What is the deal with Waltham, MA? (Boston, Newton: apartment complexes, renting)

[GypsyMama3]

Just wondering about peoples opinion on Waltham?

Specifically schools, diversity, parks, playgrounds?
Is there a downtown?,
Commute time to Boston? South shore commute?
Are there activities to do for the children, like sports recreation, dance, karate?
Where to go for Restaurants for date night?

I can not remember traveling through there when visiting last so I have no clue about the place.

I would love an overview of the town to see if I should put it on the possible move to list.

Thank you!

[NotAPrincess]

As far as I can tell, the only real downside is the schools. My friends who live there send their kids to private school, but they love the town.

Population density is on the high end compared to other "suburbs".

Definitely has great date night restaurants and fun bars.

Not sure about kid activities, but I'm sure that there is lots to do in the area, if not directly in Waltham itself.

Commute into Boston is pretty quick by commuter rail. Driving from Waltham to downtown isn't any worse than driving from any other area, but driving in general is pretty slow going.

[wxjay]

^Where are these 'fun bars'? Not on Moody St, right? Because I have been to Moody St. twice on Saturday nights and the atmosphere is DEAD.

[NotAPrincess]

I like watch city brewery. I'm a mid-thirties mom, so it's possibly my idea of a "fun bar" is different from yours ;-)

[wivenhoe]

Moody Street is the trendy area for twenty-somethings but Waltham is quite lacking for families compared to other communities, such as Belmont, Arlington, or Newton, imo.

If you've got kids, I would suggest looking into other 'family-friendly' towns nearby rather than Waltham unless you plan on renting short-term (under a year or so). There are large apartment complexes in Waltham for temporary accommodation - which is may be convenient for a temporary situation but also creates a transient population in the city.

As another poster mentioned, Waltham's schools are lackluster.

[GypsyMama3]

thanks.. I just read the other posts about Waltham. From the feel I would think it is out. We will probably check it out just because, but school is important to us so if the schools are 'lackluster' than its more than likely a no.