When looking at towns to buy in, potential deal breakers
Would you buy in a town that had a casino? Moreover, what are some other potential deal breakers?
This is no longer a theoretical discussion. State lawmakers last night passed a casino gambling bill. Once signed by Gov. Deval Patrick - he's on board, so no issue there - Massachusetts will be on track to get three casinos and a smaller slot hall.
The leading candidates, in terms of locations, are Palmer and East Boston. Still, given that it's going to be a competitive bidding situation, at least one, maybe two of these gambling complexes could end up anywhere.
The likelihood of a mass jail break is pretty unlikely in this day and age. That said, there can be a stigma to having a prison in town. There's a reason Walpole prison, that formidable, white walled, high security fortress, got renamed Cedar Junction. It's unfair, but the perception is there.
Maybe big shopping malls are a turn off to some of you - I know I long associated Natick with the Route 9 retail strip. (Sorry, I hate shopping and malls and get stir crazy when my wife drags me along.) Of course, Karen and I discovered Natick center and the town around it have little relationship with the mall other than it is within its borders - and helps bring in hefty commercial taxes.
Airports are something else to consider - and I am not just talking about the big one at Logan. Smaller airports, like the one in Norwood, can have lots of little prop planes taking off and landing.
I live on a busy street, but I draw the line at living next to a major highway - such as I-95. By near, I mean you can either see the traffic or hear it. I recall friends who bought in Lexington near 128 and wound up with state troopers combing the neighborhood after some crazy ditched his car off the highway and fled into the neighborhood, police in pursuit.
I don't have a problem living near a cemetery - it might even get you a discount of sorts - but some might find that depressing.
What are your deal breakers?
