Commute on bus # 39/66 or 57/66 - is 2 buses too much? (Boston: apartment, houses)

[sdu]

Moving from Seattle to Boston in July & working in Coolidge Corner. Based on price & apt amenities, I might like to live in JP or Brighton Center/Oak Sq unless the commute would drive me crazy.

Thoughts on a # 39 + 66, or # 57 + 66, commute? Do these buses run on time / frequently enough for a 2-bus commute to be efficient? Are they so crowded during rush hours that people waiting at a stop can't always get on?

[eevee]

well, I will tell you that the #66 SUCKS beyond all belief!!!! sorry to say, but this bus is frequently late and often very crowded, esp. if you're getting on at the Brigham Circle stop (where the #39 and #66 mainly intersects). it may have gotten better in the past couple of years though (I haven't ridden it regularly in a couple of years).

the #39 can be another bad one. the congestion is usually relieved by the fact that this route uses those long, articulated (I believe that's the term) buses, but this is another bus that is often late during rush hour (though to be fair, traffic on Huntington Ave can be bad during these time.). however, coming from Forest Hills/JP, it's usually not congested, but it may or may not be exactly on time, depending on traffic on Centre St

I rarely took the #57, unless it was b/c the "B" line was running slow. I can say the #57 runs faster than that line of the green line branch, but then again, I run faster than that line of the green line branch!!

I would say plan your commute carefully and leave room in case the bus runs late. of the 3 routes you've listed, I would say the #57 (based on my experience) is the most reliable, followed by the #39 (though it's not reliable so much as it runs fairly frequently, so the wait isn't usually that long), and lastly, the #66. depending on where in Brighton you're looking, you may find it easier to live near a bus route that will take you to the "C" line. for example, the #86 passes through parts of Brighton and ends at Cleavland Circle (though, from what I remember, it doesn't run as frequently as the #57). there is another bus that passes through Brighton and Brookline and crosses over the "C" line.

I swear, it isn't as bad as I make out to be, but I wouldn't fully rely on the MBTA schedules/website

[smarty]

From oak sq to Coolidge corner is about 2 miles... I suggest walking or biking. It is so much faster going through Washington St to Beacon St. But, then lazy me drive from one end of the mall to the other end where it is only 50 parking space width distance.

JP is about the same distance. The only problem is you have to cross some major intersections.

[Bostonian08]

The 57 from Brighton would be reasonable. You can get off at Harvard St and just walk to Coolidge Corner. It's about 8 blocks and very pleasant. It would be a pain to get there from JP as Longwood is always a horrendous traffic jam.

[sdu]

Thanks for the replies. I may look for a place on the # 57 and/or 65. I appreciate the thoughts about walking part of the way and would be happy to do so in good weather. I guess on very rainy/cold days, I just wouldn't want to walk too far.

[goyguy]

Focus your apartment hunting around Cleveland Circle. There are lots of big and old, but well-kept, buildings along the main streets: Beacon St, and Commonwealth and Chestnut Hill Ave's. Many large apartment houses also line the winding side streets off Chestnut Hill. Their main drawback is that with BC right across the reservoir and BU not "forever" away, moving into a student-slum situation is a real risk. But the big plus is that you could hop on the "C" trolley and roll into Coolidge Corner ten minutes later.

"What they said" about the buses.

[holden125]

Cleveland Circle is OK from a commute standpoint but the student issue is real. The 65 is not a bad option to get to Wash Sq.

[sdu]

I'd tentatively ruled out Cleveland Circle b/c I do want to avoid student neighborhoods, just to have diversity in my neighbors and a little more peace and quiet. Based on that, if I could afford a place in the area bounded by Comm Ave & Beacon St, Washington & Harvard St, is that far enough from campuses to not be mostly students?

[holden125]

Originally Posted by sdu

if I could afford a place in the area bounded by Comm Ave & Beacon St, Washington & Harvard St, is that far enough from campuses to not be mostly students?

Not on the Brighton side of the line. The blocks south from Comm. Av like Corey Rd and Brainerd still have students there. Much less as soon as you enter Brookline.