Where to live in MA to commute to Cambridge (Boston: college, living)

[TheFabulousM]

Hi there,

My family (husband, 2 kids 10 & 4) are relocating from CT and we need help!

My husband works in Cambridge and would like an hour or less commute to Cambridge. He doesn't need to drive, in fact, he prefers taking the train in.

My kids are quite active. My 10 year old is extremely social and swims on a team, baseball, acts and would like to raise chickens. The 4 year old just loves anything the 10 yr old does but is a little bit more of a nature boy.

I would like a strong community feel: fairs, farmer's markets, strong parks and rec department, community trick or treating, etc. I'd love to have some sort of town center or something where I didn't have to drive all over the place for groceries, then for a restaurant, etc. Resale is also a consideration for us, as we aren't sure that we'll be there forever (like the rest of the nation now)

We'd all like something that isn't going to be a rip off (paying just to say we lived in a certain zip code)

My husband and I met in college in Boston (which we both love to this day) and we're not adverse to city living, although, I do love to garden.

We want to keep it to around 500k or less. We've seen things in Arlington, Boxboro, Littleton, Westford, Groton, Acton, Brookline. I just don't have a good feel if Metrowest is the right fit for us. We're even starting to consider NH!

Is there any hope for us? Please Help!

[kmann-sherborn]

Wow, you are looking far! Acton, for ex, would be about an hour by train & probably longer by car. Getting to/from Cambridge can be trying.

I would keep Arlington on the list for its location.

Although it would be tough to find in your budget, I'd keep my eyes peeled in Belmont because it really has everything you're looking for and is quite pedestrian friendly (and much easier commute). It's a beautiful community.