Which town to buy house in (Boston, Cambridge: best schools, living, price)

[masshawk]

Originally Posted by 3cents

I almost bought a small but great ranch in Natick, but ultimately had to reconsider because when my wife and I tried out my commute from North Cambridge, we decided that it's too much to bear. That experience helped us to refocus our priorities.

This is a key step! Doing a sample commute at the time of day you will actually be driving can be really helpful. It tells you not just the total time it will take, but reveals any frustrating problem spots, places you'll likely be stopping for errands on the way, and the general character of the areas between your future home and your work.

[Parsec]

Originally Posted by masshawk

This is a key step! Doing a sample commute at the time of day you will actually be driving can be really helpful. It tells you not just the total time it will take, but reveals any frustrating problem spots, places you'll likely be stopping for errands on the way, and the general character of the areas between your future home and your work.

If possible, do this during the school year. I made the mistake of doing this during the summer and thought school traffic might add just a few minutes to my estimate. Boy was I wrong. My 1 hour commute in the summer has been 1.5 hours during the school year. I don't know how much longer I can stand this 3 hour round trip commute...

[495neighbor]

Originally Posted by Parsec

If possible, do this during the school year. I made the mistake of doing this during the summer and thought school traffic might add just a few minutes to my estimate. Boy was I wrong. My 1 hour commute in the summer has been 1.5 hours during the school year. I don't know how much longer I can stand this 3 hour round trip commute...

Agree with the others, especially if you are planning to live anywhere near a school. It is not only the school buses stopping at every house in some towns, but the kiddie drop-offs with the long lines of parents trying to get in and out of the school parking lot. If I lived on the side of town where all the schools are located this would be an additional 30 minutes of travel time.

[Parsec]

Originally Posted by 495neighbor

Agree with the others, especially if you are planning to live anywhere near a school. It is not only the school buses stopping at every house in some towns, but the kiddie drop-offs with the long lines of parents trying to get in and out of the school parking lot. If I lived on the side of town where all the schools are located this would be an additional 30 minutes of travel time.

Yes! The kiddie drop-off lines are longer than the entrance to the school so the cars overflow to the main road. In most towns the roads are only 1 lane going each way, so you are basically stuck in the same traffic as the parents dropping off their kids. Since school times are staggered, you might even hit 2 of these school traffic jams on your way to work.

[MikePRU]

Originally Posted by Parsec

Yes! The kiddie drop-off lines are longer than the entrance to the school so the cars overflow to the main road. In most towns the roads are only 1 lane going each way, so you are basically stuck in the same traffic as the parents dropping off their kids. Since school times are staggered, you might even hit 2 of these school traffic jams on your way to work.

If I recall correctly you live in Sudbury. Another "hazard" of living in these towns with larger lots like Sudbury, Wayland, Weston, etc. is that there are fewer main roads in town and therefore fewer viable alternative routes for you to take especially during rush hour. A lot of streets in these towns dead end or go in varying different directions so often there is rarely a decent alternative to the street you normally take.

[Parsec]

Originally Posted by MikePRU

If I recall correctly you live in Sudbury. Another "hazard" of living in these towns with larger lots like Sudbury, Wayland, Weston, etc. is that there are fewer main roads in town and therefore fewer viable alternative routes for you to take especially during rush hour. A lot of streets in these towns dead end or go in varying different directions so often there is rarely a decent alternative to the street you normally take.

Yup, that's one thing I miss about Natick - all the shortcuts I can take to get anywhere! I had all the residential streets in town memorized as a map in my head. I've started doing this for Sudbury, but as you said, there are so many cul de sacs which are useless for cut-through traffic.

[Scriptkitten]

^^ your hazard is my ability to let my kids play in the front yard!

[Parsec]

Originally Posted by Scriptkitten

^^ your hazard is my ability to let my kids play in the front yard!

Sorry If it makes you feel any better, I don't drive fast in neighborhoods. And I drive on the street, not people's front lawn Seriously though, if it's not me then it's going to be someone else. That's why I (used to) keep my kids in the back yard too.

[Scriptkitten]

Originally Posted by Parsec

Sorry If it makes you feel any better, I don't drive fast in neighborhoods. And I drive on the street, not people's front lawn Seriously though, if it's not me then it's going to be someone else. That's why I (used to) keep my kids in the back yard too.

yeah ... and you aren't even safe in a cul de sac neighborhood. you definitely get visitors who don't realize the entire street is full of families with young kids... they see a traffic free street and take the opportunity to lay on the gas.

[Beantown_mama]

I think I would look at Burlington. The housing range is in your price, the commute is equidistant, and the schools are up and coming. All of that commercial money from the Burlington Mall helps the town tremendously!