South Asian/Indian family relocating from Houston to Boston (Arlington: apartment complex, neighborhood)

[Russbosma]

Newton is great if you can afford it. Also very few Indians. But many doctors. Anyway, in Quincy there a number of apartment complexes with very high Indian populations, especially near the Walmart, near Quincy Ave & Southern Artery. There is even an Indian grocery store further up Quincy Ave. Here's a few places I can think of: Presidential Estates, Faxon Commons, The Falls, 5 Hundred Falls, Highlands at Faxon Woods, and The Atrium at Faxon Woods. Also, Quincy Towers. Right on the Burlington-Woburn line there are a few places that are overwhelmingly Indian. We've been to these 3 places over 20 times total. There is Beacon Village, Kimball Court Apartments, and the Kimball Towers. Right next door on Westgate Drive there are like 20 apartment buildings with mostly Indians. The Hamilton Company does the renting. That's a start at least.

[jayrandom]

Originally Posted by Russbosma

Newton is great if you can afford it. Also very few Indians. But many doctors. Anyway, in Quincy there a number of apartment complexes with very high Indian populations, especially near the Walmart, near Quincy Ave & Southern Artery. There is even an Indian grocery store further up Quincy Ave. Here's a few places I can think of: Presidential Estates, Faxon Commons, The Falls, 5 Hundred Falls, Highlands at Faxon Woods, and The Atrium at Faxon Woods. Also, Quincy Towers. Right on the Burlington-Woburn line there are a few places that are overwhelmingly Indian. We've been to these 3 places over 20 times total. There is Beacon Village, Kimball Court Apartments, and the Kimball Towers. Right next door on Westgate Drive there are like 20 apartment buildings with mostly Indians. The Hamilton Company does the renting. That's a start at least.

What's the traffic like from Quincy? I'd imagine it would be rough, but don't have much experience. Certainly 93 would be a parking lot, but maybe there are faster back roads.

If you can't afford Newton I'd recommend looking at Waltham. Schools aren't as good as Newton, but the drive wont be too much worse. I don't know how big the Indian community is, but there are at least two Indian grocery stores.

[Russbosma]

Trying to get back and forth to Boston via the Expressway at rush hour is a nightmare. I would not recommend it for beginners. There really are no good alternative routes, but at least there is a rapid transit train with 4 stations in Quincy. But which station and how to get there are the tough questions, depending on where you actually live. There are buses from most parts of Quincy or you can drive and park there. Waltham does have a decent sized Indian Community. It's definitively in the top 10 for our Indian clients. The Gardencrest Apartments on Middlesex Circle is very popular as is Windsor Village at Waltham on Stearns Hill Road, a huge complex in North Waltham. Next door in Watertown there are more places we have been many times, Hamilton on Main and the Whitney Towers. In Medford, Mystic Place Apartments has many Indians.

[MrLinderman]

Originally Posted by jayrandom

What's the traffic like from Quincy? I'd imagine it would be rough, but don't have much experience. Certainly 93 would be a parking lot, but maybe there are faster back roads.

If you can't afford Newton I'd recommend looking at Waltham. Schools aren't as good as Newton, but the drive wont be too much worse. I don't know how big the Indian community is, but there are at least two Indian grocery stores.

Honestly I think getting to and from the expressway is often worse than the expressway itself. 30ish minutes on the expressway isn't the end of the world, it's the 30 minutes to go 2 miles in the city that's the hard part.

The problem with backroads are that there are only a few viable routes and only to some areas of the city. You can go up through East Milton Square/Dot/Mattapan to get to JP , Brookline, and Longwood. Other than that, you're stuck at the Neponset Bridge, which is god awful in the morning (except in the summer, when there aren't as many Umass kids).

[Youzee]

Thank you all for the suggestions. Additionally, im also looking for an apartment complex with the following features: washer and dryer in the apartment unit, controlled access (gated) and parking. So still kind of searching as I also need a good public elementary school for my 4 year old.

[Youzee]

Need suggestions on Arlington and Lexington. anyone?

[yaeger07]

Originally Posted by Youzee

Thank you all for the suggestions. Additionally, im also looking for an apartment complex with the following features: washer and dryer in the apartment unit, controlled access (gated) and parking. So still kind of searching as I also need a good public elementary school for my 4 year old.

Don't think you need gated in Lexington. Probably not in Arlington either. As far as I can tell gated communities aren't all that common here.

[jayrandom]

Originally Posted by Youzee

Thank you all for the suggestions. Additionally, im also looking for an apartment complex with the following features: washer and dryer in the apartment unit, controlled access (gated) and parking. So still kind of searching as I also need a good public elementary school for my 4 year old.

If you're willing to stretch your budget you could look at Avalon in Lexington. Not super convenient to HMS but you will get into Lexington schools. You will not find many gated communities in this area. That is a GOOD thing.

You could also look at the Captain Parker Arms in Lexington. More on budget but a little older and maybe no washer/dryer in unit.

If I were in your position I would also look at private rentals. You might be able to find something in Arlington/Belmot/Lexington that works for you and isn't in a complex. All three towns are really safe and you will generally pay less than in the large, centrally managed apartment complexes. It's a little tougher initially, but having lived in both the complex and in a private rental I really would recommend the latter.

[Youzee]

Are there any apartment complexes in Belmont?

[tysmith95]

Originally Posted by Youzee

Are there any apartment complexes in Belmont?

There is a new apartment complex called The Residents at Acorn Park that is opening this summer. Might be a stretch for your price range though. I would also recommend looking through craigslist or contacting a realtor to find a smaller apartment building in Belmont. There should be some options in the Waverly Square area.