Moving to Boston (Jamaica Plain?) (Brookline, Norwood: apartment, lease, high crime) - Massachusetts (MA) - City-Data Forum

vpashkina · 12-26-2013, 11:16 AM

I'm a 23 year old female who recently accepted a new job in Norwood, so I'm moving to Boston from Chicago. Imporant to note: this is a rotational program so I will most likely only be in Boston for 18 months starting in February.

I've mostly been looking at places around Jamaica Plain, since that seems like a good balance of a decent commute (I'll have a car) and an interesting neighborhood. I've just about settled on an apartment with a roommate on Lourdes Ave, just east of the train tracks. I know that's not the "best" part of JP but what's it really like in that area? It seems like it wouldn't be a problem to get to the areas of JP where there's more going on, everything looks really close together.

I'm not trying to sound "tough" at all, but coming from Chicago I think I have a decent tolerance for "shadiness." I'm definitely familiar with the way a neighborhood can change within a couple of blocks. There are certainly some neighborhoods in Chicago where I would never go by myself and be hesitant to drive through at night, but I'm okay with mildly sketchy places.

Worst comes to worst I'm only signing on to the lease through August so I could always move.

Edit: I've looked at Brighton/Allston as well but was told my commute/finding parking would be worse, and that's a pretty big priority. I guess I'm just looking for reassurance that I haven't picked a totally awful (somewhat short-term) place to live.

snatale1 · 12-26-2013, 12:23 PM

I'm from JP, it's overpriced and I wouldn't live their again. It's not unsafe or anything, but you could get a LOT more for your money. If your going to work in Norwood, why look in JP/Allston/Brighton? I get that your only 23 so maybe you want a "young" neighborhood. If you want all walkable, bars, restaurants and tons to do, then Allston/Brighton would fit better than JP. Me personally I'd be looking in the West Roxbury, Dedham Norwood area if thats where I would work.

kingeorge · 12-26-2013, 12:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by snatale1

I'm from JP, it's overpriced and I wouldn't live their again. It's not unsafe or anything, but you could get a LOT more for your money. If your going to work in Norwood, why look in JP/Allston/Brighton? I get that your only 23 so maybe you want a "young" neighborhood. If you want all walkable, bars, restaurants and tons to do, then Allston/Brighton would fit better than JP. Me personally I'd be looking in the West Roxbury, Dedham Norwood area if thats where I would work.

Santale1, you are advising to be as frugal and practical as possible, but honestly OP wants to experience best of Boston has to offer for a 18 months!
Since OP will not stay in Boston area forever, and want to use her time living in the area that is close to work, but also to the amenities and fun, I can not see fault in her choosing JP.
I can not comment on safety of the area, but I do think that your plan sounds solid. Enjoy your time. There are much worse locations to live in, then JP. JP is becoming very desirable for people in your age bracket and offers nice lifestyle.
Good luck.

MikePRU · 12-26-2013, 01:09 PM

I sold a townhouse on Stedman Street a few years ago which is only a couple of blocks away from Lourdes Ave. I've also frequented Doyles (first place ever to sell Sam Adams on tap) a number of times. My personal opinion is that this area is OK. I probably wouldn't want to be a single woman walking through here by myself at 2 AM but I think if you're used to places that are a little "rough around the edges" so to speak you should have no problems around here.

vpashkina · 12-26-2013, 03:44 PM

Thanks for the input. Sounds like it'll be fine (though if anyone else has an opinion please chime in), although I don't know how I feel about the lack of a grid system

I guess that's one of the perks of Chicago burning down and being rebuilt.

Also, will I have to register my car/pay the excise tax if I'm not planning on living here permanently?

professeurpablo · 12-26-2013, 09:13 PM

I feel like Jamaica Plain would be fine for your needs. Roslindale, at least adjacent to the square near Belgrade Ave, would be a more chill alternative for you that would be closer to work but farther from Downtown Boston amenities. Welcome to the area, if only for a short time!

MassNative2891 · 12-27-2013, 08:26 PM

Since i'm somewhat familiar with the area I figured I could chime in. That area would NOT be the worst location to live in JP. It's fairly quiet for a inner city Boston neighborhood and has a wealth of parks around the area. You're across the bridge from Brookline as well which is a nice place for younger folks. If you could survive Chicago, I doubt you'd be discomforted by the Forest Hills area of JP. However I would be careful, you would be living fairly close to the high crime area of the city.

vpashkina · 12-27-2013, 09:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MassNative2891

Since i'm somewhat familiar with the area I figured I could chime in. That area would NOT be the worst location to live in JP. It's fairly quiet for a inner city Boston neighborhood and has a wealth of parks around the area. You're across the bridge from Brookline as well which is a nice place for younger folks. If you could survive Chicago, I doubt you'd be discomforted by the Forest Hills area of JP. However I would be careful, you would be living fairly close to the high crime area of the city.

Thanks! Yeah, I've heard really great things about JP and I'm looking forward to living there. I don't plan on wandering any further east; I briefly considered an apartment in Egleston Square but was put off by the neighborhood. I can certainly afford the occasional late-night cab ride home after going out. I also don't own any fancy purses or jewelry. I do have a newer car though, which makes me a little nervous, but it's nothing particularly flashy - 2012 Jeep Compass, and the only things I ever keep in it are an ice scraper and a snow shovel.

Just curious, do people not from Chicago actually think it's really that bad/violent? Again, I'm really the least "tough" person ever, but I think as long as you have common sense and don't wander around seriously bad areas at night and/or by yourself, you'll be fine. Crazy **** does happen, but that can happen anywhere.

Bob Lanata · 12-28-2013, 05:42 AM

Vpashkina,

Your Chicago upbringing will serve you well in this city and hope we treat you well. From what I have read, you made a good choice in Jamaica Plain.

Welcome to Boston, you are a stranger here but once

Bostonannon · 03-07-2015, 01:46 PM

Vpashkina,

I know it's been a while since this post, but I was curious to know if you did decide to live on Lourdes and how you feel about it if you did. I am looking at a place on Lourdes for my bf and I, it seems like a nice enough little side street in an ok part of town, but I'd like to get an honest opinion from someone who lives there.