moving to Boston, somewhere between Cambridge and Brockton (Quincy, Somerville: rent, condos)

[thenightfly]

I will have a job in Cambridge, my wife possibly in Brockton. I have read a lot of posts, looked thru Craigs list,trying to understand brokers etc. Area wise, looks like Quincy, Braintree Milton, etc.

Here are the requirements
-will rent at least for a while
-could afford something around $2,000/month
-near red line for me, she will drive to Brockton likely
-have 3 yr old, so only day care concerns at this time, not real school yet
-have pets, big dog (65 lbs), 2 cats (all well behaved, but will make it more complicated)
-would prefer city views or something that resembles a degree of urban life

I have been thinking we just need to hire a broker to help sort out day care, transit, pet issues since we don't really know the area that well. I was there for several days 2 weeks ago, most of what I know is from the internet. I have seen a lot new condos, which would be cool if they allow for kids and pets, they often have a lot of good perks like gym, shuttle to T and are nice and new. A family friendly place is a pretty important aspect.

Thanks, look forward to hearing advice.

[ctrres]

It sounds like the 93 and 24 axis. Literal city views would start around Wollaston/North Quincy and proceed northward, but it's also the start of the suburbs. (South of there Milton, Quincy, Weymouth, Abington, Randolph, etc are going to be nice but very quiet.)

But logistically, I see no reason why you couldn't begin your search as far north as Somerville on the northwest side of Boston. Traffic is comparatively light from East Cambridge onto the Artery/93 through downtown, all the way southward in the mornings (and the inverse later in the day).

[thenightfly]

really. I was recommended the western Somerville, Cambridge area by a colleague, but figured that was too far north (not to mention pricey) for a reasonable commute to Brockton for the Mrs., but as you said it's against traffic both ways. It may very well be that we choose the quieter setting if having the kid and pets is too difficult to negotiate for a condo or apt that's more urban.