Live in Boston, Commute to North Billerica (Somerville, Waltham: home, neighborhoods)

[tor984]

I'm potentially moving to Boston and I need some advice from locals.

I'd like to live in a neighborhood of Boston (young professional looking at Seaport, South Boston, Allston, Beacon Hill, Back Bay) and make the commute to Billerica. Job would be normal hours -- 8a-9a till 5p-6p. I'll be bringing my car with me from out of state...but I'm not opposed to going car-less if I can figure out how to make it work.

So here goes:L

1) If I drive each day, is the reverse commute bad from a traffic stand point? Without traffic, it estimates the drive at around 30 minutes...but I'm not sure I'm not the only person who enjoys city living and commutes to a suburb for work.

2) Could I drive my car up to the North Billerica station on Monday morning and leave it at the North Billerica train station each evening during the work week (Monday night through Thursday night)? That would let me take the commuter train into the city during the work week...though I have no idea how reliable the trains are, how safe/clean they are, etc. Obviously I would drive the car home to the city on Friday after work.

3) If my job is south of the train station (about 6 miles), is there any other conceivable way to have reliable transportation to work from the train station without owning a car?

Thanks for your help!

[gf2020]

Forget about taking the train. You'll have to drive, but it will be closer to 60 minutes each way, from Boston to North Billerica, during regular commuting times.

Waltham would be a decent compromise with an easier commute and still has appeal for a young professional.

[tor984]

Thanks for the quick reply --- if I'm stubborn and want to live in the city, any recommendation on neighborhood (for young professional) that would allow for easiest commute but still provide good T access?

[CaseyB]

Somerville is very close to Boston and has T access. Lots of young professionals, it's very urban.

Commuting from areas like the Seaport and Southie would be nuts.

[Jimrob1]

I think you would find such a commute, would get old very fast. Believe what people are telling you. Go with Waltham or Somerville. Many young people live in those areas.. I think just about everyone that replies, is going to say the same thing.

[alidmc]

If you are intent on living in Boston itself and commuting to North Billerica, I would suggest either Charlestown or the North End. Both are on the northern edge of Boston and close to 93. Might shave a few minutes off the commute either way. Otherwise, I think Waltham and Somerville are good suggestions outside the city.

[BostonMike7]

That commute sucks...period. I did it for 8 years. Revere to n. Billerica. I tried all different routes and never found any great ones. I used to cut through Somerville and take 93 to 95 to rt 3 and it was still 1hr+ in the peak times of summer. Back roads weren't any help either. Only thing that helped was hitting the road at 6am. You'll get there at 6:45am but you'll keep your sanity.

Best thing I ever did was move out of the city to cut down on my commute. It's a lot easier to into the Boston area from time to time vs come out of it every day.

[Charlie MacPherson]

For the commuting misery alone, what not just move to Billerica? You can always take the T into Boston for the nightlife.

I'd rather spend a week with a dead rat in my mouth than to face Boston traffic every day.

[Dm84]

Originally Posted by Charlie MacPherson

For the commuting misery alone, what not just move to Billerica? You can always take the T into Boston for the nightlife.

No, you can't. The last train back to Billerica is hours before last call. Not to mention the commuter rail schedule on the weekend is beyond pathetic.

That said, yes it makes a ton more sense to live in Billerica for the convenience of the work week.

[495neighbor]

West Somerville, West Medford, East Arlington neighborhoods are going to give you the most of what you are looking for OP. Close enough to action and many young professionals to live near. Your commute should be fine to Billerica from those spots as most will be commuting the opposite direction.

Waltham would not be as good of a commute as you'd be with all the people commuting to the companies in Waltham/Lexington/Bedford/Burlington/Billerica heading north on 128, bumper to bumper every morning.