Needham or Weymouth.. Work in Waltham! Help! (Boston, Newton: daycare, house)

[IloveBoston]

I've lived in Boston proper all my life and want a change. I have lived in the lower mills area now for 4 yrs and want out. I work in Waltham and wanted opinions on the areas I was considering. Right now I am considering moving to either Needham or Weymouth. 2 beautiful homes in Beautiful areas but I'm thinking about the commute to Waltham. Another bit of information is that my child goes to school in Milton. I'm thinking weymouth won't be so bad since it's pretty much the same area but Needham might be a ways to travel to Milton and then all the way to Waltham. What are your suggestions? I really love the home in Needham but Weymouth might be more realistic.

[MikePRU]

Wow! I can't say I've ever heard the towns of Needham & Weymouth mentioned in the same breath. Two very different places indeed.

I see what you're saying about your commute. It would be difficult to drive from Needham to Milton to Waltham. Driving from Weymouth to Milton to Waltham would be a more sensical commute. Commute goes to Weymouth but would you still want to send your child to private school if you lived in Needham? The public schools are pretty good in Needham.

One thing that definitely goes in Needham's favor is that it's definitely got a "small town" feel. The town center is lovely with plenty of great restaurants and shopping and everyone in town is very friendly. In fact, a lot of neighborhoods have block parties during the summer. Still though you have easy access to the highway, public transportation, and the malls in Natick/Framingham. Plus, Needham is west so you're dealing with I90 traffic into Boston instead of south like Weymouth which would be I93 into Boston. My experience is that I90 is MUCH easier to deal with especially if you get on after the Weston tolls. I93 seems to have traffice almost any day of the week at almost any time of day.

Personally, I would live in Needham over Weymouth any day of the week. I just think it's a much more desirable place to live.

What's the house in Needham that peaks your interest? I might be able to offer some insights into it's location or history. It might make your decision that much easier.

[IloveBoston]

Thank you for your answer. I would love to send my child to Needham public school but I'll be working too far and she is only in kindergarten right now and we don't have anyone close by.

[beth98]

I agree that Needham to Milton to Waltham is a terrible idea, but honestly, I wouldn't want to drive from Weymouth to Milton to Waltham either. That's a pretty rough commute, though it sounds like you may be driving Milton to Waltham now so maybe you are used to it. Needham does have a before school and after school program at the elementary schools that you could look into as an option if you wanted to consider Needham Public Schools.

[MikePRU]

Originally Posted by IloveBoston

Thank you for your answer. I would love to send my child to Needham public school but I'll be working too far and she is only in kindergarten right now and we don't have anyone close by.

You should look into some of the extended day programs. Needham Schools offers one and there are also several private after school programs as well.

[xo_kizzy_xo]

Weymouth to Milton to Waltham makes sense because you'd be traveling in a half circle, but as a daily commute it'd be horrendous between the Braintree split and the 128 traffic. I wouldn't do it if I had any choice. You'd probably hit the same traffic and then some backtracking from Needham.

Commute-wise I'd pick Needham because you're already more than halfway to Waltham. I know you've already said your child attends school in Milton...it may not be a bad idea to explore the extended day programs in Needham that MikePRU mentioned...?

[andrea5150]

I have to say I was thinking the same thing as the poster who said they have never heard Weymouth and Needham mentioned in the same breath.

There is no question - Needham. I would advise you to stay away from Weymouth. I have similar issues with before/after school care. Both my husband and I work early in the morning and have to leave before the bus comes. You can look into before school care/full day kindergarten/hiring a nanny or sitter for before or after school.

[tikaram]

Originally Posted by andrea5150

I have to say I was thinking the same thing as the poster who said they have never heard Weymouth and Needham mentioned in the same breath.

There is no question - Needham. I would advise you to stay away from Weymouth. I have similar issues with before/after school care. Both my husband and I work early in the morning and have to leave before the bus comes. You can look into before school care/full day kindergarten/hiring a nanny or sitter for before or after school.

Ditto.
Also maybe take a look at Newton - especially in terms of daycare solution. Both Needham and Newton have a LOT of all different types of daycare options. I have several friends who live in Waltham or further west, work some place in Boston and use Needham or Newton daycare, because it's right on their way to work.

[MikePRU]

Originally Posted by andrea5150

There is no question - Needham. I would advise you to stay away from Weymouth. I have similar issues with before/after school care. Both my husband and I work early in the morning and have to leave before the bus comes. You can look into before school care/full day kindergarten/hiring a nanny or sitter for before or after school.

I'm sure whatever savings the OP realizes by putting her child in public school would more than pay for whatever extended day program she signs up for.

[bbalmes74]

I grew up in weymouth and know many people still there today. I moved back to weymouth after moving to the city with my son 10 years ago. It didn't last long. Needless to say Weymouth is not the town it used to be and I could never compare it to Needham, they just are not comparable. The Weymouth schools are not very good (anymore) granted any town can really be what you make it but with kids, I wouldn't take the chance. When I moved out of Weymouth my son excelled like I never knew he could. I would go with Needham.