Moving to Boston (Cambridge, Newton, Somerville: appointed, fit in, apartments)

[gohawks83]

My girlfriend and I (both 24 years old) will be moving to Boston next summer and we have a few questions that maybe some of you can tackle. I have a job lined up in Back Bay and my girlfriend will be looking for a job.

We've done quite a bit of browsing on Craig's List in regards to apartments, and we've also looked at some websites of mgmt companies, but for example, one company called me back and freaked me out, wanting me to sign up for their service already (very competitive it seems). Does anyone recommend staying away from Craig's List or working with a certain company? We're realizing that either Allston or Brighton might be nice areas, with students and all. At the same time, we don't to be surrounded by the annoying student who doesn't know how to control the volume of his new Kanye West lp. Can you describe what this area is like? Is it too young for us? We also really like the thought of Cambridge.

Here's a sort of list of things that we would want with our place: close to the T (or bus stop), safe and clean neighborhood (but not the suburbs), $1200-1300/month rent, 1,2 BD, park close by, parking (1 car), not too far from Back Bay (but not downtown), close to some local bars, restaurants.

All in all, we just want to know more about the neighborhoods. We really don't know anybody in Boston and we definitely want to make some friends when we get there. By the way, are there any good websites out there with some photos of neighborhoods in boston? Google earth doesn't quite do the job in terms of close-up photos.

I would really appreciate some advice. I'll probably be posting here again.

Thanks a lot!

[HowGoesIt]

For that price range, I would recommend Brighton. You can get a pretty decent place, with parking, and within walking distance to the green line T for under $1300. There are tons of bars, restaurants, and fun stuff to do in Brighton. Look around Cleveland Circle or Brighton Center.

[adambos]

I echo the above poster. 1300 will not get you into boston proper but it will get you an ok one bed in allston/brighton. You are correct in your assumptions about student population in the area. I have a friend who refers to allston village (hardvard ave and comm ave) as "The student ghetto." Fitting. You will make some quality of life sacrifices in this area, but all in all its fine. Expect rowdy parties, drunken escapades and loud music. There are areas of Brighton that are more working class than student, such as Brighton center and oak Sq. Although not on the T, bus routes go through these areas. it is a bit of a pain commuting on the 57 bus route, however, it is manageable and it will afford you the possibility of saving money as you assimilate into Boston. About Cambridge, it will be more expensive, and 1300 may be pushing it, I would recoment Harvard sq and porter sq. Still Urban, a lot going on and easy access to the city via both subway and bus.

[whinton]

Davis Square is a great area, on the red line subway, and may be more affordable. It is technically in Somerville, but borders Cambridge, and is near Tufts University.

[eevee]

JP is also an option. you can check out places along the orange line (though avoid places near the Jackson Sq. T stop and apts too close to Forest Hills) or near Huntington Ave (you can either catch the #39 bus into Back Bay station or hop on the green line. the #39 however is a slow, painful ride at times so prepare)

[Freebird2007]

Brighton is overpriced and overrun with loud obnoxious college students (I should know, I used to be one of them)


Go out a bit further into Newton or Watertown....their commuter buses make commuting to work a lot easy. Not to mention Newton and Watertown are the safer areas of Boston. Rent will be a bit pricier for about $1200 for a single. Get rid of any previous notions that you may have had about what an apartment should be since you will be sorely disappointed in the selection of apartments in NE. Apartments in homes are very common and building type apartments are considered "luxury"

Areas you might want to avoid as well include any stops along the Orange line and southern Red Line stops in Dorchester. Roxbury, Dorchester, Forest Hills all pop up on bostonherald quite frequently with stories of shootings and murders.

[eevee]

neither Newton or Watertown are in Boston the Oak Sq. section of Brighton isn't that bad and would fit into you budget. It borders Newton and Watertown and is nothing like the Cleveland Circle section of Brighton. the Oak Sq. area is only served by buses, though you could take the bus to Kenmore and hope on the green line to Copley (or, if your employer offers cheap/free parking, just drive).

Dorchester wouldn't work for someone working in the Back Bay unless you lived in Southie and took one of the buses into the Back bay (either the #8, 9, or 10 I believe). otherwise, just avoid Dorchester (for safety and commute reason). the Green, Stony Brook, and Forest Hills stops are ok. well, I'd prbably wouldn't live too close to the Forest Hills stop (though another great place to check out is Roslindale Sq, from which there are several buses that can get you to the orange line is less than 15 minutes), the station itself is safe at normal times (albeit crowded w/ rowdy high schoolers. I wouldn't suggest hanging around there past midnight). the areas of JP around Stony Brook and Green are a mixed bag, so it's best to check w/ the local BPD for crime statistics for that area ( though I don't recall it being that bad)