Estimate of commute times into Boston (Cambridge, Newton: to rent, credit, public schools)

[rhk118]

Hi All,

I will be moving to Boston in the near future and was hoping for help with estimating commute times into the city so I can find a good areas to live in based on that. Public transportation isn't an option since I start early in the morning and will have to drive in (fortunately parking is not a problem, other than the price). Right now I'm not looking at costs of housing, just want to identify areas to start looking to rent/buy. Have a family and don't want to live right in the city.

I will be working in the Longwood area for half of the year and near Mass General Hospital for the second half of the year so this makes finding the "perfect area" difficult. My ideal commute time would be 30 minutes into the city, not to worried about time to get back home. I estimate I will be driving in around 5 - 5:30 AM daily (how is traffic this time of day?)

So far from reading other threads it looks like Brookline, Arlington, and Charlestown would be ideal

How about Newton, West Roxbury, Watertown, Cambridge, Jamaica Plain? Are they too far out for a 5 AM commute? Is farther than Newton too far out?

Would appreciate any thoughts into the areas I mentioned or any areas I missed that would fit the 30 minute commute criteria?

Thanks!

[MovingForward]

If you have kids who will be in public schools: Newton, Brookline or Arlington.

[rhk118]

Anyone know roughly how long of a commute from Newton Upper Falls into the city?

[MovingForward]

At 5:30 a.m.? Probably about 25 minutes.

[septimus]

any of the inner burbs. As for public transportation you can take it that early...The T starts around then. From Cambridge the 47 bus goes right over to Longwood but you can practically walk from some parts of Cambridge to Longwood in less than 20 minutes and the redline goes right to MGH. You might look at Dedham, in addition to Brookline and Newton. As for public schools you'll pay a premium in Newton and Brookline and parking in Brookline is expensive if you don't get a spot with your unit. Cambridge public schools are actually very good although no one seems to give them credit.