Under 1 hr train commute to Cambridge, less than 650K- where should we look? (Boston: middle-class, houses)

[sfkane]

Ok- I've read through all the Cambrige commute related posts- so I think I'm ready to check my understanding of where we should look. We are a family of 4 and we basically want what everyone wants: good schools, easy commute (1 hr or less by public transportation), 3+ bedrooms 1800+sqft (we'd want a basement if the house didn't have a 4th bedroom...have to stick the inlaws somewhere when they visit!). I lean towards the small town vibe over the urban vibe- but I want to be within 10-15 minutes of shopping. Our lot doesn't have to be huge- .2 or bigger would be nice, but small lot isn't a deal breaker-especially if there is a park within walking distance. I would be willing to consider a house that needs cosmetic work- but it must be livable until we get around to it (e.g., I will replace linoleum, paint, etc; I don't want to completely gut a house) And max of $650K. We are going to come up in a couple of weeks and drive around to get a feel for different areas. Below are areas that we're going to look at- Let me know if there's any that you'd add to the list, any that you'd strike off the list (and why), or any on that list that we should definitely go to (for example, based on what I've read in other forums-I'm already excited to see West Concord). The list is organized by commuter lines. Oh and if I didn't see any houses listed for less than 650K, I didn't even put them on the list (i.e.,Weston!)

Fitchburg Line: Arlington, West Concord, Acton
Worcester Line: Framingham, Natick (S), Newton
Needham Heights Line: Needham, Dover
Forge Park Line: Walpole Franklin
Wickford Junction: Sharon
Greenbush Line: Hingham
Middleborough Line: Braintree, Milton

Thanks!!

[Bob Lanata]

The Fitchburg line goes through Waltham. That has some great areas and may fit the bill. I think that it is about a 30 minute ride to Boston once aboard the train. Hope this helps

[CaseyB]

What about places like Wakefield, Reading? Many of the towns you listed have trains that do not go into North station.

http://www.mbta.com/schedules_and_maps/rail/

[495neighbor]

Originally Posted by sfkane

Fitchburg Line: Arlington, West Concord, Acton
Worcester Line: Framingham, Natick (S), Newton
Needham Heights Line: Needham, Dover
Forge Park Line: Walpole Franklin
Wickford Junction: Sharon
Greenbush Line: Hingham
Middleborough Line: Braintree, Milton

Of the towns on your list, the ones with small town feel are West Concord, Franklin, Natick and Walpole. Acton and Arlington have some small town feel. Arlington, then West Concord and Acton would be the better Cambridge commutes. I live in Acton and the closest big malls are in Nashua (20 min ride). Franklin, Natick and Walpole have all the big box shopping along with the small indie stores, longer commute though. I go with Casey's recommendation you check out Reading and some of the North Shore towns.

[Valerie C]

You definitely will want to access North Station for easy access to Cambridge (North Station is just across the river from Cambridge). Here is a map to show the access points:

[495neighbor]

Originally Posted by Valerie C

You definitely will want to access North Station for easy access to Cambridge (North Station is just across the river from Cambridge). Here is a map to show the access points:

I agree with this. You can access any part of Cambridge from North Station.

East Cambridge or North part of Kendall from that one stop to Lechmere.

Other areas of Cambridge, fast walk from North Station to Red Line MGH.

If you pick a town North of Boston, you could also take the Orange line to North Station.

[donewithpretty]

I disagree that North Station is so much better for a Cambridge commute. That will put you two stops from Lechmere, but the commuter rails to Porter and South Station are only three and four stops, respectively, from Kendall/MIT. The red line also gives easy access to other Cambridge jobs in Alewife, Harvard Square, etc., not to mention South Station. The green line just isn't as popular for tech jobs.

The main benefit of the North Station towns is they are MUCH less expensive for a close-in town. Melrose, Wakefield, Stoneham, and Reading offer nice, middle-class towns within the 128 belt, plus with good transit and highway access and decent schools. If you look at the same type of town west or northwest of the city (e.g., Acton, Natick), it's literally twice the distance.

[sfkane]

**Sorry if you're seeing question this twice- I accidentally posted it to the general Massachusetts forum instead of this one**
Ok- I've read through all the Cambrige commute related posts- so I think I'm ready to check my understanding of where we should look. We are a family of 4 and we basically want what everyone wants: good schools, easy commute (1 hr or less by public transportation), 3+ bedrooms 1800+sqft (we'd want a basement if the house didn't have a 4th bedroom...have to stick the inlaws somewhere when they visit!). I lean towards the small town vibe over the urban vibe- but I want to be within 10-15 minutes of shopping. Our lot doesn't have to be huge- .2 or bigger would be nice, but small lot isn't a deal breaker-especially if there is a park within walking distance. I would be willing to consider a house that needs cosmetic work- but it must be livable until we get around to it (e.g., I will replace linoleum, paint, etc; I don't want to completely gut a house) And max of $650K. We are going to come up in a couple of weeks and drive around to get a feel for different areas. Below are areas that we're going to explore- Let me know if there's any that you'd add to the list, any that you'd strike off the list (and why), or any on that list that we should definitely not miss (for example, based on what I've read in other forums-I'm already excited to see West Concord). The list is organized by commuter lines that he can switch to the red line from- His office is near Kendall Square. (So I generally ruled out towns on commuter lines that didn't feed into a red line station-let me know if that's a mistake!) Oh and if I didn't see any houses listed for less than 650K, I didn't even put them on the list (i.e.,Weston!)

Here's the list:

Fitchburg Line: Arlington, West Concord, Acton
Worcester Line: Framingham, Natick (S), Newton
Needham Heights Line: Needham, Dover
Forge Park Line: Walpole Franklin
Wickford Junction: Sharon
Greenbush Line: Hingham
Middleborough Line: Braintree, Milton

Thanks!!

[CaseyB]

It's in the right forum. You don't want to live in the city, but the suburbs.

[sfkane]

Oops- ok. I just see alot of Cambridge related posts in the Boston forum-sorry for the confusion!