Help Please....where to go? (Boston, Cambridge: relocation, real estate, housing)

[Leaving Canada]

My wife and I are moving from Toronto to Boston on very short notice (6 weeks). I have absolutely no idea where to start looking. We're in our late 20's w/ no kids. I'm getting many mixed messages as to a 'cool' place to live. We want to be on the T w/ direct access to the financial district.
Places I've heard:
-Bay Bay (apparently the artsy part of town)
-Beacon Hill
-Brookline
what about Seaport? apparently there's lots of nice condos w/ a view now in this area? is it a good spot?

we want to have all the modern amenities...dishwasher, a/c, etc. Is $2000-2500/month possible?
We want to be in an area where we can walk to restaurants, cafe's, grocery stores and walk to the T. Is there such a place, or am I dreaming.

As well, I need help w/ info on opening bank accounts, getting settled, etc.
If anyone has any insight on how this can be done in 6 weeks, who to call, where to live, etc...I would be indebted to you.

Thanks for helping out.

[MagicTouch]

How about Cambridge, your both young and that may be a place for you. You can walk to the places that you mentioned.

As far as banks are concerned I have a preference to Washington Mutual. You can open an account on-line ... I would definitely avoid Bank of America.

For rentals your price range is very doable, have you checked craigslist.com and rent.com.

You appear to be moving from Canada to the US, and I don't know anything about moving to the US from out of the country.

You'll need to be more specific on what you need to know ...
I'm moving in 2 weeks, so I know the stress involved.

Best Wishes to you and your wife on your move !!!!

[Leaving Canada]

Thanks for the reply. I've been told Cambridge is just too much of a college town. I'm not sure where you're moving from, but I'm looking for the Greenwich Village of NY, or the Santa Monica of LA. Something that will have nice condos (or I guess brownstones w/ modern amenities) but is less than 20 mins to the financial district.

Are you living in Boston now? I'm looking for a relocation service. Do you know of any. One that might assist me w/ short term corporate housing, as well as assistance with rental properties, moving, etc..

Thanks again for your help

[MagicTouch]

I was thinking of cambridgeport, I don't know of any brownstones w/modern amenities. This is a reason that I have chosen to live in a new complex in Bedford, MA. I have a "luxury" apt, with all of the modern amenities to include W/D in unit. Bedford in not an area for young professionals


Here is why I was thinking of Cambridgeport, from another thread:


its pricy, but cambridgeport - that is, the part of cambridge south of mass ave to the charles river - by central square, loads of public transport, being able to walk everywhere in my neighborhood or jog along the river. there are a lot of late 20s folks here, but the harvard/mit undergrads do then to take over SOME of the bars on the weekends.

warning - a parking space is a MUST in cambridge. i pay a lot for that privelege, but it makes having a car there so much easier.

other areas: South End (bit of a euro feel and right near the commuter rail to framingham), Jamaica Plain (more of a trek to the pike, but nice sociality there). If you dont mind fighting your way to the pike in the morning, Inman square area is less expensie than cambridge (its across the cambridge border in somerville), more of a neighborhoody area, but be sure you get on the side closer to the south/mass ave direction.


I was trying to find another thread in here that had information for relocation from out of the Country, they were moving from Germany. Here is what I got from that post:

The best way to find people experienced in identifying appropriate rental properties would be to contact a realtor in Boston. You could identify those who work in the areas that interest you on realtor.com.

[smarty]

Are you looking for long term or short term rental? Do you need the place furnished? If you are looking for luxury or furnished apartment... $2500 may be on the low side. Key is expectations. Shouldn't your company send you to a relocation specialist?

Here's a website with a good list of apartments.
Boston apartment listings, Boston apartment rentals


Open a bank account:
Two forms of photo identification are required when opening an account in a banking center. The following is a list of acceptable identification:

Valid driver's license with photo from the United States, American Samoa, Canada, Guam, Mexico, Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, or the US Virgin Islands
Valid driver's permit (temporary or beginner's) from any state with photo
Any valid state issued ID with photo
United States, state, local government or United States Armed Services issued identification card with photo
Military ID Common Access Card (CAC) with photo
United States passport with photo
Visa or MasterCard with photo
Check Card with photo
Certificate of Canadian Citizenship Card with photo
Foreign passport with photo
Nonimmigrant Visa and Border Crossing Card (DSP-150) with photo
Guatemalan Consular ID with photo
Employment Authorization Card issued by the INS (Form I-766) with photo
Mexican Consular ID (also known as Matricular Consular Card) with photo.

How long will you be staying?
If you are working more than 1 year, I think you are suppose get a visa.

[Leaving Canada]

I will have a valid work visa upon arrival. What do people know about the Seaport area. The views look fantastic, and there's lots of new condos. Is it safe? Is it on the T line? Can I get to the financial district easily?

What's the main differences b/w Back Bay and Beacon Hill, Chestnut Hill and Brookline? I'm guessing the closer to work (financial) the better? Where should I be.

I'm going this weekend to Boston to check out the city, areas, etc.. Any advise on where to start?

[smarty]

You're probably in Boston already...

In any case, Chestnut hill and Brookline is a little further out. Probably an extra 15-25 minutes if use public transportation(street car/subway). It depends on where you live.

Backbay and Beacon Hill is similar (both expensive). However, they have different character. You really have to look to understand. I suggest making an appointment with a real estate agent to maximize your time.

Seaport is currently being developed. In general Boston is safe (especially during daylight hours.)
Here's a crime map... just click on downtown.
Boston Crime