Commuting by train to Cambridge from Tyngsboro (Boston, Lowell: home, school tuition)

[NeedInfo57]

This is the first time I'm visiting this forum and I do hope someone can help us. There's a chance that our family may be moving to the Boston area in the next few months because my husband is likely to be offered a job in Cambridge. We have been looking for towns where we could live and have experienced some sticker shock at the home prices. Holy moly!

We have a daughter who attends Catholic school (fourth grade), and we found one (Notre Dame Academy) in Tyngsboro that seems reasonably priced. The town seems nice too -- at least from its web site -- the kind of quiet place that I like and the home prices seem more affordable than towns that are closer to the city.

My question is whether the commute by train to Cambridge (Kendall Square) is manageable on a daily basis for my husband. He prefers to travel by train and subway -- because he claims he works on his (darned) Blackberry during the commute. (I think he also naps, not that he would admit it.)

So, is commuting to Cambridge by train or subway manageable from the Tyngsboro area? How long might it take? I believe there is a train station at Lowell, but that just goes to the North Station, right? Would he have to walk to South Station and then take the subway to Kendall Square? Considering all that, would driving be a saner option?

Any advice would be very welcome. Thank you all so much.

[scarletfire]

I know what you mean - I think most people moving here have sticker shock!

You can go to www.mbta.com/rider_tools/trip_planner/ to find commute times and train/subway schedules. The Lowell train does go to North station. I would think if you have to connect between north and south stations after the train ride and then still take the T to Kendall that would make for a lousy commute.

I don't know anything about the Catholic school in Tyngsborough but another thought is Hudson Catholic. Several of my cousins went there and their parents had good things to say. Home prices there are reasonable but there's no train station right in town. There is service into South Station in nearby towns but that would mean either living in a town outside where your daughter goes to school or having your husband drive several miles to get to the train each morning. There are Catholic private schools in Southboro, which is a wonderful town with train service into South Station but the school tuition is extremely pricey.

[charolastra00]

You'd take the commuter rail into North Station, get onto either the green or orange line (I don't know which would be faster) and change trains to the red line. It's really not all THAT bad and trains are frequent during rush hours. Your husband would not have to go to South Station at all.

[NeedInfo57]

Many thanks to you, Scarletfire and Charolastra00, for your prompt and helpful comments.

We will make sure to check out Hudson Catholic as well as the schools near Southboro; and the commuting tip about the green and/or orange lines is great. Though we live on the East Coast, we don't know the Boston area at all -- apart from what we have found on the Internet -- so your advice is invaluable.

Thanks again.

[septimus]

there is actually a blue bus (not mbta, but maybe MIT related not sure of details, I've never used it just seens the signs and neighbors that use it) that does a loop from North Station to Kendall/Cambridgeport.

[NeedInfo57]

Thank you, Septimus. That is very good to know.

[holden125]

Originally Posted by septimus

there is actually a blue bus (not mbta, but maybe MIT related not sure of details, I've never used it just seens the signs and neighbors that use it) that does a loop from North Station to Kendall/Cambridgeport.

It's a private bus called EZ Ride, it's $1 each way or you would need a sticker if your employer is a member but it is quicker than going to Park St and then back out on the Red Line, which is easy 20 minutes from North Station to Kendall. They fill up in the morning but run pretty frequently.

Charles River Transportation Management Association

Less helpful, but there is a free shuttle at certain hours from Cambridgeside Galleria Mall to Kendall. Cambridgeside is right near Lechmere station, 2 stops from North Station on the Green Line going away from downtown ("Outbound").

[DreamworksSKG]

From tyngsboro you'd be better off going to either Lowell or N Billerica commuter rail the problem is I dont know what the parking situation is.....parking wise the lots fill up fast if you dont get there by 7am sometimes earlier in cases.

there is an AM bus that goes from Tyngsboro to the lowell Transit Center.
Lowell Regional Transit Authority
Lowell Regional Transit - route 10 check it out on the schedule and map.

the problem is the last bus PM from lowell would be 5:30 pm and i doubt he'd be out of Boston by then
Might want to pick him up at the train on the way back at N Billerica or Lowell.

All I know is parking is crazy in Boston for commuter rail and not enough spaces. so you have to go early!

If you leave early enough say before 6:00-6:30 every day you might be able to drive down route 3 to 95/128 north and get off a couple exits later at Washington St. - go left off the ramp and cross the highway then go down to the light , turn left at the Kohl's light , then a right onto Commerce way . Follow Commerce Way past the Woburn Mall on your left, and you'll see the red roof inn on your right. Keep going past the Target plaza on your right and then take your next left. you'll come to the anderson regional transit center which has a big parking lot for commuter rail and is relatively cheap to park all day. It would be a better option on the lowell line to leave your car.

(or you could take 495 East to 93 South)and get off at the Commerce Way Exit...(for Anderson Woburn) you'll see target in front of you on the left as you exit . gO straight through the light to the Logan Express/Commuter Rail parking lot , veer right into the parking area. Your first time coming there read the info on the parking machine first so you'll know how to pay and make sure you do it right.

I would say your best bet to get to Anderson/Woburn Commuter rail parking area would be -
495 East - (so you dont get stuck in all the route 3 south traffic) in the Am - then it wouldn't be too long after you get onto 93 south to get to the Anderson-Woburn exit.

Would be prolly 30 min max. +/- traffic. then you hop on the commuter rail and are on your way.

In the coming years there will be a new train station built at Spit Brook Road in Southern NH (Nashua) which would be easier for you and
I think Tyngsboro might even get a commuter rail station or at least N Chelmsford which also might be easier, but nothing built yet,.

Anyway Anderson-Woburn Commuter rail is my suggestion

--jeff
Winchester, MA

[DreamworksSKG]

the reason i like anderson woburn, they have 24 hour security.
there is ample parking - it hardly ever fills up, you can get the bus to Manchester Airport and Logan Airport from here if you're flying.
And/or its relatively cheap right off the I-93.
495-93 S wouldn't be a bad haul even in the AM - 93 south might be jammed but even with traffic anderson-woburn is only a few exits from 495 interchange .
Then you can hop on the commuter rail, not worry about your car, or not finding a parking space, and then breeze on home after. again 93 North might be busy but I think 495 W wouldn't be that bad....it usually isn't too bad.

just a suggestion

-jeff
Winchester, MA

[WhooFleuryScores]

I’m in the same boat too; one of the paths I’m trying to follow is perhaps driving hallway to say Wellington or Alewife I suppose and then riding the T in (avoid the commuter rail but still keep the car somewhat near).