Working in Waltham, want to live in Cambridge or Somerville (Boston: apartment complexes, rent)

[Olosir]

As a reference point, I posted this thread a few days ago in the general forum:

//www.city-data.com/forum/massa...m-commute.html

I'm starting a new job this week in Waltham on 5th Ave. I currently live in Providence, and I seem to be wavering daily on whether I should stay here or relocate to Boston. I like Providence a lot; if I stay here, I can continue to live in an apartment that I love. My rent is very reasonable and I have free parking. Finally, I live about a mile away from access to 95 so my commute to work is all highway driving. But, if I'm being honest with myself, I know the daily grind of getting back and forth is going to wear me out.

That means I need to get serious about relocating. I don't want to live in Waltham or any other suburban town. I want to be in Cambridge or Somerville. I'll be looking for a roommate situation, and don't mind sharing an apartment with up to three or four other people. My budget is $600-700 per month. I'll still need my car, as there doesn't seem to be any easy way to get to work via public transit.

The questions I have are:

- What are the chances of finding a place that has free parking?
- Is my commute still going to be a pain coming from Cambridge or Somerville?
- Are there specific neighborhoods that are more convenient?

[vfrex]

Not sure how familiar you are with the area, but Waltham is a city. The area you are working in is more suburb, but there is a pretty busy downtown area in the Moody/Main Street section 10 minutes from 5th ave. It would be a lot easier to find parking and your target rent there, not to mention an easier commute. Its got a mile or so of restaurants, bars, shopping, and other stuff in the downtown.

Commuting to Cambridge from Waltham can be 30 minutes. There are a lot of people doing what you are looking to do. If you are hellbent on Cambridge though, I'd go for Porter Square. Fun area, and unlike Somerville you've got a solid subway line to Boston and the other major squares in Cambridge. It is the closest square to Waltham aside from Davis.

[charolastra00]

I live in Medford (close to the Somerville border) and work near the Waltham/Newton border. It takes me about 45 minutes to an hour to get to work - the same as when I lived in Teele Square but had to navigate Rt 16. I would steer clear of Porter Square and focus on living closer to Davis Square or Teele Square (not on the T, but lots of buses and definitely walkable to Davis). Porter would involve a lot of time stuck on Mass Ave - not worth it.

[Olosir]

A couple of follow-up questions:

- Am I correct that, regardless of whether I live in downtown Waltham, Cambridge, or Somerville, I'll need a car to get to 5th Ave?

- Is downtown Waltham more of a college scene?

- How would you compare Davis and Porter?

[charolastra00]

Porter to most people is just the location of a big Shaw's. It doesn't have as much of a neighborhood feel as Davis, Harvard, Central, etc. Davis is what Harvard Square was 15 years ago - lots of quirky shops and restaurants, but a growing corporate presence. Many young professionals live in both.

I went to college in Waltham and now work at my alma mater and can safely say that college students are more likely to go to into Boston than stay around Waltham for social activities. It's more of a mix of townies and young professionals.

Yes, you will need a car.

[Olosir]

And Davis Sq. would provide T access to Back Bay, right?

[vfrex]

The 170 bus line technically runs down Main Street, and then up 2nd ave in Waltham. It would probably be a half mile walk from the end of the 170 line to 5th ave, depending where exactly you are working (and as you know, that is a pretty intimidating hill to take on foot). I've never taken that bus though and the MBTA is in the middle of axing routes and service, so I can't give that a glowing recommendation. Warrants more research if you are interested. Also, something I just noticed is there is a shuttle from the Alewife Station to 5th Ave (128 Business Council - Home). Again, I don't have any experience with that service, but Alewife is the end of the Red Line subway, 1 stop from Davis, 2 stops from Porter. So you could potentially commute without the car from all 3.

Downtown Waltham is a mix of college kids, grad students, young professionals, middle aged professionals, and blue collar types. It is a pretty Hispanic area, so you can get some solid Mexican food if you're into that.

I'm not nearly as familiar with Davis, but I do know it is a Tufts hangout. I think Porter leans a bit older.

[vfrex]

Originally Posted by Olosir

And Davis Sq. would provide T access to Back Bay, right?

Sort of. Red Line would take you to Park Street, where you can transfer to the Green Line to get to Copley Square, or transfer at Downtown Crossing for the Orange Line to Back Bay station.

[Cato the Elder]

Maybe I'm just getting old, but I would much rather look for a studio or 1br near Moody St. in Waltham than cram into an apartment with several roommates near the Red Line. No offense to Providence but I think Waltham would suit you just fine if you're happy in your current situation. Are there specific amenities or lifestyle options that are specific to the Red Line and important to you? What are you looking for? If you answer these questions, we can help you gauge whether it's worth it.

[Olosir]

Originally Posted by Cato the Elder

Maybe I'm just getting old, but I would much rather look for a studio or 1br near Moody St. in Waltham than cram into an apartment with several roommates near the Red Line. No offense to Providence but I think Waltham would suit you just fine if you're happy in your current situation. Are there specific amenities or lifestyle options that are specific to the Red Line and important to you? What are you looking for? If you answer these questions, we can help you gauge whether it's worth it.

Well, here's the thing. I looooove Providence, but it's totally based on the very narrow area that I inhabit. I live on College Hill -- for me, it's amazing. I can walk to two Whole Foods stores, an independent movie shop, my favorite coffee shop, lots of ethnic restaurants, used bookstores, etc. I'm surrounded by Brown and RISD so there are plenty of interesting, young people. I feel like there's mostly everything I need within a 15 minute walk, but I also have the option of getting around easily by car if the weather isn't good.

I like old homes, green space, trees, nice architecture, local grocery stores and shops -- things like that. I hate the idea of modern apartment complexes and condos, lots of fast food restaurants, and a cookie cutter city.

Harvard Square is probably my best bet, but I don't think it fits my budget (even with a few roommates).