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I am considering buying a place at Fresh Pond, next to the reservoir, but I work in Braintree. I am wondering if anyone has the same commute and how is it during rush hours?
I don't share your commute but I can tell you that it will be a pretty long one. By public transit, you will be boarding at Alewife Station and riding the entire length of the Red Line's Braintree branch right through Boston's downtown and stopping at every stop. This will definitely take over an hour since you are riding during rush hours and the train needs time to let crowds of people off and on at Park Street, Downtown Crossing, and South Stations.
Driving by car is just as bad if not worse. You will be heading up Route 16 to catch up with Interstate 93, drive right through the heart of Boston's downtown again, possibly get stuck in bumper to bumper traffic while going into the city, and finally reach the South Shore where Braintree is. Let's just hope you're not late for work every day.
This sounds miserable but you picked somewhat polar opposite locations to go to and from. There have been people who take such a commute every day, some out of necessity, but it does take a lot of time and patience. It's just something to think about.
Urban Peasant, thank you for the analysis! I correct myself, the condo is actually where Wholefoods is located. So to go to Braintree, I would take Fresh Pond Pkwy, then Storrow and then 93. It does sound like a pain... I did that drive on Sunday night, without traffic, it was about 30mins. Not sure about rush hour, probably 50?
Urban Peasant, thank you for the analysis! I correct myself, the condo is actually where Wholefoods is located. So to go to Braintree, I would take Fresh Pond Pkwy, then Storrow and then 93. It does sound like a pain... I did that drive on Sunday night, without traffic, it was about 30mins. Not sure about rush hour, probably 50?
Depends on when you go. I would not take 16 East to 93 because 16 is slow and 93 South will be packed for the stretch north of Boston. But I would also not suggest taking Storrow Drive to 93. You loop all the way around downtown Boston and that interchange by Science Park and N. Station is always a problem spot.
If you get the Fastlane and can afford the toll in Allston, at least in the morning, I'd take the Pike from the Allston exit to 93. If you go early enough there aren't many delays. In February I had to drive from Auburndale to East Boston every day for a week. I left at about 7:30 am, getting on the Pike at West Newton (Exit 16) and cruised. The Pike backups, it seems, were west of the Weston tollbooth at 128. I don't know about the SE Expwy at that hour, as it's always a bit of a pain, but the worst of the traffic would be going the other way.
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