Moving from Ridgewood, NJ for a job in harvard square (Cambridge: apartments, rental)

[pnkv]

Hi all,

we are a family of 3 with a 2 yr old...

We live in ridgewood,NJ and looking to move (rent only) to boston by end of dec 08.

I need lots of suggestions as to where we shud live....as we have no idea abt the area....

i have read a lot of replies in this forum...but still i feel i have not got what iam lookign for....our budget is anywere from upto 2100

what we are looking in choosing the right neighbourhood?.....

1) most importantly my husband's job is @ harvard square...so we prefer to stay close to red line T station stops...so that the commute is easy and he can return home without travelling an hr or more.... bustrips within 40 to 45 mins to harvard square will do tooo....

2) we as a family are looking for a family friendly and safe neighbourhood...who welcomes diversity yet very safe.
3) good schools with private and montessori options..
4) lots of parks and shopping with in driving distance....

anybody who has lived in ridgewood wud now what iam talking abt......

also we made a quick round arround few places last weekend....how's waltham for commute....(windsor properties we visitied said there is shuttle to alewife station ) is it reliable and how is the appt living.

also how is medford and arlington....we saw quincy..but we felt it s too much of a city for us and how is braintree...also i see there are lots of red line stops between quincy and harvard....any town that are worth mentioning pls let me know..


any any suggestions are welcome....

thanks in advance,
PNKV

[clevedark]

None of the cities you mention remind me of Ridgewood at all. (I never lived there but grew up in NJ and had friends who lived there who I would visit). I'm thinking Wellesley and Winchester. But those towns are out of your budget for sure.

Medford and Arlington are both nice. Waltham, too. Milton. Braintree has tons of apartments. But none of these towns are Ridgewoods....

[holden125]

Originally Posted by clevedark

None of the cities you mention remind me of Ridgewood at all. (I never lived there but grew up in NJ and had friends who lived there who I would visit). I'm thinking Wellesley and Winchester. But those towns are out of your budget for sure.

Medford and Arlington are both nice. Waltham, too. Milton. Braintree has tons of apartments. But none of these towns are Ridgewoods....

Wellesley and Milton are tough commutes to Harvard Square by mass transit. Winchester too, though not as bad as the other two.

I'd suggest Belmont and Arlington, which are somewhat comparable to Ridgewood. Belmont in particular has a lot of bus lines with a short (15-20 min) ride to Harvard Sq. Watertown also has nice areas, along the 71 and 73 bus lines. Those buses will get you to Harvard faster than the Red line from Braintree.

Waltham has some very nice sections but the commute is a little longer. There's a commuter train into Porter Sq. and then one stop on the Red line to Harvard, or otherwise you're looking at a lenghty bus ride or two. Schools are better in the other towns too. Of the towns I've listed Belmont has the reputation for the best schools.

[haberstroh]

Above posts are right: if you are looking for a Ridgewood kind of suburb you have to go further out. (we used to live in Fair Lawn and Wayne, NJ). But why not stay in Cambridge...yes schools might be an issue but you still have time to decide and for the early years they have good pre-schools. Or Brookline and of course Belmont.
And in regards to shopping: nothing compares to NJ (Route 4, 17, the malls and even the little downtown centers) up here ;-)

[holden125]

I don't know Ridgewood inside out but I've been there a number of times. I'd say, other than what's already been mentioned, parts of Newton might be the closest thing to a Ridgewood-type place, but Newton to Harvard by mass transit is not the most convenient commute even though it's not that far as the crow flies. For a Ridgewood-like look, good schools, and easy access to Harvard I'd start in Belmont.

[Henna]

I third the suggestion for Belmont and Brookline. Some of the married students w/ spouse & children end up renting in Belmont or Brookline for the schools for their children and the ease of commute (bus) to Harvard for themselves.

[nate14ri]

definately belmont or arlington

[megancolleen]

quincy at lincoln hgts, is a good area near the highway, within walking distance to the quincy adams T station , about a mile to shopping and square ok location mostly owner occupied homes around lincoln hgts. good luck in your move.

[Zauberberg]

Look at Beacon Hill. You can get a fine albeit small rental for $2100, and it's on the Red Line. Pros/Cons: -You won't get much space. +Very neighborhoody and there's no place safer. -Forget about a car. +You don't need a car. +Great place for a 2YO - near the park, river, Hatch shell, etc. Watch the fireworks from your roofdeck.

[MovingForward]

Arlington or Belmont.