Revised Apartment Criteria (Boston, Quincy: car insurance, house, college)

[Pear Martini]

This is a follow up to my previous thread. I have revised my "list".

I will probably end up working in the Financial District when I graduate from college. I'm a single woman with a 5lb dog.

I am willing to live with roommates and pay up to $1,200-$1,300 per month. Where can I live that will allow me to WALK to work without taking the T.

I would like a 30 minute walk, less would be great but I'm trying to be reasonable.

I will be seeking on street parking.

Some areas I have been wondering about:

Charleston
North End
South End
South Boston
Back Bay
West End
Roxbury
Dorcester
Bay Village
China Town
Fort Point
Leather District


Thanks!

[miu]

Lose the car and live in the North End! When you need a car, use a Zipcar.

[bostonguy1960]

Charlestown Yard has nice units if you're considering roomies, but not in your own place. Parris Landing is one choice. There's even a water taxi near Old Ironsides. But groceries may be an issue until Whole Foods opens. Or else get produce in the a North End and Haymarket (Fri/Sat).

You'd have to actually find people in the Navy Yard or around Monument Sq. who need a roomie, though. Not as easy as finding a realtor for your own place.

[Cliff Clavin]

Originally Posted by miu

Lose the car and live in the North End! When you need a car, use a Zipcar.

I second this.

[495neighbor]

I think South Boston or Dorchester in a shared multi-family is a stronger likelihood with the dog, and you would have more places for dog walking. Although Dorchester would be an impossible for a walking commute. I would widen your range to a share house situation in Quincy near the red line, if you can't find what you are looking for in those two areas.

Most of those places in the North End are really tiny.

[jeffreyhayes]

North End, North End, North End, North End!!! Sell your car and your walk to work; I've done this walk and it will be the breeziest walk ever.

You can't live in a nice place by yourself with a dog in that budget range, but you can *DEFINITELY* get a nice place if you have roommates and are using that $1200-1300 budget to pay your share. Because that would mean your entire apartment will potentially be $2500/month for a 2bed, or even up to $3500 for a 3bed.

[Pear Martini]

Thanks for all the suggestions but I really do not want to sell my car. It is relatively new and paid for fully so I would like to keep it for weekend use.

I'm sure I can find a spot!

[miu]

Well selling your car, saving on car insurance and not getting any parking tickets will benefit you financially in a significant way. I like that your car is all paid for, but having it parked on a side street of Boston is only going to diminish its value because of our winter road salt and inconsiderate drivers and pedestrians not respecting it while it sits parked on the weekdays.

Otherwise, I got the impression from past posts that you wanted to leave Boston as soon as you graduated?

[Cantabridgienne]

When I lived in the North End, we occasionally got Zip Cars and even finding parking for that was a pain. It can be done, it just depends how long you want to look for a spot--you'll have to move it a few times of week regardless of whether or not you intend to go anywhere. Otherwise, you could find a two bedroom for $2K and you could walk to work.

[luvmyhoss]

Originally Posted by Pear Martini

This is a follow up to my previous thread. I have revised my "list".

I will probably end up working in the Financial District when I graduate from college. I'm a single woman with a 5lb dog.

I am willing to live with roommates and pay up to $1,200-$1,300 per month. Where can I live that will allow me to WALK to work without taking the T.

I would like a 30 minute walk, less would be great but I'm trying to be reasonable.

I will be seeking on street parking.

Some areas I have been wondering about:

Charleston
North End
South End
South Boston
Back Bay
West End
Roxbury
Dorcester
Bay Village
China Town
Fort Point
Leather District


Thanks!

How about Beacon Hill? with a roommate or two should be able to swing it