House Decisions

I think my expectations of our Western MA home have to come way down or our budget has to go up $20 or $30k.
Torn between neighborhood with kids for Attie or nice quite home in nature for Bob and I. Leaning towards neighborhood home, especially with Attie being an only kid and going to private school. He needs some other way to connect with kids then being driven around by mom all of the time. However fewer homes in this "country setting" that meet that criteria.
Also not horribly difficult to find a home for our family of 3, but more difficult with the thought of hopefully hosting friends w/families often. Need a big enough space for parent and kids to come and feel comfy so they come back often. =)

We will see where this process ends up.

Currently looking in the towns of Amherst, Hadley, South Hadley, Belchertown.
Also the inventory isn't high, but supposedly we can get more for our money since economy is down. SCARY. Would hate to see what our budget would get us in a seller's market. Not in a huge rush to buy, but would hate the market to change to a seller's or to get into the fall/winter and for all of the inventory to go away.

Saw one house that we like in Amherst, but it is so early in the decision making process. Do we jump this quickly? Not sure what else will be coming on the market in the fall/winter.

Decisions, decisions.....