How is central square? (Boston, Cambridge: apartments, crime, house)

[jronald]

I am currently living in Boston in the Fenway neighborhood with my girlfriend and we are thinking about moving to Cambridge's Central Square neighborhood. To be Specific on Columbia Street a few blocks from Mass Ave. How safe is this neighborhood? I have been there several times both at night and during the day, but I wanted peoples opinion of the neighborhood. Any thing you can tell me would be great. Thanks.

[willdufauve]

Central Square is funky, hip, blacker, international, multi-cultural, mixed income, families and young singles. Crime and safety isn't a big concern. Parking is much easier than the Fenway. It hasn't changed much in 20years.

I never liked the Columbia area but it's probably been gentrified by now. I liked the Boston University side down Magazine St going towards the BU bridge. I also lived on Washington St behind the Square, that was okay. There's a lot of quiet pockets you can find.

Housing in Central is less dense, more 3-deckers with yards. Fenway is rows of apartment buildings but it can seem quietr because of the massive stone and brick construction.

You didn't say what part of the Fenway, it really has several different areas, but if you like living in the Fenway, and the people, you'll probably like Central Square even better.

[jronald]

Sorry I did not mention where I live in the Fenway, I live across from the Fens on Boylston Street (the west part of the Fenway). I really like your descrpiton of Central Square 'willdufauve' Thank you. What do you not like about the Columbia area? Do you think it is worth looking at apartments on the other side of Mass Ave if I found one pretty nice in the Columbia area? I have a feeling that I will like living in Central Square even more than the Fenway.

[septimus]

I wouldn't live on columbia.... not the safests of streets. I knew someone who lived over there and her house was broken into numerous times not to mention she didn't feel safe walking home at night.

[charolastra00]

Columbia Street isn't bad. I used to work a block over on Essex and Harvard and never had any trouble walking home at all hours of the day and night. Would eat lunch all the time at the park right there as well- it's one of the few areas of the Boston area where I would always see kids playing in the street and parks.

[CaseyB]

There was a murder nearby on Windsor Street last Friday: 4 arrests in fatal Cambridge shooting - BostonHerald.com

My daughter lives on Magazine Street, which is better but she doesn't feel safe. Her apartment building was broken into in the middle of the night. She doesn't really feel safe walking home from the T stop this time of year when it is dark when she gets out of work.

[willdufauve]

The B.U. side of central is just my preference. The only part of Camribridge I wouldn't live in, off the top of my head, is right close to M.I.T. or near the projects.

If I was in the Fenway, I would want to be "inner" a little more, like Peterboro St or along the Fens where it's greener and you get to know the neighbors more. It's more mixed - seniors, Berklee students and teachers, young goths, glbt, etc.

[jronald]

I am moving to Central Square. Thanks everyone who responded. I have a feeling I will really like it there.

[willdufauve]

Good luck.You'll do fine in cambridge.

[Jack Sprat]

could someone please enlighten me as to where exactly the projects are in cambridge?