Visiting (and possible relocate to) Boston, MA

[turtherlips]

I will have to "experience" the Stoneham-Cambridge commute on Monday, as you've suggested.  I am more worried about my wife as she will be doing most of the commuting...  There is a chance I would work out of an office in Walthem.  Any thoughts on Walthem and Belmont area?

I was born in the area and have never left. I have a reverse commute, fortunately. I live close to the city and work north of the city. I'll give you my $0.02

Waltham is a great place to start if you're going to rent. It's close enough to everything so it's very convenient. Commuting from there will give you an appreciation of commuting distance/traffic/time. The burbs outside the city between route 2 and 90 are the priciest, but the nicest. Weston, Wayland, Sudbury, Stow etc. A 30 mile commute is fairly common for people who work in the city.

I currently live (rent) in Arlington. It's a great mix of city/burbs. I can walk to the T, or hop on the highway and get out of the city whenever I need to. It's far enough outside the city where I don't run into a lot of traffic when commuting to/from work. My fiance and I are currently home shopping and it's quite frustrating how far outside the city we're looking in order to be able to afford a place with a yard, garage and more than 2 bedrooms 

Cambridge is awesome, tons of stuff to do. The food capital of Boston (IMHO) is Inman square, Cambridge. It's a little off the beaten path, but it's worth it. There are 10-20 great locally owned restaurants all on one street. They have everything from salsa dancing to brazillian bbq. The East Coast Grill is phenomenal and my personal favorite.

PM me if you want any more info!

[caboteria]

My town is known for it's wonderful beaches and nice people. 

And most important: Ipswich Ale.   

[gage]

And most important: Ipswich Ale.   

BTW the Ipswich Ale Brew Pub is almost done!

I always wanted to organize a ride to Myopia for a POLO viewing and then on to the pub for burgers

[triangleforge]

I've only visited Boston for work, but like it quite a lot -- and getting to Cambridge must be pretty easy, because every time I try to drive ANYWHERE in Boston I seem to end up funneled across the river by a series of one way streets & other incomprehensible traffic patterns...

[gage]

She is interviewing with Pfizer.  *Fingers crossed*  I will circle Ipwich on the map and check it out.  People at work have suggested the neighborhoods south and southwest of Cambridge, within the hwy 128 corridor

Excellent, Pfizer is a good company and just bought one of my largest clients Merck. Like I said I live in Ipswich now and it takes about 45 minutes for me to get into the Kendall Sqaure area. I like to go either before or after the morning rush though.

[Popeye the Sailor]

I've only visited Boston for work, but like it quite a lot -- and getting to Cambridge must be pretty easy, because every time I try to drive ANYWHERE in Boston I seem to end up funneled across the river by a series of one way streets & other incomprehensible traffic patterns...

This is why I tell people not to drive in Boston. It's not laid out in any way, shape or form.

[Charlief]

BTW the Ipswich Ale Brew Pub is almost done!

I always wanted to organize a ride to Myopia for a POLO viewing and then on to the pub for burgers

the brew pub is coming along nicely. Going to be a great addition to the town.

[Goat_Herder]

Thanks all for the feedbacks!  I really appreciate it.  I feel I have a good start point to research housing/commuting options. 

charlief and turtherlips -
Thanks for the suggestions on where to look.  Basically the suburbs W and NW of Boston, within the 128 corridor.  I have had multiple people mention Ipswich and it does sound great.  It will likely have the closest feel to what I am used to here in the PacNW.  But the commute seems pretty horrible...  I think I will start at Belmont and move upward.  We would prefer to rent a 2 bedroom house with a small yard and a garage (detached ok).  Would we have to go further out of city to find that?

gage-
You said your commute from Ipswich is about 45 mins, is that during rush hour or before/after rush?  How convienent is transit from where you live?

From what I've gathered, massive transit will probaby be the best way for the Wife to get in and out of Cambridge.  I've heard very nice things about Cambridge but I can't really see myself paying $2400 a month for a 2 bedroom...

Appreciate all the comments.  KEEP IT COMING!

[angler]

If you are an asshole you'll love it!   

Kidding, kidding. 

My GF is from central MA and we visit up there frequently.  Will being hanging out at the lake in Leominster a lot this summer.  You'll probably want to go to a Masshole driving school, just to get the feel for the way people drive. 

Don't really have anything helpful to say, just love to poke at Massholes.

[gage]

gage-
You said your commute from Ipswich is about 45 mins, is that during rush hour or before/after rush?  How convienent is transit from where you live?

From what I've gathered, massive transit will probaby be the best way for the Wife to get in and out of Cambridge.  I've heard very nice things about Cambridge but I can't really see myself paying $2400 a month for a 2 bedroom...

Cambridge is kind of tough to get to via public transit - Ipswich and a lot of other towns have a commuter rail which runs into North Station where you would need to get on the red line in order to get over to cambridge.

It takes me 45 minutes just before rush hour and about an hour + during the rush.

You may also want to look at Swampscott. I'm the type of person that NEEDS to be near the ocean and can't stand being land locked so my recomendations are in that vain.
Check out the MBTA Map if public transit is important... Like I said you'll want to get on the red line.

http://www.mbta.com/schedules_and_maps/rail/

[ducpainter]

Boston would be nicer...

if it was in NH.

[herm]

This is why I tell people not to drive in Boston. It's not laid out in any way, shape or form.

first of all, boston is laid out just fine...but the only thing that was supposed to be driven there was cattle.

life- incredible town. deep sense of history, lot of fun
weather- not so great
housing- expensive
people- have you ever heard the term "masshole"...iginally coined to refer to bostonians
traffic- um,..not as bad as LA

My dad worked in Boston for 20 years, while living on the North Shore (up in gage and Charlies neck of the woods.) a 30 mile commute translates into about an hour of driving. However, there is ALL KINDS of public transportation.

look for a place near or outside the 495 corridor if you want a less urban neighborhood.

[caboteria]

BTW the Ipswich Ale Brew Pub is almost done!

I always wanted to organize a ride to Myopia for a POLO viewing and then on to the pub for burgers

I've seen polo and don't need to see it again, but let me know when you're going and I'll meet you at the Pub!   

I'll probably be on 4 wheels though, so I can have an ale or two...

Cambridge is kind of tough to get to via public transit - Ipswich and a lot of other towns have a commuter rail which runs into North Station where you would need to get on the red line in order to get over to cambridge.

Depending on where in Kendall Square your office is, you might be able to take the green line trolley from North Station to Lechmere and walk from there.  Changing trains is a drag - I used to walk from Kendall to Community College in Charlestown so I could catch the Orange line.

[faolan01]

Somerville might be an option. Access to the Red Line which brings you right into Cambridge. Also, anywhere with easy access to Rt. 2, which brings you to Alewife station might work (plus Rt.2 turns into a great riding road when you head far enough west on it  )

[Goat_Herder]

Thanks all for all the feedbacks.  You guys have been awesome.  The Wife and I will be leaving for Boston on Saturday.  The next time I check back on the board, we will be in Beantown.  We will definitely devote a couple of days to drive around town sightseeing and checking out various neighborhoods.

WISH US LUCK!