I would really like to live in Somerville or Cambridge, because obviously the Boston area is the best place to meet people, but I'm not sure what my (real) commute would be like... as in, with traffic on 495, not the 35 minute mapquest version!!! Any insight would be VERY welcome!!! Thanks!
2007-11-19 09:53:44 · 5 answers · asked by Anonymous in Travel ➔ United States ➔ Boston
Dont listen to mapquest or these people who read Mapquest. Somerville to Lawrence will take you no longer than 20 -25 min. Going North on 93 in the mornings means NO traffic. If you are looking for something closer check out Downtown Haverhill. Lawrence is only a 10 min drive if you hop on 495 South. Loaded with nice little bars and martini spots and you would be paying about 25% less in terms of rent. Just in case you are interested the girl/guy ratio would be in your favor. Haverhill is a happening little city on the up. If you are in Lawrence be sure to check out the Claddagh Pub on Canal St. Great environment where the majority of young professionals hang out for a drink or two after work.
2007-11-22 10:58:34 · answer #1 · answered by Ryan 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
As others have stated, you'll be going against the majority of the traffic. It will still probably take longer than 35 minutes, but not much more. I think 45 would be accurate most times. 495 really isn't that bad at all. Somerville and Cambridge are great places to live, so if you don't mind spending that much a commute, I'd say go for it. Otherwise, you could try closer cities, which will feel more rural, compared to being in the city, like Andover or Tewksbury (don't get me wrong, neither of those are in the country by any stretch of the imagination, it's just not the same thing!)
2007-11-20 07:00:28 · answer #2 · answered by ShouldBeWorking 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Somerville/ Cambridge is a real possibility, given the reverse commute situation. Traffic on 495 is heavy during the commute, and you would be driving toward the sun in the morning from 93, but it's not like you will end up in traffic jams. It also depends where in Cambridge/Somerville you live; getting out of town there may be your biggest challenge.
Remember though, that this is a hike, and driving in the winter is slower and no fun at all when the roads are slippery. If you can take the train, by all means do it.
Lowell is an alternative, and much less expensive, but it's not Cambridge/Somerville culturally by any stretch.
2007-11-19 23:50:12 · answer #3 · answered by rob 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Somerville/Cambridge would be a reverse commute and so not much of a commute problem (unless you are doing night shift). If you drive you would just whip up I-93
But there is also very good train service if you are working (perhaps in one of the old mills conerted into high-tech entrepreneural incubator?) in Lawrence's downtown.
You should also check out Lowell. With a conscious city policy to attract artists the downtown has been rejeuvenated with lots of new galleries, restaurants, clubs, old buildings rehabbed into lots and apartments, etc. There is also a branch of the University of Massachusetts and the Lowell Historic National Park. Lowell also has frequent train service to Boston or is an easy drive by expressway.
2007-11-19 10:48:55 · answer #4 · answered by Châteauguay 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
You would be going the opposite way of most traffic. 495 isn't that bad - I drive from the seacoast to Billerica daily.
Andover/N. Andover would be the towns I'd recommend that are closest to Lawrence, but those are more family type towns.
On the north shore, Newburyport or Portsmouth, NH - but then your driving just as far as you would from Somerville/Cambridge.
2007-11-20 03:04:49 · answer #5 · answered by Fester Frump 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋