Reccomended neighborhoods for renters within short commute of Cambridge? (Boston: home, job)

[JT444]

Hi all,

I'm moving to Boston, with a job in Cambridge. I'm looking for a neighborhood with a short (within 30 minutes) commute time (taking the T).
I'm willing to spend up to 1500 for an apartment (1br). What are some good neighborhoods that fit those requirements? I've started looking at Cambridge and Somerville, but wanted to get more opinions.
Things that I consider important: availability of parking, safety of the area, apartment size, and plenty of grocery stores/restaurants within walking distance or short train ride.
Any advice is greatly appreciated!

[Akhenaten]

With 1500 a month you should be able to get something nice right in Cambridge. Central, Inman, Harvard Squares, I assume you've looked around. Fenway is also nice and very safe (I've lived here 7 years and always parked on the street and never had any problems) although the T thing can be tricky as you'd have to do the green-line-to-red-line switch and it's basically a backtrack. If you plan to have a bike that would be easier.

[HowGoesIt]

Live on the other side of the Charles

You can get a nice little one bedroom in the South End for $1500. The commute to Cambridge wouldn't be bad at all.

[jayrandom]

quote=JT444;3552764]Hi all,

I'm moving to Boston, with a job in Cambridge. I'm looking for a neighborhood with a short (within 30 minutes) commute time (taking the T).
I'm willing to spend up to 1500 for an apartment (1br). What are some good neighborhoods that fit those requirements? I've started looking at Cambridge and Somerville, but wanted to get more opinions.
Things that I consider important: availability of parking, safety of the area, apartment size, and plenty of grocery stores/restaurants within walking distance or short train ride.
Any advice is greatly appreciated! [/quote]


You should consider Belmont, Watertown, around the 71 or 73 bus lines. Not as exciting as the other side of the Charles, but close to Cambridge (close enough to bike if you want), easy parking, much cheaper, and quieter. Just an other option to consider.

[septimus]

outside of Harvard Sq. area parking in Cambridge isn't hard at all (unless there is a blizzard and the city opens up parking garages then. I'd look Cambridge and Davis/Porter Sq. areas. You could go to the burbs but that is a different lifestyle and the $$$ saved in rent will be eaten in Friday night cab rides home.