Moving to Boston in 2 weeks (Cambridge, Quincy: apartment, for rent, crime rate)

[vickychandrasen]

Hi my husband and I will be moving to Boston in the next two weeks from NYC. We would like some neighborhood suggestions for renting a 1 bedroom apartment. Our criteria for the apartment is as follows :

-Crime rate is low
-Within 30 minutes to downtown Boston via Public Transport
-Ethnically Diverse
-Apartment should be close to the subway station
-Apartment should have grocery shops at a walkable distance for daily or emergency needs
-Our budget is $1600

We love to walk around neighborhoods and try out new cuisines so we would prefer a neighborhood that is trendy, artsy and friendly in nature. Given our budget constraints we are open to living in the suburbs provide the commute via Subway is no longer than 30 minutes. Any suggestions on this will be of great help.

Thank You !!

[Ne999]

It may be a bit tough at that price point but I would at least take a look at Cambridge which I think offers neighborhoods that best fit your criteria (variety of ethnic cuisine, etc). I would also look at Quincy on red line just south of downtown as the restaurant scene there is growing especially near Quincy center.. Maybe also check out Alston/Brighton or Jamaica plain. Alston probably more diverse than Brighton. Both aAlston and Brighton can be quite young. Of these options Quincy is most likely to have something in the budget you are looking.

[missionhill]

Assuming you want diversity in the sense of not all white, I'd stay away from South Boston and Charlestown. Roxbury east of Washington Street and Dorchester west of the other Washington St. are diverse among African-heritage peoples but have few whites. Otherwise variable diversity in many areas but Ne999 has good suggestions. You might need to settle for something not on subway-- e.g., some really nice parts of Somerville could work for you that don't have a rail T line, like Union Square area, but have buses. Also Roslindale, which has bus-to-subway and commuter train too. In Boston many of the bus lines work as spokes around a hub, the hub being a subway station, so many commutes involve bus to subway. Somerville, Jamaica Plain, Quincy, Dorchester along the red line, Malden and East Boston all have heavy-rail subway like NY and lots of ethnic eats. Brookline and Allston-Brighton have streetcars, not so fast, and Brookline is both not especially diverse and too expensive for you I think. Still, if you found something in Brookline you could be very happy. Cambridge is great in every way but probably too expensive. South End of Boston has a Fort Greene-like feeling, also very expensive. Supermarkets are not as evenly distributed as in NY-- the chains prefer big parking lot locations and in many neighborhoods you have a more limited selection within easy walking distance. And the more limited selection may be a 7/11 rather than the well stocked local deli in NY. Ugh. But car-free shopping for staples can be more of a challenge than you'd think even in a generally walkable location.

[Ne999]

I agree with checking out Union Square sommerville and Roslindale as well.

[bjimmy24]

You should be able to find something in Somerville.

[bostonguy1960]

Arlington, maybe?

But $1,600 may be unrealistic.

Good restaurants, Stop and Shop, Whole Foods Market, Trader Joe's.

Capitol Theatre and Regent Theatre, Spy Pond, Minuteman Trail.

Maybe too Caucasian for some tastes, but near diverse Cambridge and Somerville.

Bus to the subway at Alewife station for Boston, or bus straight into Harvard Square.

[bigfatdude]

Safe, trendy, artsy neighborhood with lots of shops, restaurants and rapid transit nearby? $1,600 might be enough for a small, unrenovated studio, maybe even above ground if you're lucky. Welcome to Boston!

[tysmith95]

It'll be hard to find a place for 1600 next to rapid transit. If you're willing to use the commuter rail something like Roslindale could work well.

[vickychandrasen]

Thank you everyone for the suggestions, this is really helping me understand Boston better. We are willing to revisit the budget to a range of between $1800 to $1900 provided we will not need a car. Is it reasonable to expect a renovated apartment with modern amenities for this range. Also, what is the likelihood of finding a good apartment without a broker? Thanks again for all the help !!

[porterhouse]

Where do you live on NYC? That may help to pinpoint similar neighborhoods here.