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Old 09-18-2013, 12:12 PM
 
11 posts, read 29,651 times
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My fiancee and I will be moving to Boston shortly (just got a job offer to start in October). I'm trying to narrow down our search for a place to live.

Moving from Charlottesville, VA. We like it here, but certainly know that Boston will be more urban.

Work location will be somewhat variable. I'll be doing consulting-style work at some of the pharmaceutical production facilities. From my initial look, it seems like those are mostly in the northwestern suburbs with some south of the city (obviously a lot of difference in commute depending on those)

I've been to Boston a number of times (ex-GF lived there), primarily the Somerville/Medford area but plenty of the city itself, some Cambridge and various other places.

Planning on renting for at least a year before committing to buying anywhere.

What we're looking for: we'd like somewhere with some sort of downtown for shopping, eating, etc (not just strip malls). Doesn't need to be huge, but we don't want to be deciding between driving to Fridays or Outback. We'd like to be walking, or at least a quick bike ride, to public transport to get into the city (not sure where my fiancee will be working yet but she's an artist/designer/teacher, so there's a good chance it would be downtown or possibly a school). We'll be keeping at least one car, maybe both, depending on where her work is (I'll need one for mine). Certainly want somewhere reasonably safe; we've both lived in cities before so I'm fine with normal city precautions but don't want gunshots or anything.

It's just the two of us for now, no pets or kids, but we've got enough stuff from a variety of hobbies that we need some space. Pretty much need a bedroom, an office, and some sort of storage space; if that's two bedrooms and some basement space or a bedroom and a den with an attic or whatever, doesn't really matter. We'd like at least a little outdoor space, but an apartment balcony would work for that just fine. A townhouse or duplex style place would be preferred but an apartment is fine, too.

Budget: would like to keep it under $2000/month + utilities, but $2000 is a limit not a goal (would happily spend much less if we can)

Any suggestions? Thanks in advance!
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Old 09-18-2013, 12:25 PM
 
Location: Massachusetts
6,301 posts, read 9,580,343 times
Reputation: 4797
Sounds like Watertown or Belmont near Waverly would work well with your list, good central location for commuting, many multi-families like you have described and downtowns with independent eating places and shops in both.
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Old 09-19-2013, 08:09 AM
 
Location: RI, MA, VT, WI, IL, CA, IN (that one sucked), KY
41,940 posts, read 36,707,217 times
Reputation: 40634
I was thinking Arlington, near the center, the search might take a bit, but I know people with good space and a yard within a few blocks of the center that pay less than that (route 2 access easily, 77 bus to Porter/Harvard red line). Major bike path goes through it and restaurant scene has really expanded a great deal in past decade. Just a thought.
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Old 10-16-2013, 02:00 PM
 
11 posts, read 29,651 times
Reputation: 11
My fiancee looked at a place today on Highland Dr, just across the border from Jamaica Plain. She said it looks very green, and on paper/maps it looks like it's a pretty convenient location (mile or so from Brookline Village, right next to parks, etc). Anybody have any insight on the neighborhood?
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