Sudbury, MA —
An Inside Scoop from a Longtime Resident

Pros:

• Easy access to Mass Pike, Rt 128 and Rt 495.
• Most people don’t want to take time out of their day to drive to the next town to grocery shop or to grab some lunch …
  • Restaurants in town: Foodies will love the many, varied fare and price points, some deliver, plenty of parking.
  • Shopping in town: Many small boutique, specialty stores in town but no big box stores. Those are nearby in Natick, Framingham and Marlborough. The shopping mecca of the Natick Collection/Shopper’s World is less than 15 minutes away.
  • Grocery Stores in town: Sudbury Farms and Shaws, Whole Foods and Stop & Shop in Wayland, Trader Joe’s nearby in Framingham.

• Lots of local concerts, sporting events, theaters & amenities
• Excellent library facility includes on-line reservations & downloads of e-books
• Commuter rail stations nearby: For South Station closest is Framingham.
  • For North Station closest is Acton. For Green Line closest is Riverside in Newton. Express bus to Logan airport in Framingham.
• Although the school system is highly ranked (Boston Magazine ranks it high and the schools have earned recognition multiple times in U.S. News & World Report for college readiness), it doesn’t come across as the pressure-cooker that Lexington and Brookline are. Many parents I have talked with say it delivers “as advertised”.
• Lots of great community organizations – both civic and social
• A medium-density population with large lot sizes… ¾ to 1 acre minimum zoning, smaller lots grandfathered, up to 5 acre zoning in historic wayside inn district
• Schools belong to the Metco program, exposing the kids to diversity.

• Low town debt load and high bond rating.
• Home to many fitness centers, yoga studios, hair and nail salons, and larger organized indoor/outdoor sporting facilities.
• Summer farmer’s markets, CSA’s (Community Supported Agriculture) with different levels of commitment, community gardens and the Sudbury Grange with it’s educational programs.
• A wide choices of houses of worship nearby in almost any religion you practice
• Oldest continuously-running Town Meeting
• Robust senior center with many programs, activities and opportunities for active seniors.

Cons:

• No commuter rail station/public transportation to speak of in town.
• Housing tends toward larger size homes and prices are high.
• There definitely is a lack of walk-ability here.
• High taxes
• No town curbside trash pickup. You can pay for pick up or use the transfer/recycling station.
• There is a lack of socioeconomic diversity.
• There are restrictions on livestock ownership.