Should a 23 year old girl live near Fields Corner? (Somerville: HOA, new house)

[anitajones]

Hi everyone! *waves*

I've been looking high and low for a convenient place that I can afford on a tight budget. Recently I found a really really sweet deal, cheap, new house, new everything, close to a big Asian market (I'm Asian so it's a huge deal). The only problem is it's on Leroy St in Dorchester, near Fields Corner and Geneva Ave, and I've heard both are places to avoid. So...my questions.

As an Asian girl who most definitely don't have any ties to the underworld, do I have to fear shootings and stabbings living there?

What are the chances of other bad stuff happening, robberies, rape, theft, house break-ins?

I admin I'm pretty excited about living here, and am trying to convince myself that it's not as dangerous as it sounds. Looking forward to your thoughts

[snatale1]

It's a hole, stay away unless you have NO other choice. You probably wouldn't get shot or anything but it's a terrible area.

[xS☺B☺s]

If ya don't mind ghetto life, you'll be fine.

[dotgirl]

Fields Corner is a changing place. Hopefully you will find it safe. Best to talk to folks who actually live right there. There is a 12-person housing cooperative on Leroy called Seedpod. The neighborhood association, which is very active, is called Five Streets.

[Crane's Rooster]

You should consider Allston/Brighton. Much safer student area that's reasonably priced and there is large Asian Supermarket (Super 88) right off the T at Packard's corner. I lived there years ago when I was in school and it was a good convenient area. The Super 88 has a food court in the front for days you don't want to cook. Pho Hoa is few blocks down also a Shaw's near Super 88.

[NotAPrincess]

Originally Posted by Crane's Rooster

You should consider Allston/Brighton. Much safer student area that's reasonably priced and there is large Asian Supermarket (Super 88) right off the T at Packard's corner. I lived there years ago when I was in school and it was a good convenient area. The Super 88 has a food court in the front for days you don't want to cook. Pho Hoa is few blocks down also a Shaw's near Super 88.

I was thinking the exact same thing, though Super 88 was bought out by a different asian grocery so it has a different name now I think.

Union Square in Somerville also has a great asian grocery (Reliable Market) and the prices in Union Square are a bit cheaper than in some other parts of Somerville.

[anitajones]

Hi everyone, thanks for chiming in! I'm visiting the place tomorrow and planning on asking people to live there for the lowdown. Thinking of knocking on Seedpod's door and hope they're friendly enough to answer my questions


Allston/Brighton is out because I need to be close to the Red Line for work. I'm keeping an eye out for places in Union Sq as well, although it's not particularly accessible to Kendall Sq where I work either. Btw, Reliable Market is an odd Asian market. Their stuff is overwhelmingly Korean, their produce selection is surprisingly limited for an Asian market (last I checked, they didn't even have dill!), and they're kind of pricey. If you've been shopping there, check out the handful of Indian grocery stores around Market Basket as well.

[missionhill]

Isn't there a sizable Asian community in Fields Corner? Vietnamese, I think. Anyway, there are a number of Vietnamese shops in the area.

[NotAPrincess]

I'm surprised you don't find union square accessible to Kendall? There are two direct bus lines (the 85 and the CT2). Plus, it's only a mile, so you could walk if you wanted.

[Cantabridgienne]

Not to mention there's the 87 that goes to Lechmere, which isn't a far walk to Kendall.