Things I need to know before moving to Boston?... (organic, price)

[redplum33]

Originally Posted by Ciara32

I realize $1,500 is a rather low amount for a rental with dogs but after some research has shown it might be doable. I don't think I would enjoy being around young college students per say but I am pretty extroverted so having roommates might be ideal if they are willing to take me and the dogs haha.

Originally Posted by redplum33

In your price range, your options are going to be somewhat limited. My advice is to not rule out living in an area with lots of students. Why? Because these are safe & fun areas with plenty of things to do, many food options, etc. And, more importantly, the alternative in your price range is probably going to be places where you won't be comfortable living. Being around college students is way better than being around gangs and drug dealers.

If you go with a roommate or 2, you can choose almost anywhere you want to live (assuming the dogs are allowed).

OP, read this thread: http://www.city-data.com/forum/bosto...t-roxbury.html

[flowbe202]

Originally Posted by Russbosma

I don't live in the city of Boston but do live within 4 miles of downtown and we pay $1600 for a big two bedrm apt, basically half a huge house. And the neighborhood is fine. Never had a problem in 2 years here. Unlike many cities, the Boston city limits are not the same as the urban area. Cambridge, Somerville, Everett, Malden, and Chelsea are all urban.

Right. And I do live in the city PROPER —not 4 miles from downtown— and have lived here —in the city PROPER— with a large dog 80lb dog.

Sometimes people who don’t live in the city shouldn’t comment on city living. Four miles is a world of difference.

[flowbe202]

Originally Posted by timberline742

I know at least a dozen people that live in Boston/Cambridge/Somerville/Medford/Arlington that have a place on their own for that or less.

Are they new to the area or have they lived in Boston for years? And ya—throwing Medford and Arlington into a Boston real estate post is not the same. You know it, too.

I know for a *fact* you cannot get a 1 BR for $1500 with 2 dogs in the South End, Bay Village, Back Bay, Fenway, Jamaica Plain because I was looking for 1 BRs/ 1 dog 8 years ago and couldn’t find anything.

That leaves Mission Hill, Roslindale, Hyde Park, Mattapan, Dot, Southie, West Roxbury and Roxbury for the OP to try.

[jayrandom]

Originally Posted by flowbe202

Right. And I do live in the city PROPER —not 4 miles from downtown— and have lived here —in the city PROPER— with a large dog 80lb dog.

Sometimes people who don’t live in the city shouldn’t comment on city living. Four miles is a world of difference.

I’m not sure what you’re trying to say here. West Roxbury is part of the City of Boston but is less urban than Somerville or Cambridge which are not. The density in Boston roughly falls with distance from downtown, it just so happens that downtown is really close to one side of the city limits.

[flowbe202]

Originally Posted by jayrandom

I’m not sure what you’re trying to say here. West Roxbury is part of the City of Boston but is less urban than Somerville or Cambridge which are not. The density in Boston roughly falls with distance from downtown, it just so happens that downtown is really close to one side of the city limits.

Pretty simple — folks are quoting their not-Boston-apartments as comparable to Boston apartment prices. All the neighborhoods I listed above are BOSTON neighborhoods. Not Medford. Not Arlington. Not Revere. Forgot Eastie and Charlestown in my list of 1BR/2 dog for $1500 Boston neighborhoods.

[jayrandom]

Originally Posted by flowbe202

Pretty simple — folks are quoting their not-Boston-apartments as comparable to Boston apartment prices. All the neighborhoods I listed above are BOSTON neighborhoods. Not Medford. Not Arlington. Not Revere. Forgot Eastie and Charlestown in my list of 1BR/2 dog for $1500 Boston neighborhoods.

They absolutely are comparable. Especially to someone coming from Witchita. That’s the point. Unless you have residency requirements, there’s no need to confine your search to the city limits.

[tysmith95]

Originally Posted by flowbe202

Pretty simple — folks are quoting their not-Boston-apartments as comparable to Boston apartment prices. All the neighborhoods I listed above are BOSTON neighborhoods. Not Medford. Not Arlington. Not Revere. Forgot Eastie and Charlestown in my list of 1BR/2 dog for $1500 Boston neighborhoods.

Who cares about city limits? The entire city of Cambridge is denser and more easily accessible to downtown then roslindale, Hyde Park, west Roxbury, Mattapan, and other Boston neighborhoods. To someone from the outside it's basically Boston. Ditto with Somerville, Malden, Medford, Chelsea, parts of Revere.

[timberline742]

Originally Posted by flowbe202

Are they new to the area or have they lived in Boston for years? And ya—throwing Medford and Arlington into a Boston real estate post is not the same. You know it, too.

I know for a *fact* you cannot get a 1 BR for $1500 with 2 dogs in the South End, Bay Village, Back Bay, Fenway, Jamaica Plain because I was looking for 1 BRs/ 1 dog 8 years ago and couldn’t find anything.

That leaves Mission Hill, Roslindale, Hyde Park, Mattapan, Dot, Southie, West Roxbury and Roxbury for the OP to try.

A mix of each, but none have been in their places more than 2-4 years so it isn't a legacy situation.

[redplum33]

It seems rather odd that nobody is able to find these $1500 or less apartments in Boston, Cambridge, Somerville yet one guy claims to know at least a dozen people paying that.

[LakeOntarioLiving]

When im finished with my education.. Just to be within an hour of Boston, I will settle for Worcester Area, Providence Area, Nashua/Lowell Area ... if I am priced out of Greater Boston.

The backup to my backup plan is teach high school with my masters and start out at 50k with my partner making another 50k.