Relocating to Boston area (Haverhill, Beverly: realty, apartments, condos)

[Ayb]

Hello! I am relocating to the Boston area in the next few weeks.
Here is a little about me:
I am a 29 year old woman. I have spent the last two years living in New Orleans and am an Idaho native. I will be working at a firm in the Financial District, and will be making around $70,000 per year. My boyfriend lives in Portsmouth, NH; we aren't planning on seeing each other more than a couple of times a month to focus on our careers.
I think I would like to live out of the city so that I can get some of the New England smaller city/town feel. I have been looking at Newburyport and Haverhill, but am open to other areas as well.
I would like to live somewhere with a pretty good social (bar, I suppose) scene, tons of aesthetic appeal (the city, not necessarily the apartment/house), and all of the basic amenities.
I would also like to be able to take the train to work. I don't necessarily want to live in a place where all of the residents are focused on family (mom, dad two kids and a dog). Single professionals are what I am looking for.
Anyway, I would love any information anyone in the area can give me! Thanks in advance!

[pattibrennan]

I strongly suggest Newburyport over Haverhill. Haverhill can be a bit rough. If you look at any of the coastal towns North of Boston you will find beautiful communities with very nice bar scenes and all on the commuter rail to Boston. Manchester by the Sea, Marblehead, Beverly all are beautiful but very pricey. I haven't been to Swampscott in a while but I have heard that they have great condos and lots of new restaurants. You might also consider going inland a bit and think about Andover, Reading, Burlington. Not as scenic mind you but the commute North and South is easy and they are busy communities with a lot of amenities. The towns on the water are really off the beaten path to access other areas other than going North and South but in all honesty........they are so beautiful it is worth it. If you ever change your mind and decide to live in the city. My #1 pick would be South Boston. Great place to live!

[Ayb]

Thanks for the information pattibrennan! Very helpful! As far as you know, will I be able to afford something in Newburyport? I am hoping to spend no more than $1200 per month (I would like that to include utilities, but we'll see). Thanks again!

[smarty]

Just to give you some per monthly utilities numbers...

phone+cable+internet =$100
Water/sewer - $50
Electricity - $50-100
heating - $100-250 depending on size/temp setting/insulation/....

[pattibrennan]

I don't really know but at that price I am sure you can find a one bedroom or something. Ideally it would be great to find one with utilities included. But $1200 is a great start ...so I wouldn't worry at all. Now the closer to Boston you go......the higher the rents. I suggest finding a local paper for that area and going to the classifieds. There are very large beautiful historical homes in those towns. I bet people have guest houses or floors of homes they rent out. All private mind you but I am sure you will find something. If you are looking for the more modern style I really don't know what they have in that area in that range. Downtown Newburyport is just so great w/ tons of shops, coffee shops, restaurants and bars. It is right on the water. So safe. A huge walking town. I imagine a lot of the buildings there old and new have apartments above all of the shops. Many people will run an add locally in a small paper to save money and feel comfortable with who they are renting to. In addition...you should just come in to town for a few days and go to a realty office. Call ahead to make an appt. so they konw what you are looking for. I imagine they can line you up w/ tons to look at and you can have someone else do all your leg work. Enjoy!