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We are moving to the area and trying to decide between Cambridge, Somerville or Belmont. This is a work-related move. The office is near Kendall Sq so I can take the red line. We lived in MA about 10 years ago during school, but haven't spent much time there since graduation. Now we are coming back with 2 small kids and a dog.
Cambridge would be great for the commute, but the yard space is minimal for kids, dogs and family space. Somerville offers a little more, but the commute would only work well in certain areas and I'm not sure what life is like closer to the Medford line.
Our price range is ~$1.2m. Less is better...if possible.
Should we consider Arlington?
Thanks everyone!!
We recently sold a house in Arlington. Moved to Cambridge and we love it here. Close to small shops, cafes, fresh pond and whole foods. My husband commutes into Boston. It's a bit of a pain, but we prefer living here vs Arlington. I still like Cambridge more than Somerville, but we often (or did, pre Covid) go to Somerville for the restaurants. I don't like that area as much that I'd want to call it home. It feels more crowded to me. Maybe because of students and commuter traffic. All that said, Arlington is affordable, you should be able to find a great house in that price range. You will want to start looking into private schools. None of those areas have great public schools. Good luck with your move!
We used to live in Somerville (2002-2006). The area has changed a ton in the past 15 years. For the better is the restaurants and residents seem to be more professional giving the area a slightly elevated feel of respect for others. It still gives off that younger college vibe in my opinion. Not sure if that's a con or a pro for you. $1.2 in Somerville or Cambridge is probably a small condo in a multi-fam at this point.
Stay on the Cambridge line or the commute will be a headache. Something near Porter Sq.
We live in Newton now. I don't know much about Belmont but the schools are certainly more highly rated than Somerville. When I drive through Belmont it reminds me a little of Newton, suburban, a village center. Small shops.
I lived in Somerville for 2 years in the early 2000s then again for ~3 years about ten years later. I didn't like it either time. The restaurants are improving, that's a plus. The commute is fairly easy from Porter Sq to Kendall or depending on where in Boston you're going. The rest is the pits. Too much pot, too much traffic congestion, no grassy yards, multi-family housing is essentially the only option if not your house then every neighbor on the block, and not a single easy night of parking from Dec to April.