Is it worth moving to Boston? (Cambridge, Somerville: rental, buy, elementary schools)

[VygotskyandBandura]

Hi everyone! My husband has applied to a job at Harvard, and he's very well qualified. There's no assurance he will get it, but I'm trying to do the research in advance to see if this would be a reasonable move for us. We would be coming from a relatively small town in a southern state, but we are very progressive in terms of social issues and politics. Good public schools are important to us. We have 2 small children (3 and 7), and would need to find childcare for the younger. The older would start 2nd grade in the fall. We would likely have a housing budget of 3-3.5k per month. Ideally we would have a 3 bedroom somewhere, pet friendly, but I know that may be an unreasonable ask given the housing climate. We would want to rent at first. My question right now would be, are there places within let's say 30-45 minutes of Harvard (either by car or public transport) that are good for raising a family and where we could afford housing? With good schools? I work from home, so relatively close proximity to coworking spaces in Boston would be ideal also. Thanks in advance!

[bjimmy24]

Get the job first. I've also had interviews at Harvard as an internal candidate I felt were a lock. Not so.

[BosYuppie]

Depends what's reasonable.

3.5k a month you should be able to get a decent enough 2-3 bed rental in Cambridge/Somerville. The elementary schools are all going to be fine in the cities between the Mystic and the Charles rivers assuming you're an involved parent, and you have plenty of time to get established/get a feel for the area before you buy in a town with better middle/high schools.

You wouldn't need cars in Camberville, if you can go carless you can apply more budget to your housing situation. Subway/Bus/Uber/Lyft can fill in the gaps.

[BostonMike7]

How do you feel about snow and cold?

[mwj119]

https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/4...02785966_zpid/

Great schools, easy drive to Cambridge, train access into north station, nice downtown. Another consideration should be Arlington and Belmont. Cambridge will be tough with kids and pets without stretching the budget to pay for parking and a back yard, in my opinion. And if you're use to a small town feel, you may not desire the amenities the city grants you.

[G-fused]

I'd look at Arlington.

Best of luck y'all.

[CP31]

Any town that is along route 2 and within 495 is fine as far as driving into Cambridge is concerned. These towns offer great school systems but property prices can vary immensely (Lexington is probably the priciest). If you're willing to endure a longer commute, you'll get more affordable options farther west along route 2. Littleton is probably the farthest west in terms of commute time (~45-50 mins each way) that I personally know people commuting in, but its really up to individual preference.

Likewise, if you're thinking of using the commuter rail, you can look into towns along the Fitchburg line that are within 495.

Cambridge/Somerville are great too if you're looking for a short commute. Schools are fine, and its a great place to raise a family but size/affordability/yard would all make it challenging.

[MassVt]

Personally, if you want accessibility and a yard, I'd try for Belmont, if possible. Very desirable school system, but check the pricetag, obviously. Much more space, in general, than Cambridge and especially Somereville, which has loads of mult-family/triple-decker housing...

[johngolf]

Where are you living now? As a former Bostonian, I would think long and hard about moving to Boston.

[justus978]

...no...