Where to live if reverse commuting to Waltham?

[SoFresh99]

Commuting to Waltham for a 9-5 job is not a reverse commute. Everyone is commuting to Waltham, it is the second biggest destination after Boston itself. 30 minutes in the morning is possible if you avoid 128/95 altogether. If your job is actually in one of the office parks immediately off the highway you can wait 10 minutes just to get through one light one block away from work. Waltham itself has the most single 30-something professionals outside of Cambridge/Somerville. Arlington skews a little older/married/baby. Barring living in Waltham itself I would opt for Arlington. From East Arlington you can commute the back way via Lake/Pleasant and from the other end of Arlington (North?West?) you can go through Lexington.

If you actually want to live in Boston choose an area from which you can catch the commuter rail Fitchburg Line in North Station or around Porter Square in Cambridge. Once you are in Waltham however, you may need a bike to get to your job but map it out and see how close the job is to the two commuter rail stops in Waltham. From North Station to Waltham by rail is generally 25 minutes and is much more convenient in foul weather than trying to drive (unless you opt to live in Waltham.)

[semiurbanite]

Even given what I said about the commute, I personally would never consider moving somewhere closer for the commute. For me, being in a walkable vibrant neighborhood is worth the extra 20 minutes in the car. If you are outgoing and prefer to get around without a car (except for commuting) I recommend somewhere on the Red Line like Porter or Davis. Fresh Pond is a shorter commute but feels more suburban, and is not walkable to much other than to a shopping center.

[Parsec]

If a 30 minute commute is important to you, you should tell us whether your job will be in one of the office parks off I-95 (closer to Rt-2) or in downtown Waltham/Brandeis area (closer to I-90).

[Bucephalas]

Originally Posted by semiurbanite

Even given what I said about the commute, I personally would never consider moving somewhere closer for the commute. For me, being in a walkable vibrant neighborhood is worth the extra 20 minutes in the car. If you are outgoing and prefer to get around without a car (except for commuting) I recommend somewhere on the Red Line like Porter or Davis. Fresh Pond is a shorter commute but feels more suburban, and is not walkable to much other than to a shopping center.

The Belmont side of Fresh Pond is more suburban, but Huron Village is more than walkable. It gets a 80 Walk Score and 96 Bike Score - http://www.walkscore.com/score/huron-village-cambridge. I'm biased though as I feel both Porter and Davis are overrated at this point. Cambridge is not lacking for squares that aren't far from these T stops. They are generally more affordable and filled with less chains.

[semiurbanite]

Originally Posted by Bucephalas

The Belmont side of Fresh Pond is more suburban, but Huron Village is more than walkable. It gets a 80 Walk Score and 96 Bike Score - http://www.walkscore.com/score/huron-village-cambridge. I'm biased though as I feel both Porter and Davis are overrated at this point. Cambridge is not lacking for squares that aren't far from these T stops. They are generally more affordable and filled with less chains.

Yea but that walk score comes from the fringe of Harvard square and the area near High Rise bakery. If you are gonna live that far into Huron, it's about the same commute as from Porter/Davis, especially if you take Mass ave from Porter/Davis and bypass Alewife brook and go up to Lake St in Arlington. More busy squares will always have more chains unfortunately, but they can easily be avoided with so many other interesting local businesses around.

[what2d369]

Thanks for all your replies. They have been very helpful. At this point, I don't know exactly where in Waltham the office will end up being, but this gives me an idea of what areas to check out within a commutable distance.

[what2d369]

One of you asked earlier where the office will be located in order to give a better idea of what's truly in the 30 minute commuting range. I just learned the office will be closer to 128 and route 2, just north of Prospect Hill Park. Thanks again for your input.

[shrinkberry]

That area of Waltham is a reasonable drive from most areas of Boston or Cambridge if you adjust your schedule slightly to avoid peak times.

I would consider Brookline/Coolidge Corner area, although factor the city's parking regulations in the budget. Any part of Cambridge or Somerville would be fine too. Base the decision on your budget, the apartment and neighborhood that suits your personality.

[SoFresh99]

West Somerville around Teele Sq./Davis Sq. first, then if you hate the commute move to Arlington or Waltham after a year. That office location is not commuter rail friendly so you'll be driving but there are also shuttles from Alewife to different office parks in Waltham from what I understand. I would error on the side of more fun urban neighborhood and take a little longer commute and once you have been there a while you can move if you want to.

I have lived in Cambridge, Somerville and Waltham so I have a good idea of the area.

Stay north of I90, east of 128.