Working AT MGH- Where To Live Without Much of A Commute.

[RoxyB]

Clevedark,

The Brookline area sounds great and you have a garage to boot!! I thought there were just multifamily houses and apartments in that area. And now my final and most important question is what is the best way to go about finding a single family house (rental) with a garage? Does one look in the paper or go with a rental agent? Thanks for your input.

[RoxyB]

FellsMom,

Thanks for the info, but even if my husband doesn't transfer to the red line isn't it still about a 40 min. commute to the North Station? Also, any idea how long the walk is from North Station to MGH?
Sorry for all these specific questions, but I don't want a brooding husband coming home after a long commute.

[FellsMom]

RoxyB,

The train ride is only 16 min. most of the time (even shorter from Wedgemere, the 2nd train station in Winchester): MBTA Commuter Rail > Lowell Line Schedules and Maps

The walk from North Station to MGH is only 5-10 min., I believe. MGH also runs frequent free shuttles that make a stop at North Station: Visitor Information This option is helpful when weather is bad.

[RoxyB]

Thanks FellsMOM! I think I have the areas that we are going to look into down to Brookline Village and Winchester. I called a few rental agents in Winchester and unfortunalely, there aren't that many rentals there. Let me know if you hear of any or maybe rent to own.

[brightdoglover]

The Red line has a stop right at MGH, but yes, from Brookline, you'd have to take the green line. It's a bit of a walk from North Station along Cambridge Street, a main street. I think buses might run along Cambridge St.
A lot of hospitals have shuttles from public transport, but I don't know if MGH would have one to North Station, being right on the red line as it is.
There are very few, if any, single-family homes for rent in Brookline, or certainly in the areas near green line stops. Lots of huge Victorians and so on, but not "normal" houses.
Best wishes.

[clevedark]

Roxy B,

I would call a realtor for a house rental in Brookline, or maybe check Craigslist?. I'm not allowed to name names on this site, but the name of a very active Brookline RE firm starts with an "H" and ends with a "D".

If I knew how to private line you the name I would do it. If you look at any online real estate site the names of the active realtors will become very clear.

It's a really great town. You won't be sorry....

Good luck!

[rachellee87]

Hi Roxy,

Have you thought of Lynnfield? I rent a home here, they are building a brand new community though of luxury apartments. The schools are the top fourth in the state and it's a really great location. I love it here.

[holden125]

For a couple of years my dad, who worked near North Station, commuted from Wedgemere. He later missed the 16 minute ride. First train out of Wedgemere is just after 6. Only one other stop before Boston. Winchester Center, the next stop back, is only 2-3 mins farther from Boston on the train. Winchester is a very nice town but a bit quieter and more suburban in spirit than Brookline.

Without traffic (6 am or the weekend might do it), it was also about 15 mins by car from the South Border Rd. exit on 93 to downtown Boston.

[MichelleLane]

It would help to know your budget. Newton is great and you can get a house with a garage, but a 3 bedroom would be anywhere in the $600Ks on up. If you can afford that, the best villages for commute are Chestnut Hill, Center, Highlands and Waban as the Green Line T runs through those. I live in Newton Center.

I can also give you a rundown on the feel of the different parts of the greater Boston area as each has its own flavor and feel.

[MichelleLane]

RoxyB, I just saw that you want to rent. So forget the house prices I mentioned. To rent a 3 bedroom house in Brookline or Newton would likely be $2500-$3000, maybe more...depending on how big or nice it is.