Where are the best locations to live in the Greater Boston area from a commuting perspective? (Cambridge: home, employment)

[fieldsofathenry]

Assume a two person adult household in the Boston area, John and Jane Doe. Without knowing their specific employers, industries, office locations, or hybrid/telecommuting status, where is the optimal place for them to live for both their current commutes and any and all future commutes? What are the places to live that will minimize their commute times to as many major employment centers in the Greater Boston area as possible?

For the purposes of this discussion, ignore home costs, school systems, housing types, lifestyles, etc.

My initial thoughts are locations where public transit lines and highways intersect. So places in the city like the area around North Station, South Station, and Back Bay. Outside of the city, places like Woburn (intersection of 93/95, large commuter rail station) and Newton/Weston/Wellesley (95/Pike/Route 9 intersection, Green line and commuter rail stops).

What are some other locations that offer relatively easy commutes to many different employment centers in the metro area?

[BostonBornMassMade]

Probably the Belmont/Arlington/Watertown area

[simplexsimon]

It just gets worse after the places you listed.

[MikePRU]

First, I want to say that this question is way too vague to get a high quality answer.

If you just want to know where is the absolute best commuting location in the Boston area then hands down the answer IMO is Newton. No other town/city is close except maybe living in Boston itself. Newton has commuter rail, express bus, and the green line as public transportation options. It's not as onerous to get to Cambridge from Newton compared to driving there from many other locations. If you want to drive into Boston then Newton does sit right on I90. So, driving in is a pretty easy proposition compared to other locations. Speaking of driving . . . Newton actually sits right on the intersection of I95/RT128 and I90/the MA Turnpike. So if future career changes bring you to Waltham, Lexington, Westborough, Bedford, Framingham, Natick, etc., etc., etc. you have the flexibility to get to all of them with basically equal convenience.

All this being said, I can't imagine that commute would the one and only factor in anyone's decision about where to live.

[htfdcolt]

Originally Posted by fieldsofathenry

Assume a two person adult household in the Boston area, John and Jane Doe. Without knowing their specific employers, industries, office locations, or hybrid/telecommuting status, where is the optimal place for them to live for both their current commutes and any and all future commutes? What are the places to live that will minimize their commute times to as many major employment centers in the Greater Boston area as possible?

For the purposes of this discussion, ignore home costs, school systems, housing types, lifestyles, etc.

My initial thoughts are locations where public transit lines and highways intersect. So places in the city like the area around North Station, South Station, and Back Bay. Outside of the city, places like Woburn (intersection of 93/95, large commuter rail station) and Newton/Weston/Wellesley (95/Pike/Route 9 intersection, Green line and commuter rail stops).

What are some other locations that offer relatively easy commutes to many different employment centers in the metro area?

Impossible to answer without knowing specifics. Distances and commute times can be deceptively inaccurate from Google Maps, because they're so changeable.

[fieldsofathenry]

Originally Posted by htfdcolt

Impossible to answer without knowing specifics. Distances and commute times can be deceptively inaccurate from Google Maps, because they're so changeable.

That's the point of my question though, I am asking in general terms. The shortest commute for a given person is always going to be based on their specific office location at the present moment in time. But what if you want to change employers next year? Suddenly your 10 minute commute to Kendall Square may be an hour plus commute to Needham. Repeat for your spouse who likely doesn't work in the same exact location as you do.

There are likely going to be a few locations that best balance short commutes between multiple employment centers (Downtown, Seaport, Kendall Square, 128 office parks, 495 office parks, etc.). I like the answer of Newton given already as the best spot overall.

[htfdcolt]

Originally Posted by fieldsofathenry

That's the point of my question though, I am asking in general terms. The shortest commute for a given person is always going to be based on their specific office location at the present moment in time. But what if you want to change employers next year? Suddenly your 10 minute commute to Kendall Square may be an hour plus commute to Needham. Repeat for your spouse who likely doesn't work in the same exact location as you do.

There are likely going to be a few locations that best balance short commutes between multiple employment centers (Downtown, Seaport, Kendall Square, 128 office parks, 495 office parks, etc.). I like the answer of Newton given already as the best spot overall.

I think Newton represents the best compromise, if you can afford it.

I personally like my location in west Woburn, just inside the 128 belt. I worked in a 495 facility for many years, and for me it was a reverse commute in the morning. On the other hand, I can be at Kendall Sq using public transport (bus, T) in 45 min.

[gf2020]

I moved to Lynnfield in 2005. Since then, I have worked in Boston, Merrimack, Billerica, Lexington and Cambridge. It's been a pretty good location.

[MikePRU]

Originally Posted by fieldsofathenry

I like the answer of Newton given already as the best spot overall.

Thanks! I think Newton offers a lot of flexibility when it comes to commuting method (car or public transportation) plus close proximity to both Boston and Cambridge plus close proximity to multiple highways that can take you in all four directions. Also, it's pretty centrally located. I can't think of another town that offers all of this.

As others have said, Newton is very expensive. It does offer a variety of housing options that come in a variety of shapes and sizes and definitely there is a wide spectrum of pricing in town.

[johngolf]

Remember Boston does not have an East side, only North, West, and South. I say Newton or Needham allows you to go in any direction. For a less expensive alternative I would throw Waltham in the mix.