Finding my future home..Boston, NY ? (Cambridge, Somerville: transplants, apartment, find a job)

[Nordicwoman]

I am a 44 yo single woman contemplating a move from the Midwest to the East coast. I am Scandinavian, have lived in different European countries, but for 10 last 15 years I have lived in the US, specifically in the Midwest. The Midwest is friendlyand it is easy living but culturally I don’t belong here. I want to find my future home and looking at the East Coast and Chicago. I am looking at Boston, NY, Chicago. My profession is good in the sense that I should be able to find a job in these cities. I love music, architecture, seafood, politics, world news, skiing and the outdoors but also love dressing up and going to nicerestaurants. I have a big fat dog that I love. I am looking for a city where I might belong and find people who see beyond their stateborders, make friends and possibly meet a partner. NY is exciting but a bit overwhelming and I don’t know a single person there. I have visited Boston a number of times and really like it but reading the different threads about how hard it is to make friends and lousy dating scene makes me a little concerned. Chicago is cool but not very cosmopolitan. No need to tell me about the cold weather on the East Coast…. I can take it ;-)

[kingeorge]

You have already answered to your questions. It will be compromise whatever you do. Decide between Chicago or Boston. NYC is hard to get out on weekends. Boston is the best in terms of lifestyle it could offer you especially if you are into sports/winter sports, and like exploring. This is prime area for outdoor lifestyle. ME, VT, NY, NH, RI are all withing easy reach as well.

All in all, Boston could be a very good fit, but do not move here, and expect everything to fall in place in the first 3 months. Give yourself some time. Make sure you do understand very high COL, and do not move without job, and solid budget. Very important to your social life is stay close and live in bustling areas in or around Cambridge, Brookline, Somerville, Watertown, Waltham, Medford, JP, where you can have many other transplants, and it is easier to make friends.

If you decide to live outside of the urban core, be prepared to have less cosmopolitan vibe, and to be surrounded with families and kids. But, I do not know then, if such move would make much sense, since in Chicago you can get much cheaper housing. Boston value for you is in its urban core. If you can afford it, you will enjoy it, and move could be worth it. Otherwise rest of MA it is very sleepy, and this is very tiny area in comparison to Chicago and Midwest.

Good luck.

[MikePRU]

I would echo what George has said and add that if your budget allows it you might even be better off living right in the city in areas like Back Bay, Beacon Hill, The South End, or The North End. You could walk to everything the city has to offer from these locations.

[Nordicwoman]

Thank you Kingeorge for your advice. I guess the fact that I posted my question on a Boston thread shows that I am leaning towards that City ;-)
I would like to try to live in the city itself if possible but having an 85 lbs dog is limiting since I can not have him in a closet sized apartment. My budget is 2500-3000 at most. Will see...
Again I really appreciate you replying to my thread. Thanks !

[Nordicwoman]

Thank you MikePRU. Look like great areas to live and will investigate but I am limited by my dog and budget...

[flowbe202]

The South End is perfect for big dogs... Lots of Danes, Bernies, Doodles at Peters Park Dog Park. Dog people get to know one another faster and more readily than non-dog people.

Troy just opened in the South End and it is very dog friendly! Very young crowd, though. You can get an OK place with your budget...will be small, tho.

[chicagoliz]

I have to disagree that Chicago is not cosmopolitan. Between the two, I'd have to give the nod to Chicago, especially in the city itself. I'd say Boston is less cosmopolitan. I have also found Chicago to be significantly friendlier.

Boston has easier and quicker access to NYC, and if you like the ocean, you can get to a lot of East Coast beaches.

You can find great places for your dog in either city.

kingeorge's advice about not straying too far out from the city and giving yourself some time applies to either city, as well.

Good luck with your move.

[bostonguy1960]

[quote=chicagoliz;40951631]I have to disagree that Chicago is not cosmopolitan. Between the two, I'd have to give the nod to Chicago, especially in the city itself. I'd say Boston is less cosmopolitan.

I, too, was surprised anyone could say that about Chicago. But like Boston, it likely has its share of non-cosmopolitans, which is what she may recall overall.

Southie is good for dogs, especially around C and D streets at those new apts. Lots of young people, though.

[flowbe202]

Still think the South End dog culture is easier to break into for newcomers to the city... Everyone goes out to eat with their dogs on the patios. More European feeling than the new Southie.

Also, South End is more of a mix of people while being withing walking distance of the Symphony (Boston Pops), Theater District, Copley Sq/Newbury St., etc.

[495neighbor]

Illinois along with Minnesota and Wisconsin has more Scandinavian culture than Boston and New York. Not sure if that matters to you or not, but thought I'd mention it.