Best towns and/or neighborhoods (Cambridge, Lynn: rental, work, homes)

[TheWereRabbit]

Brackett elementary school has an awesome 2 slides built into the hill in the park across the street. Unforunately they don't let the kids cross the street for recess.

LAME!

[pondhopper]

Wellesley, Southborough, Hopkinton

[bartona]

I live in Belmont for a while now and it amazes me how often most people overlook this gem of a little town. It is great and surprisingly diverse community (many international "well to do" transplants, postdocs from MIT and Harvard, many researchers and academics for premier schools and companies from all over the world).
There are two commuter T stops (Wawerly and Belmont Center to Porter Sq. and Red line) and 73 trolley bus top Harvard Sq. It is very, very convinient spot to be in. Belmont is also upscale with excellent schools, very educated and accomplished parents but not snooty. It is more suburban than Cambridge but much more urban then Lincoln, Weston, Acton and such--I could never live in Lincoln or Weston if you pay me.
I walk everywhere (there are sidewalks!!!). There is so much to do with kids. It is super safe. And most importantly there are TONS of stay at home moms like myself. If you can afford it you can not go wrong. Hope it helps .

[MovingForward]

I lived in Belmont for 9 years. I liked it very well, but it is *extremely* "snooty."

[smarty]

Yes... Belmont...

Former Harvard president, Larry Summers lives there...

Masako, Crown Princess of Japan, graduated from Belmont High School.

Belmont Country Club...

Belmont Hill school....

A great place... if you can afford it...

[brightdoglover]

Hey, Mitt Romeny lives there, and shoved through that awful LDS "temple" above Rt. 2 in Belmont. Gigantic and ugly and so out of place.
The former John Birch Society was headquartered in Belmont.
(Disclaimer- I have worked in Belmont for most of the last 26 years, living in Cambridge, and then living out Rt. 2. It seems like a fine town, and there are non-snooty "normal" people who are older, who bought or inherited property, often multi-families, before the big booms. As far as I know, it's not "old money" snooty like older richer towns.

[4panthers]

What about Winchester? We lived in Winchester and thought it was fabulous. Lots of kids programs, great schools, town center, close to Boston. train. Lots of stay-at-home moms.

I think Winchester is similar to Belmont. What do others think? Belmont High School has a nicer facility than Winchester though.

It is lacking a town playground though.

[sez]

Newton is a great place to live but all the villages are very different and the better schools are in the more expensive areas, i grew up in West Newton which was a very working class village. I would not pick Auburndale, Newton corner, West Newton or Chestnut hill. Waban and Newton Centre are nice.
Lived in Acton many years ago and found it to have a country feeling and not much of a mix of people, not my favorite location. Belmont has nice neighborhoods but a lot of two family congested areas.

[sez]

We are moving back to Mass this summer (after 22 years) and searching for a town with good schools, or should I say not just good scores!!
We would like to hear from people that have kids in the schools and can give me the real deal on them. We like Lexington and Winchester but would consider other towns too (not Acton, Concord,Newton or Wayland) if the schools are worth it. I hope to find a public school that offers more than work sheets and tests, with a good art program (well rounded). Maybe private??
Thanks

[smarty]

Very interesting.... I learn something new everyday...

I never realize Lexington or Winchester have a great art program. Lexington was most famous for science. My impression is they are much more traditional and rigid.

My impression is Concord would have a much well rounded/liberal education.

As to private school, take your pick... they are all good... what age group are you looking? Winsor, Milton, Deerfield, Phillips, BBN, Groton, ....
http://www.aisne.org/ftpimages/18/misc/misc_47592.pdf

You talk about a good school... can you articulate? Most good scores schools around here don't do too much worksheet. But, all have tests. I think Lexington may have more tests than most. You choose Lexington because of previous experience?