Thoughts on Somerville for a young family? (Cambridge, Brookline: crime, houses)

[Rollersk8]

Entertaining a job prospect there. Wondering if Somerville is a good place to raise kids, or if anyone can recommend other family-oriented communities nearby? We're coming from an urban area but hate the petty crime, looking for good schools.

Thanks.

[LeavingMA]

I can't comment on the schools but when I think of Somerville I just think of mostly college students with some young professionals mixed in. I think Arlington, right next door, might be a better fit.

[septimus]

I've lived in both. I wouldn't live in Somerville with kids but if you are looking for urban Cambridge is good (although more expensive than Somerville). Also look at East Arlington, Brookline. In Cambridge I would look in Cambridgeport, Riverside, mid-Cambridge and Huron Village

[Boston Kehd]

Yea, dont move here, we hate yuppies and tufts kids and yes, we have a lot of crime that has been increasing in the last 4 yrs, mostly car break-ins, robberies, and your average"only in somerville" crimes like cruel and gruesome murders. Look up some history of this city. Corrupt politcs, a few years back we had a high suicide rate, high drug abuse/ alchol abuse. I mean its not roxbury but if u want to move in around the Davis sq yuppie area feel free. just dont complain if someone bumps into u n spills your latte from starbucks. And if your not a yuppie, crunchie granola mom, or overprivelaged 'artist' none of this applies to you. Stay Safe..

[Crematia]

Somerville used to be full of families with kids. Not anymore. It's now full of college students. Working class families have been chased out by skyrocketing rents over the last 15 years or so. Is Somerville safe enough, sure. But it's not like it used to be.

[Boston Kehd]

It used to be families connected ie. community, now theres no community thanks to the recent mass of yuppie folk prancing in, jetta keys in the hand. Now theres gangs, not like this city hasnt seen this enough with the famous Winter hill gang, but as long as you hoof it to davis square T station in the morning, and lock your car doors at night, and stay away from bars and side streets, i think you can manage

[Cantabridgienne]

"Yuppies" wouldn't have had a place to live had the Somerville families not sold their houses when the money was good.

[Calla]

Arlington is good for families, and if you have a bit more money to spend check out Winchester. Both are very close to Somerville.