Best Places to Live and Launch 2008: No. 10, Franklin, Mass.
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DiggMy husband and I moved from Wellesley to Franklin and are really enjoying it. The school system has been great so far. The center of town still needs plenty of work to be done(basically all along 140), which is in progress, but I have to say the white brick building that was just recently built in place of the old furniture store that was in the center of town is really ugly and not in keeping with New England. The white brick is an eyesore. The new Fire Head Quarters is beautiful-just wish other buildings would follow suit. We do need the old Trope back, just like in Wellesley we lost our old Theater at the corner of Washington and Forest St. so sad to see such history to be taken from two nice towns. Hopefully Franklin will eventually have the nice center of town like Wellesely where residents can go and enjoy shopping and cafe’s, there is so much potential in Franklin.
Franklin is a diamond in the rough-it is on the right path.
Its a great place to live unless you want a decent education for your children! Franklin would rather have the best of everything and lay off 110 teachers in 3 years. Yah Franklin!
Great place to raise kids, sports programs are the best. Schools are great! The number one reason to live in Franklin is that we look after, and take care of one another.
Franklin is franly a boring town. There may be a large tax base there but these people are not hanging out in Franklin. Decent place to live with a family but not a fun place to hang out- I’m surprised it is on this list.
Franklin is a halfway decent place, but NOT for singles.
I’ve lived in Franklin, MA for 21 years and the flow of traffic on 495 is never upset by weekenders going to the Cape – which is 50 miles away. At best the congestion starts ten miles from Bourne Bridge. There are no cons for living in paradise.
I moved from franklin mass 4 years ago to florida. The biggest mistake I ever made. My husband and I are moving back to franklin thia summer.
For all the people complaining about the tax in MA, or Franklin specifically: Where else have you lived???
I live in Franklin and think the taxes are ridiculously low for MA, and other states in general. The rate in some Rhode Island towns are in the 20’s per thousand!!! Its usually between $7 and $9 per thousand here.
My grandmother pays 800.00 a month for her tiny house on a tenth of an acre in providence and can barely afford to live there! This is a house she has paid off decades ago, but has an 800 amonth “rent” in tax.
I moved here from Las Vegas July 2008. I am a single woman. There is not much here to do in terms of meeting single professional men. I should’ve moved closer to Boston near a “T” station. If I had a family though this would be a good place to raise them.
I was born in Franklin Mass in 1952 at a local hospital. I had the best neighborhood in the world to grow up in. Everyone had just survived the 2nd world war and they were thrilled to have land and farms and homes. I had a public school education in Franklin which allowed me to continue on to get degrees from graduate and undergraduate schools. I have great friends and fond memories because of Franklin. However, we live in Ohio now and we still have great friends and neighobrs for 1/4 of the price!
My wife and I lived in Franklin from 1982 to 1996 and found it to be a very friendly, secure, and pleasntly rural community. There was extensive undeveloped land, and residual large tracts of apple orchards. It was not unusual to see residents riding horses, bikes, and a wide range of wildlife such as deer, racoons, many types of birds, and yes..skunks.
We noe live in Corrales, N.M., which is very similar to Franklin, ecept we have much nicer year-round weather. We moved here in 1996, basically 2 years after Franklin was “discovered” by one of the larger Boston newspapers. After four articles on Franklin within one year..the hadwriting was on the wall. After many years of declining or flat real estate taxes, the trend turned upwards.
Having stated the above, we have had a number of friends visit us here in New Mexico. Some of them have lived in Franklin for four or more decades, and despite the gripping about the extensive growth in the town (more people, cars,schools, perptual street excavations to enhance water/sewer servies, loss of open green space, etc.) they would never think of living anywhere else!
In the spring of 2008, we moved to Franklin from Nassau County (Long Island), New York. I am surprised by all the negative comments concerning taxes and real estate prices! The persons who posted those negative comments do not know how good they have it.
Compared to our former place of residence, Franklin is a great bargain. Here is an idea of prices in an area outside of Massachusetts:
We moved from a 1060 square foot home on a 50×100 lot (sold for almost $500k) for which we paid 3 taxes (county, village and school) totaling $8,800! In addition, sales tax (including clothes, folks) was 8 3/4% and we were paying 10% in NY State Income Tax.
So far, we have found Franklin to be a great place to live. The schools are ranked high and there are so many activities for kids. There are enough businesses in town to keep the money in town (though I am sure long time residents sometimes become exasperated at this). Certain parts of town still have a country feel (we have deer visiting our yard daily). Everyone we have come in contact with has been very friendly.
Franklin is such a wonderful town with a great history and many great schools. Considering its proximity to Boston, Providence and the Cape, as well as great public transportation stops, it is a great place to live for both young families and old alike. Although the property costs are a bit high, the great number of high paying jobs within a 15 minute drive more than make up for this inconvenience.
Don’t forget about the Franklin Public Library is the best place to take kids there and also the DVD selection up stair is awsome and I can’t ask for more.
Franklin, MA: what about mentioning Dean College?
G. Schriefer ‘83
only one problem that i can see with living in Franklin Mass….can anyone say Taxsachusetts..need i say more
I’ve lived here for almost 17 years and love this town immensely. Nice people, great neighborhoods and just the right amount of stores without getting annoying traffic jams getting in and out of strip malls that the surrounding towns have experienced. I can’t say enough for the schools, with 2 fairly new elementary/middle schools and one totally revamped Middle school/elementary(added) it doesn’t get much better. The ample soccer and football fields parks etc. make it a joy to go to the games. With the convenience of the railroad and the proximity to both the cape and Boston, location is everything. The only thing I miss is the Zeotope, out own little theater that we lost to the downtown restructuring.
I am proud to say I grew up in Franklin. I always thought of my childhood there as being an idyllic one; it was at that time a quintessentially American small town. Although I moved away soon after graduating college, I’d return frequently as my parents continued to live their in their retirement before passing away. It grew tremendously in the last twenty years and now has been recognized in several media outlets as an outstanding place to live. I’m glad to see it’s getting it’s due.
Having not been to all of the towns in this country, I can and will speak about Franklin. This town, to me, is what a family town is all about. The parents work hard and the kids feel safe. Having been involved in many of our towns volunteer jobs and local club commitees, I would say that we not only look out for each other, but we look out for the good of Franklin. Since the town population really took off in the late 80’s, we have seen an uncomfortable amount of commercial growth. Some of this growth has killed some long time Franklinite small business’, but overall has been great for the town. As long as we can keep that monster that is Walmart out of here, we will be just fine. Thanks for recognizing us. I do think the town deserves it….
If your a public school student in Franklin or want to work for the Town, you’ll love Franklin. If you’re a taxpayer, you’ll hate it. The students have more non-core educational programs, activities, facilities than they can fully utilize or appreciate. Town employees have the finest of facilities, compensation and benefits plans, vehicles, and equipment that money can buy. Unfortunately, homeowners without school-age children are getting the shaft for all these benefits and for the support of the local business community, which does not employ a majority of the Town’s residents. It’s easy to confuse Franklin with places like Greenwich, CT. Home buyers beware.
This poem echoes in the minds of Franklin residents:
The Tax Poem
At first I thought this was funny…then I realized the awful truth of it. Be sure to read all the way to the end!
Tax his land,
Tax his bed,
Tax the table
At which he’s fed.
Tax his tractor,
Tax his mule,
Teach him taxes
Are the rule.
Tax his work,
Tax his pay,
He works for peanuts
Anyway!
Tax his cow,
Tax his goat,
Tax his pants,
Tax his coat.
Tax his ties,
Tax his shirt,
Tax his work,
Tax his dirt.
Tax his tobacco,
Tax his drink,
Tax him if he
Tries to think.
Tax his cigars,
Tax his beers,
If he cries Tax his tears.
Tax his car,
Tax his gas,
Find other ways
To tax him.
Tax all he has
Then let him know
That you won’t be done
Till he has no dough.
When he screams and hollers,
Then tax him some more,
Tax him till
He’s good and sore.
Then tax his coffin,
Tax his grave,
Tax the sod in
Which he’s laid.
Put these words
Upon his tomb,
“Taxes drove me to my doom…”
When he’s gone,
Do not relax,
Its time to apply
The inheritance tax.
Accounts Receivable Tax
Building Permit Tax
CDL license Tax
Cigarette Tax
Corporate Income Tax
Dog License Tax
Excise Taxes
Federal Income Tax
Federal Unemployment Tax (FUTA)
Fishing License Tax
Food License Tax
Fuel Permit Tax
Gasoline Tax (44.75 cents per gallon)
Gross Receipts Tax
Hunting License Tax
Inheritance Tax
Inventory Tax
IRS Interest Charges IRS Penalties (tax on top of tax)
Liquor Tax
Luxury Taxes
Marriage License Tax
Medicare Tax
Personal Property Tax
Property Tax
Real Estate Tax
Service Charge Tax
Social Security Tax
Road Usage Tax
Sales Tax
Recreational Vehicle Tax
School Tax
State Income Tax
State Unemployment Tax (SUTA)
Telephone Federal Excise Tax
Telephone Federal Universal Service Fee Tax
Telephone Federal, State and Local Surcharge Taxes
Telephone Minimum Usage Surcharge Tax
Telephone Recurring and Non-recurring Charges Tax
Telephone State and Local Tax
Telephone Usage Charge Tax
Cable TV Franchise Fee Tax
Cable TV Regulatory Fee Tax
Utility Taxes
Vehicle License Registration Tax
Vehicle Sales Tax
Watercraft Registration Tax
Well Permit Tax
Workers Compensation Tax
STILL THINK THIS IS FUNNY?
Not one of these taxes existed 100 years ago , and our nation was the most prosperous in the world.
We had absolutely no national debt, had the largest middle class in the world, and Mom stayed home to raise the kids.
What in the heck happened? Can you spell “politicians?”
And I still have to “press 1″ for English!?!?!?!?
I hope this goes around THE USA at least 100 times!!!!! YOU can help it get there!!!!
GO AHEAD – - – BE AN AMERICAN!!!!!!
It is friendly to business on the backs of the homeowners. With the single tax rate quoted, homeowners pay a disproportional amount of taxes, and we are facing the threat of a Prop 2.5 override to increase our taxes again and large layoffs of teachers. Business-friendly yes, homeowner and student friendly no.
My family moved to Franklin in 2004 and we love it here! The town is friendly, clean, and full of life! There are new restaurants, shops, salons etc.. We looked at many neighboring towns and Franklin is by far the best of the Metrowest! Great schools and a wonderful sense of community! Easy access to Boston on the T, and routes 495, 95 and even the MA pike are close – a great commuter location. Low taxes in comparision to neighboring towns. I can’t say enough – we love Franklin!
I moved to Franklin in 2002 having looked at dozens to towns in the area from the South Shore to the Metrowest. We preferred Franklin as we liked the services, the area and the town has lower taxes than many nearby towns. Franklin has a large shopping area and you can go to nearby Wrentham for outlet shopping but the previous poster is right in syaing it is a little quiet for nightlife. Mostly 99’s, Chili’s etc and there lots of nice quiet finer dining. InContro opened up int he last year or so and added a bit of style (a bit pricey) dining and a fun upscale bar area.
I had lived in the Boston area for a few years, and I do miss it. There is enough for me in the way of diversions to keep me busy in my off time. The talent pool of the area is very, very good though the cost of living is comparable to what I am experiencing in the Seattle area. In my opinion, the traffic can be much worse in the Boston area than Seattle (especially during the Big Dig). Though I enjoy the Seattle/Bellevue area, I do miss Boston and surrounding areas. As for Franklin, while that town is nice it–like every other town in the area–just gets lost in the entire mix that is “Boston+burbs.” That is, Boston is like one big city from Methuen on the New Hampshire border to to Fall City near Rhode Island.
Steve, you’re just bitter get a life. Franklin should’ve been number 1, except it must have dropped down to 10 due to the tragic closing of the Zeotrope. The Trope closing also eliminated Mel Diva’s customer base and we lost that as well. Up with the Trope, down with Marini!
I was born and raised in Franklin,Mass,moving to Fl. in 1978. I remember Franklin as a small quaint,people new everybody town. My father,grandmother were born in Franklin also. My father was Police Sgt. from 1954-1964,being a patrolman before that. I had strong ties to a great little town,which is now a big town. I will always be a Franklin,Mass person
I am a life long resident of Franklin and also work in the community. Not only is it a great place to live,great municipal services,public safety and great public education but the community is very business friendly and has a strong business presence such as the local United Chamber of Commerce of which I am an active member. This recognition is well deserved and I am very proud to be a member of this community. The town has maintained it’s New England small town charm while actively planning for it’s dramatic population growth in the last 20 years.We are fortunate to have great public servants who donate their time to the community,town council, great police, fire and dpw and municipal staff which operates very efficiently and economicly considering it’s mission to support 27 square miles of land and 31,000 citizens. Franklin is equal distance from the three largest cities in New England,Boston, Providence and Worcester. We are privledged to have two commuter rail stations in town and an Interstate 495 running through the town as well. Thank you for this well deserved recognition.
I live in Franklin and only have good things to say about it. It is quiet, conveniently located and very safe. In response to Steve from NY, things have changed since he left. Nightlife has gotten much better, two fantastic restaurants have opened, Incontro and Three (with lounge/bars for late night drinks). I am glad this town got recognized as one of the best.
I lived in Franklin from 2001-2005, there is no nightlife, very few restaurants or other forms of entertainment and does not distinguish itself from any other western suburb of boston, I don’t know how the town got on this list. Also, Massachusetts has never been known as corporate friendly.
Have you found the town supportive of local businesses?
Have you been able to find good workers here?
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great town….only bad part is since there isnt much crime there, police officers pull people over for speeding and not wearing a seatbelt every five seconds. sucks for them!