Where to live in Boston? (Cambridge, Newton: apartments, leases, townhouse)

[KLJ1021]

My husband and I are considering a move to Boston from Dallas, so that he can attend business school at Babson. I work in professional services, so my guess is that I will work near the downtown area. We want to both have an easy commute, but are leaning towards living closer in than Wellesley.

Our question is where do we even begin to look for a minimal, but safe and clean 1 bedroom apartment? We currently live in a great townhouse, with laundry, nice kitchen and walking distance to dozens of great stores and restaurants... we'd like to be in a similar situation in Boston if possible.

What towns/neighborhoods should we consider? What is the approximate rent for 1 br unit in a location that would be convenient for the two of us? Do you advise working with a broker, etc?

[smarty]

There are plenty of nice apartments on Rt9 (Chestnut Hill) in Newton. It is a 5-8 miles commute to Babson. You can take the subway into Boston. Chestnut Hill Mall is right there with lots of shopping. A fair number of restaurants. Of course, depending on niceness (it is a word?) you are looking for, you may have to pay quite a bit... ($1200-$2400).

[DreamworksSKG]

I would suggest Newton, Waltham, Watertown, Belmont, Arlington, Cambridge,
and Brookline. Chestnut Hill area as well is pretty nice near Boston College.
plenty of bus service and T service, commuter rail and
Needham might be a possibility as well, close to Wellesley but you have commuter rail into South Station - Nice new england town.

Brookline Village area might be good for you...on the Green line and close to Boston with commutable distance to Wellesley as well

-jeff
Winchester, MA

[DreamworksSKG]

look into newton its a great town with a lot to do and easy access to boston and the metro Area.

-jeff
Winchester, MA


Newton and Brookline would be my top choice suggestions for you possibly Waltham as well.

[KLJ1021]

Thanks for the suggestions -- we're looking forward to checking everything out when we go to visit.

[smarty]

You can check on line ahead of time... lots of pictures...

[KLJ1021]

Yeah, we have been looking as much as we can online, because we have a really short amount of time to make a decision. Thus far, Newton seems to be a great option.

We have some more specific questions though:
1. Can anyone fill us in on the average rents for a 1 BR in Brookline?
2. Can anyone describe the parking situation at commuter rail stations, etc.?
3. What about Jamaica Plain and West Roxbury? Are these safe and good places to live?

Thanks again for all the help and advice!

[smarty]

Originally Posted by KLJ1021

We have some more specific questions though:
1. Can anyone fill us in on the average rents for a 1 BR in Brookline?

boston craigslist > all apartments: search for "Brookline 1BR"

boston craigslist > all apartments: search for "Newton 1BR"

Newton Apartment Floorplans - Avalon at Chestnut Hill

[redpanda]

Hey, don't forget that there's no overnight parking in Brookline. If your apartment doesn't come with a spot (most don't), you'll either have to rent one (they're scarce) or leave your car somewhere else.

JP and West Roxbury are both quite nice. JP is on the T, W. Roxbury is on the commuter rail. JP does have some "iffy" areas, but you can easily tell which is which. I loved living there.

[willdufauve]

Keep in mind when leases change hands in an area with students. If you come in August looking to rent for Sept 1, good luck. You'll have a lot of competition.