Bill Flanagan and his wife, Joanne, have lived on Summer Street in Weymouth for 34 years and have become unofficial recruiters for the town.
“Two of Joanne’s siblings, after experiencing Weymouth through us, elected to establish their homes and raise families here in town as well,’’ said Flanagan, 62.
The Flanagans had married two years prior to their move to Weymouth, and were living in an apartment in Quincy with their one child. “We were looking for a home in a convenient area,’’ said Flanagan, a pharmacist who retired recently. He and Joanne, 58, a registered nurse, immediately appreciated Weymouth’s easy access to Route 3 and that they could zip to Quincy, Braintree, and Hingham in less than 10 minutes.
The property’s half-acre lot was attractive and became even more appreciated as their family grew to include four children. They all attended Weymouth’s public schools, which prepared them well for success in college and ultimately in their chosen professions, Flanagan said. They also played youth, travel, and high school sports and participated in the Old South Union Youth Group.
Younger families, including their neighbors’ children who grew up in Weymouth, are now looking to buy houses in this town of about 55,000. While “nothing is cheap,’’ the Flanagans acknowledge, there are entry-level properties.
Shopping and restaurants are plentiful in the area, however. “Whatever your taste in cuisine might be, you can probably get there in 10 or 15 minutes,’’ Flanagan said. The Venetian, El Sarape, and Stockholders Steakhouse rank among their favorites.
The Flanagans also enjoy Pond Meadow Park, which is within walking distance and straddles Weymouth and Braintree, and Joanne strolls around Webb Memorial State Park on the water in North Weymouth. They are also impressed by the spectrum of residents who take advantage of the recently renovated Legion Memorial Field, which includes a turf field, tennis courts, playgrounds, and paths.
“There are seniors walking there, young families hanging out, children running around, and people of all ages playing pickup sports,’’ Flanagan said.
Rachel Lebeaux can be reached at rachel_lebeaux@yahoo.com.
