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REAL ESTATE
From the RealEstateJournal Archives

Affordable Homes in Communities
With Good Schools and Low Crime

by Sheree R. Curry
From The Wall Street Journal Online
March 09, 2007

Some suburbs with good schools and low crime close to big cities are affordable for families making $50,000 to $60,000 a year, according to Sperling's Best Places research published in Business Week. Here are homes in three such towns.

* * *

[moneysworth]

PLACE/PRICE: Matthews, N.C. / $249,900
TAXES*: $2,273
THE PROPERTY: 4 bedrooms, 2 1/2 baths, 2,920 square feet
DESCRIPTION: This 1991 two-story was custom built on a corner lot. It has hardwood floors in the foyer, great room, kitchen and powder room. There is a large screened porch overlooking the backyard.
NOTABLE: Matthews, located 10 miles from uptown Charlotte, offers a median home price of $205,200 and a cost-of-living index of 104.6, with 100 being the national average. Its violent-crime index is a mere 29.

* * *

[moneysworth]

PLACE/PRICE: Roswell, Ga. / $250,000
TAXES*: $2,123
THE PROPERTY: 3 bedrooms, 2 1/2 baths, 2,492 square feet
DESCRIPTION: This 1994 stucco-front home has bay windows in the dining room and a fireplace in the two-story family room, which is open to the kitchen. The master bathroom has a vaulted ceiling and a walk-in closet.
NOTABLE: Roswell, located 20 miles from downtown Atlanta, has a median home price of $304,000 and a cost-of-living index of 126.6, with 100 being the national average. Its violent-crime index is 29.

* * *

[moneysworth]

PLACE/PRICE: Castle Rock, Colo. / $345,000
TAXES*: $3,856
THE PROPERTY: 4 bedrooms, 3 baths, 2,819 square feet
DESCRIPTION: This 2000-built home has a main-floor study with double French door entry. The two-story family room has a gas fireplace. There is a full walk-out basement, a covered deck and a three-car garage.
NOTABLE: Although about an hour commute to and from downtown Denver during rush hour, the median home price is just $240,000. The cost-of-living index is 133.4 and the violent-crime index is 22.


*Current owner's payment

Sources: businessweek.com, bestplaces.net, hussmmh.com, broylesteam.com, thekirkteam.com

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