What is the Cheapest Neighborhood/town within a 30 minute walk to the financial district? (Boston: apartment, to rent)

[massnative71]

Originally Posted by eevee

Hmmm, is it possible to walk to downtown Boston from East Boston?

No, either drive (tunnel) or ride (T/water taxi).

I believe Eastie and Southie residents still get a discount on the toll (but with the way this state is going that could have changed).

Fenway/Mission Hill are pushing the 30 min. mark. Southie is very expensive. The cheaper stuff is probably around the D St. area. I would NOT live there. It is worse than ever (talking random stuff).

Personally if I worked in the Financial District on a budget, I would look to live in Quincy, Braintree or Medford. Less crowded and much easier if you have a car. To insure your car in one of those places will likely be half of what you would pay in inner Boston. While in most of Eastie you can find street parking, it can still get messy (and the insurance!). Get some quotes before you settle on anything.

You have to decide whether it's really worth the extra costs and pain of living closer or if it might be worth just sucking it up and riding the T. The Quincy/Braintree Red Line branch is nothing like the Green Line, much more civilized.

And sobo16 made a good point about the ferry. It goes to Hull, Quincy and Hingham which they have monthly passes for. I've taken it a few times, that commute is a dream.

[jeffreyhayes]

To answer the OP's question directly (30min walk to financial district), the *cheapest* is East Boston. Obviously, you have to take the Blue Line so you can't walk all the way, but you can walk part of the way, and you'll actually be in the financial district in UNDER half an hour.

For pure walking, I suggest Southie or the North End. As people have said, Southie is getting more and more expensive. But every now and then I see a North End listing for an old, old studio for $1000-1200 thereabouts, definitely cheaper than anything Back Bay or South End given the proximity to downtown. By the way, walking from the North End to the financial district is a breeze, and also a beautiful walk indeed. But to conclude on another point: Southie would be better for your dog and car than the North End would.

I guess I'm just confused because OP wants several contradictory things. OP wants to walk but are you including winter months??? If so then go to East Boston since it allows you best of both worlds (Blue Line will save you during the snow). OP also wants to walk but has a car??? I just don't understand.

[bjimmy24]

Originally Posted by jeffreyhayes

OP also wants to walk but has a car??? I just don't understand.

Exercise!

[495neighbor]

Originally Posted by massnative71

No, either drive (tunnel) or ride (T/water taxi).

I believe Eastie and Southie residents still get a discount on the toll (but with the way this state is going that could have changed).

Fenway/Mission Hill are pushing the 30 min. mark. Southie is very expensive. The cheaper stuff is probably around the D St. area. I would NOT live there. It is worse than ever (talking random stuff).

Personally if I worked in the Financial District on a budget, I would look to live in Quincy, Braintree or Medford. Less crowded and much easier if you have a car. To insure your car in one of those places will likely be half of what you would pay in inner Boston. While in most of Eastie you can find street parking, it can still get messy (and the insurance!). Get some quotes before you settle on anything.

You have to decide whether it's really worth the extra costs and pain of living closer or if it might be worth just sucking it up and riding the T. The Quincy/Braintree Red Line branch is nothing like the Green Line, much more civilized.

And sobo16 made a good point about the ferry. It goes to Hull, Quincy and Hingham which they have monthly passes for. I've taken it a few times, that commute is a dream.

Good advice for the OP and any of the rest of us who might be interested in these areas in the future.

[bostonguy1960]

Craigslist has had basic studios in recent years on Cortes St. near/in Bay Village. Overlooks the Pike and orange line and commuter rail if you enjoy noise. Also under a flight takeoff path.

St. Botolph St. is very nice. Lived in a studio there for five years back in 1985 when affordable. As of 2 years ago, CL would have a basic studio for around $1100. Great area.

Do a word search on CL for these.

The East Fens around St. Stephens, Gsinsborough, Hemenway, Burbank and Symphony is expensive now but could be doable.

Quincy, definitely! Can't walk, though! More young professionals moving in, but most people are working class and midde class overall. Lots of Chinese and now some from India.

Talked to someone this week paying $1670 for a 1 BR in the West Fens in an old building. No AC or parking.

Chicago is so more affordable for studios. Are they laughing at us?

[eevee]

Originally Posted by JacksonPanther

Why can't you guys just answer the OPs question, instead of telling him to take the T when he said he doesn't want to?

I got on google maps and mentally drew a 2-mile circle around the financial district. Cheapest areas will be Charlestown and South Boston, although you might luck into an affordable dump in the South End or Bay Village. In theory you could even walk from a few areas of Cambridge, but those areas won't be cheap. Eastie would be good but it's not walkable, so take it off the list.

Any affordable dumps in the North End?

OP is a woman. Also, within a two mile radius, East Boston IS the cheapest place, just not practical. Honestly, I think the OP would be better off either dealing with the T or live with a roommate. IIRC and no offense meant, I think the OP sometimes dreams of a champagne life on a beer budget, so to speak. I'm not 100% sure the OP can find something that fits her wants and possible budget.

[eevee]

Originally Posted by bostonguy1960

Chicago is so more affordable for studios. Are they laughing at us?

Nope, not really. A lot of those super affordable studios are far from the Loop or are in dingy buildings. Still, if you're looking to spend <$700 for a studio, you do have options. I'd be SCARED to even step into a <$700 studio in the Boston area!

[massnative71]

Originally Posted by eevee

Also, within a two mile radius, East Boston IS the cheapest place, just not practical.

I wouldn't say that (the unpractical part). Maybe it's TOO practical for some.

[495neighbor]

Originally Posted by bjimmy24

Exercise!

and to save money on T-passes, gas and parking (but not shoes).

[JacksonPanther]

Originally Posted by eevee

OP is a woman.

How do you know this? Nothing in the OPs one posting gave away their gender. Did you read through other postings made by her? Following her from other threads?

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