Considering move to Boston

Our family is considering a move to Boston for a job opportunity, and  I'm looking for perspective and practical advice.  My husband and I went to grad school in Boston and lived in Cambridge and Somerville at the time (this was about 15 years ago), but I don't have a good sense of what it's like to live there with kids, especially as compared to here.  We have an 8 year old and a 3 year old.  We do have some family in the Boston area and up and down the east coast, so one major plus is being closer to them as well as to some close friends from undergrad and grad school who live in the Boston area.  In contrast, though we've made many connections in our time here, we don't have any family or a deep network of friends.  We're not from the Bay Area but have lived in East Bay and nearby for the past ten years, and love so many things about it - the weather, the outdoor lifestyle, the diversity, the amazing variety and quality of produce we buy every week at Monterey market, camping with our kids in incredibly beautiful locations that are only a 1-2 hour drive away, etc.  Although not totally turned off by the seasonal weather in Boston, I worry about the hassle of snow and cold weather with kids.  I would be working in Back Bay, and my husband most likely in Cambridge or the metro west tech corridor.  Cities like Lexington and Winchester are too expensive and too suburban for us, but Arlington is more in our price range and seems to be more walkable and bike-able.  Anyone in this community who has lived in that area?  I'd love to know about elementary schools, preschools, community, and general culture.  Also, generally, people say Boston is a bit less expensive than living here, but is it really?  Preschools seem much more expensive there, and I imagine utilities are more with heating in the winter.  Housing also still looks pretty expensive to me.  Would love advice!  Thank you.