Communting to Methuen (Cambridge, Somerville: rental, daycares, to buy)

[undecided mama]

Hi everyone! My husband just got a job at Holy Family Medical Center in Methuen and as a result, we will be moving from Brooklyn to Ma very soon (almost immediatelty). I don't know MA very well but having been born and raised in the 5 boroughs of NYC Cambridge seems like a good place to live--restaurants, bars, parks, health food stores, public transport, a pediestrian culture, etc.
But is a commute from Cambridge to Methuen do-able on a daily basis? Also, we have a 1 year old daughter. Is Cambridge good for kids? We aren't looking to buy just yet and she is too young for school, but are there good daycare centers in the area?
Thanks for all your help!

[Parsec]

You will find daycares everywhere -- and in Cambridge you'll even find many ethnic daycares that will teach your child Spanish, Chinese, Portuguese -- you name it. If you do rent in Cambridge and commute time is of concern, find a place as close to I-93 as possible. The surface streets in Cambridge get backed up in the mornings so you'll want to live < 1/2 mile from the exit if possible. Somerville is also very urban and might fit your needs, and is much cheaper to rent there.

[undecided mama]

Thanks so much for your advise Parsec--I appreciate it and will ask my rental agent re the I-93 and Somerville. Have a lovely weekend!

[wheelz]

Cambridge to Methuen wouldn't make for a great commute IMO, although Methuen to Cambridge would probably be a lot worse. Cambridge is probably in the top 10 of the most liberal towns in the United States. If you don't happen to be a Liberal, I wouldn't even consider Cambridge. It IS a very nice area and there is no shortage of things to do, if you can afford them.