?s on commuting between Brandeis (Waltham) and BU? (Boston, Cambridge: rentals, living)

[juliebostoninquiry]

My fiance will be attending BU and I will be attending Brandeis (Waltham). We are looking for places to live between the two that will make the commute easy and as short as possible.

Any suggestions on where to live? How long is the commute between BU and Brandeis?

Answers will be greatly appreciated.

[charolastra00]

Are you talking public transportation? There simply isn't parking at all at BU and there's not much here at 'Deis either.

There are several buses to Brandeis (one from Central Square, one from Newton), but they only come once an hour so if you miss it, you're SOL. Plus they stop running around 7 during the week. There's also the commuter rail which is pricey but has stops on the red and green line.

If you're going to drive, Brighton might make sense. Your fiance can take a bus to the green line (or maybe directly to BU, I'm not sure) and you could get on the pike and drive to Brandeis.

[holden125]

Originally Posted by charolastra00

If you're going to drive, Brighton might make sense. Your fiance can take a bus to the green line (or maybe directly to BU, I'm not sure) and you could get on the pike and drive to Brandeis.

Brighton or Newton Corner make sense for driving. In Brighton the B line runs to BU down Comm Av, but there are a lot of undergrads along Comm Av. It gets noisy and the B line is slow/crowded. The 57 bus runs from Watertown Yard through Brighton Center to BU. It comes often and is pretty quick. Newton Corner has access to both the 57 bus to BU and the 553 to Brandeis.

Brandeis is tougher. There's the 553 bus and the commuter rail, but that line of the commuter rail does not go near BU. Not worth it to take it to North Station and then back out, but it might be worth it to get off at Porter (red line) in Cambridge. If you live near Porter, it's the commuter rail to Brandeis, while the trip to BU would be the red line 2 stops to Central, then the 64 bus to BU. About 30 mins, less if you're lucky with the bus. It's a nice area, and actually might be the best option if you're not driving. If you are driving Porter requires going a bit through the streets to get to the Pike, Soldiers Field Rd or Greenough to get to Brandeis.

[juliebostoninquiry]

Thank you! This information is really helpful. We are hoping to not have a car, however, we both would like a commute under 30 minutes. Is that possible from Porter or anywhere else?

[holden125]

Originally Posted by juliebostoninquiry

Thank you! This information is really helpful. We are hoping to not have a car, however, we both would like a commute under 30 minutes. Is that possible from Porter or anywhere else?

Porter is the best bet. The commuter rail from Porter to Brandeis is door to door, and takes 15 minutes. Note that they don't run all that often so some planning will be involved. For BU, the Red Line runs all day on a pretty frequent schedule and the time on the train from Porter to Central is about 7 minutes. The time on the bus is generally under 10 minutes as well; the issue is waiting for the 47 bus (they only come every 20 mins or so). If you can aim to get to Central around when the bus is coming (they don't follow the schedule so religiously), the total trip can be done in under half an hour easily. Note: Central is Mass. Av and Pearl St, BU is near Mountfort and Lenox on the schedule below.

Porter is a nice area and it has easy access to restaurants and nightlife in Davis Sq, Harvard Sq, Central Sq, and under 20 mins to downtown Boston on the red line as well. Especially without a car, it seems like your best bet.

MBTA Commuter Rail > Fitchburg / South Acton Lines Schedules and Maps

MBTA Commuter Rail > Fitchburg / South Acton Lines Schedules and Maps

MBTA > Schedules & Maps > Bus > 47 - Central Sq., Cambridge - Broadway Station via B.U. Medical Center, Dudley Station & Longwood Medical Area

[juliebostoninquiry]

Thank you! This information is really helpful. Does anyone know if it would be easy to commute from Belmont to BU AND Belmont to Brandeis?

Last thing. Suggestions will be greatly appreciated!!!! You people are great.

[holden125]

Originally Posted by juliebostoninquiry

Thank you! This information is really helpful. Does anyone know if it would be easy to commute from Belmont to BU AND Belmont to Brandeis?

Last thing. Suggestions will be greatly appreciated!!!! You people are great.

Belmont by the Belmont Center or Waverley stations on the purple line are fine to Brandeis, but not as good for BU. The buses there go to Harvard, and then it would be the Red line to Central, and the 47 bus. From halfway between Harvard and Waverley, I'd say it's almost 15-20 minutes to Harvard, a few minutes on the train, and then the ride from Central to BU.

Other than living right near the commuter rail, the best bet in that area is along Belmont St/Trapelo and the 73 bus, in Belmont or in Watertown (Belmont St. is the town line for a while). That would go to Waverly for the train to Brandeis, but you'd have to allocate significantly more time since you wouldn't want to risk missing a train and not having another for an hour or two.

To BU is longer. From halfway between Harvard and Waverley, I'd say it's almost 15-20 minutes to Harvard, one stop to Central on the train, and then the 47 bus from Central to BU. , one stop to Central, and the 47 bus. Not as direct as coming from Porter but the side streets off Belmont St. have very nice rentals that are less expensive than Porter. It is doable to live there without a car in terms of groceries, restaurants, etc, but there is much more within walking distance near Porter Sq.

None of the Belmont buses go beyond Harvard. From Watertown the 70 bus goes to downtown Waltham and to Central Sq, but that is a long, slow ride.

[smarty]

Yup... Boston is radial. Public transportation is about going in and out to Boston but not North and South. Hence, the pain..

[josie313]

How is commuting from Waltham, near Moody St, to BU? I would need to be at BU from 4-7 pm and would love to commute by car but I could do public transportation if it's easier.

Thank you! for answers and letting me hijack your thread

[MA2NC2012]

Originally Posted by josie313

I would need to be at BU from 4-7 pm

As mentioned earlier, commute after 7-7:30 pm is rough. The late u go.. the less frequency u get for buses.

MBTA - Route of 70 - Outbound