Commute Between Boston and Worcester (Newton, Fitchburg: home, purchase, living)

[jfarb]

Hi, we are moving from Chicago to Boston and my fiance is set on living downtown (working at Boston Medical Center). I recently got a job in Worcester and was wondering what the commute would be like. How long would it take to reverse commute from boston to worcester? Thanks for any help.

[brightdoglover]

It depends on where you live "downtown."If you live right near the Mass Pike, it's about 60 miles straight to Worcester, against traffic. Most of your time could be spent getting in and out of the cities. (And remember that living anywhere downtown requires having parking, which can be very pricey.)

[DreamworksSKG]

Why not just take the commuter rail from Worcester if in E,S,or W of Worcester, or perhaps from Fitchburg if north of Worcester, into Boston?

There's free wifi on trains for if you need to get work done, or you could just doze.- or enjoy b-fast or a cup of coffee, read a newspaper and not have to worry about the hassle of bosotn traffic, worcester to Boston even reverse commute is not fun. Plus with all the Mass pike toll issues it'd probably be better to commute by train

North of Worcester you might consider Fitchburg line
South E or W of Worcester might do Worcester line into South Station
Fitchburg line would be into North Station

From the Worcester Line to South Station you could hook up with the RED LINE and go to CHARLES MGH Stop on the red line
as South Station is on the Red line

from the North Station you could get on either the Green Line and go to Park St. (connect to Alewife Train 1 stop to Charles MGH) , or the Orange Line to Downtown Crossing - and take the Alewife Train 2 stops to Charles MGH
whichever train comes first. (they are on the same platform)

Hope this helps

Also some businesses provide "T" passes for commuter rail,subway,bus for their commuters, ask at work ...
or you can purchase a monthly pass from the "T"

[missionhill]

40 miles to Worcester as the crow flies (and on the Worcester Turnpike) and a few more if using Mass Pike.

[MichelleLane]

That would be a tough commute for you. I live in Newton, MA about 20 minutes West of Boston. From where I live, it takes me 45-50 mins to get to downtown Worcester. And that is not during rush hour.

You should SERIOUSLY consider moving somewhere between the two. As mentioned, the parking in Boston is expensive. You will have to pay tolls to take the Turnpike every day. Where downtown Boston are you thinking? It can take a while to get out of certain sections, which will add alot to your commute. What is it that he hopes for in lifestyle by living downtown?

[bcandy]

I am considering doing the same commute. Did you ever figure out the best place to live in Boston that would make the commute feasible by train?

[DreamworksSKG]

Do NOT, I repeat DO NOT drive from Worcester to Boston. It will drive you insane.---in less than 2 years.

If you do commute from Boston-Worcester, do it via commuter rail.

trust me you'll be thanking me in 2 years

[DreamworksSKG]

I would say get a home near the Fitchburg or Worcester line

Hmm - you could maybe get a home near or on the Worcester line and commute both ways, you going outbound to Worcester in the AM , your significant other going inbound to Boston in the AM

Dont know how frequent the worcester trains would be in the AM tho outbound

then again you could commute into Boston on the Fitchburg line and drive into Worcester from there via 290 ,495 and/or 190