Another "where to live" question--Arlington? (Boston, Cambridge: apartment complex, rental)

[Acyle]

My family and I are contemplating a move to the Boston area. Of course, we will need a place to live. We will be renting, at least at first. Our criteria:
-commuting to Norwood
-good schools (2 kids ages 8 & 2), but not so "good" that the kids have ulcers before they are 18.
-prefer more urban feel. Hate big yards and too much space and driving everywhere. Want to walk to the library, some restaurants, parks, etc.
-want kids to be able to walk to school and to play with their friends
-at the same time, a tiny little yard would be nice
-want a real downtown core
-don't care about bars. See: 2 little kids
-budget for renting (2 br is fine) max $2500
-need parking (at least 1, ideally 2 cars)
-would prefer not to feel like the "poor folk" in town

So based on my own research, I was thinking that Arlington (east or central) would satisfy the majority of what we want. But am I off base? And more importantly, would the commute make me hate life? How bad would it be, really?

[tysmith95]

Arlington makes no sense for a commute to Norwood. I'm not sure why you'd do that, especially since Arlington itself is pretty expensive compared to towns surrounding Norwood.

If you still want good schools bordering urban neighborhoods something like Milton or Dedham would be a much easier commute compared to Arlington. Plus Arlington has gotten so expensive that you can probably get more for your money in those places.

Newton is expensive, but not much more so then Arlington. And in Newton you'd cut your commute to Norwood in half. You could look at Needham too.

And again take a look at Milton. Although some of the parts of Boston that Milton borders aren't the nicest (Mattapan), although other parts on the eastern side border a fairly nice section of Dorchester.

[chicagoliz]

Originally Posted by tysmith95

Arlington makes no sense for a commute to Norwood. I'm not sure why you'd do that, especially since Arlington itself is pretty expensive compared to towns surrounding Norwood.

If you still want good schools bordering urban neighborhoods something like Milton or Dedham would be a much easier commute compared to Arlington. Plus Arlington has gotten so expensive that you can probably get more for your money in those places.

Newton is expensive, but not much more so then Arlington. And in Newton you'd cut your commute to Norwood in half. You could look at Needham too.

Agree with this. Arlington is great, but not such a good commute to Norwood. Newton would be much better, although it will be tough to find a rental in that price range. Needham would also be great, but I don't know that there's much more available at that rate, either. But definitely give both towns a look to see if something does come up. Dedham is worth investigating. Maybe Natick, too.

[tysmith95]

Originally Posted by chicagoliz

Agree with this. Arlington is great, but not such a good commute to Norwood. Newton would be much better, although it will be tough to find a rental in that price range. Needham would also be great, but I don't know that there's much more available at that rate, either. But definitely give both towns a look to see if something does come up. Dedham is worth investigating. Maybe Natick, too.

Depends on what the OP is looking for. A brand new "luxury" apartment complex it would be difficult to find a place in Newton for 2500 a month. But looking at craigslist there are a couple of decent 2 and 3 options for under 2500 in Newton, a bunch of recently renovated older places. Needham doesn't have as many apartments so it actually might be harder, but still possible.

[495neighbor]

Natick, Dedham, Norwood all have decent town centers, economic diversity and won't be nervous breakdown in the breakdown lane material like a commute from Arlington would be. Needham too if you can find that rare rental. Welcome to Mass.

[Acyle]

Thank you! One complication is that I'm not sure I'll be commuting to Norwood forever, yet we don't want to have to uproot our kids again down the road. Milton seems to have real potential in that regard--transit seems pretty convenient. I'm definitely exploring this further!

[chicagoliz]

Originally Posted by tysmith95

Depends on what the OP is looking for. A brand new "luxury" apartment complex it would be difficult to find a place in Newton for 2500 a month. But looking at craigslist there are a couple of decent 2 and 3 options for under 2500 in Newton, a bunch of recently renovated older places. Needham doesn't have as many apartments so it actually might be harder, but still possible.

This is true. Take a look at what is available in Newton. It is so convenient to almost everything.

[495neighbor]

Originally Posted by Acyle

Thank you! One complication is that I'm not sure I'll be commuting to Norwood forever, yet we don't want to have to uproot our kids again down the road. Milton seems to have real potential in that regard--transit seems pretty convenient. I'm definitely exploring this further!

Milton has its charms, if you don't think you'd ever have to commute up 128 North to Lexington/Burlington/Waltham. Milton is next to towns with several red line stops going into Boston and Cambridge.

It's possible someone could end up commuting North on 128, if they work in certain areas of life sciences or IT. If that is not either of you, then little to worry about.

Commuting between North and South of Boston is rougher than commuting between East and West, from any point. You'll find out soon enough.