Moving from Seattle to Lowell. Advice please! (Boston, Somerville: college, living in)

[pattyarashi]

Hi,

I will be starting at UMass Lowell this fall. I am hoping someone can give me advices on where is a good town/city to live that is easy to commute to Lowell, but close enough to Boston by taking the MBTA commuter train. Any suggestions will be appreciated!

[495neighbor]

Most of these towns directly in between Boston and Lowell would be too sleepy for a college age student. I recommend living in Lowell or living near Boston in Medford or Somerville where many people in their 20s live. West Medford is a actually on a commuter line that goes directly to Lowell and you might be able to catch a shuttle or city bus to the campus from there, for the days you don't want to drive.

[gf2020]

I assume you are a graduate student?

The UMass Lowell office of Residence Life can assist you with off-campus graduate student housing:

Office of Residence Life

[bler144]

I would live in Lowell. Assuming you're going to campus 4-5 days a week, the commute out from anywhere more interesting than Lowell is going to be pretty long. And as the 'burbs go, Lowell has pretty good dining (though for budget reasons, you should cook at home).

Not to mention you'd be paying a premium for housing to live closer to the city only to spend money commuting out (whether by MBTA or by car). You'll save a lot by living in Lowell rather than West Medford.

I agree with gf- contact the UM-L housing office. They presumably have someone to at least have a discussion with you about what's available locally and what might meet your needs/wants. After you get a general lay of the land I'm sure if you have specific questions you'll get opinions from C-D posters.