Boston - Relocation, Transit, Schools, Income Taxes (Cambridge, Newton: real estate, apartment complexes)

[GA777]

Hi Everyone,

I am considering on relocating to Boston, MA and I would like to receive your advice regarding the:

Transit system - am I able to live in the city without a car?

Schools - How are the schools in the city? How do they rank from all other states?

Income Tax - What is the % for income tax?

Tax Incentives - Does the city offer tax incentives if you purchase a historical home and/or update it with eco friendly technologies?

Rental Cost - Cost to rent a 2 bedroom/2 bath apartment, condo/loft, home?

Areas to Live in the city - easy walking commute to and from, stores, restaurants, affordable housing, etc..

I hope some one out there who is already living in the city is able to help me with these important questions.

In advance, thank you and I appreciate all of your help, assistance, and your informative knowledge!!!

[smarty]

Originally Posted by GA777

Transit system - am I able to live in the city without a car?

Yes. You do not want a car in the city. $1000+ for insurance a year.

Schools - How are the schools in the city? How do they rank from all other states?

In gerenal city schools are bad. However, there are examination schools which is top notch if your kid is smart and able to get in.

Income Tax - What is the % for income tax?

5.25%

Tax Incentives - Does the city offer tax incentives if you purchase a historical home and/or update it with eco friendly technologies?

Don't know. I would not suggest you touch them as they could cost millions to renovate. You need probably 16 different boards to approve your plan.

Rental Cost - Cost to rent a 2 bedroom/2 bath apartment, condo/loft, home?

Starts around $1500.

Areas to Live in the city - easy walking commute to and from, stores, restaurants, affordable housing, etc..

Too many to mention. However, the key word is "affordable". Please define.

[GA777]

Originally Posted by smarty

Yes. You do not want a car in the city. $1000+ for insurance a year.

In gerenal city schools are bad. However, there are examination schools which is top notch if your kid is smart and able to get in.

5.25%

Don't know. I would not suggest you touch them as they could cost millions to renovate. You need probably 16 different boards to approve your plan.

Starts around $1500.

Too many to mention. However, the key word is "affordable". Please define.

What I meant by "affordable" is rent between $1500-2000. A neighborhood where it's easy to commute by walking to stores, restaurants, coffee shops, theatre, schools - an eclectic neighborhood with diversity but still safe and comfortable to live in.

Do you know of that type of neighborhood I am trying to locate?

Thanks!

[eevee]

well, all the regular Boston Public schools are pretty bad. like the other poster said, you'd better pray your child/future child tests into one of the exam schools, b/c those may be their only chances of getting a decent education in the city of Boston w/o paying through the nose for private schools (I know little about the charter schools, so can't comment on those)

a 2bed/2bath is very hard to find outside of large apartment complexes, and rent for those places will be about $1400+ for what you're asking for in the cheapest of neighborhoods

no, you don't need a car if you live in the city, just be aware that the T stops early, like around 1am, there's no over night transit like "night owl" buses, and commuter rail service to the suburbs isn't that great. best bet is to sign up for a service like Zip Cars so you can borrow a car when you need one

I honestly can't think of a single neighborhood where you can get everything you've asked for (a 2bed/2bath in a eclectic diverse neighborhood w/ access to all these businesses etc). if the 2bed/2bath thing isn't set in stone, and if you don't mind living in Cambridge (just over the bridge from Boston), the area around Harvard/Porter Sq/Davis Sq would work. for areas in Boston, maybe check out the North End, South End, and the Back Bay/Theatre District area, though you won't find every single thing you want in any of these areas

[chemteacher]

Many of the rentals here in Boston are quite old and it may be difficult to find the second bathroom in the $1500-$2000 range.
While it is possible to get around Boston without a car, there are neighborhoods that are difficult to get to/around in without a car (West Roxbury, Roslindale, Hyde Park-only buses no subway). It also takes a long time to travel through Boston so you may want to live near your job. Boston looks small on a map but don't let that fool you. Someone told me that before I moved here and I didn't believe them until I got here.
I live in JP and work in Brighton. My drive to work is about 20 minutes but it takes a good hour (at least) if I take the T because I have to go all the way into the city on the Orange line and then all the way out on the green line (and then walk a few blocks).

[GA777]

Originally Posted by chemteacher

Many of the rentals here in Boston are quite old and it may be difficult to find the second bathroom in the $1500-$2000 range.
While it is possible to get around Boston without a car, there are neighborhoods that are difficult to get to/around in without a car (West Roxbury, Roslindale, Hyde Park-only buses no subway). It also takes a long time to travel through Boston so you may want to live near your job. Boston looks small on a map but don't let that fool you. Someone told me that before I moved here and I didn't believe them until I got here.
I live in JP and work in Brighton. My drive to work is about 20 minutes but it takes a good hour (at least) if I take the T because I have to go all the way into the city on the Orange line and then all the way out on the green line (and then walk a few blocks).

Thanks for the information. I am going to visit the city this August to view the area, rentals, and real estate.

Are the car insurance and DMV fees costly? Approximately how much?

Greatly appreciate your input.

[Stockholmaren]

Originally Posted by GA777

Thanks for the information. I am going to visit the city this August to view the area, rentals, and real estate.

Are the car insurance and DMV fees costly? Approximately how much?

Greatly appreciate your input.

It doesn't seem to be too bad. I just transferred my car insurance from OH to MA and it went from $762 to $868 so not a big difference. I'm not sure, but it might be higher in Boston proper (I'll be in Newton).

The Registry (DMV in most other states) fees aren't that bad, but you need to understand the MA requirements. You will need to have a local insurance agent complete the RMV1 form, then take it to the Registry to get plates and registration. After that you also have to get a vehicle inspection. You can review all of the fees at:

RMV - Schedule of Fees

[Stockholmaren]

I forgot to mention, there is also an annual excise tax that you will have to pay. Depending on the car you have, this may be fairly expensive since it's $25 for each $1,000 (value of the car). There is a depreciation schedule though, and you can read more about it here:

Assessing - City of Boston (broken link)

[GA777]

Originally Posted by Stockholmaren

I forgot to mention, there is also an annual excise tax that you will have to pay. Depending on the car you have, this may be fairly expensive since it's $25 for each $1,000 (value of the car). There is a depreciation schedule though, and you can read more about it here:

Assessing - City of Boston (broken link)

Thanks for the info regarding the car fees in Boston.

I truly prefer to live in a city without having a car. Car fees & maintenance cost really adds up as time passes. I've had a car since I have been living here in CA and the cost is high on a yearly basis. I prefer to use that money on investments that would generate income not an expense. So, I am really interested in a city that I can easily commute every where either by walking, transit systems, taxi. The same concept as New York City but less expensive.

Do you have any recommendations?

Thanks again!

[Hatless Wonder]

You may want to check out Zipcar or U-Haul Car Share. Both offer vehicle rentals by the hour. They pay for insurance and gas. The cars have commercial (business) license plates, so you can park in any "residents only" parking area.