30 minute commute to Kendall Square?

[holden125]

Originally Posted by empearls

What is the different between commuter rail and the T (which is the subway, right?)?

The nomenclature can lead to confusion. The "T" is a name given to the subway, but also to the system as a whole, including buses and commuter rail. The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA), which runs all of it, adopted a big "T" as their logo decades ago.



The subway is a pretty straightforward subway. It stops in Boston/Cambridge, and a small number of neighboring towns in the inner urban core. Trains run on no set schedule, but come every 10 mins or so. Three of the lines (Red, Blue, Orange) are standard subway lines. The Green Line, rather than 10-car-long subway trains, runs smaller trolleys that stop underground in downtown Boston but run above ground west of Symphony or Kenmore Square.

The Green Line also splits into 4 branches (B, C, D, E - the A was discontinued in the 80's). Between North Station/Gov't Center and Copley all four branches run together. At Copley the E breaks off to run down Huntington Av. to the VA hospital in the northern tip of Jamaica Plain. The B, C, and D don't diverge from each other until Kenmore. After Kenmore the B goes down Commonwealth Av across Allston and Brighton (the extreme NW neighborhoods of the city of Boston), terminating at Boston College at the Newton line. The C runs down Beacon Street across Brookline to Cleveland Circle, which is where Brighton, Brookline and Newton all meet. The D runs across Brookline to the south of Beacon Street and continues to the far (western) side of Newton at Riverside. It's thus possible to go from multiple neighborhoods in Newton to Boston by subway, but it takes twice as long as the commuter rail.

Then there's the Silver Line, which is quite confusing. It's treated like a subway line, including being given a color rather than a number. But it's basically a bus. It's also split into 2, with one segment (pure bus) running from South Station to Roxbury and the other segment is a bus running through tunnels into subway stations between South Station and the airport. Don't ask.

MBTA Subway 'The 'T' > Maps, Schedules, and Fare Information for the Boston Area Subway System

The commuter rail is a totally different thing. More of a railroad than a city subway. The commuter trains run on a set schedule (less frequently than subways) to and from Boston from the suburbs for 50 miles in all directions. It's sometimes called the "purple line" because it's purple on MBTA maps and the station signs are all purple.

Some commuter rail lines terminate at Boston's North Station, others at Boston's South Station. Some of the trains going to South Station also stop at Back Bay station, others don't. It is also possible to connect from commuter rail to subway at a limited number of stations other than the termini (e.g. Forest Hills, Ruggles, JFK/UMass, Uphams Corner, Porter, Malden Center).

MBTA.com > Commuter Rail Maps and Schedules

[nei]

I might have missed something, but what's wrong with living in Cambridge? It's a nice city and is more appealing to me than the other towns mentioned.

If you're ok with sacrificing square footage for an urban vibe, you should at least consider it.

[empearls]

Originally Posted by nei

I might have missed something, but what's wrong with living in Cambridge? It's a nice city and is more appealing to me than the other towns mentioned.

If you're ok with sacrificing square footage for an urban vibe, you should at least consider it.

I'm definitely down with Cambridge - it totally appeals to my inner-urban seeking mama and there is definitely a Jewish population and it fits within our budget and commute time... However, the elementary schools don't seem to rate so well. They also have a screwy system of how you're assigned to a school - my son could end up across town instead of at his neighborhood school.

From the Cambridge Public School District website:
Students register, and are assigned to school in Cambridge, under a Controlled Choice Plan which uses a variety of diversity factors and assignment preferences, including socio-economic status (determined by free and reduced price meal eligibility), siblings, proximity, and race or ethnicity in a narrowly tailored manner. When parents or guardians complete their application forms at the Family Resource Center they have the option of identifying up to three choices of schools. At that time they will be asked to voluntarily indicate eligibility for free and reduced price meals.

[ogre]

Empearls, before I scrolled down and saw that you had responded to Nei's post suggesting Cambridge, I had been thinking that the one potential drawback to Cambridge was exactly the one your research has turned up: Word I've heard is that the quality of the schools in Cambridge varies. I'd agree with Nei that if schools weren't an issue, Cambridge would be a good fit for the criteria you've put forth.

Based on those criteria, it sounds as if the towns you'll probably want to give the closest consideration are Brookline and Newton. They are both suburban in character, but more like upscale versions of older inner-ring suburbs that have a touch of city feel in some neighborhoods. Both towns have significant Jewish communities. Both have excellent schools. Finally, the commute to Kendall from either town is relatively good timewise (a warning, though, is that in rush hour traffic it may be more than the 10-15 min. you're estimating, except, possibly, if you lived in the closest section of either town to Kendall), and both have neighborhoods with access to public transit.

A step further away from meeting all of your needs, but still a good town for you to check out closely, is Lexington. Based on your criteria, the main drawbacks to Lexington would be that it has a very suburban character, and that the bus line serving Lex. may not allow quite as much flexibility for commuting by public transit as you'd have with the subway/light rail lines in Brookline and Newton.

[nei]

I had assumed Cambridge would have a decent school district since I thought a lot of professors would send their kids there.

I like Brookline, too. Some parts feel rather urban; others rather suburban. A bit different vibe than Cambridge; might be better for a family. If you live in the sections closer to Boston, you might get a decent commute to Kendall by public transit (green line then red line is probably faster than a bus). Though I myself would probably bike a lot of the time.

[empearls]

I really have my heart set on Brookline but am attempting to be open minded. We will absolutely check out Newton (I already have a pediatrician referred and he practices in Newton) and we will discuss Lexington but I think Lexington may simply be too far out for our preferences.

My family is very used to living in small quarters (we just upgraded to 1000 sq ft and I really can't see us using more than 1200 sq ft) so hands down I would sacrifice sq footage to live in an urban area. Plus we want to downsize to one car and we really want to live in a walkable neighborhood.

I'd rather pay an extra couple hundred a month to live in an awesome area with phenomenal public schools than live in a awesome area with crappy schools and have to send my kids to private school.

As per another post, someone mentioned biking from Brookline to Kendall Sq and I think that's a great idea - plus my notion of a New England winter was assuaged by Holden. The only thing I'm bummed is that if we end up out there probably in Dec/Jan and we will have missed Fall (my favorite season). Oh well -I've been living in San Diego for 6 years and haven't seen one in that long so I suppose I'll be okay until next year

[breezy1]

Re Newton ... If driving, your commute time will vary significantly as to where in Newton you are. For a quick commute to Cambridge, the northern parts of Newton are better .. West Newton, Newtonville, Newton Corners. Commuting from other areas of Newton can easily add 10-20 minutes (or even longer) because of just getting caught up in local traffic waiting for signals.

For example, the line of cars on Centre Street from Newton Center trying to get to the Pike can be very, very long and you can easily get caught up in this type of situation for another 10-15 minutes. Route 9 through Newton can also get very bogged down.

[holden125]

Originally Posted by empearls

My family is very used to living in small quarters (we just upgraded to 1000 sq ft and I really can't see us using more than 1200 sq ft) so hands down I would sacrifice sq footage to live in an urban area. Plus we want to downsize to one car and we really want to live in a walkable neighborhood.

There's no doubt that Brookline, at least above Route 9, is more urban than Newton, but there are walkable parts of Newton too. Newtonville has many beautiful streets within walking distance of the train and shops, as do West Newton and Newton Centre, and Auburndale and Newton Highlands to a lesser extent.

Originally Posted by empearls

The only thing I'm bummed is that if we end up out there probably in Dec/Jan and we will have missed Fall (my favorite season). Oh well -I've been living in San Diego for 6 years and haven't seen one in that long so I suppose I'll be okay until next year

Moving from San Diego to Boston in Dec/Jan is the kind of thing that can sour you on Boston. Other than some winter wonderland moments, you'll be thinking it stinks for at least 4 months. When April or May come you'll be all the happier for the nice weather.

[empearls]

I'm the only person in San Diego who hates the weather here - I can't wait for four seasons! People think I'm nuts but I love cold weather. I'm sure I'll be shocked at first but I'm also sure I'll get over it.

Re: Newton - So I now know Newton is broken up into 13 "villages" - which villages provide the best public trans commute to Kendall Sq?