One of the “Absolute Best”
May 8th, 2007
Salem End Road in our fair town was listed by Boston Magazine as one of the “Absolute Best Streets” in it’s May issue. From Boston Magazine/Regan Communications:
“(Boston – May 2, 2007) Boston magazine, in its May 2007 issue, named Salem End Road in Framingham as one of the 15 ‘Absolute Best Streets’ in the West.
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In Michael Blanding’s article, ‘If You Lived Here You’d Never Want to Leave,’ which hit newsstands May 1, the author composed a real estate connoisseur’s guide to the Hub’s 65 ‘absolute best streets’. This exclusive guide was based on the results of polls taken by hundreds of real estate brokers in the Boston area and logged over 1200 miles on Greater Boston asphalt to inspect the candidates. Streets were graded on six criteria: aesthetics, environment, amenities, public services, affordability, and transit.
Salem End Road was chosen as the 5th best street to live in the West. Colonials from the 1700’s share Salem End with everything from raised ranches to sleek contemporary boxes, providing diversity in both housing stock and neighbors.”
As a matter of fact, I do get a little jealous when I drive down that road, although I don’t know how affordability really factors in, (I wish I could afford to buy some of those houses!) but good for you, Salem End Road!
Salem End Road? Most of it is too busy with traffic so you better live off the road a piece. I guess it’s being widened down at the center near the State College. There is a lot of traffic congestion there. I guess the road has a lot of history too!
A highlight is the old Macomber Estate property near Singletary Lane. This was left by some big shot Banker named Macomber to the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals or the Audabon Society (I forget which) as long as the grass grows and the water flows when Macomber died. I think it was called “Raceland” because he used to raise race horses back in a time when Framingham was the country and rich peopel coulfd keep their money. It was turned into a development of Mc Mansions so as far I guess the water stopped flowing and the grass stopped growing.
Now a paragraph on open space.
Finished.
The part of Salem End that isn’t is too close to Route Nine and is towards the west has those high tension lines for the electric grid overhead. Cotton Mather had them installed to try and electrocute the witches of Salem who took refuge there after they ran away. I think Thomas Edison helped.
There are many other roads in town that are a much better but I guess if you like being near the Stop and Shop, the Mass Pike, and the Framingham Country Club it’s a dream!
So we must salute Salem End Road and the realter who sopmehow suckered Boston Magazine into including Framingham into this article.
The End! (As in I have finished writing this pap not as in Salem “END”. Got it?)
Comment by Mister Chandu — May 8, 2007 @ 9:39 pm
There are many other roads in town that are a much better
What are your top 5?
Comment by Darrin — May 9, 2007 @ 2:23 am
Framingham has lots of good streets. Most are off the main drags like Pleasant, Central, Edgell, Water, Potter, Elm, and Edgell. These are somewhat busy streets and can be loaded with traffic. Warren Road on the South side is a nice street. There are some nice little neigboorhoods off of Winter and Franklin as well.
Salem End Road is considered a status address like nearby Singletary Lane and Cherry Oca Lane. Carter Drive, Edmunds (which is getting to busy, and just about any ORad in the Northwest quadrant of town is deluxe. Where I live (top secrect) is great being so close to several super markets, a Home Depot, and more than a few Liquor stores.
Don’t get me wrong. I even like those neigborhoods off of Bishop. They are quiet on Sundays and seem to be kept up. The South side can always use a helping hand but is not so far gone as to give up hope. I do not know how they expect to sell those “residences” at Dennison Crossing. Too much choo, choo, train noise for my taste.
In conclusion I wish to state that Framingham is a great place to live. It can be a place where people sometimes take too much advantage too. They even might have to run away to a place like Brazil to escape justice because we do not have an extradition treaty with that country. (Or is it the other way around?)
Anyhow it is hard to find a bad place to live here. We have problems yes but mostof them are very solvable if you have the will. Adios!
PS: Please remember that there are still witches who live on Salem End who cast spells. This can be a great drawback. Also the Framingham Country Club seems to be a homeless shelter cause the last time I was there someone asked if anyone at the bar had a home. This can also be a great drawback.
Comment by Mister Chandu — May 9, 2007 @ 8:28 pm
No wonder, this area is the GEM on south side of Route 9 in Framingham.
The cluster of single family homes on Winter St, Salem End Road and bylanes on each of these streets are excellent family neighborhoods. Many of these streets are marked as “Scenic Roads”.
This area is very close to Supermarkets, Rt. 9, probably 2-3 miles away from Natick Mall, Shoppers World and of course the train station to Boston.
You will notice plenty of families enjoying the open space @ newly improved Tercentennial Park. You will find active young adults jogging, young families with their toddlers playing, teenagers roller skating or jogging and senior citizens walking or chitchatting with their fellow buddies while they sit on benches.
Did I forget to mention about the wild habitat spreading around the park area ? One can easily notice wide variety of colorful native New Englad birds and other migratory birds.
In non snowy days in winter, you will find active adults jogging on sidewalks to Tercentennial Park.
The Farm Pond!!! It’s on Dudley Road but one can enjoy the Walking trails, fishing, non-powered boats, group outings in camp like setting!!!!
Talk of Keffe Tech School and the sorrounding complexes. There are plenty of opportunities for recreational activities such as ice skating, adult swimming , ice hockey, soccer . One can also attend classes in cooking, carpentry, home improvement and other specility trades.
All this comes within walkin distance from home !!!
You can reach train station in less than five minutes with your car or bicycle. Or Walk to train station, if you got extra 20-25 minutes on hand.
It is also a very safe neighborhood area to raise and enjoy the family and home ownership.
You will also find many highly educated families living in homes on Winter St / Salem End Road and other bylanes.
Comment by HM — May 9, 2007 @ 9:12 pm
My friend lives on Waltham St. which was named the #1 best street in the city to live on in the same article. After reading that I placed no stock in anything else said. Waltham St. if you’ve never been on it has location going for it and that’s it. I wouldn’t live there if you paid me.
Comment by Michael — May 10, 2007 @ 6:29 pm
Salem End Road used to be a nice street until I found out today that a sex offender level 3 moved into an apartment on that street. He is dangerous, he lives among us, he shops at stop & shop on Temple St., he goes to our malls, he was charged for committing a crime against a minor, under 14 years old, and now we have to share our common areas with this guy? His name is STEVEN K ALESI.
Comment by ML — May 17, 2007 @ 1:35 am
I’ll vote for Church Street
Comment by Boston Cube — May 19, 2007 @ 2:16 am