Looking for real insights on family living in/around Boston (Newton: mover, condo)

[johngolf]

Originally Posted by massnative71

Folks they need to be on a S Station line or commuter boat. These North Shore suggestions are a waste of time.

Unless driving and a flexible work schedule, I agree and this from someone that preferred the North shore. I do not trust the dependability of a ferry boat, but maybe that has changed since my days there.

[camj70]

We recently moved to the South Shore after considering many, many communities in the Metrowest. Like the OP, the north shore and areas north did not work for us, otherwise we would likely have gone that direction. Based on the OP's criteria and budget, Newton does seem like a particularly good option as it seems to have the best mix of community, commerce, town centers (depending on the village) and a more varied population, albeit, a fairly wealthy one.


We enjoy the South Shore. Hingham actually has two commuter rail options plus the East Weymouth station isn't far depending on where you live. Cohasset also has a rail stop. The train line is an easy commute to South Station, so the posts here about the drive would only apply if neither the train or ferry are options. My spouse drives occasionally, but tries to go into the city at off times, if there is such a thing. It's an easy drive to Boston on the weekends for evenings out.


We chose the South Shore as we wanted a New England village/community setting and enjoy the proximity to the water, and beaches including Hull, Cohasset beach and Duxbury. I don't find the area any more pretentious (in fact, far less so) than any other moderately expensive community we have encountered, but the area is notably homogeneous and I do miss the mix of people and backgrounds that we had come to enjoy in other parts of the country - the lack of this mix is the main reason, plus a bit of slowness to the area, that the OP might find Newton or Brookline more enjoyable.

[MikePRU]

Originally Posted by camj70

The train line is an easy commute to South Station, so the posts here about the drive would only apply if neither the train or ferry are options. My spouse drives occasionally, but tries to go into the city at off times, if there is such a thing. It's an easy drive to Boston on the weekends for evenings out.

I mention the ability to drive because for a lot of people it's a huge plus to have that option.

One of my clients who just moved to Needham chose his house in part because it was walking distance to a commuter rail station. He decided because his company could offer him a parking space that he would prefer to drive. So, he's not beholden to anyone else's schedule but his own now. He doesn't have the added stress in his day of making the train at a particular time so that he doesn't have to stand around in the cold waiting for the next one.

If you have little kids who get sick a lot and sent home from school/daycare/pre-school then having the ability to drive into work is a huge plus. You can just hop in your car and pick them up vs. waiting for the next scheduled train, getting your car, and then finally picking them up.

At the end of the day, it depends upon the OP's preferences. They can definitely get a bigger/nicer house in Hingham than they could in a place like Newton or Needham. If that's important to them and the ability to have more control over your commute is less important then it's an easy decision. Living in Newton though the OP will feel far more connected to the city than they would in Hingham and it seemed that was a factor for them.

[camj70]

Originally Posted by MikePRU

I mention the ability to drive because for a lot of people it's a huge plus to have that option.


If you have little kids who get sick a lot and sent home from school/daycare/pre-school then having the ability to drive into work is a huge plus. You can just hop in your car and pick them up vs. waiting for the next scheduled train, getting your car, and then finally picking them up.... Living in Newton though the OP will feel far more connected to the city than they would in Hingham and it seemed that was a factor for them.

Agree on the second point in particular, which is why I seconded (thirded??) the Newton suggestion. Having faced a similar move (with a smaller budget) recently, and ending up on the South Shore for a variety of reasons, I think it's useful to chime in with an actual experience vs. generalization or speculation of some others whom have commented.


On the commute point, yes, it's wonderful to be able to commute easily by car. If Newton or the right spot in Needham pops up, that's another plus for the area, but many areas in the Metrowest have comparable commutes to the South Shore. Alternatively, as others have also mentioned, Milton could be a good option for the OP as well.

[NewfieMama]

I'd definitely spend some time in MetroWest and on the South Shore. I'm a person who likes to be close to beaches, so the south shore was a no-brainer for my husband and I. But like everybody else has pointed out, it's about what is most important to you and your family.

In terms of commuting options, while living on the south shore I've tried every commute option available: driving into city, driving to Braintree T, taking the bus, taking the commuter rail, and for a few years I took the ferry. The ferry is by far the most enjoyable way to commute. I don't even mind the winter. Hingham has multiple train stops and I found the commuter rail schedule to work best with my work schedule, so I mostly took the commuter rail. But it's nice to have options. Now I work in Hingham, so not commuting is best by far.

Good luck with the move!!

[bohemka]

Originally Posted by massnative71

Folks they need to be on a S Station line or commuter boat. These North Shore suggestions are a waste of time.

I disagree. Plenty of people on the North Shore work in the seaport. South Station access may be more convenient strictly based on the commute, but in the big picture of where the kids go to school and what you do with your leisure time, there are other options available that may interest someone new to the area.

[massnative71]

Originally Posted by bohemka

I disagree. Plenty of people on the North Shore work in the seaport. South Station access may be more convenient strictly based on the commute, but in the big picture of where the kids go to school and what you do with your leisure time, there are other options available that may interest someone new to the area.

I can see if one is already living on the North Shore, no sense in relocating then. But one coming from outside the area? So many nice places to live south and west of the city, why make your commute any more complicated than it has to be?

[mwj119]

Originally Posted by massnative71

I can see if one is already living on the North Shore, no sense in relocating then. But one coming from outside the area? So many nice places to live south and west of the city, why make your commute any more complicated than it has to be?

I'd agree. Unless an outsider has previously fallen in love with a specific area North of the city, or has a reason to be there despite the commute (family), I wouldn't bother.

[MikePRU]

Originally Posted by camj70

On the commute point, yes, it's wonderful to be able to commute easily by car. If Newton or the right spot in Needham pops up, that's another plus for the area, but many areas in the Metrowest have comparable commutes to the South Shore. Alternatively, as others have also mentioned, Milton could be a good option for the OP as well.

It really depends upon what kind of house the OP wants. It would seem though that based on the budget they mentioned that they could afford a house in Newton or Needham that would give them a better commute than the south shore.

Originally Posted by massnative71

I can see if one is already living on the North Shore, no sense in relocating then. But one coming from outside the area? So many nice places to live south and west of the city, why make your commute any more complicated than it has to be?

I agree. It's been a long time since I was a commuter. I do remember what a daily pain point commuting was. I like the North Shore yet IMO it doesn't offer that much more than the South Shore that I would be willing to complicate my commute to live there. Again, depends on the OPs preferences. If living near the ocean is not a #1 priority then living in Metrowest would provide a better commute which would give them back time in their day to do anything they want with.

[timberline742]

Originally Posted by MikePRU

I agree. It's been a long time since I was a commuter. I do remember what a daily pain point commuting was. I like the North Shore yet IMO it doesn't offer that much more than the South Shore that I would be willing to complicate my commute to live there. Again, depends on the OPs preferences. If living near the ocean is not a #1 priority then living in Metrowest would provide a better commute which would give them back time in their day to do anything they want with.

I far prefer the North Shore, but if I was in the Seaport. Nope. Wouldn't do it. Not worth it.