Just moved fr San Francisco to Woburn, MA, need guidance! (Boston: renting, car insurance)

[Saltygirl]

Hi folks,

My family and I just moved here mere weeks ago from the West Coast due to a job relocation. We're renting in Woburn while we get our bearings, and plan to begin house hunting asap. I also have a 5-month old baby. My husband loves the burbs. I am a die-hard city girl. That said, I have a few questions:

1. Are there any Mother's Groups in or around Woburn, or resources I could tap in that vein?

2. Are there any towns near Boston that have a somewhat urban vibe to them, aside from Cambridge and Brookline?

Thanks for your input.

p.s. The hubby works in North Andover.

[ogre]

A lot depends on your housing budget. Of course you are used to high housing costs if you're from the Bay Area, but to answer your question, Newton is a pricey town, but offers a good balance between urban and suburban feel. Arlington is another good possibility, as is Quincy, though I'm not sure one way or the other about how Quincy's schools are regarded (for when that becomes an issue in a few years). Quincy is also south of Boston, so would mean a long commute to N. Andover. Worth having on your long list, though, because it has the character you're seeking. I'd suggest looking first at Arlington if you'd like a good urban/suburban balance in a nice clean town that is relatively affordable by Boston-area standards, and Newton would be very good if you've got a higher budget.

Watertown is more of an urban town that still might have a hint of suburbia--not very suburban, but compares well to Cambridge, which you mentioned as a possibility, on the urban/suburban continuum. Densely populated, but with plenty of SFH's. As with Quincy, I'm not sure one way or the other about schools in Watertown. If it's within your housing budget, Belmont would be a good possibility. It leans more toward suburban than Watertown, but is more densely populated and active than you'd find in true suburbia. Another more urban town you might put on your list of possibilities is Somerville. You might put it toward the bottom of the list, though. Its population is more a mix of students and single young professionals than families. It's at least a place to consider, though.

So, a few possibilities to consider. Best of luck with your search.

[Saltygirl]

Thank you for the input. I'll definitely check out the towns you suggest. I hear a lot of good things about Arlington and plan on heading there soon.

[brightdoglover]

I also vote for Arlington, just over the line from Cambridge, and becoming the refuge in East Arlington for people and businesses who want out of Cambridge or have kids. It's very family oriented without being uncool, if that's possible. The outskirt areas of Arlington are far more suburban, but they're not that far from the more urbane core areas. You can get out of Arlington very easily on the highway and it would be a reverse commute (I used to live in Arlington and go up to Lowell, and there was virtually no traffic).
Also, Arlington has almost no crime, much lower car insurance. It's the perfect place for you.
Newton is also wonderful, more expensive, more upper-middle and has a large Jewish community, if that's of interest. Not a bad commute up 128, but further than Arlington.
Good luck with your move- this area has its own charms if you expect to miss S.F.

[MovingForward]

We live in Arlington and love it. So close to Boston, right next door to Cambridge and Somerville, Rt. 2 and Mass. Ave. a hop-skip-and-a-jump away. Safe, good schools, people are friendly. Seriously, what could be better???