SOUTH BOSTON - cost of living? (apartments, rental, condos)

[Tiger Beer]

This is probably difficult to know...but rather than Boston itself, what would be the general cost of living in South Boston...thinking apartments (either rental or ownership)...and if anything else of day-to-day living would be the same as anywhere else, or anything a bit cheaper - probably car expenses would be low...

Generally speaking...is the cost of living in Boston compareable to say Los Angeles or more like Seattle?

[HowGoesIt]

Southie is pretty expensive from what I remember. It's not as pricey as Back Bay, Beacon Hill, and the North End, but it's still pricey due to it's proximity to downtown and having numerous red line stations. There are very expensive condos near the T station on the west side. I had a friend who rented on the east side and paid $2000/month for a non-luxury, but nice 2 bedroom, parking not included.

[Cliff Clavin]

You can do much better than 2K per month for a 2 bed on the east side...aka City Point. As recently as 3 years ago I shared a 2 bed in City Point for 1,200 per month. Prior to that, I had a 3 bed for 1,100 per month. Also in City Point.

Considering it's proximity to downtown, and relatively safe streets, I think SB is one of the best deals in the city.

[Cantabridgienne]

Why not take a look on Craigslist and see what sort of apartments are available within your budget?

[snatale1]

Cheaper than LA, but remeber South Boston is still Boston AND your next to downtown so It is pricey. If you want to live in the city but don't need access to downtown look further out like West Roxbury.

[Sbostongirl]

Depends on if you plan on having roommates...to live alone, in a 1 bedroom, plan on spending
1000-1500/month (1000 being small/studio w/no bells and whistles and 1500 being nicely updated). Obviously if you have roomates, the cost is cheaper. You can get some decent places for about 600-800 w/ roomies. It's also cheaper on the west side than on the east side...east side is nicer/safer area.

[xS☺B☺s]

East South Boston (I just had to say that!) is closer to downtown via several bridges or causeways (principally "L Street") but has no train service. East South Boston ( better known as East Broadway, City Pointe or "Upper") is really nice - "lace curtain Irish". Plus they have the best park in the city - Castle Island. Sorry, I'd show you my own pix but my photo host is constantly down. Click the link to see a few.

[Shaesheart]

Anything around east Broadway is great...I wouldn't get too close to Dorchester though...Castle Island is amazing for scenic and walking the sugar bowl...also in the nicer weather everyone in Southie heads to Sully's for hot dogs
Good luck with your search!

[ductapephantom]

I've lived in southie for about a year and a half now in the L street/E. Broadway area. My sister and I rent a 2 bedroom house for around $1300 a month for maybe 1200 square feet (broad estimate, really have no idea). We just recently got gas heat, which was only $100 for the first 45 days (granted, not the most bitterly cold days, but not nearly as bad as the oil we were paying for before). Our water bill is around $20, cable (with literally all the bells and whistles, 2 HD dvrs, hd and movie channels) is around $200 a month with internet, and electric runs around $90 a month. This is the only part of the city I've lived in, having moved here from CT, so I don't really have anything locally to compare it to. Hope that helps!

[BosstonMA777]

There is a website South Boston Condos | South Boston's #1 Condo Website has prices...... Seems to be 1 bedroom condos are around $250,000 and up...... sometimes less...... Ive seen them on there as high as $700,000 for 2 bedrooms in some of the newer amenity buildings.