Please Help

[jnestorr]

Originally Posted by eevee

you admit in your post that driving after a night of drinking is risky, then just brush off that risk with a "hey, whatta heck". obviously, people are going to be alarmed by this. if you think there is something even remotely risky in this action, why do it? it has nothing to do with religion, just basic common sense. I see nothing wrong w/ a moral value that says that drinking and driving is bad (though, again, it's less of a moral value and more of a common sense thing).

again, Boston is not a car friendly city. you may be able to find and apartment w/ off street parking in some neighborhoods, but you'll never find free parking downtown, and it will be hard as hell to find free parking in many areas where popular bars and clubs are located. you're going to be paying a heavy premium if you insist on having a car in the city (especially if you insist on driving to work and work downtown. I don't even want to calculate how much it will cost to park downtown!) and that premium will make your initial budget of $1200 for a 1 bedroom apartment much harder to fulfill. your choices for neighborhoods are much fewer now and will be further away from the downtown core. many people live in Boston w/o a car and make use of the T, cabs, and car sharing programs like ZipCar. if you're dead-set on having a car, you'll need to seriously budget in parking costs, insurance, gas, etc (I know little to nothing about these things since I never drove in Boston, but I think you'll find these things eat quite a chunk away from post tax earnings). not saying it's impossible to live in Boston w/ a car, but you'll have to make sacrifices to keep that car and deal w/ the frustrations w/ driving in a cramped, congested city like Boston

live in Boston for a while and you'll find people either give up the "I can't live without my car!" mentality many people from the South/West coast, or become miserable about how anti-car Boston can get (not as bad as NYC, but not that far off)

Okay, so you are saying that even if i live about 10-15 miles outside downtown, i would still find it hard retaining my car. As for the weekends, over here in DC parking is an issue but you can find garaged parking for about 10-20 dollars depending on what part of the city you are in.

[jayrandom]

Originally Posted by jnestorr

Okay, so you are saying that even if i live about 10-15 miles outside downtown, i would still find it hard retaining my car. As for the weekends, over here in DC parking is an issue but you can find garaged parking for about 10-20 dollars depending on what part of the city you are in.

Boston is small (in size, at least). 10-15 miles is already deep in the suburbs and you should have no problem keeping a car. Of course, the problem will be the lack of nightlife, as 10-15 miles out is for the most part very sleepy. You should be able to easily have a car even 5-10 miles out, but again, all the action is relatively close in. If you're comfortable always traveling to go out, then it should work fine. Out in the suburbs there's a huge activation energy for going that far out, so just be warned.

Of course, if you'd like to live somewhere with an active nightlife, then most of those places are close to downtown (within say 5 miles) and having a car there would be a hassle. If you're interested in having an active social life, I really would recommend living in Boston or Cambridge and possibly ditching the car. That's where the bulk of the young people are. If you're looking to settle down and start a family, that is (possibly) the time to move 10-15 miles away.

One place you might want to consider is Waltham--there are some good restaurants/bars on Moody Street, you could find an apartment for $1200 with no problems, and its far enough out that keeping a car isn't a problem. Of course, depending on where you work the commute might be long.

[jnestorr]

Originally Posted by jayrandom

Boston is small (in size, at least). 10-15 miles is already deep in the suburbs and you should have no problem keeping a car. Of course, the problem will be the lack of nightlife, as 10-15 miles out is for the most part very sleepy. You should be able to easily have a car even 5-10 miles out, but again, all the action is relatively close in. If you're comfortable always traveling to go out, then it should work fine. Out in the suburbs there's a huge activation energy for going that far out, so just be warned.

Of course, if you'd like to live somewhere with an active nightlife, then most of those places are close to downtown (within say 5 miles) and having a car there would be a hassle. If you're interested in having an active social life, I really would recommend living in Boston or Cambridge and possibly ditching the car. That's where the bulk of the young people are. If you're looking to settle down and start a family, that is (possibly) the time to move 10-15 miles away.

One place you might want to consider is Waltham--there are some good restaurants/bars on Moody Street, you could find an apartment for $1200 with no problems, and its far enough out that keeping a car isn't a problem. Of course, depending on where you work the commute might be long.

So waltham is about 15 miles outside Boston? I guess i would have to take a ride to that side of the state for a quick tour . I have been to Mass so many times but only the Western End, I-91. I think i am all caught up in the scenario that we have over here. There is a number of major cities that are 10-15 miles outside DC that make a night life or just living in DC pretty much something optional. So when i try to compare to the situation, my thinking is that 10-15 miles outside downtown would still be as much live. Either way, i am very well aware that i could not afford living right in the city.

[eevee]

you CAN afford to live right in the city, it wouldn't be hard at all to find a 1 bedroom apartment for $1200. your options are just limited w/ a car. but even with a car, you should be able to find something at that budget that has permit on street parking, or even off street parking if you are very, very lucky

[smarty]

Just like DC... If you plan to drive into Boston from a suburb everyday... Parking in Boston downtown garage is not cheap... $300-450/mo. (and some times toll roads usually $3-5/day)

Living in neighborhoods in Boston (or Metro Boston) has the advantage of street parking stickers (does not mean it is easy to find a parking spot) or sometimes off street parking. Also, more options taking public transportation (like bus or subway). However, your car insurance may be higher. Based on my estimation of your age, you are likely to pay $1500/yr in car insurance. If you do get tickets or accidents, it will go up VERY fast!

The other things to consider is utilities (heat and electricity) when renting. It can add an extra $150-250 a month depending on the place you are renting.

Hence, my recommendation is still get a roommate!

[Luke9686]

If you're into the vibrant nightlife/city life I wouldn't live in the suburbs. Well maybe Cambridge or Somerville, but that will be mainly the college crowd. Just move into the city and hope you can squeeze out some sort of parking situation. Or just sell the car. Public transport in Boston is very good.

And if you haven't noticed, Bostonians are very forward and don't hold their tongues (or fingers).