Moving in a month, need help ASAP! (Boston, Cambridge: real estate, affordable apartments)

[lucywife]

Hello everyone.
I received a job offer and moving to Boston from PA. I wonder if anyone can help me with my questions, since I'm moving by myself (and a cat) my main concern is safety, I will be working in downtown most of the time. The ideal situation would be an apartment complex/gated community, nothing run-down or too old, my price limit for a studio/1 br is $1500, is it even real?? I've found something VERY nice online, but it's in Providence...too bad. I have a car, but this is probably a very long commute? I'm not really familiar with the area.
As I've learned the places to be avoided are Dorchester, Roxbury, Lynn...?
I would really appreciate any input because moving alone is such a hassle especially that I don't even know where to start looking and I have a month before my job starts!
Also, it is possible to hire someone(real estate agent probably?) who will drive you around showing the apartments? Correct me if I'm wrong, please, I need to find a place quickly

[Lowerdeck]

Yes, I would suggest avoiding Dorchester, Roxbury, certain parts of Jamaica Plain, Chelsea, Revere.

There are plenty of nicer places even one bedroom that you could get for under 1500 a month. My friend lived on Beacon Hill in a studio (granted 250 sq. ft.) for $1100 a month. So it's possible. Anything near the Green Line is a fine neighborhood.

Providence is probably too far of a commute by car, unless you're willing to go an hour plus. They are about 50 miles apart.

[lucywife]

Thank you!
Just found something online looking very nice, but it's in Chelsea, erasing this one.

What about Sommerville or Medford?

[Bostonian08]

Originally Posted by lucywife

Thank you!
Just found something online looking very nice, but it's in Chelsea, erasing this one.

What about Sommerville or Medford?

Both of those are fine but a $1500 studio can be found in the best parts of downtown as well. Somerville is mostly inconvenient to the T (subway) and I think Medford is too. Boston's downtown is very safe, elegant, and exciting - in fact it's the best part of Boston. Try Back Bay, Brookline, Beacon Hill first. 2nd choice, Fenway, North End, Cambridge (near Red line). You can't lose on these. Back Bay, Fenway, and Beacon Hill pix are here:

http://www.city-data.com/forum/bosto...-downtown.html

[maggiekate]

newton is nice and maybe norwood or brookline chestut hill area

[DreamworksSKG]

Try Quincy it has access to the Red Line -and a good location on the south shore.

Salem is an interesting downtown with affordable apartments- and an interesting mix of people. and the history of course. its a tourist town and quite exciting around halloween. If you get an apartment downtown you could walk to the train station or bike to the train station. -

Ipswich is a beautiful town on the North Shore by Cape Ann. and you could have a resident sticker to Crane beach.
there' s commuter rail into Boston

Andover, Reading or Wilmington would be good commuter suburb choices. All are central to Boston and have commuter rail into town.

Wakefield is a particularly nice suburban town with a quaint center.
and a couple recreation areas in town.
Lake QUanapowitt and Breakheart Reservation
Commuter rail right in town as well as bus to oak grove "T" (orange line)

Arlington would be my next and fiinal choice for you
it has a nice bike path for recreation.
The Arlington Heights are particularly nice.
best choice of apartments would probably be east arlington toward Cambridge/Somerville or Dowtown. SPy pond is nice too, and there's services , cafes, restaurants up and down Mass Ave and in the center.
Easy Bus Service into Alewife. "Red Line" or Davis Square/Porter Square. Depending on which route you want to take.

Hope this helps

In order of favorites

I'd say
Arlington
Wakefield
Salem
Quincy (Quin-Z)

[DreamworksSKG]

Davis Square Somerville Area has a lot going on and close to Tufts Univ also easy access to Red Line

and ---in the future the green line..

Medford would be a good choice too

[lucywife]

DreamworksSKG
Thank you very much for elaborating. I actually found something very nice in Quincy and it was my question, but you answered it, great!

I am looking at some places in East Boston, "T" - Airport. How is it? I like the building, their security system, and so on, but looking at the crime map...I'm not sure.
What do you think?

[Bostonian08]

Originally Posted by lucywife

DreamworksSKG
Thank you very much for elaborating. I actually found something very nice in Quincy and it was my question, but you answered it, great!

I am looking at some places in East Boston, "T" - Airport. How is it? I like the building, their security system, and so on, but looking at the crime map...I'm not sure.
What do you think?

I think it's a bad idea to consider eastie when you've never even been there. You should land in downtown first, spend a little extra to live comfortably and securely for your first year, then consider the more complicated neighborhoods after you know where you are.

Some people are not comfortable with the Red line through Dorchester. You can meet some wild kids.

[lucywife]

Originally Posted by Bostonian08

I think it's a bad idea to consider eastie when you've never even been there. Some people are not comfortable with the Red line through Dorchester. You can meet some wild kids.

Good point. This is what I'm trying to avoid at any cost.

Opinions about Charlestown, please?