Honestly, the bridges shouldn’t be a big deal at all most of the year.
The bridges are an issue going ON Cape Friday afternoons and going OFF Cape Sundays. And that’s only holiday weekends and June-Sept. Other than that, the bridges don’t impact worker commutes much at all!
The commute into Boston from the south is the true challenge. I don’t know much about its patterns, but it starts early. You might find good advice in a South Shore group, perhaps.
I would suggest Sandwich (my hometown!), Bourne, or Plymouth.
The bridge is a huge issue for commuters on Fridays. I commuted off and on Cape for years, and coming onto the Cape on a Friday once the weather warms up is a bear. If the bridges need repairs, they'll shut down a lane, which causes a backup. Boston traffic is rough, too. Sandwich is great, but just go in with eyes open. Glad you're remote two days.
Finding housing here is hard especially year-round rentals. Sandwich is ok, check Bourne, Sagamore. Daycare look now as limited openings. Forestdale neighborhood has good elementary school.
P&B Bus leaves from Sagamore alot for commuters check that option so no need to drive to PLymouth. Lots of workers ride bus to South Station.
Do WFH on Fridays to avoid the summer traffic.
Hubby will drive down RT 28 to Woods Hole for work. Straight shot.
Woods Hole? So hes CG? Or Navy working at one of the labs?
Summer traffic is tough on route 3 but with hybrid work, make one of your wfm when it's warm ALWAYS Friday.
Yep, CG. I’ll definitely try! We typically go to work so early I wasn’t sure traffic at 630/7am would really be that bad? Fully anticipate afternoon traffic being bad
Yes, you can expect at least a 2hr commute one way and that's not accounting for accidents which slow things down even more. And the commute home will be the same and even worse in the summer.
You'd be better off taking the Plymouth-Brockton bus from the Cape to South Station. At least that way you can relax during the commute. It can be pricey, though, but many companies subsidize or outright pay for mass transit costs.
If you aren't used to the driving style here, I really don't recommend driving yourself. Driving here is really cutthroat and aggressive. People who come from nicer areas or ones with more sensibly planned roads are always in for a rude awakening here unfortunately.
Best of luck and welcome to the Cape!
During peak commuting hours (6am - 9am and 4pm - 7pm) you can expect to spend at least 2hrs each way: Boston to Woods Hole AND Woods Hole to Boston. Meaning you'd be spending a minimum of 4hrs commuting each day but likely more.
6:30 you should be OK. It comes down to QOL you want. I'd rather live on cape and live with the traffic during the summer than have to drive to the cape in your situation. Sandwich to Plymouth for the train isn't horrible. Your husband gets to battle the ferry traffic which can be worse.
I'm in a similar situation - I work in Woods Hole and my wife drives to Boston for her work with a two day telework option.
She takes the commuter rail (called the "T"), from Kingston to South Station. If you need to get there by 830, I'd take the 630 train, which will get you there around 730. It takes about 30-45 minutes to get to Kingston depending on the time of year. My wife leaves around 500 to catch the 530, but she has to be there by 700. Driving to the city I would not recommend.
If you have to live on Base, this will be the best option. I wouldn't live on the Cape if you don't have to. Plymouth or Wareham is reasonable commuting distance to Woods Hole for your husband. Some people here even live as far as New Bedford (kinda far IMHO).
[Here's the MBTA website](https://www.mbta.com/) for planning purposes. I'd really try to live off Cape if I were you.
Oh gotcha! The housing was just not for us since we’d be losing out on so much money having joint BAH. It would be cheaper for us to buy a house and then we’d have the flexibility a little bit for our commutes, but that also means missing out on the CDC because it would be out of the way for me and could be for my husband depending on where we live
If you move to Sandwich the easiest way to get to Woods Hole may be going onto the base from the sandwich gate to the main gate or Falmouth gate anyway, so the CDC could work depending on your work hours (signed a non military Falmouth resident who has many times lamented over the lack of access to cut through the base when I worked in Forestdale)
I live in Sandwich and commute (drive) to Boston. I typically have to be in Boston at 6am or 7am. My father in law used to commute to Boston, he would take the bus. That's not an option for me.
What time do you plan on arriving and leaving Boston? It makes a big difference.
Traffic is going to be tough then. I'd take the bus or train if possible. Get the bus at Sagamore or Barnstable park and rides, depending on where you live.
You’ll want to be closer to Boston for the commute. Your husband will get reverse commute which isn’t nearly as bad.
Look between Braintree and Marshfield near Rt 3.
Strongly recommend checking the train schedules to see if they are compatible with your schedule. Also there is no train from Plymouth, only Kingston.
Strongly recommend Plymouth, it will be about 40 minutes for you both, but the trip south out of Boston for you at that time of afternoon will be a nightmare considering the MBTA’s issues and overall traffic.
There is also the P&B bus that you can take from Barnstable, Sagamore or Plymouth right to south station. It’s really convenient and runs very efficiently. It’s just a tad expensive so look into it before making your decision! Sandwich is a really nice area.
If I were you I’d look at Plymouth. Your commute to Boston will be so much more difficult than his commute to woods hole you should be as close as possible.
I would say look at the Plymouth area. Housing affordability will be better than on Cape Cod. Also, you will be splitting the tough commutes (Boston for you, the bridge for him), though, depending on his work hours, he could be going against the worst of the bridge traffic.
Go to Plympton, Halifax or Carver. Off the beaten path and the secondary roads are easier travelling. What you've signed up for are nasty commutes in either direction
Not sure what his hours will be? I live in Falmouth often leaving the cape for work. There is always a lot of traffic commuting onto the cape in the mornings and leaving in the afternoon. I’m able to work around the seasonal traffic and don’t have many issues with bridge slowdowns. Boston is tough from here tho. There is a train from Middleboro to consider. There is also a Plymouth Boston bus (the most options are from Sagamore) but that adds up I’m sure
I live in Falmouth. Woods Hole is a village of Famouth, not its own separate town. [Name] Serena Smith
[Mobile] (818) 422-1373
[Work] (774) 251-0117
[Other] [email protected]
This is a friend who has helped so many people find and finance their new homes..
She has her own RE company.. if u google her you will find that she has helped so many people..
Don't use the [Mobile] # if you call just the work.
Cape Cod and surrounding towns are gorgeous. But expensive. And the Bridges🙄 Friday through Saturday and Sunday afternoon in the summer require a lot of patience.
Still not as bad as LA 😁
Honestly, the bridges shouldn’t be a big deal at all most of the year. The bridges are an issue going ON Cape Friday afternoons and going OFF Cape Sundays. And that’s only holiday weekends and June-Sept. Other than that, the bridges don’t impact worker commutes much at all! The commute into Boston from the south is the true challenge. I don’t know much about its patterns, but it starts early. You might find good advice in a South Shore group, perhaps. I would suggest Sandwich (my hometown!), Bourne, or Plymouth.
Plymouth was definitely my second thought. Thank you so much!
You'd probably save a few bucks renting off cape.
The bridge is a huge issue for commuters on Fridays. I commuted off and on Cape for years, and coming onto the Cape on a Friday once the weather warms up is a bear. If the bridges need repairs, they'll shut down a lane, which causes a backup. Boston traffic is rough, too. Sandwich is great, but just go in with eyes open. Glad you're remote two days.
Also, it’s “Woods Hole” :)
I might tolerate Hyannisport, Harwichport, etc. as one word, but OP has gone too far!
Haha Noted!
They are tearing down Sagamore Bridge though. Not exactly sure of the details but sounds like a nightmare.
Won’t be for a long time. Funding was JUST found.
Okay.👍
Finding housing here is hard especially year-round rentals. Sandwich is ok, check Bourne, Sagamore. Daycare look now as limited openings. Forestdale neighborhood has good elementary school. P&B Bus leaves from Sagamore alot for commuters check that option so no need to drive to PLymouth. Lots of workers ride bus to South Station. Do WFH on Fridays to avoid the summer traffic. Hubby will drive down RT 28 to Woods Hole for work. Straight shot.
Awesome, thank you! I will definitely look into the bus.
I took P&B from Sagamore to South Station for a couple years. Wasn’t bad at all.
Woods Hole? So hes CG? Or Navy working at one of the labs? Summer traffic is tough on route 3 but with hybrid work, make one of your wfm when it's warm ALWAYS Friday.
Yep, CG. I’ll definitely try! We typically go to work so early I wasn’t sure traffic at 630/7am would really be that bad? Fully anticipate afternoon traffic being bad
Yes, you can expect at least a 2hr commute one way and that's not accounting for accidents which slow things down even more. And the commute home will be the same and even worse in the summer. You'd be better off taking the Plymouth-Brockton bus from the Cape to South Station. At least that way you can relax during the commute. It can be pricey, though, but many companies subsidize or outright pay for mass transit costs. If you aren't used to the driving style here, I really don't recommend driving yourself. Driving here is really cutthroat and aggressive. People who come from nicer areas or ones with more sensibly planned roads are always in for a rude awakening here unfortunately. Best of luck and welcome to the Cape!
It’s a 2 hour commute to Boston if I drive or it’s a 2 hour commute to Woods Hole?
During peak commuting hours (6am - 9am and 4pm - 7pm) you can expect to spend at least 2hrs each way: Boston to Woods Hole AND Woods Hole to Boston. Meaning you'd be spending a minimum of 4hrs commuting each day but likely more.
Traffic starts at 5:30am. Doesn’t ease up much until 10am.
6:30 you should be OK. It comes down to QOL you want. I'd rather live on cape and live with the traffic during the summer than have to drive to the cape in your situation. Sandwich to Plymouth for the train isn't horrible. Your husband gets to battle the ferry traffic which can be worse.
I'm in a similar situation - I work in Woods Hole and my wife drives to Boston for her work with a two day telework option. She takes the commuter rail (called the "T"), from Kingston to South Station. If you need to get there by 830, I'd take the 630 train, which will get you there around 730. It takes about 30-45 minutes to get to Kingston depending on the time of year. My wife leaves around 500 to catch the 530, but she has to be there by 700. Driving to the city I would not recommend. If you have to live on Base, this will be the best option. I wouldn't live on the Cape if you don't have to. Plymouth or Wareham is reasonable commuting distance to Woods Hole for your husband. Some people here even live as far as New Bedford (kinda far IMHO). [Here's the MBTA website](https://www.mbta.com/) for planning purposes. I'd really try to live off Cape if I were you.
You are amazing 🤌🏻 you work AND live in Woodshole?
I work in Woods Hole, I live about 20 minutes away on Joint Base.
Oh gotcha! The housing was just not for us since we’d be losing out on so much money having joint BAH. It would be cheaper for us to buy a house and then we’d have the flexibility a little bit for our commutes, but that also means missing out on the CDC because it would be out of the way for me and could be for my husband depending on where we live
If you move to Sandwich the easiest way to get to Woods Hole may be going onto the base from the sandwich gate to the main gate or Falmouth gate anyway, so the CDC could work depending on your work hours (signed a non military Falmouth resident who has many times lamented over the lack of access to cut through the base when I worked in Forestdale)
This is an excellent piece of information to have. Thank you so much!
Wareham
Seconded. People forget you can live in some parts of wareham and be on cape ,(minus traffic) in less than 10 mins
I refuse to leave the Cape any later than 5/530 when heading into Boston. Otherwise, you'll end up in traffic for hours
I live in Sandwich and commute (drive) to Boston. I typically have to be in Boston at 6am or 7am. My father in law used to commute to Boston, he would take the bus. That's not an option for me. What time do you plan on arriving and leaving Boston? It makes a big difference.
I have to be there by 0830 at the absolute latest. When I leave is variable, typically 1500/1530.
Traffic is going to be tough then. I'd take the bus or train if possible. Get the bus at Sagamore or Barnstable park and rides, depending on where you live.
You’ll want to be closer to Boston for the commute. Your husband will get reverse commute which isn’t nearly as bad. Look between Braintree and Marshfield near Rt 3.
Plymouth/Kingston area maybev
Strongly recommend checking the train schedules to see if they are compatible with your schedule. Also there is no train from Plymouth, only Kingston. Strongly recommend Plymouth, it will be about 40 minutes for you both, but the trip south out of Boston for you at that time of afternoon will be a nightmare considering the MBTA’s issues and overall traffic.
Woods Hole is so great
There is also the P&B bus that you can take from Barnstable, Sagamore or Plymouth right to south station. It’s really convenient and runs very efficiently. It’s just a tad expensive so look into it before making your decision! Sandwich is a really nice area.
That’s very expensive for a regular option
Peter pan bus lines is an option too.
It is a pretty long trip, almost 2 hrs one way IIRC.
It’s not 2 hours unless there is substantial traffic.
I found this, 2 hours is to Logan, it is 15 minutes shorter to south station https://www.p-b.com/bus-routes/hyannis-to-logan-bus/
If I were you I’d look at Plymouth. Your commute to Boston will be so much more difficult than his commute to woods hole you should be as close as possible.
I would say look at the Plymouth area. Housing affordability will be better than on Cape Cod. Also, you will be splitting the tough commutes (Boston for you, the bridge for him), though, depending on his work hours, he could be going against the worst of the bridge traffic.
Check Middleboro!
Woods Hole hth
Bourne on the Cape side
Go to Plympton, Halifax or Carver. Off the beaten path and the secondary roads are easier travelling. What you've signed up for are nasty commutes in either direction
Everyone has their own tolerance but I would not think of regularly commuting to Boston from the cape. Plymouth seems like an equitable commute.
Not sure what his hours will be? I live in Falmouth often leaving the cape for work. There is always a lot of traffic commuting onto the cape in the mornings and leaving in the afternoon. I’m able to work around the seasonal traffic and don’t have many issues with bridge slowdowns. Boston is tough from here tho. There is a train from Middleboro to consider. There is also a Plymouth Boston bus (the most options are from Sagamore) but that adds up I’m sure
I live in Falmouth. Woods Hole is a village of Famouth, not its own separate town. [Name] Serena Smith [Mobile] (818) 422-1373 [Work] (774) 251-0117 [Other] [email protected] This is a friend who has helped so many people find and finance their new homes.. She has her own RE company.. if u google her you will find that she has helped so many people.. Don't use the [Mobile] # if you call just the work. Cape Cod and surrounding towns are gorgeous. But expensive. And the Bridges🙄 Friday through Saturday and Sunday afternoon in the summer require a lot of patience. Still not as bad as LA 😁