Commute to Brighton (Boston, Newton, Waltham: apartment, rentals, condo)

[thampton]

Hi - my husband (+ 9-month-old baby) are moving to the Boston area in August. My husband will be teaching at the Conservatory Lab Charter School in Brighton (exit 17 off the Pike, I think). We want to rent a condo, house, or townhouse in a quiet neighborhood that doesn't have a 'city' feel. We've found some listings in Natick that sound good. I'd love to get folks' opinion if this is a good town to focus on -- or would my husband's commute be too long? It doesn't look like he can use the train, right? We were thinking that maybe we could rent a place within walking distance to the train and he could leave a car at a train station close to his school. Is that even possible?
Thanks for any help!
T

[Concepts]

Can you give us a price range and how many bedrooms you need so we can better answer?

[thampton]

Hi, befriend. We're looking for a 3-bedroom (or 2 bedroom + office) for $1700 or less. We also would like to find a place that has a washer and dryer in the unit, or at least in the building. Thanks.

[MassRE09]

I have a friend that lives in Natick and commutes to Longwood at Rush Hour (he gets to work between 8:15 and 8:30). He said it takes him about 35-40 minutes, but Longwood's a lot further than Brighton. I'd figure about 25-30 minutes driving. Given the hours of the school, if he could do off-peak hours, he'd definitely have it made. Hope that helps!

[thampton]

Thanks! I don't envy your friend for dealing with Boston traffic at rush hour.

[missionhill]

Unfortunately, although it goes right through Brighton, the train from Natick does not stop there, which I think makes a railroad commute to Brighton unworkable. (If it stopped at Newton Corner he could pick up the #57 bus into Brighton, but it doesn't; the last stop before Boston is Newtonville, from where you can't get the #57!) You might consider Watertown, which is on the #57 bus route and makes for an easy ride to Brighton. He could even ride his bike from there. Not as suburban as Natick but less of a city feel than Brighton. If it's Natick, I think he'll have to drive.

[thampton]

We're looking at a Watertown rental today! Thanks for the tip.

[holden125]

Watertown is a good suggestion, but the 57 bus is only from Watertown Yard and is not accessible from most of Watertown. From virtually all of Watertown you'd be taking another bus to the 57 (i.e. the 71 or the 70), and from many parts even that is not feasible. Check the MBTA website VERY carefully for the map and schedule from any apt. you look at.

You might also find something nice in Newton. Newton has a rep as an expensive town, but the northern side has a number of areas with reasonable rentals and more down-to-earth locals. The 59 bus (and some of the 550 buses like 556 and maybe 553) connect with the 57. The drive from northeastern Newton to the school in Brighton is nothing. You don't even need the highway.

[DreamworksSKG]

Why not look into Newton? parts of Newton are more suburban anyway

you could also look into Brookline, Waltham, and Needham

[manuvaram]

Originally Posted by holden125

Watertown is a good suggestion, but the 57 bus is only from Watertown Yard and is not accessible from most of Watertown. From virtually all of Watertown you'd be taking another bus to the 57 (i.e. the 71 or the 70), and from many parts even that is not feasible. Check the MBTA website VERY carefully for the map and schedule from any apt. you look at.

You might also find something nice in Newton. Newton has a rep as an expensive town, but the northern side has a number of areas with reasonable rentals and more down-to-earth locals. The 59 bus (and some of the 550 buses like 556 and maybe 553) connect with the 57. The drive from northeastern Newton to the school in Brighton is nothing. You don't even need the highway.

thampton - both holden125 and dreamworksSKG are absolutely right. In fact, I have a very quiet and spacious 2br/2ba in Auburndale that I am looking to sublet.

This apartment is Lead free which is important for babies and somewhat rare in your price range even in Watertown. You will be near several amenities and your husband's commute will be 15 minutes tops and rent is ~1600 including some utilities (heat, hot water, parking). Write to me at manu at uwalumni dot com if you are still looking.