Young Family of 3 Moving to Boston (Cambridge, Newton: apartments, rental, lofts)

[fabexplorer]

Hello!

I'm checking in to see if there any kind of helpful tips, feedback, warnings or so on our upcoming relocation to Boston this upcoming spring.

We're a young family of three, I and my husband just had our daughter last January. We are currently living abroad in Vienna (Austria) which is where my husband hails from. We are in our 25's. We're basically your modern day parents which are: young, urban, inked, has traveled the world, and vegetarians.

I have been doing a lot of research on Boston. A lot. I have learned a bit about the neighborhoods/Greater Boston.. As a young family, we would like to live in a nice neighborhood where it's still urban, cozy, and family-safe. We certainly are frustrated with the apartment search, as we do not want a roommate.

Our considerable budget would be a maximum of $1,000/month. We prefer lofts or single family house (if possible) within the Boston city limits.

I would appreciate it if you could give me some tips on which neighborhood to look out. I have checked Cambridge and Somerville, but they are still rather expensive. Is Chelsea or Brookline or Newton a good place to start? We are not worrying about good schools as our daughter is still an infant. We do not need a car either.

It would be much appreciated. Thanks!

[Bruins_Fan]

You should check rents on Craigslist. $1,000 (2 bedrooms for you and your child?) per month might be tough anywhere decent.

[gf2020]

You're not going to find a loft or a single family house within the Boston city limits for $1000 per month.

[beth98]

$1000 dollars isn't going to get you very far in Boston. I know people who struggled to find a studio in that price range. Are you certain you are converting to dollars correctly and accounting for any pay differences if you move?

The bulk of rental housing in Boston comes in the form of 2, 3 or more family units. Lofts and SFHs are not common. Lofts tend to be newly redone and expensive and single family homes are typically owner occupied and only exist in more suburaban parts of Boston, like West Roxbury or Hyde Park, but I'm guessing when you think of Boston those areas are not what you have in mind and I don't think you would be able to live there without a car.

Putting price aside for a minute, Brookline, Cambridge and Somerville (none of which are techinically Boston proper) all have what you are looking for. I'd add Jamaica Plain to that list, which is in Boston. Newton is a possibility but keep in mind there are not a ton of areas in Newton that are feasible without a car.

If your budget really is $1000, I'd consider looking at 1 bedrooms and seeing if you could find one that would work for a young family of three.

[BROUNSOUND]

One thing you need to keep in mind is to find a "de-leaded" apartment. My family (like yours, mid 20's with a 1 year old) had a hell of a time finding a place. I think we got VERY lucky, 1300 3br with a yard, dogs and cats ok, in southie. It was the most stressful house hunt I have ever been through. It also was a challenge being from out of state.

My advice is dont waist your time with brokers. They are not worth what you pay them.

If you find a place in your price range JUMP ON IT. The market moves so fast it could be gone in hours.

Craigslist is your best bet. I like dealing with by-owner apartments, less headache and expence(normaly)

I also found that East Boston seams to have the most bang for your buck in boston, while still being a nice enough hood.

I would be glad to help, if I can, as I just went through it.