South Side - Waltham, MA

Settlers came to Waltham and Arlington in the 1600s, but Belmont got its start in 1859. All three communities played important roles in the history of Massachusetts. Waltham, for example, was the site of the first integrated textile mill in the country. Paul Revere rode through Arlington on his famous midnight ride, but the area was called Menotomy at the time. Although these towns started out as agricultural centers, the Industrial Revolution prompted widespread change, modernizing each community.

Waltham Museum features the Waltham Watch Room and a collection of items from the early 1900s. Arlington serves as home to the Cyrus E. Dallin Art Museum, which has a collection of sculptures, paintings and coins. The annual Winter Lights Festival in Belmont showcases the works of local artists, while the Mildred S. Lee Gallery at Brandeis University provides year-round opportunities for learning more about art.

South Side has dozens of restaurants, so you're sure to find something to suit your tastes. Many restaurants serve classic American dishes, but the neighborhood also has eateries featuring Greek, Middle-Eastern, Italian and Japanese cuisine. Waltham, Arlington and Belmont have some of the best restaurants in the area.

Head to Taqueria El Amigo in Waltham for some of the most scrumptious tacos in Massachusetts. The tacos especiales feature your choice of meat and several avocado slices for extra flavor. If avocado isn't your thing, try some authentic enchiladas or burritos. The restaurant doesn't accept credit cards, so be sure to bring cash with you.

The chefs at Guru the Caterer prepare some of the tastiest Indian cuisine in the Boston area. Try the popular chicken tikka masala, or order a vegetarian dish with seasoned rice. Affordable prices and high-quality food make this eatery a South Side favorite.

Belmont serves as home to ANI Catering & Cafe, a restaurant offering Armenian and Middle-Eastern cuisine. Delight your palate with a taste of the chickpea salad or the juicy chicken shawarma, or stick with side dishes such as hummus and pita bread.

South Side doesn't have many nightclubs, but it does have its share of bars and taverns. The Gaff has a wide selection of craft beers and some of the best bar food in the neighborhood. Munch on fried pickles or popcorn while you wait for the server to arrive with your Asiago steak sliders or Asian-style chicken wings.

Stop by the Copper House Tavern for a cocktail or a glass of wine in an inviting atmosphere. The bar has an extensive list of draft beers, plus the menu features steak tips, sweet potato fries and other favorites.

Locals have their choice of entertainment venues. Waltham also serves as home to the Reagle Music Theatre of Greater Boston, a venue featuring concerts and Broadway-style shows.

Many residents of South Side drive their own vehicles, but the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority provides service to downtown Boston and dozens of Boston neighborhoods. Eight different routes serve Waltham, which has an MBTA station on Carter Street. The Belmont Center station at the intersection of Common Street and Concord Avenue gives residents access to three different routes. South Side has several taxi companies, so you shouldn't have any trouble getting a cab. If you need a ride and don't see a cab in your area, call Patriot Taxi of Waltham, The Good Taxi in Arlington or Belmont Taxi Company in Belmont.

Uber and Lyft both operate ride-sharing services in Boston, making it easy to find a ride from Logan International Airport to one of the towns in South Side. Lyft drivers will even take you as far as Quincy or Lowell, so keep this service in mind if you need to travel outside your neighborhood. In Waltham, the Library lot and the Church Street lot have short-term parking meters available. If you need an all-day meter, park at Central Square Parking Deck or the MBTA lot. Arlington has a municipal parking lot right across the street from the Reagle Theatre, and Belmont has parking meters throughout town. Meter parking costs less than $1 per hour.

Most people in Waltham can walk to a coffee shop or restaurant within five minutes, but you need a car to take care of most errands. Arlington has a walk score of 63, making it a little more accommodating to those who prefer to run errands on foot. Belmont is slightly less walkable than Arlington. These suburban communities are fairly safe for cyclists, but be sure to wear reflective clothing at night and pay attention to traffic signals at all times.

South Side residents have convenient access to Interstate 90 into Boston. Waltham sits within a few miles of U.S. 20 and MA-60, and Arlington residents have a short drive to MA-2 and U.S. 3. Belmont is sandwiched between Waltham and Arlington, so it sits just a few miles from all four routes.

South Side residents enjoy using more than a dozen parks in Waltham, Arlington and Belmont. Visit Spy Pond Park to ride your bicycle on the scenic MinuteMan Bikeway, fish for perch and bluegill or watch Canada geese as they migrate through the area. Lowell Field in Waltham is a family-friendly park with dozens of activities for kids and adults. The park features a playground, plenty of wide-open spaces and facilities for basketball, soccer, tennis and softball.

Take your dogs for a run in Beaver Brook Reservation or Robbins Farm Park. Beaver Brook does not officially allow dogs without their leashes, but it's not unusual to see pups frolicking with their owners. Robbins Farm Park has limited off-leash hours. Exercise enthusiasts flock to the Great Meadows and Hurd and Reservoir Fields to hike and ride their bikes. Most parks are free, but you may have to pay a fee to use picnic pavilions, ice skating rinks or public pools.

Visit Menotomy Park in October to participate in the annual Spooky Walk event. Organizers allow participants to set up their own displays near the pond, but it's just as fun to walk around and look at the creepy mummies and frightening jack-o'-lanterns. Many parks also have recreational events, from ice skating to swimming, throughout the year.

With an average rental rate of $2,199 per month, South Side has a slightly lower cost of living than Boston. A one-way ride on the MBTA subway costs $2.65 with cash and $2.10 with a fare card. Using a fare card also grants residents the option of making free bus transfers from any subway line. Monthly passes cost $75, but discounts are available for students and seniors. The price of commuter rail service depends on how many zones you are traveling. The base fare is $2.10 for zone 1A, with fares as high as $11.50 for travel in zone 10. The average gas price sits a little less than 1 percent below the national average, and a domestic beer costs about $3 or $4. Expect to pay more for craft beers and imports.

South Side has a mix of major retailers and hole-in-the-wall shops, making it an ideal place to spend a weekend afternoon. Waltham residents don't have far to go to visit Waltham Plaza Shopping Center. Anchored by Shaws Department Store, the shopping plaza also serves as home to Dressbarn and Panera Bread and specialty stores such as Hair Cuttery.

The Little Fox Shop in East Arlington has baby clothes and nursery furniture on consignment. If you are looking for unique stationery and unusual items, head to Belmont for a visit to Marmalade. While you're in town, pick up some antique jewelry at Fancy That, or try on new clothes at Bessie Blue. Nearby Watertown has the Arsenal Mall, a shopping center with outlet stores for major brands like Gap, Ann Taylor, Charlotte Russe and Old Navy. If you are looking for high-end brands, drive into Boston to visit Copley Place. The shopping center houses Armani Exchange, Burberry, Jimmy Choo, Dior and Louis Vuitton.

South Side residents have their pick of grocery stores, from small stores with just the basics to markets carrying a wide selection of fresh foods. In Waltham, visit Hannaford for all the essentials and Patel Brothers for Indian specialty foods. Christo's Fruit Market in Arlington has fresh produce and Greek specialty items. Arlington residents also have easy access to the natural products at Whole Foods. The Spirited Gourmet and Sophia's Greek Pantry, both of which sell imported foods, are popular grocers in the Belmont area.

Waltham Farmers Market has been connecting vendors with shoppers for more than 20 years. Shop the market for goat's milk, fresh cheese, infused oils, fruit relish and other gourmet foods made by local vendors.