Hwy 3 vs. 93- Commute to Boston from Southern NH

[Valerie C]

There are a few southern NH towns that would be an easy 30-minute or under drive to Newburyport, but these towns range from super rural (South Hampton & Kensington) to almost overwhelmingly commercial (Seabrook). Exeter is only a few minutes further (101 to 95) and has features like an active downtown, highly rates schools, and good proximity to the coast (15 minutes to a variety of beaches in Hampton/North Hampton. Other than proximity to public transportation, what are you looking for in a town?



Regarding your 2nd question - all of the commuter rail lines north of Boston end at North Station. South Station access would be via the commuter bus...

Originally Posted by AboveTheIce

Never really thought about those areas because what friends we do have are in the areas I had mentioned, but something worth looking into.

Could one drive into Newburyport and take that train in (I believe the last stop is North Station)?

Thanks for your response btw

[Jetta]

Originally Posted by AboveTheIce

Hi all-

Scenario 1

Living in Nashua or Hollis and using HWY 3 to get into Boston.

Scenario 2

Living in Salem or Windham and using 93 to get into Bosotn.

Scenario 3

Living in Salem and using an alternate route---say taking 38/ 3A all the way through Lowell and into Boston avoiding 93 all together.

Scenario 4
Living in Manchester and take whichever one doesn't have a current accident. That's what I did!

[escape_mass]

Rt 3 south from Nashua, etc. to Lowell connector. Get off on Thorndike Street and go about 1/4 mile to Lowell MBTA train station. Park in enclosed parking lot (important in winter), get on train to Boston (about 50 minutes), choose the seat you want because you are at beginning of the line.

I've hear that there are apartments/condos being built with an over head walk way to the train station. Nice!

I did this commute for several years; other years I drove in ($40/day on Boylston Street). This is a great option.

[AboveTheIce]

Originally Posted by escape_mass

Rt 3 south from Nashua, etc. to Lowell connector. Get off on Thorndike Street and go about 1/4 mile to Lowell MBTA train station. Park in enclosed parking lot (important in winter), get on train to Boston (about 50 minutes), choose the seat you want because you are at beginning of the line.

I've hear that there are apartments/condos being built with an over head walk way to the train station. Nice!

I did this commute for several years; other years I drove in ($40/day on Boylston Street). This is a great option.

Thanks for the info- cant beat that insider information!

[AboveTheIce]

Originally Posted by Valerie C

There are a few southern NH towns that would be an easy 30-minute or under drive to Newburyport, but these towns range from super rural (South Hampton & Kensington) to almost overwhelmingly commercial (Seabrook). Exeter is only a few minutes further (101 to 95) and has features like an active downtown, highly rates schools, and good proximity to the coast (15 minutes to a variety of beaches in Hampton/North Hampton. Other than proximity to public transportation, what are you looking for in a town?



Regarding your 2nd question - all of the commuter rail lines north of Boston end at North Station. South Station access would be via the commuter bus...

Hi Valerie,

Thanks for your insight, I appreciate it.


We are realizing that we would need to be as close to the MA border as possible without sacrificing school quality. My kids would need to be in Bedford MA for an after school activity 2-3 times per week and my wife may have to commute into Boston or Waltham at some point which is why the public transportation is so interesting to me.

Windham is currently #1 on our list as the location is central, close to Salem, Close enough to Nashua, not that far from Hampton and close to the border.