Safe areas with easy commute to Northeastern University (Boston, Medford: apartments, rental)

[brooke1200]

I am planning to go to Northeastern University for grad school. I am a 23 year old girl and will be living alone so I am looking for places that are especially safe. I also have a dog (small, 10 pounds) so I would need a pet friendly apartment as well. I'm expecting to spend about $1500-$2500 on rent for a studio or 1 BR but will be willing to pay more if need be. I would like to keep it under $3,000 if possible. I am not opposed to commuting, but would like to limit my commute to 30-40 minutes driving time or on public transit. Can anyone suggest any areas that might work for me?

[495neighbor]

Jamaica Plain is pretty dog gone friendly and would be a close commute to Northeastern. West Roxbury or Roslindale could work too. You'd get a nice place in one of these areas in your price range.

[sharencare]

Yes, I agree! Jamaica Plain and Roslindale are good choices if you are looking for safety and public transport access. For example, I've seen Roslindale studios on nice streets go as low as $1200-$1400, though a dog may add to your rental costs as it would make your pool of potential apartments smaller. The Roslindale area is mostly residential, semi-suburban, so it's safe for you to walk your dog in the evening, and it's also close to the Arnold Arboretum, a nice place to walk your dog if it's leashed. JP has more access to the orange line and is considered more hip, urban, and desirable, but Roslindale Village is going through a renewal right now. Roslindale would require a bus transfer, but I know a lot of Roslindale people who park their car at Forest Hills, and then hop on the Orange line to get to Ruggles (the stop closest to Northeastern), Back Bay, and South Station. It would be 20-40 minutes, depending where you live and what transport option you choose.

I also like West Roxbury a lot--it's the safest, quietest, neighborhood in Boston, but it's a little further west and has less frequent buses than Roslindale. It's also more geared toward white middle/upper middle class families with older children, whereas Roslindale has more of mix of having everyone you can imagine--retired blue collar couples who have been there forever, young single professionals, gay couples raising toddlers, firefighters with older kids, and then every ethnicity you can imagine, especially a sizable Latino (in the east) and Greek population (in the north). I think West Roxbury is a little too sleepy for a young person. If I were 23 and single again, I probably would look in JP first, but if safety and quiet is what you want the most, Roslindale is a good alternative.

[silverbelles]

Damn near every NEU grad student lives in JP, myself included (when I was still a student).

[David223]

Mission Hill is another place to take a look at. Your commute is an easy trolley ride.

[Boston_Burbs]

For that budget you could probably get a studio/1BR in the Fenway, not need to take any public transport.

[ENIA]

South End area close to Northeastern University such as Warwick street, Sussex street, Greenwich street, Gainsborough street etc.

[Mr. Joshua]

I lived in Wellington Circle in Medford when I went to NU. I walked 7 blocks to the Wellington Orange Line Station, it took me right to the Ruggles Station in the middle of the campus.

It was an excellent arrangement. Medford is very safe and there are a lot of amenities in that area