Cheapest good area to rent? (Boston, Quincy: apartment complex, houses, neighborhoods)

[massres123]

Hi everyone,
My fiancee and I are relocating closer to Boston on October 1. I will be working within walking distance from Alewife and he will be working in East Boston so ideally we want to live somewhere in between.

He has to drive to work since it's not close to any T stations but I have both options, either drive or take the Red Line (ideally want to have the option to take the Red line although work has free parking so it's not a problem).

I would like to get some suggestions in terms of neighborhoods that are safe, somewhat lively with restaurants/cafes etc and on the cheaper side. We are looking at renting 1 bedroom for under $2000. Apartment complex would be best.

We don't want to be in Quincy/South Boston because 93 traffic is horrible when fiancee drives to East Boston.

Any suggestion would be very much appreciated.

Thank you

[BostonMike7]

I'd say Somerville, but you might have to search around a bit to find a 1 BR under $2K as that's a gentrifying neighborhood.


Boston and cheap don't really go together. If you want cheap, it might be in a less desirable neighborhood

[kingeorge]

Somerville, Medford, or even Arlington near Alewife could all work. Your budget for one, even two beds is good. Biggest compromise here is that there are not many apartment complexes around. Old state without much space for new housing.

You are actually better off renting floor through apartment in two-three family house that are all over this area. With your budget you can get very decent apartment, in better and walkable location, and with transportation nearby. Newer apartment complexes are scarce, often remote in the burbs, or in downtown Boston, and geared toward "luxury" market segment with pretty hefty rents. If you can deal with this little compromise you are all set. Otherwise look at what makes most sense budget and location wise within your parameters.

[timberline742]

Yeah, skip the complexes. They exist, but they're outrageously priced. Heck, there are some right near Alewife if you really want one. I personally wouldn't want to live in those "neighborhoods".

[charolastra00]

Traffic is going to be horrible any way you slice it for your fiancee. He can probably avoid 93 by taking surface roads through Everett and Chelsea, but those roads back up as well. East Boston is a huge pain to get to from any direction.

That said, look in Somerville and Medford in the area around Tufts. Plentiful buses to the red line (or a nice walk depending on how far you want to walk and the weather), lots to do, and - very importantly - parking for your cars. Medford is probably better for street parking than Somerville, and off-street parking for one car is not a guarantee, much less two. The further away you get from either the T or Tufts, the cheaper it will be but it also adds time to your commute.

Like kingeorge said, complexes are few and far between. Furthermore, they tend to be much more expensive than two or three family houses.

[bjimmy24]

Oak square in Brighton. Lots of decent prices. Most affordable good neighborhood in the city. But not a good location for you I guess.

[yaeger07]

Roslindale has what you want too (probably a little less lively than Oak Square), but is not a good location for your jobs.