Moving back to Boston, where to? (Cambridge, Newton: apartment, loft, condos)

[GodBlesstheUSA]

Born and raised in the MetroWest suburbs. After college I lived on Marlborough and Clarendon in a tiny little loft studio paying $1,000 for a place the size of a closet. Prob the worst apartment in the city, on the nicest street in the city. Moved out to Chicago for work and have been here for three years. Will be moving back in the next 6-12 months. I am 26 and single. I'd like to move back to a place in the city, but a place where I get more space for $. That pretty much rules out North End, Beacon Hill, Back Bay. Green space is nice. Being around people my own age and the opportunity to meet women would be good too. Not a fan of the Allston/Brighton area, too college and fratty for me. Need to be in a place with public transportation. Where to?


JP? Brookline? Cambridge? certain parts of Fenway?

Thanks

[Cantabridgienne]

JP, Cambrdige and Somerville all come to mind, but it really depends how much you want to spend.

[ogre]

Along with Cantabridgienne's suggestions, the South End is another young professional area, though it may be a bit on the high side in terms of housing costs. You might want to check out Southie, which has seen an influx of young professionals in recent years, but may still be un-trendy enough for you to find some more or less reasonable housing costs.

[bostonguy1960]

Southie, as Ogre said. I don't care for it despite all the improvements and its proximity to Castle Island and Carson Beach. Just too griity, dirty and downtrodden in parts.

But this is where many yuppies now live. Just check the bus stop on L Street & East Broadway between 5pm-7pm weekdays. Lots of well-dressed young folks returning from work.

I don't think rents are a bargain, as the neighborhood has already been discovered. Condos in converted industrial spaces around West 2nd and B Streets will be $$, as are new townhouses recently built around there. Many homes are made of wood and old. Seems to be many fires over the years.

Brookline and Cambridge won't necessarily have spacious units. Lots of it seems old and cramped.

Arlington and Belmont are considerations if you don't mind a bus to connect with the subway. Even parts of Southie necessitate that.

Oak Square in Brighton near the Newton line is a possibility.

[GodBlesstheUSA]

Thanks

[shiver]

It really depends on what you're looking to spend. Brookline and Cambridge (near Porter) Somerville (near Davis) will give you more space for your money than Beacon Hill/Back Bay/North End neighborhoods, but it won't be cheap.

I would look into Davis Sq. You have the red line, lots going on in the neighborhood and tons of 20-somethings. You probably know that you'll get a nicer place having a roommate, but even living alone, I think you'll get more bang for your buck than in Cambridge or Brookline.