Honest info on Somerville from a concerned father (Cambridge, Washington: home, private schools)

[pvjd]

My 8 year old son lives in Somerville with his mother on Washington St. I don't know anything about the area, and the only time I have even seen Somerville is when passing by it on my way to the courthouse (she is currently witholding him, and I am going through the process of seeking full custody). Can somebody please give me input on what type of area Somerville is, what the danger factor is, housing, what the schools are like, etc. He was going to the new school that they just opened up there, but I just found out that he has been being home schooled for the last year and a half. Any honest input is appreciated.

[brightdoglover]

Somerville is where people used to go when they couldn't afford Cambridge. For all its mostly rundown appearance, it's not cheap by any means. The eastern areas are more... modest... I don't think "danger" is the biggest issue, not like a real city, although Somerville is pretty low on the latte factor.
I don't know about schools, but there are a lot of townies and educatioin isn't a big priority. My guess is the former Cambridge people either use private schools or move to the suburbs when they have school-age kids.
I believe there has been some gang activity in recent years, specifically, I believe MS-13 has moved in.