is but here are examples:
MLS: 70969800
MLS: 70988553
MLS: 71050082

Think about it.

[john p]

The Black Cow is in Newburyport and in Hamilton (not too far from Topsfield). This was just to give you a flavor and vibe of the area. It is sort of on the rustic-chic of the pottery barn / desperate housewives spectrum. The pure desperate housewives type of neighborhoods would be more Milton. You'd see a lot of people in Topsfield wearing LL Bean type of clothing and they'd be chilled out types that brought their kids to soccer games and sat with their friends in those collapsable chairs. I would bet one out of every two houses in Topsfield has a braided rug.