public schools and neighborhoods near MGH? (Boston, Cambridge: middle schools, living in, price)

[geomom]

We're considering a possible relocation to Boston, and curious what the public schools are like for areas that would be very convenient to the MGH area. We would be interested in living in a 2 bedroom place optimally within walking distance to MGH, parks, shopping, etc.- preferrably for under $400K and with a safe, friendly community feel. Does such an area exist? We're a bit concerned about the cost of a place that close to work, and whether we'd have any room left in our budget for pricate school if necessary. Are there other neighborhoods we should look at that have good public schools and are a VERY short commute (preferably not by car!) to MGH?

Thanks!!

[snatale1]

Originally Posted by geomom

We're considering a possible relocation to Boston, and curious what the public schools are like for areas that would be very convenient to the MGH area. We would be interested in living in a 2 bedroom place optimally within walking distance to MGH, parks, shopping, etc.- preferrably for under $400K and with a safe, friendly community feel. Does such an area exist? We're a bit concerned about the cost of a place that close to work, and whether we'd have any room left in our budget for pricate school if necessary. Are there other neighborhoods we should look at that have good public schools and are a VERY short commute (preferably not by car!) to MGH?

Thanks!!

The West End (Were MGH is) is a good area BUT no community feel to it. Boston Public Schools are terrible. (I know after 12yrs). Elementary and Middle schools USUALLY send you to a school in your area, High School has no districts, you can get send anywhere in the city. You can live Downtown and go to school in West Roxbury the city doesn't care. You won't need a car down there but I'm not sure if $400k will do it. Google Charles River Park, It's a group of bldgs in the west end that I do alot of work in, nice places.

[geomom]

Thanks for the info. I've been looking at info on some placesin Beacon Hill (obviously at the very bottom of their price range), and it looks like both Eliot K-8 and Quincy Elementary would be walkable--- does anyone know anything about either of those schools in particular? Unfortunately, I don't think I can wrap my mind around the $20K/year for the nearby private schools.

[ogre]

I don't have personal experience with Boston public schools, but, judging from anything I've ever heard, I think you want to re-read Snatale's post. Pay special attention to the part about how your children would not necessarily go to the schools in your neighborhood. I believe this is correct, based on hearsay.

You wouldn't be able to walk to MGH, but you might want to consider Cambridge. I'm also not personally familiar with the schools in Cambridge, so take this with a grain of salt, but I've heard at least that they are more consistently at least of solid quality than the Boston city schools. Though Cambridge would not be a location for walking to MGH, from neighborhoods near the stops along the T's red line, it would still be a quick commute to MGH, without the need of driving there.