Thoughts on Medford Mass???? (Boston, Cambridge: middle-class, best neighborhood, houses) - Massachusetts (MA) - City-Data Forum

felix12584 · 02-07-2007, 01:17 PM

I want to move down to the Boston area and Medford seems not too far not too close. Anyone with suggestions on Medford???

MAlover · 02-07-2007, 08:21 PM

Hi Felix. I lived in Medford for 7 years, while I was attending graduate school at Tufts University. West Medford (Davis Square and Teele Square) and the Medford Square areas are good places to live. Historically, Medford is a solid, mixed town (college students, working-class, middle-class). Houses are pretty close together, not much yard, the public school system is not good, and it's not the most aesthetically-pleasing town (in most parts), but it's relatively safe and, again, if you live close to Davis and Teele Squares, it's pretty nice and super-convenient to the subway (Red Line), which will take you quickly into Cambridge and Downtown Boston.

felix12584 · 02-08-2007, 09:29 AM

Thanks for the information. You say its not the most pleaseing place to live in most parts....can you give me some examples of where and why? I heard Medford is broken up mainly in 4 parts North, South, East, West. Is this true? and whats the best and nicest and worst out of each of them? Thanks I appreciate it.

felix12584 · 02-12-2007, 05:32 PM

anyone else have anything good/bad to say about medford, mass?

danielleg · 03-15-2007, 10:34 AM

hello, i have lived in medford for all of my 28 years. i now have two children and i *hope* they will live here for the long-term as well. you are pretty much correct about the areas. north medford is ok, more "cut off" from other areas of medford with a lot of smaller homes and some bigger cookie cutter developments from the 80's. south isn't great, although tufts university is there. the homes are mostly multi-families with little to no land. west and what would be "east" (although no one calls it that) are actually very nice for the most part. west medford is rich in history and is chock full of beautiful large, old homes. east would basically be the central part of medford...the square and down salem street. also rich in history with many large victorian homes. the lawrence estates, which bridges the gap between between west and "east" is regarded is the best neighborhood in the city by many. if you are looking for city that strikes a fine balance between urban and suburban, this may be your place. i feel that the city is really starting to come into it's own and will only improve in the future. let me know if you would like any other specifics.

Eddy G · 03-15-2007, 02:12 PM

West Medford also has the commuter rail that runs right through it so you can be in Boston in less then 10 min.

ChunkyMonkey · 03-16-2007, 08:22 AM

I like Medford, it is a great inner ring suburb that has nice amenities such as Tufts University (free concerts for kids, as well as other events), the Middlesex Fells for hiking. There's even a nice town "beach" by a lake as well as a relatively vibrant downtown. All it lacks is a T station for easier access to Boston (commuter rail is not as convenient). Hopefully, they'll extend the green line soon.

pmhalloran · 03-16-2007, 12:26 PM

Medford also has a small town appeal. Where even when your driving through and it seems city-ish, most people know each other and say Hi!

Eddy G · 03-16-2007, 05:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChunkyMonkey

I like Medford, it is a great inner ring suburb that has nice amenities such as Tufts University (free concerts for kids, as well as other events), the Middlesex Fells for hiking. There's even a nice town "beach" by a lake as well as a relatively vibrant downtown. All it lacks is a T station for easier access to Boston (commuter rail is not as convenient). Hopefully, they'll extend the green line soon.

Whats Wellington Station? (Orange line)
Sullivan station is less then a mile away from South Medford (Orange line)
+ the "inconvenient" in your opinion commuter rail (purple line)

I think you have enough options when it comes to trains and buses.

Nanseev · 03-18-2007, 11:04 PM

OK....for me, I would need to know what you're looking for.

Not that Medford isn't nice (it's better than Malden, Revere, or Somerville in my opinion)...but it's definitely more city-like than town-ish. If I were raising kids and moving back there, I personally don't think I'd choose Medford. If I were young and single, I'd say it's perfectly fine, and the choice would work.

I don't know...I lived in Medford for a short time, and I honestly don't know if I'd go back and live there again. Not that it's bad...but I just think there are better choices.

For access into Boston, it's great. Very quick trip. So if that's important to you, then its a good choice.

I just wanted to give you my feedback, since you've gotten alot of positive feedback on Medford. I'm not quite sure I'd give it the same....I'd almost classify it as where Malden/Somerville/Malden people go for their next step "up"....