SHARON /Beaver Brook
The hidden gem of Beaver Brook area

By TERI BORSETI
For The Patriot Ledger Area: 24.18 square miles

POPULATION
2000: 17,408
2006: 17,555

Density: 753 res./square mile
Median age: 42
Median household income: $105,146

FINANCES
Tax rate: $14.16
Town budget: $56 million

HOUSING
Median home price (# sales)
2007: $435,000 (186)
2008: $345,000 (10 through January)
Median condo price
2007: $432,000 (20)
2008: 0

SCHOOLS
Number of students: 3,464

Number of teachers: 253
H.S. grads to 4-yr. college: 89%
H.S. grads to 2-yr. college: 5%
Median SAT score (2006): 1671

A few blocks from the intersection of Route 27 and Norwood Street in Sharon, Beaver Brook Road is the gateway to a small collection of dead-ends including Huckleberry Lane, Pheasant Wood Road and Blueberry Road.

Many of the original split-level ranches that line the streets were built more than 30 years ago, but an occasional contemporary or Colonial provides an extra layer to the landscape. An abundance of tall pine trees completes the picture.

Latha Raman moved to the United States from India nine years ago and bought her Sharon home after living in Holbrook for three years. Her three-bedroom house on Pheasant Wood Road was just what she was looking for.

"I looked around for quite a while before deciding where to buy. I chose Sharon because of its diversity and because of the great school system here," the mother of two said.

Six years ago, Raman's ranch on a half-acre lot was priced at $345,000. But even in the current soft market, buyers would be hard-pressed to find anything under $400,000 in the neighborhood.

After empty-nesters sold their homes in favor of smaller homes or warmer climates, the neighborhood was reborn.

"I'd say about 50 percent of the people who live here now have school-age children," Raman said.

"And who can beat the location?" said Seth Stollman of Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage in Sharon. "Not only is it a nice, quiet neighborhood but it's close to (Interstate) 95 and Sharon has the commuter train. The location works for those who commute to Boston or Providence."

Another thing people like about the neighborhood is the fact that it isn't a cut-through or short-cut neighborhood and the only people who usually drive there are residents.

This section of town is also convenient to Moosehill Wildlife Sanctuary and Spring Valley Country Club.

On Beaver Brook Road, Stollman has just listed a house perfect for a family of any stage. Rhoda and Ari Sutton bought the ranch seven years ago and redesigned and renovated it in 2005. The multi-level floor plan is spacious and the addition of a cathedral ceiling with skylights made it light and airy.

"We don't want to leave this house because we love it here. The neighbors, the schools, the community, everything. But we're relocating to a warmer climate because our son has health issues," Rhoda Sutton said.

The flat land is bordered by pine trees and conservation land. The six-bedroom house is listed for $439,000.

"I actually have friends who live in that neighborhood and it's great for kids," Stollman said.

Ariella Fineman said she loved growing up on Huckleberry Lane.

"I always had friends close by, it's private and has always been a safe place to live. I also like the fact that there's a lot of diversity here. In this neighborhood there are Indians, Asians, Jews and Christians who all live together. That's something Sharon is known for," said Fineman, a senior at Sharon High School.

Fineman said block parties are common on Huckleberry Lane.

"We all grew up together and went to the same parties and people here know each other. It was great," the college-bound teenager said.