Working in Framingham - where to live? (Boston, Newton: rent, neighborhood)

[raveabouttoast]

I'm currently looking at different job options and one of the jobs would be in Framingham. It's not definite, but it is one of the few jobs I'm thinking about that's not in the immediate Boston Area.

Any suggestions on where to live?

I'm mid-late 20s, single male and would like to get a taste of the city. For what it's worth, with the other jobs I was considering Somerville, Medford area. Close to the city and the T, but still with enough room for off-street parking and a little extra space.

Newton and Waltham seem to be the bigger towns inside the 95 loop. How are they for my situation? Any other suggestions?

[redpanda]

If you're commuting to Framingham, I'd stick with areas like Brookline (although parking can be a pain there), Allston/Brighton, Jamaica Plain, etc. To get to Framingham from Somerville/Medford, you have to first fight through the commute south. Although, since it's a reverse commute from there, it might not be as awful as I'm envisioning. Anyone else have any thoughts?

[raveabouttoast]

If I was to work in Framingham, I would not plan on living in Somerville or Medford. What I meant was I'd like a place similar to those areas (not full-on city, but not completely suburban).

My friend had a place in Brookline and I think I would like it there. But my big concern is having a place for my car and motorcycle. Need the car cause I do a lot of traveling and I don't want to give up the bike.

[redpanda]

When I lived in Brookline, my apt. included a parking spot. But you don't always get so lucky! Try JP (Jamaica Plain) if you like Somerville and Brookline, parts of it echo both of those. It's a bit harder to get on the highway from there, though.

[Bostonian08]

You could live pretty much anywhere in or near the city since you'll be doing a reverse commute. You just want to look for an apt with a private parking space included. That's not too hard to find, but it usually means an extra 150 per month. You can squeze a car and mc in one space. For maximum convenience, you want to live west of BOS or really close to an on ramp to the pike , Rt 9, or Rt 20. Give up a little more convenience to get the more urban experience. Anyplace in downton BOs is doable as access to the pike is easy from almost any neighborhood north of JP. I say go for the city. Rent in Fenway, Allston, Brookline, Back Bay, even Southie, and where downtown as long as it's not farther than two miles from a pike entrance.