West/Southborough commute to Newton (Boston, Worcester: to buy, train, relocating to)

[hockeykpm]

My family and I may be relocating to Massachusetts soon and we are looking for a place to buy a house. Both Westborough and Southborough are locations we like, but want to get a better understanding of what the commute would be to Newton. My understanding is that I90 is a straight shot to newton and is approx 25 miles. During normal commuting times, how long would this normally take? Also, my work hours will fluctuate, so most likely will not be working 9-5 everyday. Is a commute from this location realistic - 30-45 min?

Also, is the commuter rail a viable option if just going to Newton, and not all the way into Boston?

Thanks in advance.

[495neighbor]

Driving would be closer to 45 min to 1 hr depending upon where in Newton you work. Commuter rail is possible if you are working walking distance from Auburndale, West Newton or Newtonville, the three Worcester line stops, all in North Newton along the Pike. Have you checked the MBTA website for the train schedule?

[ogre]

A caveat on the commuter rail is that it's a viable option mainly if your commute to Newton is at typical morning commuting times. After late morning, the service eastbound to Newton is very limited, really almost non-existent. There are trains all through the afternoon and evening on that rail line, but only a couple of them stop at any station in Newton.

It's worth checking the MBTA website (MBTA Commuter Rail > Framingham / Worcester Lines Schedules and Maps) to see whether the train timetables work for you. Even during the morning not all of the eastbound trains stop in Newton, and not all westbound trains stop there in the afternoon. Westbound service and morning eastbound service are frequent enough to make the commute by train workable if you don't mind the possibility of waiting a little while, but the service to Newton is still less frequent at those times than it is in most towns with commuter rail.