Best schools in close-in suburbs? (Boston, Cambridge: rental, house, closing)

[DC Veggie Mom]

We live in DC now and are growing increasingly unhappy with city services, schools, etc. and are looking to move somewhere new! We're from Philly, have lived in DC for more than 10 years, don't want to live in NYC and are avid East Coasters. I've always loved New England - I do admit that I am completely charmed. I've visited only 2 times, but would like to spend the next year visiting 3 or 4 times to see if it's the right fit for us. Before we go, though - we need recs on neighborhoods and most importantly - GREAT public schools (we have 1 daughter). We need to be no more than 20 - 30 minutes car commute, in traffic, from the city (15-20 minutes by train), as we absolutely hate driving. We are looking to rent and would like to spend approx. $2000-2500/month for a 2 bedroom. We need to be able to walk to stores, restaurants (we are foodies), library, school, etc...

I really appreciate tips and advice!

[holden125]

Your request is challenging because you appear to want the benefits of city life (walk to stores and restaurants, little driving, 15-20 mins to Boston by train), but most urban places don't have the greatest public schools. The most obvious exception, and therefore most obvious fit, would be Brookline, but $2000-2500 for a 2 BR might be tight there and you're not allowed to park overnight on the streets, so you need to pay more for a parking spot (rent will be higher if you get a place with one). Another possibility is Newton. Newton has many different neighborhoods or villages, and ranges from fairly urban to quite woodsy. The D line of the Green Line runs through it to Boston, which runs on a more regular subway schedule but it is a bit on the slow side (pretty ride though). On the northern side of Newton are two commuter rail stations, which get you to Boston faster but run less frequently.

Other options are Belmont and Arlington. Belmont offers quick commuter rail service to North Station from two stations and pretty quick bus service to Harvard Square. Arlington has the last stop on the red line, Alewife, at its border with Cambridge. There is an often-full parking garage there for $5 a day, or bus service to the station. That is, however, 25-30 mins to Boston on the T. Belmont is the more upscale of the two but Arlington, while still having more blue-collar pockets, has been closing the gap in recent years and has a burgeoning restaurant scene. Arlington public schools are considered good. While the MCAS, etc., are a little lower than some neighboring towns, I wouldn't be thrown by that since I myself went to the schools there for 7 years and wound up getting into every law school there is.

Another possibility is Winchester, though there are fewer rentals there and much of the town is not normal walking distance to the center. It is a very attractive prosperous town with a nice, if compact, downtown area. Commuter rail trains get to North Station in 15-20 mins from two stations, and there is easy access to I-93, which will get you to Boston in 15 minutes without traffic. Of course, there is always heavy traffic in the morning rush. But it is a very pretty town with very well-regarded schools.

Anything else I can think of is too far for your requirements.

[HowGoesIt]

Brookline is the only town that would fit the bill. Great public schools and very walkable. Other areas mentioned (Belmont, Arlington, Newton, Winchester) are excellent areas, but probably not what you are looking for. They are your typical nice, expensive towns.

I think you would be able to rent a nice 2 bedroom place for $2500 in Brookline. Look around the Brookline Village or Cooledge Corner area.

[nooneknowsmyname]

Brookline fits your requirements to a "T"

[holden125]

Originally Posted by HowGoesIt

Brookline is the only town that would fit the bill. Great public schools and very walkable. Other areas mentioned (Belmont, Arlington, Newton, Winchester) are excellent areas, but probably not what you are looking for. They are your typical nice, expensive towns.

I think you would be able to rent a nice 2 bedroom place for $2500 in Brookline. Look around the Brookline Village or Cooledge Corner area.

Agreed Brookline is the best fit and that you might find a good place for $2500. Check Brookline Village and Washington Square also.

Newton does have some parts that are more walkable (Newton Centre, West Newton), and I walked to restaurants and stores as a kid from a side street off Mass Av in Arlington between the Center and the Heights. The other places are definitely more town/suburb, but are the closest you'll get to walkable commercial areas within 15-20 mins of Boston by train, while having excellent public schools. Worth checking out on a visit to the area to see if it's too suburban.

In Newton, check out the area around where Beacon and Centre Sts meet, and along Rt 16 (Watertown St) between West Newton station/Chestnut St and Walnut St. The Newtonville area just south of the Mass Pike is also nice but less commercial. In Arlington, check out Mass. Av between, say, Franklin St and the Park Ave area, and the side streets off of it, especially south of Mass. Av.

[wickedripeplum]

I have agree with everyone else, Brookline is by far the best fit, with Arlington and Newton being a semi distant second.

[HowGoesIt]

If you consider sending your daughter to a private school, many more doors will be opened. Somerville is also right up your alley if you aren't worried about good public schools. You get more for your dollar in Somerville than what you would in Brookline as well. You can probably rent a small house in Somerville for $2500/month.