Moving to Boston area?? (Cambridge, Quincy: apartment, job, layoffs)

[CareerMove]

Hello,
I'm new to this forum and have read through countless posts. I have an opportunity to move to either Boston or North Miami for a job, I'm currently in Toronto. Aside from the beautiful weather I'm leaning towards Boston. I'm single black female, 30 yo and very curious to get real feedback on living in Boston. I want to be very close to downtown Boston in order to take in all of the amenities that Boston has to offer in terms of nightlife, entertainment, shopping, restaurants, theatre, etc.

My research has turned up several articles suggesting that Boston still has undertones of racial tension. Coming from Toronto I want a multicultural, diverse and genuinely tolerant place to live. Does Boston offer this or is racial tension and segregation still an issue?

What about cost of living? Is it really that bad? Is it possible to get a decent sized 1Bd apartment not too far from the city that is clean, pest/rodent-free and safe?? CAn this be had for $1200 or less? What areas?

And what's the situation with parking?

I apologize for the series of questions but from what I've seen on these boards...you guys are the experts...thanks

[Hookie]

Well you won't be put off by the weather,coming from Toronto :-). Awful winters aside, I think you'd find Boston to be similar to Toronto. Generally highly educated, socially progressive people (read liberal) who are outsiders themselves. Then again, there are some really hahdcoah doodz from Southie who would beg to differ. Anyway, racism has long been alleged in Boston although I've never seen it. That goes back to the Irish/Italian immigrant population that has since been sort of dilluted. Bostonians are generally too smart to be racist, and the city is comprised of people from all over the world. It's an incredibly multicultural city, especially Cambridge.
About the apt.... 1200 may be a little low to find yourself in a good area, even just 1 br. Probably more like a studio. The best area to live in Boston if you want to be near the action is Back Bay. You might consider a roomate, and you would do fine. Anything for 1200 would put you a decent T ride away from Back Bay.
ps- downtown is all businesses and the touristy Quincy Market. Back Bay/Harvard Square are what you are looking for.

[Chianti]

Aside from some very blue-collar Irish enclaves in Southie, Boston is NOT RACIST AT ALL. Trust me on this. Boston is an EXTREMELY educated place and people there welcome diversity.

I lived in Miami for six months. Its a great place to live short-term but I wouldn't recommend it long-term.

Go Boston all the way. You'll love it.

[momoffive]

i would recommend cambridge/or cambridge side of somerviille... if you guys think racism doesn't exist then you must not live in the suburbs...which is where a lot of racists live.....

[CareerMove]

I've heard lots about the areas of South End, Malden, Jamaica Plain...would they fit into the type of neighborhood I'm looking for without requiring a heavy commute

[Stockholmaren]

We're on our way to Boston as well, but from Ohio - right now we're leaning towards Cambridge, but we're also considering areas around Cleveland Circle and Brighton. I'll be going to BU, so it would be nice to have an easy commute to Kenmore Sq, but we like the multicultural Cambridge - unfortunately it looks like you may have to be a little more than 1200 for a good 1br apt there though.

[Stockholmaren]

And I almost forgot, it's good to see someone from Toronto here! We really liked Toronto and it may be one of the cities we're thinking about staying long-term in if we have that opportunity, so we may have some questions about Toronto if you don't mind answering them?
Go Leafs!!! (I know they didn't make the playoffs THIS year, but they will be back!)

[CareerMove]

Hi Stockholmaren,
Toronto is an amazing city which is why I am hesitant and have so many questions about the move to Boston! Good luck with your move!

[Stockholmaren]

I certainly understand your hesitation. I would be hesitant to leave as well if I lived there.
The only bad thing about Toronto is the location, it's a bit far from familiy and friends (east coast) for us, but I was very impressed by how clean it is - I haven't seen any american city come close, and how safe you felt at all parts of the city at all different times of the day. But the most impressive was the diversity of the city, that's also something that is very difficult to find in the US. We are definitely keeping TO in mind for the future, especially the day we have children.

[Stockholmaren]

Originally Posted by eddiemills

We also heard about the so called racial issues in Boston and where concerned at first as well, as I am multi racial (1/2 Black West Indian, 1/2 Scottish) and my wife is of East Indian decent. We have not had even one incident to date and live in a predominantly white suburb of Boston. From our experience this stereotype is false. As well Boston is quite multi cultural (not quite as much as Toronto) and you will meet people of all different races and nationalities. In addition the governor of Massachusetts is African American and he won his election quite convincingly, so if that isn't enough proof of tolerance I don't know what is.

This is the part that we're a little concerned about as well (I'm white European, wife is black from the Caribbean) since I've heard some negative comments on this issue. I'm sure it's a lot better than here in the Midwest though.
By the way, would you have any good West Indian eating places to recommend?