Vibey but yet family friendly suburb of Boston? (Cambridge, Newton: condo, homes)

[Aafke]

We are a young family (33 and 29 with a 1 year old baby) and are looking to move to the Boston area from The Netherlands. Unfortunately we don't know anything about Boston.

Key words: single family home under $700K, close to Boston (>30 min) and accessible by public transportation, good schools (very important), safe.
It is also important to us that the town has a nice downtown area with some restaurants, bars, shopping, a park, gym etc.

Many thanks in advance!

[gf2020]

Look at Winchester, that should meet your requirements.

[lz1982]

Also Arlington or Melrose. Schools might be a notch below Winchester's but still good, and they are less expensive. They both have public transit and nice downtowns.

[holden125]

All three (Winchester, Melrose, Arlington) are nice but I don't think any of them have bars. Arlington approved a wine and liquor store for the first time in decades a few years ago, and there are some restaurants with a liquor license. But for just a neighborhood pub, I don't think there are any. No bars in Belmont either.

You might check Newton, which does have bars. A lot of single family homes in Newton are over $700K, but there are some that aren't. There are multiple downtown areas in Newton and easy access to Boston.

[lz1982]

That is true, there aren't any bars in those towns. Arlington and Melrose both have liquor stores--not sure about Winchester. Arlington's on the border w/ Cambridge which has a lot of options for nightlife, though.

[holden125]

Originally Posted by lz1982

Arlington's on the border w/ Cambridge which has a lot of options for nightlife, though.

Yes, and Somerville too. Though it's no Cambridge, there are bars close to Melrose in Malden. Woburn has some too.

[kmann-sherborn]

Where are you planning to work? That would help folks recommend places that are a reasonable commuting distance.

[shessa]

Winchester has a bar- the Black Horse Tavern- plus a ton or eating establishments where you can buy alcohol- Winchester's commute is also the best- 15 minutes

[JeffPersons]

I like Brookline and Newton. Brookline is more fun with great schools but you won't find a single family under 700K. You could find a 2 BR, 2 BA condo, maybe with a small back yard for under 700K.
In Newton you will find some single family homes under 700K and great schools. Kind of a boring suburb, not as fun as Brookline.
check them both out. You may feel you are not old enough to live in Newton, better to live smaller in Brookline as there are business centers, restaurants, shops, bookstores and parks everywhere.

Hope this helps.

[holden125]

Originally Posted by JeffPersons

In Newton you will find some single family homes under 700K and great schools. Kind of a boring suburb, not as fun as Brookline.

Everything is in the eye of the beholder. Brookline, or at least the northern part, is quite urban and there are all kinds of amenities within easy reach. Newton is more suburban, but still has numerous village centers that go on for blocks. It's a lot less boring than many other suburbs. Compared to Weston, Lincoln or Concord, Newton might as well be Boston.