Towns to Consider Commuting in to Boston (Worcester, Lynn: house, public schools)

[chuckfinley]

I am considering a position at a company located in Boston near the charles MGH on the T. I was hoping to get some advice on some potential communities to live in.

Criteria:
- Single family home, 1,500-2,000 ft., <$400k
- Two children, so schools are very important
- We like trees and green space
- It is nice to have a small downtown/village
- <45 minutes door-to-door
- Will consider driving in, train or T


My wife works near Nashua so north shore is out (swampscott, etc).

Thanks
Chuck

[brightdoglover]

I think any town you would choose would have to be a decent commute by train, because I don't think there's any place at all where you could have a 45-minute drive to the Charles/MGH area during normal business hours.
Maybe Acton? Commuter train to Porter, Red Line to Charles. Should be able to find something in your price range, given it's apparent you're open to a "smaller" house (at least by current suburban standards).

[NotAPrincess]

I second the rec for Acton. Perhaps Arlington and Winchester would be worth a look, too. Redfin.com is a great site to get a quick idea of what might be out there in your price range. If you aren't finding what you like in those towns, Melrose and Wakefield would be worth looking at. The schools are good (though a notch down from the other towns mentioned) but there will be a lot more in your price range. Plus, you can take the commuter rail reasonably easily into North Station or drive to an orange line stop and take the orange line to N. Station (MGH is a short walk from N. Station - 10 minutes perhaps, or there's a free shuttle for MGH employees)

[gf2020]

You're not going to find something that meets all of your requirements. You can get within 45 minutes but it's going to cost more than $400K, or you can keep it under $400K but it's going to take much more than 45 minutes.

[kmann-sherborn]

You could find something in Natick and then be able to take the train from Natick to South Station, then switch to the Red Line to get the Charles/MGH. If you get the express train your commute would be within 45 minutes.

Natick is a nice suburb with a walkable town center that includes a town common that has a farmer's market & various community events, a handful of restaurants, a yoga studio & about half a dozen shops. There are lots of great trails/parks in and nearby to Natick (Elm Bank, Broadmore, etc) plus Lake Cochituate.

Here are some links to school info:
The Best Public Schools in Boston 2011: In the Classroom
GreatSchools.org Search: natick

And the MBTA site to show you the routes/timing:
MBTA Commuter Rail > Framingham / Worcester Lines Schedules and Maps
Red Line Subway Information, Schedules, Stops, and Maps

[kmann-sherborn]

I also wonder if Andover is worth considering since your wife works near Nashua? It's a great town, very well regarded schools, nice little town center, lots of parks & trails. I don't imagine the drive would be great but maybe a better split of commutes. Anyhow, just a thought! :-)

[chuckfinley]

thank yo everyone for great responses! I'm resetting expectations around commute, 45 minutes to middle of the City is not going to happen. I would still like to try and keep it reasonable.

So had looked at a couple cities which I can take to North station and walk to MGH, or I could drive to Alwife and take redline.

Looking at MLS listing in:
Lynnfield
Arlington
Bedford
Reading

what do people think of these for commutes to city, homes under 400k, schools, etc.?

Thanks!
Chuck

[gf2020]

I live in Lynnfield. It's a decent location for commuting to Boston and Nashua and the schools are top notch, but you're not going to get much house for under $400K. If you could stretch to $500K you would be in a better spot.

You might consider Burlington and Wilmington as a decent compromise.

that you would actually want to put your family in.