Chicago To Boston : Moving and Housing advice (apartment complex, renter)

[mwj119]

Originally Posted by tysmith95

Ahh ok, never mind.

OP just needs to ask him/herself, would you rather have a smaller (and possibly more expensive) place in a walk-able urban area or a larger place in a more spread out suburban area where you need to drive to the bus pick up point.

And I would say since schools don't matter they should still take a look at places like Woburn/Stoneham/Weymouth. Nothing wrong with those towns, they're safe. They just have a higher blue collar population. I don't see a reason why the OP would prefer Reading to something like Stoneham or Woburn, it's all safe suburbia. Sure Reading has more big houses, but the OP isn't buying one of those with his/her budget.

Well, aesthetics are the most notable reason I'd suggest a Reading, Burlington, or Melrose over a bordering town like Woburn or an alternative like Weymouth. Not knocking those towns at all, but they are distinctly Northeast in look and feel, and you have to be comfortable with that if you're from the Midwest. Sounds funny, but I have first hand experience with that regional discrepancy, and comfort is key (lets just say that my fiance, who'd never lived on the east coast, was more comfortable looking in Melrose than Malden. I on the other hand, wanted Malden for the investment). But, yes, any of them would work. As far as renting, however, there's not going to be huge disparity between any of the suburbs listed.

To come full circle, the only reason I brought up Reading is because I find it to be more desirable than Woburn, and either way, you have to drive to get to the Logan Express if that's the method of transportation desired. All in all, I'd highly suggest choosing the convenient/fun location like Somerville or Cambridge in the near term, and then looking at reasonable suburbs from there.

[massnative71]

Originally Posted by mwj119

But yes, I agree. If I'm the OP, I'm not doing the Reading/Quincy/Braintree thing. I'm going for the red line in Cambridge to avoid traffic and to maintain a consistent commute time. Just such an incredible place to live.. Why not try the 1 bedroom in an urban environment route? After that, they can find a larger place to settle in a neighborhood they've investigated. OP, some resources for you to review:

Depends on what time you commute. Airport jobs are generally not traditional 9-5s. I'd say at off peak, the Logan Express is more predictable than the T and your life will be more "normal". If you must commute at rush hour, then yes the T would be more reliable. Still not pleasant, but more consistent.

[mwj119]

Originally Posted by massnative71

Depends on what time you commute. Airport jobs are generally not traditional 9-5s. I'd say at off peak, the Logan Express is more predictable than the T and your life will be more "normal". If you must commute at rush hour, then yes the T would be more reliable. Still not pleasant, but more consistent.

Also very true.

[tysmith95]

Originally Posted by mwj119

Also very true.

Agreed.

The biggest problem would be from 7-9 am going into Logan. Any other time should be ok. Although the traffic is pretty predictable, it just sucks though.

[Schtuka]

Originally Posted by mwj119

It's safe enough. There are some restaurants and there is some shopping. You can get a $2100 1/2 bdr.
OP, Quincy would be a lot like Rodgers Park/West Ridge/Edison Park/Hyde Park.

You are right and thank you for your advice from other thread. We haven't committed to a place yet for March, but Quincy is like Rogers Park/Skokie/West Evanston in overall feel.

To OP;
I live in Rogers Park for past 19 years and I drove around Quincy and Braintree for 3 days a month ago looking at rents. I am moving to work in Back Bay by March and I can't afford Boston Proper. What I can afford is just not worth it to me especially without parking. I have to drive for work and although my company will pay for the parking in the Back Bay I am still going to find a place in Quincy or Braintree at least for the next 12 month period.
To me it sounds as you should stick to the city no matter what you find. Sounds like you guys barely will spend any time at your place. We on the other hand cannot stand multi unit buildings, need our own laundry and don't go out.

[Dotrat2000]

I think your best bet would be Revere by the beach (ocean ave/Shirley ave) you have the blue line right there. Some parts of Chelsea, near Broadway but some areas can be sketchy there too. Also Everett has some decent walkable areas. All 3 of these towns border Boston and are a quick commute, you will get a much nicer apt for your money in these areas as well. Everywhere inside Boston, with the exception of Mattapan, and really dangerous areas of Dorchester, will probably be out of your price range. I noticed a couple cambridge recommendations, in my experience Cambridge is even more expensive than Boston, unless you want to live in the projects..

[Urban Peasant]

Sorry to get a bit off track but after reading posts on this thread disgustingly reminds me that Boston is more expensive than Chicago. To be more expensive than the third biggest city in the nation when we are 10th or 11th biggest is a darn shame. How on earth did we get to this point? (That's a rhetorical question btw, I already know the answers.)

[timberline742]

Originally Posted by Urban Peasant

Sorry to get a bit off track but after reading posts on this thread disgustingly reminds me that Boston is more expensive than Chicago. To be more expensive than the third biggest city in the nation when we are 10th or 11th biggest is a darn shame. How on earth did we get to this point? (That's a rhetorical question btw, I already know the answers.)

This is news? Chicago is a super affordable place compared to what it offers. The economy in Chicago isn't good, and hasn't been for quite awhile. That's the difference. Boston's economy is booming, Chicago's is not.

[bjimmy24]

Originally Posted by timberline742

This is news? Chicago is a super affordable place compared to what it offers. The economy in Chicago isn't good, and hasn't been for quite awhile. That's the difference. Boston's economy is booming, Chicago's is not.

Without the specific mention of Chicago though, I think the point stands that other cities that are either much larger or growing much faster (even with better economies than Boston) are still more affordable than Boston.

https://www.nestpick.com/furnished-a...ts-rent-index/

[timberline742]

Originally Posted by bjimmy24

Without the specific mention of Chicago though, I think the point stands that other cities that are either much larger or growing much faster (even with better economies than Boston) are still more affordable than Boston.

https://www.nestpick.com/furnished-a...ts-rent-index/

Well if they're larger and have worse economies, they'll be cheaper. Or if they're not isolated due to geography they'll be cheaper.


Not sure about what places are like Boston, and having great economies like Boston (high end jobs) and aren't as expensive or moreso. Manhattan is. SF is. DC is (but there is more space there to sprawl).


Geographic area has to be taken into account. Boston has a tiny footprint comparatively.