Belmont or Arlington (Boston, Hingham, Concord: apartments, rentals, safe area)

[puffle]

There are two rentals we are interested in. One is on Summer St. near the back of Arlington High and the other is off Wilson and Belmont in Belmont. I have no idea how busy these streets are and have no one to ask to get a truthful answer (agents?) Can someone help me with this and which one would you go for if the rent is about the same? Remember, my son is going into high school and it is important that there are walkable areas for him and for us as well as a great school in a safe area. Need to know pronto! Thanks.
Hingham didn't work out and the owners of the rental in Concord were snotty.

[MovingForward]

I lived in Belmont for 9 years, and have lived in Arlington for almost 6. As a town, Arlington is much more diverse and the people are friendlier. Belmont is more expensive, and not so friendly--but not unfriendly, either (although it is totally not dog-friendly, if you have dogs: they are not allowed into any of the parks). Belmont's high school is somewhat better, by reputation, than Arlington's--and safety in Belmont is never an issue. Summer street can get kind of noisy. But you're really close to Mass Ave and shops, etc. Belmont is truly a "bedroom community," upscale and not a lot to do, but very nice. All things considered--especially the high school--you're better off with Belmont, I'd say.

[MovingForward]

Forgot to answer your question: Both Summer and Belmont are busy streets, but if the apt. in Belmont is on Wilson rather than on Belmont Street proper--again, you're better off in Belmont.

Have you tried looking for apartments on Craigslist, "by owner only"? That way, you wouldn't have to pay a fee.

[airedaly]

It is used by everyone going to Rte 16, so there is traffic all day. It's very convenient, though.

[findingmesomeday]

Belmont school system is much better than Arlington's.

[johnnyhoho]

Hey Puffle, weren't you looking for places 9 MONTHS AGO?? Yours has got to be the longest apartment search in the history of Massachusetts. Sheesh.

[MovingForward]

I wouldn't say at all that the Belmont school system is "much" better than Arlington. The middle schools and high school are somewhat better. The son of a friend of mine, however, just graduated from Belmont High, and my friend said she wasn't all that impressed with the school: felt it was running on past reputation. Brackett Elementary School in Arlington has been the top-performing elementary school in MA for the past three years--over any elementary in Belmont. Overall, however, I think I would choose Belmont if I had kids in middle school or high school. Not because the Belmont schools are so much better, but because they are better enough--at those levels--for me to choose Belmont.

[puffle]

Originally Posted by MovingForward

I lived in Belmont for 9 years, and have lived in Arlington for almost 6. As a town, Arlington is much more diverse and the people are friendlier. Belmont is more expensive, and not so friendly--but not unfriendly, either (although it is totally not dog-friendly, if you have dogs: they are not allowed into any of the parks). Belmont's high school is somewhat better, by reputation, than Arlington's--and safety in Belmont is never an issue. Summer street can get kind of noisy. But you're really close to Mass Ave and shops, etc. Belmont is truly a "bedroom community," upscale and not a lot to do, but very nice. All things considered--especially the high school--you're better off with Belmont, I'd say.

You can't take even leashed dogs to a park in Belmont?
Craigslist,by owner or all no fee is what I use. I was turned on to this agent for Arlington because it sounded good, but of course she said summer st. is not noisey. On the map it looks like it is Route 2A which she denies. I found another one is Arlington Center on Central and Bacon....how noisey is that?

[MovingForward]

If she said Summer Street is not noisey, I'd suggest you change agents. It's very noisy!

Central and Bacon is much better than Summer, plus you'd be within walking distance of Arlington Center (shops, etc.). If you can find an apartment in Arlington Heights--in the Brackett school area--there's a lovely park called "Skyline Park" (because it's hilly and you can see the Boston skyline from it) and people bring their dogs to play off-lead all the time. Fortunately, most people are responsible and pick up after their dog(s).

No, you can't take leashed dogs to the park in Belmont. But there aren't really any good parks in Belmont, anyway. There is, however, a GREAT conservation area called "Habitat," maintained by the Mass Audubon Society, where you can walk your dog on-lead. You need to take your car since it's in Belmont Hill, where you probably won't be living.

[Parsec]

A friend of mine grew up in Arlington Heights, then went to college in Atlanta w/me, and ended up back in MA afterwards. He tells me Arlington was a great place to grow up (I believe he went to Brackett also), but if your son plans on walking to school, you should take a look at the path he will take. Arlington Heights is very hilly and it can be pretty tricky walking to school in the winter. He would go sliding down the street (not on purpose) all the time, and end up w/all sorts of scratches and bruises.