STOUGHTON /Ewing Drive, Charles Avenue and Central Drive
A great place to start a family, literally

By TERI BORSETI
For The Patriot Ledger Area: 16.39 sq. mi.

POPULATION
2000: 27,149
2006: 27,506

Density: 1,693 res/sq. mi.
Median age: 41
Median household income: $66,785

FINANCES
Tax rate: $9.70 res./$19.93 comm.
Town budget: $64 million
Water/sewer: $15 for first 500 cubic feet/$6.83 per 100 cubic feet.

HOUSING
Median home price
2007: $320,000 ( through Nov.)
Median condo price
2007: $228,000 (through Nov.)

SCHOOLS
Number of students: 3,970
Number of teachers: 288
H.S. grads to 4-yr. college: 60%
H.S. grads to 2-yr. college: 20%
Median SAT score (2006): 1487

A certain Stoughton neighborhood is particularly popular with newlyweds. Several couples who recently tied the knot have moved into houses along Ewing Drive, Charles Avenue and Central Drive, an area tucked between Route 138 and Central Street.

The 1950s post-war neighborhood started with rows of Cape Codes and split-level ranches were added in the 1970s. Both home styles are perfect for first-time buyers.

Jeff McKinney married his childhood sweetheart in June, and they started looking for their first home. Originally from Plymouth, they were living at the Highlands Apartments in Braintree. One works in Quincy and the other in Boston, so they knew they wanted to be close to their jobs.

“We looked for almost six months and then we found this “fixer-upper,” McKinney said. “At around $200,000, it was the least expensive listing in the neighborhood. And the location and price convinced us to buy it and do extensive renovations,” Jeff McKinney said.

The house on Ewing Drive has a first-floor bedroom and two bedrooms on the second floor plus a three-season porch. A fenced-in yard and a tree in front with bird-feeders complete the picture.

The couple say they’ve been pleasantly surprised by their new neighbors.

“As soon as people knew we bought the house, they were all very welcoming. One neighbor brought us a banana bread, and the couple across the street invited us to their Christmas party. We were amazed,” he said.

The neighborhood’s straight, flat roads are great for walking, bike riding or for pushing baby carriages.

Dan McGuire of Central Drive loves walking his dog, Zoey, but soon he will be pushing a baby carriage. “We moved into this neighborhood last year just after we got married and now my wife is expecting,” he said. “The couple that lives across the street from us are newlyweds, too.”

McGuire said the neighborhood is a big draw for young couples because many homes are under $300,000. “Another good thing about it is the train station. We both work in Boston, and it takes us about 40 minutes to get there by train,” he said.

Todd Sandler of Todd Sandler Real Estate in Randolph said prices in the neighborhood range from $210,000 to $300,000.

Melissa Tartamella and her husband moved from Andover to a house on Charles Avenue eight years ago. Tartamella, who has two children under 6, says she is happy with Stoughton’s public schools. “We’re involved with the school, and we love the teachers and the PTO,” she said.

Another thing Tartamella likes about living in Stoughton is the fact that it is diverse.

“This neighborhood is the kind of place where you’d never think you were near anything, but Route 138 with all sorts of stores is one street over and downtown Stoughton is quite a bustling center,” she said. Because her street is a cul de sac, she doesn’t have to worry about a lot of traffic when her kids are outside playing.

“Some of the smaller capes are more affordable. I just sold a ranch that was a foreclosure in that neighborhood for $245,000. It needs a little light cosmetic work but the funny thing is that it was listed at $235,000 and the buyers wanted it so much they bid $10,000 higher to get it,” Sandler said. “You can’t beat the location. It’s quiet and very family oriented and yet everything you need is right around the corner,” he added.