VA to MA with 2 babes in tow (Boston, Cambridge: houses, school districts)

[Sistina]

Hello! My husband and I are relocating to MA with our two very young children. We think we've settled on Arlington as our new town. I was hoping for more insight into the different parts of Arlington as some areas seem very different from others. I noticed a big price gap between houses in the Brackett and Dallin school districts and those in say, Pierce. Is the Pierce area significantly less attractive in some way or is it just a case of the cool kids liking one area more? Also, given that miles do not equate to time when traveling there, about how long would a commute from Arlington to West Concord take?

Thank you!
~C

[brightdoglover]

Dunno about the schools or districts, but if you live anywhere where you can get onto Rt. 2 easily (and I think that's all of Arlington- check a map) it's about 15 minutes to West Concord, and at normal business hours, you'd be going against traffic, going west, when the morning mob is going east to Boston or Cambridge. It's a great location to commute to W. Concord, and a fine town in general.Best wishes with your move!

[holden125]

Originally Posted by brightdoglover

if you live anywhere where you can get onto Rt. 2 easily (and I think that's all of Arlington- check a map) it's about 15 minutes to West Concord, and at normal business hours, you'd be going against traffic, going west, when the morning mob is going east to Boston or Cambridge. It's a great location to commute to W. Concord, and a fine town in general.Best wishes with your move!

I agree with this. The only slower part would be out by Concord where Rt 2 ceases to be highway and there are some lights. But it's nothing compared to a drive the other way.

In my experience the Brackett and Dallin areas are the nicest parts of the town (disclosure: I went to Brackett). The Pierce area is not awful but I don't think it's as attractive.

[Sistina]

Thank you, this helps a lot! I didn't think the commute would be terrible, it's just hard to tell for sure.

[wickedripeplum]

Dallin and Brackett are probably the nicest parts of town, but I don't think there's such a huge difference between those districts and the Pierce district. Fewer very large homes, and the houses are smaller and have smaller yards. I do think it's a little more out of the way, or at least harder to access by public transit and walking.

The biggest difference in housing in Arlington is between the Bishop, Pierce, Brackett, Stratton and Dallin districts on one side and the Thompson and Hardy districts on the other.

ETA: I went to Thompson and Dallin, but lived in the Thompson district.