Arlington, Massachusetts

[Anonymous]

It’s pretty similar to Falls Church City.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It’s pretty similar to Falls Church City.

Um, no, it's not. Not at all.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I lived in Arlington, MA for several years before moving the DC area. The biggest problem with that area is how NOT diverse it is.

If only Massachusetts had embraced slavery like Virginia and Maryland, think of how much more diverse it would be today!

/s

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I get the sarcasm. That said, it had slaves...until 1780-something. Also, the origional inhabitants were there; or should have been.

Sombody said it's more beautiful than ARL va. Yes, yes it is, by a long-shot.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It’s pretty similar to Falls Church City.

Um, no, it's not. Not at all.

And why is it not?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It’s pretty similar to Falls Church City.

Um, no, it's not. Not at all.

And why is it not?

Why? It developed organically over centuries and isn't littered with postwar brick shoebox houses and McMansions and huge highways and strip malls.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think Lowell is now becoming like the chapter version of Arlington, no?

No.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Visited family here and am kind of in love. I am a writer (hobby) and would love to set a mystery/thriller here. There's a very busy high street, tons of lakes and parks, old Victorian houses, a huge hill with views of Boston, and all sorts of weird little indie shops and restaurants.

My question is - anyone know the town well? What is the overall climate/vibe/feel? My relatives whom I visited are elderly and doubtfully plugged into my demographic (parent with young children). It just seems idyllic and sort of like Cabot Cove from Murder, She Wrote.

MA natives or Arlingtonite residents, would love some insights!!!!!

It's very liberal, everyone and their mother has a PhD from Harvard or MIT (but people tend to not brag about it like they do in DC), lots of people are outdoorsy and into biking (it's hard not to be, there are many gorgeous and convenient bike trails there). There is a good spread age-wise from older folks to young families with kids, as well as DINKs who are priced out of Cambridge. Lots of local businesses still thrive in the commercial centers. And it's not completely gentrified/bougie like Newton or Lexington, you still have some old-school New England charm from the townies living in triple deckers. It's not as diverse racially as Cambridge or Somerville but better than Belmont, Lexington, the other expensive suburbs etc.

Glad you liked it here OP. For me, it's paradise and I feel fortunate I can raise my kids here.

We left 10 years ago because the cost of housing/quality of housing stock was so poor (our apt was gross). Honestly, the traffic sucked too. But other than that, its fantastic. We had no yard but there were 7 playgrounds in walking distance including Spy Pond along the bike path. Our neighborhood was full of two family houses, and mixed in terms of old townies and young families (i think it had the oldest age of first time mothers in the state...so "youngish" families) with some DINKS and younger singles living with roommates. We joked that we came from the wrong side of the tracks because my kids' friends' parents were all PhDs. Many were from Europe or Asia, and came over to Harvard or MIT for graduate school and were now in biotech or teaching (at Harvard or MIT!). It was just a nice town.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think Lowell is now becoming like the chapter version of Arlington, no?

No.

I second that no. Arlington has great location, Lowell doesn’t.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I lived in Arlington, MA for several years before moving the DC area. The biggest problem with that area is how NOT diverse it is.

If only Massachusetts had embraced slavery like Virginia and Maryland, think of how much more diverse it would be today!

/s

\

I get the sarcasm. That said, it had slaves...until 1780-something. Also, the origional inhabitants were there; or should have been.

Sombody said it's more beautiful than ARL va. Yes, yes it is, by a long-shot.

What would anyone expect from English settlors. At least they were the first state to judicially abolish slavery stating that slavery was not compatible with the state’s constitution. And it was decades before the civil war.

I lived in North Cambridge for four years and always forgot about Arlington. One thing I know about arlington is they have a lot of kid and family activities.

[Anonymous]

Arlington is a wonderful town - great location, good mix of suburban amenities with downtown feel, friendly people, parks, bike path. Downside ... lots are tiny, houses are expensive and close together.

[Anonymous]

If you are truly interested in writings book set there, go to the website for the local access TV and watch some of the local committee and town meeting meetings. Arlington - like many towns in MA - is run by a Town Meeting which is a large representative body of residents. This group is the one that sets the budget and votes on zoning. Watching these meetings gives you a real flavor of the town, divisive issues (look up MBTA rezoning) and leading figures.

[Anonymous]

Arlington is fabulous but, sadly, most real estate there is sheerly untouchable now. It's a wonderful town!!!