3 poor 20-something ladies JP, Revere, Dorchester, or South End? (Boston: apartment, rent)

[3lostladies]

Hello all!

I am a native Boston suburbian and decided to officially move into the city after graduating college. I am looking for an apartment with 2 of my friends from school. Clearly, none of us know the city particularly well. We are also wicked poor.

I am working between Andrew Square on the Red and the Mass Ave. on the Orange. Another is going to law school at Suffolk. We can really only afford places in JP, Revere, Dorchester, or slightly south of the South End. Any thoughts on where our safest, yet convenient, yet entertaining place to live would be? I know, quite needy Any and all comments would be IMMENSELY appreciated! Thanks!

[goyguy]

Check out the neighborhood surrounding the Dorchester Ave/Columbia Rd intersection. The main streets are noisy and congested, but after making any turn you'd be amazed at how quickly everything becomes quiet. Things get steadily sketchier the closer to Uphams Corner you get. East of Edward Everett Square (Mass. Ave and Columbia Rd) and Bakersfield and Pleasant St's is OK, east of Dot Ave better still. A bit farther south, in Savin Hill, it's even better - and east of 93 (Savin Hill "OTB" - Over the Bridge) is the best of all.

North of that focal intersection, Dot Ave runs to Andrew Square and defines an area that held onto its character even as much of "Southie" declined and then rebounded only to become gentrified. Boston St, west out of Andrew, anchors the "Polish Triangle" neighborhood straddling the Southie/Dot boundary.

So, my reco is to scout that entire swath of territory anchored by the Polish Triangle and Edward Everett Square, down to Savin Hill Ave and over to the ocean. The reigning "fun spot" thereabouts is the Banshee pub on Dot Ave, breakfasts to die for also btw. "224 Boston St" is a fairly inexpensive and relaxed place for dinners, but the family atmosphere might not be what you're after. The partying hub in that vicinity is where Dorchester St (not Ave) and Broadway intersect in Southie: sports bars, "Mexican" restaurant, etc.

Boston's classic "three decka" apartment houses abound in that neck of the woods. Most of the units, particularly on the top floors, contain three bedrooms in addition to a separate dining room - space galore plus at least one porch for outdoor entertaining and chillin'. The typical rent should be manageable when split three ways. I love three deckas and love the one I live in.

JP is pretty far off from the work and school places you mentioned, and frankly is overpriced and overrated now (IMHO.) Revere is mostly a dump. And "slightly south of the South End" - what're you on? LOL! It's Crime Central over there.

[maggiekate]

J.P. is nice, have you check out the Roslindale area, around Centre Street
you might find something there. there is good transportation into Boston from either place. What about Quincy, or Braintree not to far out and the T into the city

[catz44]

I live near Ashmont Stations going toward Lower Mills. It is a mixed neighborhood with probably equal numbers of black, white, and Asians. I love it here. It is quiet, peaceful, neighbors are pleasant. I live in a triple decker, first floor and have 2 porches, a nice little yard, and the place has lots of lovely detail, like crown molding, dining room hutch and a walk in pantry. I am a few minutes walk from Ashmont and there are buses going to Forest Hills and Quincy right at the corner. I pay $1100 per mo for 5 good rooms which is pretty low for Dot right now. You get a bigger better place for your money here than the better parts of JP which is way overpriced.

By the way, Savin Hill is just great and over the hill is the best but really really expensive.




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[RemiJP]

I think Jamaica Plain is awesome for people in their 20s, lots of bars and restaurants and it's a quick trip to Suffolk and to Mass Ave. I'd stick close to the Stony Brook or Green Street T-stops to be closest to fun stuff and in a safe area. You should be able to find a nice 3 bd from 1500 to 2400.