Comments on: Best Places to Live and Launch 2008: No. 10, Franklin, Mass. http://fsbfeatures.blogs.fsb.cnn.com/2008/03/20/best-places-to-live-and-launch-2008-no-10/ FSB Features Wed, 16 Dec 2009 18:30:20 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 By: Tree, Cincy, OH http://fsbfeatures.blogs.fsb.cnn.com/2008/03/20/best-places-to-live-and-launch-2008-no-10/#comment-14313 Tree, Cincy, OH Tue, 20 Oct 2009 20:16:21 +0000 http://fsbfeatures.blogs.fsb.cnn.com/2008/03/20/best-places-to-live-and-launch-2008-no-10/#comment-14313 I lived in Franklin for 11 years. Nice but boring in some ways--not good if you're single but you're not far from Boston, etc. I moved away from Massachusetts and have been surprised and saddened by the explosion in development and traffic that I've seen on return visits. I liked Franklin when it was smaller and quieter. I feel bad for people living on King Street and near the 495 exits. I lived in Franklin for 11 years. Nice but boring in some ways–not good if you're single but you're not far from Boston, etc.
I moved away from Massachusetts and have been surprised and saddened by the explosion in development and traffic that I've seen on return visits. I liked Franklin when it was smaller and quieter. I feel bad for people living on King Street and near the 495 exits.

]]> By: Jules Medway MA http://fsbfeatures.blogs.fsb.cnn.com/2008/03/20/best-places-to-live-and-launch-2008-no-10/#comment-14289 Jules Medway MA Wed, 23 Sep 2009 11:57:39 +0000 http://fsbfeatures.blogs.fsb.cnn.com/2008/03/20/best-places-to-live-and-launch-2008-no-10/#comment-14289 I was surprised to see my neighboring town Franklin, MA on this list as it is a beautiful but pretty average suburban area. Schools are good, lots of sports and activities and good neighborhoods to raise kids, low crime rate, commuter rail good (though often late to both Boston and Providence)... but overall, just average. Apples to apples with other suburbs in the US, there is no quaint downtown area that attracts locals (greedy developers trashed it over the past five years) and very little nightlife - pretty ho hum for single business owners moving to this area. I would guess that the rent and cost of living for a small business owner is much higher than in other parts of the country, all things considered. I love this area, but am very surprised to see Franklin on this "top places" list. Hardly "paradise" - you need to see more of this beautiful country! I was surprised to see my neighboring town Franklin, MA on this list as it is a beautiful but pretty average suburban area. Schools are good, lots of sports and activities and good neighborhoods to raise kids, low crime rate, commuter rail good (though often late to both Boston and Providence)… but overall, just average. Apples to apples with other suburbs in the US, there is no quaint downtown area that attracts locals (greedy developers trashed it over the past five years) and very little nightlife – pretty ho hum for single business owners moving to this area. I would guess that the rent and cost of living for a small business owner is much higher than in other parts of the country, all things considered. I love this area, but am very surprised to see Franklin on this "top places" list. Hardly "paradise" – you need to see more of this beautiful country!

]]> By: Alexis, Franklin MA http://fsbfeatures.blogs.fsb.cnn.com/2008/03/20/best-places-to-live-and-launch-2008-no-10/#comment-14262 Alexis, Franklin MA Sat, 05 Sep 2009 13:46:43 +0000 http://fsbfeatures.blogs.fsb.cnn.com/2008/03/20/best-places-to-live-and-launch-2008-no-10/#comment-14262 The Franklin line does get you to Providence in less than 30mins!!!! The Franklin line does get you to Providence in less than 30mins!!!!

]]> By: kg franklin, ma http://fsbfeatures.blogs.fsb.cnn.com/2008/03/20/best-places-to-live-and-launch-2008-no-10/#comment-14142 kg franklin, ma Mon, 13 Jul 2009 18:58:31 +0000 http://fsbfeatures.blogs.fsb.cnn.com/2008/03/20/best-places-to-live-and-launch-2008-no-10/#comment-14142 I live in Franklin and I do enjoy it, however the commuter rail does NOT get you to Boston in 30 minutes, it is almost 50 minutes. The Franklin line also does NOT run to Worcester or Providence, although they are both accessible by 495. I live in Franklin and I do enjoy it, however the commuter rail does NOT get you to Boston in 30 minutes, it is almost 50 minutes. The Franklin line also does NOT run to Worcester or Providence, although they are both accessible by 495.

]]> By: jackiegately http://fsbfeatures.blogs.fsb.cnn.com/2008/03/20/best-places-to-live-and-launch-2008-no-10/#comment-14041 jackiegately Thu, 25 Jun 2009 19:29:48 +0000 http://fsbfeatures.blogs.fsb.cnn.com/2008/03/20/best-places-to-live-and-launch-2008-no-10/#comment-14041 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! 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!

]]> By: Zani,Franklin,Ma http://fsbfeatures.blogs.fsb.cnn.com/2008/03/20/best-places-to-live-and-launch-2008-no-10/#comment-13909 Zani,Franklin,Ma Wed, 10 Jun 2009 07:18:23 +0000 http://fsbfeatures.blogs.fsb.cnn.com/2008/03/20/best-places-to-live-and-launch-2008-no-10/#comment-13909 My 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. My 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.

]]> By: Teresa, Franklin http://fsbfeatures.blogs.fsb.cnn.com/2008/03/20/best-places-to-live-and-launch-2008-no-10/#comment-13704 Teresa, Franklin Mon, 06 Apr 2009 22:53:00 +0000 http://fsbfeatures.blogs.fsb.cnn.com/2008/03/20/best-places-to-live-and-launch-2008-no-10/#comment-13704 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! 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!

]]> By: Emily, Franklin MA http://fsbfeatures.blogs.fsb.cnn.com/2008/03/20/best-places-to-live-and-launch-2008-no-10/#comment-13703 Emily, Franklin MA Mon, 06 Apr 2009 21:46:14 +0000 http://fsbfeatures.blogs.fsb.cnn.com/2008/03/20/best-places-to-live-and-launch-2008-no-10/#comment-13703 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. 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.

]]> By: Matt, Turners Falls, MA http://fsbfeatures.blogs.fsb.cnn.com/2008/03/20/best-places-to-live-and-launch-2008-no-10/#comment-13081 Matt, Turners Falls, MA Mon, 16 Feb 2009 13:53:22 +0000 http://fsbfeatures.blogs.fsb.cnn.com/2008/03/20/best-places-to-live-and-launch-2008-no-10/#comment-13081 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 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.

]]> By: Tim from MA, now in NYC http://fsbfeatures.blogs.fsb.cnn.com/2008/03/20/best-places-to-live-and-launch-2008-no-10/#comment-13025 Tim from MA, now in NYC Sun, 08 Feb 2009 19:08:04 +0000 http://fsbfeatures.blogs.fsb.cnn.com/2008/03/20/best-places-to-live-and-launch-2008-no-10/#comment-13025 Franklin is a halfway decent place, but NOT for singles. Franklin is a halfway decent place, but NOT for singles.

]]> By: Elizabeth Pell Franklin, MA http://fsbfeatures.blogs.fsb.cnn.com/2008/03/20/best-places-to-live-and-launch-2008-no-10/#comment-13012 Elizabeth Pell Franklin, MA Fri, 06 Feb 2009 16:45:11 +0000 http://fsbfeatures.blogs.fsb.cnn.com/2008/03/20/best-places-to-live-and-launch-2008-no-10/#comment-13012 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'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.

]]> By: Anonymous http://fsbfeatures.blogs.fsb.cnn.com/2008/03/20/best-places-to-live-and-launch-2008-no-10/#comment-12728 Anonymous Wed, 07 Jan 2009 17:57:00 +0000 http://fsbfeatures.blogs.fsb.cnn.com/2008/03/20/best-places-to-live-and-launch-2008-no-10/#comment-12728 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. 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.

]]> By: Diane Field http://fsbfeatures.blogs.fsb.cnn.com/2008/03/20/best-places-to-live-and-launch-2008-no-10/#comment-12723 Diane Field Tue, 06 Jan 2009 14:52:33 +0000 http://fsbfeatures.blogs.fsb.cnn.com/2008/03/20/best-places-to-live-and-launch-2008-no-10/#comment-12723 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. 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.

]]> By: Molly Franklin, MA http://fsbfeatures.blogs.fsb.cnn.com/2008/03/20/best-places-to-live-and-launch-2008-no-10/#comment-12700 Molly Franklin, MA Sat, 03 Jan 2009 00:40:54 +0000 http://fsbfeatures.blogs.fsb.cnn.com/2008/03/20/best-places-to-live-and-launch-2008-no-10/#comment-12700 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 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.

]]> By: Gail Conway Lorain OH http://fsbfeatures.blogs.fsb.cnn.com/2008/03/20/best-places-to-live-and-launch-2008-no-10/#comment-12551 Gail Conway Lorain OH Thu, 04 Dec 2008 01:19:57 +0000 http://fsbfeatures.blogs.fsb.cnn.com/2008/03/20/best-places-to-live-and-launch-2008-no-10/#comment-12551 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! 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!

]]> By: Ken / Corrales / New Mexico http://fsbfeatures.blogs.fsb.cnn.com/2008/03/20/best-places-to-live-and-launch-2008-no-10/#comment-10721 Ken / Corrales / New Mexico Tue, 30 Sep 2008 23:20:21 +0000 http://fsbfeatures.blogs.fsb.cnn.com/2008/03/20/best-places-to-live-and-launch-2008-no-10/#comment-10721 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! 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!

]]> By: TP http://fsbfeatures.blogs.fsb.cnn.com/2008/03/20/best-places-to-live-and-launch-2008-no-10/#comment-10308 TP Fri, 05 Sep 2008 20:16:50 +0000 http://fsbfeatures.blogs.fsb.cnn.com/2008/03/20/best-places-to-live-and-launch-2008-no-10/#comment-10308 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 50x100 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. 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.

]]> By: Matt http://fsbfeatures.blogs.fsb.cnn.com/2008/03/20/best-places-to-live-and-launch-2008-no-10/#comment-10228 Matt Tue, 26 Aug 2008 00:06:30 +0000 http://fsbfeatures.blogs.fsb.cnn.com/2008/03/20/best-places-to-live-and-launch-2008-no-10/#comment-10228 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. 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.

]]> By: Ethan, Franklin Mass. http://fsbfeatures.blogs.fsb.cnn.com/2008/03/20/best-places-to-live-and-launch-2008-no-10/#comment-10143 Ethan, Franklin Mass. Fri, 15 Aug 2008 21:56:48 +0000 http://fsbfeatures.blogs.fsb.cnn.com/2008/03/20/best-places-to-live-and-launch-2008-no-10/#comment-10143 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. 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.

]]> By: G. Schriefer, Fairfax, VA http://fsbfeatures.blogs.fsb.cnn.com/2008/03/20/best-places-to-live-and-launch-2008-no-10/#comment-9870 G. Schriefer, Fairfax, VA Wed, 30 Jul 2008 18:45:50 +0000 http://fsbfeatures.blogs.fsb.cnn.com/2008/03/20/best-places-to-live-and-launch-2008-no-10/#comment-9870 Franklin, MA: what about mentioning Dean College? G. Schriefer '83 Franklin, MA: what about mentioning Dean College?

G. Schriefer '83

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