Moving to Boston from Asia (Brookline, Huntington: condo, transfer, to buy)

[hannahchan]

My daughter is accepted at Winsor so we will be moving from Asia to Boston. A big change for us! We are most worried about the weather. We have never lived in a place that cold before.

I don't want to have to worry about the lawn and the snow in the winter so I am considering living in a condo/loft (preferably a loft) but at the same time want to be no more than 15 minutes from the school. Also, we are city people therefore prefer to live in an urban area.

Any suggestions on where we should live? We are making a trip to Boston in June to look at housing. Hopefully we would have a good idea on the areas we should zero in by then.

Appreciate any suggestion.

[whinton]

Brookline (specifically near Coolege Corner or Brookline Village) is very very close to Winsor. Symphony area and Back Bay is also quite close (short ride on the green line subway). Other parts of Boston (Beacon Hill, South End, maybe even North End) are within 15 minutes on the subway.

[ChunkyMonkey]

Welcome, just make sure you have the proper warm clothes and you'll handle the weather just fine. I grew up in Southeast Asia where winter doesn't exist, so if I can handle it, I'm sure you can. Good luck.

[smarty]

Congratulation. It is a great girls school.

If you look at a map, I suggest Rt9 (Huntington Ave/Ave of the Art) be the lower boundary.

Check murder maps. It will give you an idea where you may not want to live.
[url]www.boston-online.com/crime/[url]

[aixinz2002]

If you won't get a car, look for places near MBTA green line. I recommend green line C, D, or E. Try to avoid B because it makes too many local stops and often crowded with college students during school semesters.
Brookline is a vibrant community with many shops, restaurants; very diverse with many asian living in the area; close to Boston Chinatown.
Be sure not to live more than 10 minutes of walking distance from the train station, or it'd be very brutal to endure in the winter time.

[Parsec]

Also, the D line is under construction this whole summer. It is still running -- just w/lots of bus transfers, but will have many delays.

[hcoen]

Jamaica Plain, part of the city of Boston, is quite an easy commute to the Winsor School (right down the J'way) There are many great ethnic restaurants and shops in the area and a sense on communtiy. Public transportation makes it an easy commute to Boston. And yes, I am a realtor in the area (just wanted to make that clear) but as a resident of the area, I think it would be worthwhile for you to check it out.
Another option, more expensive is Brookline, lovely community, but taxes are much higher and if you are not planning on using the fine public school may not be the best option.

[smarty]

Originally Posted by hcoen

Another option, more expensive is Brookline, lovely community, but taxes are much higher and if you are not planning on using the fine public school may not be the best option.

High Taxes? Since the tuition at Winsor is more than many colleges, I do not think tax is a concern if she decides to buy.