Transportation Question: Best communities for commute (Boston, Newton: apartment complexes, transfer, schools)
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If I were to work at One Guest Street (WGBH bldg) in Brighton, where do you think would be the most convenient area to look for an apartment? I'm not looking for a house, I don't have kids or schools to worry about, I only wish to find a convenient and safe spot to live.
One Guest Street is at the end of Storrow Drive, technically in Brighton, if memory serves me (correct me if I'm wrong, here).
There are two bus lines #64 and #86 which stop just outside One Guest Street, neither of which I'm familiar with. I'm *not* a young college kid and would rather not live in Allston/Brighton which I remember to be the biggest college student areas (again, correct me if I'm wrong, maybe there are parts of Brighton/Allston I'm not familiar with).
Which areas do you think are the most convenient for this commute? Maybe Watertown -- what parts of Watertown would I look at? I have a car but don't want to drive to work. I don't think there's a subway/T stop anywhere near One Guest St.
Your suggestions are most welcome! I'm out of state and having a hard time remembering the subway lines and adjacent communities. Thanks so much!
The 70 leaves off about a quarter mile from Guest St, and I think you could catch the 86 to cover that distance if you didn't want to walk it. Not quite sure about the location of the stops though.
You could do the Oak Square area of Brighton (I don't think its as college student ridden) and up to the Newton Corner area. That would require a transfer though (57 to 86). As far as Watertown goes, the 70 runs up Arsenal Street after Watertown Square. So I would look for apartments walking distance to Arsenal Street East of the square and walking distance to route 20/Main Street West of the square.
You didn't mention how long of a commute you are willing to tolerate or anything along those line. What sorts of amenities do you want close by? Should your apartment be walkable to stores and restaurants? Personally, I would probably look for an apartment in the Watertown Square area. There are a few apartment complexes to the east of Watertown Square with reasonable rents and parking, that put you a short walk from the 70 bus as well as restaurants, bars, shops, and a nice bike/walking path along the river. The commute should be 20 minutes, but that could double if traffic is ugly.
The 70 leaves off about a quarter mile from Guest St, and I think you could catch the 86 to cover that distance if you didn't want to walk it. Not quite sure about the location of the stops though.
You could do the Oak Square area of Brighton (I don't think its as college student ridden) and up to the Newton Corner area. That would require a transfer though (57 to 86). As far as Watertown goes, the 70 runs up Arsenal Street after Watertown Square. So I would look for apartments walking distance to Arsenal Street East of the square and walking distance to route 20/Main Street West of the square.
You didn't mention how long of a commute you are willing to tolerate or anything along those line. What sorts of amenities do you want close by? Should your apartment be walkable to stores and restaurants? Personally, I would probably look for an apartment in the Watertown Square area. There are a few apartment complexes to the east of Watertown Square with reasonable rents and parking, that put you a short walk from the 70 bus as well as restaurants, bars, shops, and a nice bike/walking path along the river. The commute should be 20 minutes, but that could double if traffic is ugly.
Thank you so much. Truly appreciated.
I have never commuted by bus before so it feels a little weird to me. But there aren't other options along Guest Street. When I lived in Boston (over 10 yrs ago now) I was always near a T stop or then I moved out to the suburbs and took the commuter rail.
I wonder....if I lived in Watertown Square area and *drove* (assuming there's parking at the office bldg) do you think it would be awful or not so bad (within about 30 mins with traffic?)
Yeah, I was never a bus person. With the frequency of delays on the T though you might be better off on the bus. If you drove, I think your commute would top out at 30 minutes. 15 on a good day, probably average of 20-25.
How about Medford near Tufts? How are the buses & trains from that area?
Are you asking the other poster about Medford in general...or suggesting I look at living in Medford and commuting to Brighton from there (I'm confused by your post).
I'm actually from the north shore so Medford is appealing because my aunt used to live there near Tufts. But I would think that a Medford-to-Brighton-Guest-Street commute might be hellacious.
OP, I'm in that area frequently and by the way that building is lovely. I would try to find something within walking distance since I don't think the buses this far from the city center are reliable. Brighton Center is the area, and while their are some students, I'd say they are outnumbered by professionals due to not being T adjacent.
The Market St. and Washington St. intersection seems to be the hub of Brighton Center and close enough to walk to WGBH, while the train is about a 20 minute walk if you need it.
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