Living in Worcester - I have options for my office - which is easier to commute to? (Newton: transfer)

[intrigue1928]

Hi,
I am lucky in that I have several choices to make of what office I can work from since my company is large. I'll be living in Worcester (my husband will be working there) and I have to choose from the following cities to work in: Somerset, Waltham, Westford, or Newton. Any suggestions on what is easier to get to either by commuter rail or by driving? Please advise. Thanks!

[Lowerdeck]

1. Westford - depending on where in Worcester, likely the closest and fastest to get to

2/3. Newton and Waltham - depends on the proximity to the Pike/128/rail the two are determines which one is the better choice. They're next to each other on the map.

4. Somerset - all driving, furthest away, have to deal with Providence

[ogre]

If the office in Newton would be within walking distance of a commuter rail station, this is the one town of the four that is really a viable option for commuter rail travel from Worcester. Newton is on the same rail line as Worcester. Waltham is on a commuter rail line, but the transfer from the Worcester line would make for such a long and time-consuming trip that it would be well beyond any remotely reasonable commuting time. The other two towns do not have commuter rail.

Even to Newton the rail commute is time-consuming. It takes over an hour for the train ride itself, not to mention the time to and from the train stations. There is also a possible drawback if your hours are not the usual bankers' hours work schedule. Inbound from Worcester, there are no commuter rail stops in Newton past mid-afternoon. I don't understand why a large town like Newton which has commuter rail service gets bypassed for so many hours, but this is the case for whatever reason, so a commute by train from Worcester is not an option if you need to arrive in Newton after two or three in the afternoon.

[lrfox]

Originally Posted by Lowerdeck

1. Westford - depending on where in Worcester, likely the closest and fastest to get to

2/3. Newton and Waltham - depends on the proximity to the Pike/128/rail the two are determines which one is the better choice. They're next to each other on the map.

4. Somerset - all driving, furthest away, have to deal with Providence

I agree with the ranking here in terms of driving. I also would agree with Ogre's advice about the commuter rail seeing as it is on the same line.

However, I'd say that if you were driving from Worcester to Somerset MA during normal business hours, I'd go 495 to 24 and avoid Providence all together. It's only a few minutes longer but you avoid the traffic thus making it shorter. Anyway, Somerset to Worcester is an hour and a half or more and absolutely not worth it.

[intrigue1928]

Thanks to everyone for your feedback - it really helps me in making my decisions...Have a great day!