Considering Lexington properties: parking at Alewife (Boston, Arlington: to buy, good schools, live in)

[sleeplessdreamer]

We are considering Lexington properties to buy (750K+ but flexible budget for the right property). Since my wife works in Boston and would need access to T/commuter rail to South Station, we would need to use the Alewife station. I am wondering what are your thoughts on parking: is it really completely full at 9am in the morning, or close to full that you will have to keep looking for a space (and possibly miss your train)?

The town itself is great, with good schools. But I am concerned about the time she might spend simply looking for parking.

[claiz]

I work in Boston (South Station area) and live in Lexington. My colleague also live in Lexington, he drove to Alewife and take red line. It really depends on when you get into alewife area. If you can get in around 8 and leave around 5-5:30, then it's not a problem. Going into the heart of rush hour, that area can be a painful headache.

Another suggestion is take local bus to Alewife, which is what I do. The ride is longer but you don't need to worry about parking headache, plus it's cheaper.

[495neighbor]

The lower levels fill up earlier.

I have gone to park at Alewife at all hours of the day and can always find many spaces on the top, outdoor level of the garage.

[Parsec]

I drive into Alewife about once a month these days and there's always parking on the 5th level when I get there around 9-9:30am. That's on the roof though, so no protection from snow. Seems like everyone who drives to the parking garage is coming from Rt-2. Traffic is ridiculous though, often taking 30 min from the time I get off the train to the time I merge onto Rt-2. Even on a normal day between 5:30-7pm it still takes 15-20 min. Locals from Lexington/Arlington often take the bus which saves them time and money. It's $7/day to park, whereas the bus is free since it's included in your monthly t pass.