Two questions: Snow Day & Best Areas for Car (Boston: sales, rentals)

[FashionD]

I know...random questions.

Firstly, I've never really lived in an area with snow...so, moving to Boston has got me thinking about snow days. Do employers generally pay you for snow days or are these unpaid? It probably depends on the employer, right? Also, approximately how many snow days are there a year? I'm sure this depends on the weather, as well. So just general info would be appreciated.

Secondly, living in CA now, my boyfriend and I both have cars. We don't know exactly what area we are moving to yet...(have thought about Watertown, Alewife, Cambridge, Brookline, or Back Bay). We are planning on selling one of our cars and keeping the hybrid....however, what areas are best for car owners? I'm sure Back Bay would be no good and possibly Cambridge? If we did choose to live further out of town, like Lexington or Arlington, would cars be easier to have?

[smarty]

There is no snow days unless you're going to elementary school. Unless there is a state of emergency, you're required to go to work.

I have no idea what you mean by areas are best for car owners. (What area in CA is best for car owners?) What exactly is your concern? Are you concern about parking? In general, city has less space and more parking problems than suburb.

[cvap]

I've never heard of a buisness closing for snow issues unless a 100 year blizzard hits, or your gonna be a teacher or some other type of municipal employee.About having vehicles, I think you'll want one at least no matter where you move.

[smarty]

There is a misconception that various restrictions or bans automatically are triggered when there is a Gubernatorial State of Emergency in place. This is not so. The declaration of a State of Emergency does not in itself affect the operation of private enterprise. Travel is not automatically banned; businesses and schools are not automatically closed. Many businesses do have contractual agreements with their employees regarding who does/does not have to report to work when a Gubernatorial State of Emergency is issued.

What is a Gubernatorial State of Emergency?

[jayrandom]

Two answers...

1) No snow days for ordinary businesses, but companies often let employees out early if travel will be a problem. It depends a lot on the employer and the kind of work you do. If you commute by public transportation, in particular the subway, you shouldn't be effected too much. If you rely on driving to work, there may be a couple of 3+ hour commutes if you get unlucky.

2) Cars are generally both easier and more necessary the further from the city you go. Places you might consider are Arlington, Belmont, and Watertown. All three have convenient public transportation in to Boston and Cambridge and all three generally include parking in rentals. In Cambridge parking will generally be more difficult to come by, but you will generally be able to get along better without a car. Lexington would more than likely necessitate a car for getting to work--public transportation isn't as prolific and while bus routes exist, they are not as frequent or fast.

[FashionD]

I didn't really think this was a trick question, Smarty. Thanks Jay for understanding the question.

I'm just concerned because I know MA has higher car insurance rates over CA (or so I hear) AND there are fees for parking, which I've never dealt with here in CA, and Boston has much better public transportation than SD or LA...so moving anywhere else, I'd probably keep both cars...but moving to Boston, and likely living close to the city center, we might have to get rid of one or both cars before we move.

As far as snow days, I wasn't aware it was just schools. My friend works for the local government in Ohio and gets "snow days" when inclement weather hits. I thought it was a snow area thing.

[RemiJP]

Back Bay is the most challenging area for parking that you mentioned, followed by Cambridge, then Brookline. That said, you are essentially in the heart of the city in Back Bay, so you would use the T all the time. Only dump both cars if you are moving to Back Bay or you experience difficulty in finding a place with parking in Cambridge or Brookline. You'll want a car in Arlington and Lexington for sure, maybe two.

[MagicTouch]

FashionD - As far as car insurance goes, it may actually be less, depending upon where you live. I moved from SoCal (Riverside County) to Bedford, MA less than a year ago. My insurance went down by almost 1/2. In CA I paid 108 monthly (1296 yr) and here I pay 689 a year. I know if I lived in areas closer to Boston it would be more expensive, but I just wanted to let you know that your insurance won't sky rocket like you think.

Best wishes to you on your relocating to MA.

[tocoto]

I think your car insurance will be lower in MA unless you live in the city itself. Your sales tax is likely to be lower with no tax on food clothes or medicine. I think your state income tax may be lower too.

You are likely to have to pay for a parking space in the Back bay.

Many places along the green and red lines offer good public trans. to the city and will have parking for at least one car in general. I would avoid the Dorchester, Roxbury, and Mattapan sections of Boston.

The amount of snow in Boston is blown out of proportion. It also rains in the winter (rain and snow in one storm is common) and that melts the snow and limits accumulation. I lived in CA for years and it's nice not to have the snow. One the other hand, I would guess there are fewer than 5 storms per winter that leave >6 inches of snow. The plows and salting crews are great and it is generally pretty easy to get around IMO. Every few years there is a big storm and that's what people remember. We still talk about the blizzard of '78 thirty years later so it's pretty clear nothing very disruptive happens too often. The winter in Boston is only marginally more intense than the winter in NYC or Philly.

When I moved here, I learned the most important thing is to get warm comfortable clothes for winter. It really does get cold at times, but with the right clothes winter has its own appeal.

[smarty]

FashionD I did not say it is a trick question. I just want to fully understand what your concerns were so we can better address them. You listed 2 things... insurance and parking. Are there more concerns? Like the commute to certain places (i.e. traffic), which town gives more moving violation tickets (vs warning), vandalism, breaking & entering, stolen cars, ... etc.

In any case, Good luck... Welcome.