I love Belmont! (Boston, Cambridge, Harvard: city hall, house, neighborhood)

[mephie]

I just moved from Allston to Belmont and I have to say, I love it here (so does my wife). We have an infant and we love being able to walk outside and see others with baby strollers and/or dogs taking walks. We love being 10 minutes from Cambridge. We love having that extra sqft in Belmont that we lacked in Boston. We love the neighbors.

Location is ideal: We are a 15 minute bus ride to Harvard SQ. A 5 minute car ride to Shaws. I can bike to Harvard SQ in 15-20 minutes and I am in no means a fit person. 5 minutes to the park.

We didn't think it were possible, but we love the suburbs. Belmont just seems to be the perfect combination of good schools, friendly neighbors, safety, shopping, affordability, diversity and location!

Our only complaint is recycling is biweekly. But no matter, we bought a second ~18x30" recycling bin (first one is free) for $5 from the town.

I would highly recommend Belmont to anyone relocating with children. If you have any questions, I will do my best to answer them!

PS Even the two trips to City Hall were pleasant! Everyone there is so nice!

[ogre]

I can certainly understand how you'd enjoy an area where people push strollers and walk dogs better than the scene in most of Allston. That college party scene works only if you're that age and part of that scene.

Belmont is a suburb, but it's one of those inner 'burbs. Depending on the part of town, you can have your own house in a quiet neighborhood yet still be close to shopping and basic entertainment. Sounds as if for you this is turning out to be the right balance between urban activity and suburban peace and quiet. Glad the move is working out well.

[mephie]

I actually lived in lower Allston near Harvard Business School so there were few college students puking over my sidewalk, but it did happen! I work a lot and very odd hours so I have never enjoyed the nightlife scene and am unsure what it is like in Belmont, but I do know Belmont has some nice restaurants! Besides, you are only a 10-15 minute drive to Harvard SQ (Central SQ takes 15-20 minutes or so).

Depending on the part of town, you can have your own house in a quiet neighborhood yet still be close to shopping and basic entertainment.

Exactly! This is what I love most about Belmont!

[brightdoglover]

I imagine a lot of people love Belmont, for all the above reasons. It certainly doesn't feel suburban, not when you're a mile or so from the Cambridge line with good public transport. I imagine the issue, as so often, is cost of housing. If you can make that work, the rest comes easily.
Never thought Allston was a good place to live, and that includes when I was 20.

[ogre]

Well, yeah, there is that one little, teeny, tiny part of Allston without the undergrads. Sounds as if you've made a good move to an overall nicer area, though. Glad it's working out well.

[goyguy]

It wouldn't surprise me to learn that Belmont was the inspiration for "The Stepford Wives." Different strokes for different folks!

[mephie]

Originally Posted by goyguy

It wouldn't surprise me to learn that Belmont was the inspiration for "The Stepford Wives." Different strokes for different folks!

What's that?


I really don't find Belmont more expensive than the other suburbs in the MetroWest area. Is there any suburb of Boston where you can find a house for less than $2000 a month with good schools? I never found it...

[donewithpretty]

Mephie, which part of Belmont do you live in, if you don't mind my asking? I lived in the Pleasant St / Trapelo / Common St triangle and found it a difficult place to live. I crossed Belmont off my list for that reason, but it's possible a different neighborhood might work better. Of course, we might just have different criteria as well.

[mephie]

Harvard Lawn area. What didn't you like about the area? Was it too busy?

[donewithpretty]

I think the walkability/busyness ratio was off for me. The area has a lot of sidewalks, so I walked to the library, downtown, grocery store, drugstore, tiny movie theater, etc. But there were enough cars and difficult intersections that it was never very pleasant. (Not many walkers out either.) I guess I prefer either more urban/accessible/stuff to do or less congested.

The traffic in general (Fresh Pond rotary and downtown Belmont intersection) wore on me after a while. I didn't spend much time in your neck of the woods though. Being a bit closer to Cambridge might have helped.