Waltham near Commuter Rail (Boston, Newton: apartment, rentals, lofts)

[orangetravelerJP]

We are looking at a property that is right next to the commuter rail station in Waltham. It is close to all of the restaurants that Moody St offers but I have read some things about that area being "sketchy". We tend to be outside quite a bit walking our dog and are used to feeling safe in our current home. Also, there is a walking path right next to the Charles River. Is it something that we could safely use?

[hartford_renter]

Originally Posted by veggiegirl26

We are looking at a property that is right next to the commuter rail station in Waltham. It is close to all of the restaurants that Moody St offers but I have read some things about that area being "sketchy". We tend to be outside quite a bit walking our dog and are used to feeling safe in our current home. Also, there is a walking path right next to the Charles River. Is it something that we could safely use?

Where is this, Main st, Charles st, moody st. I think Charles street is sketchy, but main st is fine.

[snatale1]

Walthams look is worse than it's bite, I worked in that area fro a long time. It's pretty safe.

[goyguy]

I also worked along Moody St - at night - for a couple of years, and have continued to visit the area often. Not once have I encountered any sort of trouble. The bus stop alongside the inbound commuter-rail station is heavily used, and there's a good bit of pedestrian traffic thereabouts until the "wee hours." As for the riverside path, it is also popular and non-threatening by day. During the evening it shouldn't be problematic, either, aside from your perhaps seeing a homeless person making camp.
If "right next to the station" means along the outbound platform, that's part of a niche in Waltham which is still - shall we say - ungentrified. A large proportion of the populace is Spanish-speaking and the buildings have yet to be cutely renovated. You'd potentially have to put up with more "boom boom cars" rolling by blasting music than would be the case north of Main St or farther south along Moody or west of Prospect. That'd be about the worst thing, though I wouldn't want to live car doors unlocked at any time all the same.
Not only do Main and Moody St's offer a plethora of restaurants, some interesting "ethnic" food stores (including a big brand-new India Market at Spruce and Moody), and some other fun shopping - the artist lofts adjoining the inbound train station are often open for shows and sales. Plus, nature can be entertaining at times as well. Mallards enjoy passing time in the river right at the Moody St bridge, cormorants can be found fishing there occasionally, and it's not unusual to even spot a heron or two on the spillway railing patiently awaiting the arrival of its next meal.

[orangetravelerJP]

It sounds as though Moody St is the dividing line? I only ask because goyguy says that the outbound platform (which I think it just west of Moody) is a bit ungentrified but the inbound platform (just east of Moody) is fine & has the appeal of the artists lofts, etc. I have also read that Felton is a bit sketchy but it looks like when Felton crosses Moody St, it turns into Carter & that is right next to the town common. However, the riverside path is west of Moody, very near Felton.

I would probably be walking our dog during the day and after dark--some of the time would be by myself (I'm a 30-something female). We also like the appeal of having the library within walking distance, but that is at Main & Grant (just west of Moody St) and we would anticipate walking there after dark. Would you feel comfortable having your wife/girlfriend/sister walking alone after dark in that area??

[holden125]

Waltham near the common is OK. Heading down Felton's more sketchy (and pretty damn ugly).

But I thought you were working at the Seaport? I'd not want a North Station commute. Unless you plan to change at Porter. I still think you'd be better off with a train going into South Station.

[orangetravelerJP]

Yes, a commuter train going into north station isn't our first choice. Unfortunately, our options are sort of limited because of the dog so we are exploring everything that looks nice. Some of my husband's co-workers end up in north station and said it's not too bad to get down to their office. I guess we'll find out...today was his first day of work & our temporary place is on the north station line.

We are still considering other places. So far Brookline's feel has been a good fit but the rentals that take dogs seem to be few & far between. We like the apartment in Waltham but are unsure enough about the area that we're asking lots of questions before we move forward.

[goyguy]

There are several express buses which pass by Waltham Common and go right downtown by way of the Turnpike. Commuting that way would be faster and cheaper than taking the commuter rail to North Station and then having to transfer. Visit MBTA.com > Official Website for Greater Boston's Public Transportation System, where you can look at a complete system map as well as use a trip planner.
Felton St anchors the "ungentrified" section, but Moody St isn't exactly a dividing line. It just so happens that there's nothing between the river and Main St, but the warehouses-turned-lofts and the common, east of Moody at the inbound station platform. On the other side of the river, the side streets headed in either direction are a mixed bag of shabby rooming houses, well-kept two-to-four-unit apartment buildings, and some single-family homes. The area gradually grows more upscale the closer to Newton you get. By the time the crest of the Moody St hill has been reached the population density is lower, with some neat intact Victorian dwellings appearing alongside less showy and smaller houses.
Since I don't own a laptop or a "smart phone," I sometimes happen by libraries in various cities and towns and stop in for a quick e-mail or City-Data check-in. The main facility in Waltham is well-kept and heavily used, but is as quiet as libraries should be. Walking there has never been cause for worry, whether by daylight or not. As is true of Moody St, enough foot and vehicle traffic is about that bad things never happen. The same would hold true for returning from the nearby Shaw's with armsful of groceries after dark, or from one of the numerous fast-food places with take-out orders.
The riverside path headed eastward from Moody St traverses more ungentrified territory, but here again problems are virtually nil. (The trail picks up on the south side of the bridge.) I don't know that there are many patrols, if any. However, enough people are jogging/walking/biking even at night that those up to no good are discouraged. This also is the case west of Moody. What might at first glance appear to be a group of men loitering usually turns out to be a gathering of friends looking to catch some fish.
A great place for strolling around or just unwinding is the Gore Place historical site along Main St and straddling the Waltham/Watertown line. The mansion of an early 19-Century "gentleman farmer" is the focal point of the property, but what I like is the surrounding sixty-plus acres of conserved fields and woods. Hardly a soul can be found there when an event's not taking place. Other than some cleared pathways, the meadows are left unmown. A few benches are strategically located in shaded areas for reading and relaxing. On sunny days in warmer weather, you can often see barn swallows wheeling about providing natural insect control over the wide field south of the mansion while a hawk or two sails high overhead in wait for rodents in the grass. And there's also a small farm with some flower and vegetable beds as well as sheep, goats, and chickens. Best of all, unless you want to take a tour through the house there's no charge to get in. Gore Place is amazingly "undiscovered;" in fact, I didn't let curiosity get the best of me for many years myself.

[kaytees]

hi -

I'd suggest (lack of better explanation) when driving up Moody towards main - stay to the left when looking for a place.

But each street/block is different. The thing about Waltham (to me) is that it's little mexico, which isn't a bad thing. No gangs, no thugs - the majority of people get up each morning and go to their job (legal or illegal).

I am w/in walking distance of Moody and love it. The easy access to the highways (pike, rt. 128) is great - driving into Boston is 15 minutes (no traffic). I've been in town 5 days out of 7 in the past week and it's not a PITA.

If you want to send me the street that you are looking at - i can give you more specifics on it.

GL.

[kaytees]

Hi -

I need to Edit my message and I don't know how - i just reread it - and i meant say: stay to the RIGHT. RIGHT. Stay on the side Franco's pizza, Tempo Restaurant, Solea Restaurant (all on Moody St.) is on.

I just realized it now - RIGHT.

Right.