Northeastern University commute (Boston, Orange, Huntington: apartments, rent, crime)

[lawguy24]

I may be going to Northeastern for law school later this year and I was wondering about a safe neighborhood to live in that would have an easy commute to the law school. Also, do I need a car in Boston? I'm moving from Los Angeles and you absolutely NEED a car here. Is it the same in Boston or is public transportation sufficient? Thanks!

[holden125]

Originally Posted by lawguy24

I may be going to Northeastern for law school later this year and I was wondering about a safe neighborhood to live in that would have an easy commute to the law school. Also, do I need a car in Boston? I'm moving from Los Angeles and you absolutely NEED a car here. Is it the same in Boston or is public transportation sufficient? Thanks!

There are a number of options, some of which depend on how "safe" you mean by "safe." Right down Huntington Av from Northeastern is Mission Hill, which was pretty scruffy once but is now generally safe. There are a lot of students there, and it can get noisy with parties sometimes. Another place with a lot of students is the area right near Northeastern between Mass Av and the Fenway (Hemenway, Westland). There are a lot of older walk-up apartment buildings with students.

To get a bit farther away from undergraduates, there is Jamaica Plain (JP). This area, which is only about 4 stops from NE Law on the Orange line, has different pockets with widely varying degrees of safety. You'd be better off avoiding the Jackson Sq. area and anything along Washington St. too far north of Green St. I'd suggest staying pretty close to Centre St around the Green St. station. West of Centre St. (the "pond side" is very nice but a few blocks farther from the train.

Other options include the Audubon Circle area (by Beacon St and Park Drive), which has the 47 bus to Northeastern. If you have more to spend, you can check out the Back Bay and South End up Huntington/Columbus Avs toward downtown Boston. Both are very fashionable but you'll pay a lot more for a small space.

In the areas listed above, you definitely don't need a car. In all but parts of Jamaica Plain (where on street parking can be had somewhat more easily), you don't WANT a car since parking it can get very difficult. The T has its flaws and can be frustrating at times, but it's absolutely nothing like LA here. It's very dense and living anywhere near Northeastern there are enough walkable places and enough transit options to make a car unnecessary.

[jlyang]

Hi,
I used to live near Northeastern. I've lived in Boston with/without a car before and also have spent time out in LA.

Unlike LA, you definitely do not need a car here. Northeastern is right along 2 public transportation lines. MBTA.com > Official Website for Greater Boston's Public Transportation System. There is the #39 bus and the Green Line E line subway/trolley.

Figure $150/month for an outdoor parking space in that area; $200-$250/month for a garage space. There is street parking in most neighborhoods that are public transportation accessible to Northeastern... it may or may not be hard to find a spot depending on the neighborhood. It is VERY tough to park on the street when there's been a lot of snow. Car theft/vandalism/break-ins are also issues in many neighborhoods. Anyways, I would forego your car in Boston. Most of the cool/fun places to visit in the city are public transportation accessible, and parking near those places would be difficult anyhow. You can always rent a car when you want to get out of the city.

The #39 bus takes you into Jamaica Plain... some areas are artsy/cool, others are impoverished/high-crime. It would save time if you lived closer to school than Jamaica Plain (see below). Jamaica Plain will be cheaper than living in Boston proper.

If it were me, I'd move to the Brigham Circle area (this is Boston proper), where you can easily walk to shops, the supermarket, hospitals, Fenway area (movie theater, baseball stadium, bars, clubs, things for young folks to do, etc). I used to live at 49 Worthington St, Boston MA 02120. It was a safe street. It's about a 5 minute trolley ride or 10-15 minute walk to Northeastern from there. Apartments in that neighborhood are probably smaller and more expensive than what you get in LA.
Another area close to Northeastern is Fenway-- lots of college students there-- fun but can get loud and rowdy-- probably not the best place for a busy law student.

In general, you need to choose your neighborhood carefully, since you can go from a safe neighborhood to a high-crime neighborhood in half a mile or less. If you are selecting an apartment from afar, you best post that address on this forum sometime to get feedback on if that area is safe.

Good luck!

Originally Posted by lawguy24

I may be going to Northeastern for law school later this year and I was wondering about a safe neighborhood to live in that would have an easy commute to the law school. Also, do I need a car in Boston? I'm moving from Los Angeles and you absolutely NEED a car here. Is it the same in Boston or is public transportation sufficient? Thanks!