Places with easy access to Downtown Boston and Lowell (Cambridge: to rent, safe area)

[Illusions]

We plan to move to the Boston area. My job will require me to be in Downtown Boston, and in Lowell (on different days). I hope to rent a 2BR place for $3000 including parking. What would be some good areas to consider (good nightlife, easy access to both places, and close to my budget)?

[btownboss4]

Woburn has a nice downtown and is almost perfectly centered between to two.

[Illusions]

Thank you for your reply btownboss. I apologize I should have mentioned that 80% of the times, I will be at Downtown location, so wanted to be in or around the city. In city may be expensive, so cambridge, somerville, medford etc?

[495neighbor]

Originally Posted by Illusions

Thank you for your reply btownboss. I apologize I should have mentioned that 80% of the times, I will be at Downtown location, so wanted to be in or around the city. In city may be expensive, so cambridge, somerville, medford etc?

Medford reverse commute will be around 45 min to Lowell.

[Illusions]

Originally Posted by 495neighbor

Medford reverse commute will be around 45 min to Lowell.

45 mins is good. But is it considered a safe area with decent nightlife (restaurants, bats etc), say like Cambridge?

[gf2020]

Burlington, Woburn, Reading, Stoneham, Medford would all work.

[Coolhand68]

Woburn, Burlington, Reading, Medford, Wilmington. Don't rule out Billerica and the Bedford/Lexington area. While they aren't loaded with nightlife options, you're still a very short drive to the surrounding cities and towns that are and there are plenty of restaurants nearby. $3,000 can get you a nice place in those areas with your own driveway and garage.