Commute time to Fitchburg (Marlborough, Chelmsford: rentals, condo, crime)

[JefJarrett]

Hello -

Thinking of living in Marlborough or Chelmsford area to commute into Fitchburg. Google Maps claims it is around a 40-45 minute commute - just wondering if that was accurate?

Thanks

[remnant22847]

Originally Posted by JefJarrett

Hello -

Thinking of living in Marlborough or Chelmsford area to commute into Fitchburg. Google Maps claims it is around a 40-45 minute commute - just wondering if that was accurate?

Thanks

yeah, I guess you would go 495 or the mass pike to route 2 ... sounds correct ...

[Parsec]

If you live and work right off the highway you can make it in 30 minutes. There are several surface roads in Fitchburg that are heavily congested in rush hour though, like near the college which is the town's largest employer.

[scarletfire]

If you have school age children I would stay out of Marlboro. The school systems are quite troubled. Hudson is a little better. Bolton and Berlin would be good bets I think *and* an easier commute. Plus they are much prettier towns. You can still find reasonably priced housing there too. I even saw a cute little house on Berlin in the mid 200s - practically unheard of around here! There's not often a lot of rental choices in those towns but there are some. In Hudson I've seen a few rentals from time to time in Assabet Village, which is a pretty condo complex. I personally think Hudson downtown is very depressing but there are neighborhoods that are cute. Berlin and Bolton are more country/rural in a nice way with apple orchards, horses, etc but easy access to Rt 495/290.

I've heard that Sterling is also nice but I don't know much about that area.

Best of luck!

[Parsec]

Originally Posted by scarletfire

If you have school age children I would stay out of Marlboro. The school systems are quite troubled. Hudson is a little better. Bolton and Berlin would be good bets I think *and* an easier commute. Plus they are much prettier towns. You can still find reasonably priced housing there too. I even saw a cute little house on Berlin in the mid 200s - practically unheard of around here! There's not often a lot of rental choices in those towns but there are some. In Hudson I've seen a few rentals from time to time in Assabet Village, which is a pretty condo complex. I personally think Hudson downtown is very depressing but there are neighborhoods that are cute. Berlin and Bolton are more country/rural in a nice way with apple orchards, horses, etc but easy access to Rt 495/290.

I've heard that Sterling is also nice but I don't know much about that area.

Best of luck!

What's wrong w/the Marlborough school system? I'm just curious since I know some newlyweds who are looking to buy a house there. I know since it's a city there are going to be some drug/crime issues aren't as prevalent in the neighboring suburbs. The test scores are actually better than some of the neighboring towns like Hudson, but that's not a good indicator of the quality of teaching. I've also noticed Marlborough has many more private schools than public, but I don't know what that means either. I guess I'm just rambling here. Any info from an insider would be helpful.

[scarletfire]

Hi Parsec, They almost lost their accreditation not long ago. Also, my mom was a teacher there for years in one of the elementary schools and it was really sad to see kids that had problems just getting lumped together and not really supported as well as they could have been. I have heard that they had a successful special program for autistic children but overall the school system is not well regarded. There are some strong school systems in towns nearby Marlboro as well as some wonderful private schools (though quite expensive!) If your newlywed friends have questions please feel free to PM me.