Anyone planning a move to Metro West will prioritize finding a good coffee shop whether for fuel during the morning commute or a meeting place with friends and colleagues. We’re constantly reminded that we “run on Dunkin”, and certainly the ever-popular chain is well represented in Metro West–as is Starbucks. But, for those looking for a different shop character, a lighter roast, or a cozy place to sit with a book, there are plenty of alternatives. The recently opened Coffee Loft in Marlborough offers an art exhibit that references the nearby artist studios and gallery. Panache Coffee on Route 9 in Framingham offers comfy couches as well as numerous electrical outlets and wifi to browse the Internet while enjoying a coffee. The Charles River Coffee House in Natick offers fresh baked goods and great music along with a daily joe. Wellesley’s Quebrada Baking Co complements its coffee with bakery selections while Brookline’s Martin’s Coffee Shop offers a full lunch and breakfast menu. Novel coffee shops abound in Metro West for those who like to explore, and enrich all that Metro West real estate has to offer.

More than a dozen Metro West Boards of health have committed to the idea of sharing their public health resources, pooling them together to create a Metro West Public Health Services District. Fourteen communities received a $30,000 state grant earlier this year to study the idea of sharing resources. The group is seeking a grant this fall to implement a group public health nursing program that would run flu clinics and handle local health department duties such as monitoring tuberculosis patients and following up on diseases. According to a group commissioned study, Metro West health boards currently provide only three of the ten essential services identified by the Centers for Disease Control. The Metro West communities of Acton, Concord, Framingham, Hudson, Lincoln, Maynard, Southborough, Stow, Walpole, and Weston hope pooling resources allows greater provision of essential services.

Families considering a move to MetroWest look for the best home, the best housing value, and the best school district. Identifying the best school district is tricky business. While it is easy to rank MCAS scores and other objective measures, getting a feel for the student experience and life-enhancing features of a school district are harder to come by. Boston Magazine has taken its annual stab at ranking Massachusetts school systems. It is no surprise to MetroWest residents, that 10 of the top 50 school districts, according to Boston Magazine’s ranking system, are located in Metro West.  The Dover-Sherborn school system ranked number one, Weston, number 3, and the Lincoln-Sudbury school district, number 4. Home buyers considering MetroWest communities have a number of excellent school districts, by any accounting, from which to choose.

While we think of summer offering the bounty of fresh fruits and vegetables, the harvest increases as we head into fall. With the increasing focus on locally grown produce for economic and environmental reasons, the availability of farmer’s markets and farm stands abound. Living in MetroWest provides a large share of opportunities to buy locally or pick your own produce. Check out the Saturday farmer’s market at Sudbury’s Wayside Inn between 10 and 3. Dowse Orchards in Sherborn is a Massachusetts Century farm with a long-standing farm stand, pick your own apples, and cut your own Christmas trees. Hanson’s Farm in Framingham invites you to come pick your own blueberries, raspberries, strawberries, and pumpkins. Don’t pass on a visit to Belkin Family Lookout Farm in South Natick. Established in 1651, Belkin Farm is one of the oldest working farms in the country and offers activities along with pick your own fruit opportunities.

Families planning a move to MetroWest should consider potential inconsistencies in local curricula. While all programs meet the Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks, there is great variety in the actual implementation. For example, one district may cover tectonics in grade 4 while another covers the topic in grade 5. An elementary school offering a foreign language program may not be equipped to address entering students without language experience. The use of different math programs can make entering a new math class a difficult transition with a new language and new methods. On top of that, different schools teach at different paces. A transition from one elementary or middle school to another might mean that your student will repeat a course of study, will miss a particular unit, or will need to accommodate new programs with a higher learning curve. It is best to know in advance if any of these situations will arise so they can be addressed, and allow your student to concentrate on making sense of the new environment and making friends rather than worrying about the coursework.

A year old nonprofit is spreading like wildfire through MetroWest communities. The Neighbor Brigade, now in 26 Massachusetts communities, creates volunteer networks of neighbors able and willing to serve their neighbors. During crises, from tragedies to illness, 2400 volunteers have delivered over 2500 meals and 200 rides. The Neighbor Brigade has grown by word-of-mouth, embraced by MetroWest communities and the volunteer leaders willing to pull everything together.

In Wayland, the Neighbor Brigade is built upon the service of the Wayland Angels, a group that has provided a network of support for Wayland families since 2003. From checking on neighbors to chauffeuring children to running errands, a little time spent has substantial impact. Neighbor Brigade Chapters in Wellesley, Natick, Needham, and other MetroWest towns match those in need with those available to serve. These efforts make each town a richer place.

It’s a common summer survey–one we’re all happy to participate in: Who has the best ice cream? This summer, MetroWest ice cream shops seem to compete not only for the title of Best, but the title of Most Original. While the old standards remain available, the adventurous might try Dirt ‘N’ Worms at the Park Street Ice Cream Shoppe in Natick. Just like the children’s dessert, it contains gummy worms and Oreo cookies, but replaces chocolate pudding with chocolate ice cream. Adults might enjoy the taste of the Guinness Stout ice cream at the Black Cow Ice Cream Shop in Millis; for kids, their Smurf ice cream has cotton candy flavors and marshmallows. Weston’s Dairy Joy offers another adult-oriented concoction, Java Berry, coffee ice cream mixed with raspberry sorbet. Uhlman’s Ice Cream in Westborough serves up the Purple Cow, a black raspberry ice cream with white and dark chocolate chips. At White Mountain Creamery in Wellesley, patrons enjoy Lemon Meringue Pie or Funky Guerilla. Brookline standard, J.P Licks, also found in Newton and Wellesley, continues to please with standard specialty flavors like Cherry Garciaparra and this summer’s El Diablo. When considering a move to MetroWest, it wouldn’t hurt to do your own ice cream survey. Yum!

As the summer pilgrimage to water continues, MetroWest is fortunate to enjoy the beautiful Charles River for kayaking and as a backdrop for biking and hiking. The 16-mile Charles River Link connects open space along the Charles River in Newton, Wellesley, Needham, Natick, and Dover. Sherborn takes advantage of the Upper Charles Trail. Forested sections are ideal for hiking, as are open paths for biking. The Charles River Bike Path takes Newton cyclists into Boston. Kayakers can launch from several MetroWest cities: on Farm Road in Sherborn; Route 16 or South Natick Dam in Natick; Elm Bank, RedWing Bay, or Mill Street in Dover; Centre Street, South Street, or Hemlock Gorge in Needham; Millenium Park, Nahanton Park, or Quinobequin Road in Newton; and Riverside Park or Norumbega Road in Weston. Hikers might access the river through the Wellesley Town Forest, Pegan Hill Reservation in Dover, or the Mumford Wildlife Forest in Natick. Ultimately, there are many ways to enjoy the scenic Charles River, from on and off the river, for casual use by families or training by athletes, by photographers and walkers alike.

Massachusetts currently has ten congressional districts. The 2010 census indicates the population of Worcester County increased 6.34% since the 2000 census, and the populations of Barnstable and Berkshire counties has decreased by approximately 3%. Overall, the Massachusetts population has decreased, resulting in a loss of one congressional seat. Each congressional district has 700,000 people. Massachusetts’ population change means that Massachusetts’ districts must be redrawn to accommodate nine districts instead of ten.

MetroWest real estate won’t likely escape a change. MetroWest towns are already parceled into different districts. Brookline, Dover, Sherborn, Wellesley, and Newton fall in the 8th district. Natick and Weston are in the 7th congressional district. Needham falls in the 9th, and Wayland and Sudbury are both in the 5th district. MetroWest towns share regional concerns yet fall among four different districts. The current redistricting process can be monitored here lending the process some transparency.

Real estate tax rates should be an important consideration when making a home purchase.  Local property taxes can have a significant affect on cash flow and the true cost of owning a piece of Metro West real estate.  2011 residential tax rates for select MetroWest towns are as follows:

            Brookline        $11.30

            Dover              $11.70

            Natick             $12.60

            Needham         $10.90

            Newton           $10.90

            Sherborn          $17.72

            Sudbury          $17.03

            Wayland          $19.35

            Wellesley         $11.43

            Weston            $11.39

Consider the extremes. Needham or Newton homeowners with a $500,000 house taxed at a rate of $10.90 per $1,000 of value will pay $5,450 per year in real estate taxes. Wayland homeowners in a $500,000 house taxed at $19.35 per $1,000 pay $9,675 each year in real estate taxes. The difference of $4,225 per year would mean an additional $1,000 taxes paid per quarter. Real estate shoppers should be cognizant of tax cost, but may well find the extra taxes bring substantial extra value to the town and town services.