information on the Salem/Beverly Mass. area (Boston, Gloucester: apartments, rentals)

[met0themax]

Hey everyone.

I've been considering moving to the Salem/Beverly area of Massachusetts for a little while now. I'm not sure if it will be a 'forever' move. Right now it's more for just college.

I've been looking at Salem State and Edicott College. I want to live in a small town.. and Salem and Beverly seem perfect. I'm from Philadelphia, PA .. so yes, they are both small towns.

I would just like some information on the towns that I'm not going to find on a website.

Like:
How save are the towns?
Are there nice apartments?
Are there a lot of things to do being in your early 20's?
What are the beaches like in the summer?
How strict are gun laws? Right to carry/hard to get a permit?
Conservative/liberal area?

Things like that. I'm sure there are more things I can't think of right now. Thanks for helping ! :]

[sue629]

To answer your questions-
The areas are safe. You do not hear about violent crime in these areas. Crime may be drug related, breaking and entering that sort of thing but not much in shootings, car jacking, violent crime etc.
apartments vary- there are new, luxury buildings that are very nice, there are older homes with rental units in them that can also be fine. it depends alot on how the landlord keeps up the property. Renting from a distance is difficult you would have to come to the area and spend a couple of days looking around. Rents are much more reasonable then in Boston area. Look on craigslist to get an idea, many apts get advertised in the local papers. Salem evening news is especially popular for apt searching.
Both areas are on the seacoast. Beverly has beaches but there are better beaches as you go up the coast toward Gloucester, which is not that far.
Salem has some small beaches, not great. Both areas offer alot to do. There are tons of bars/restaurants with music, there are movie theatres in both places, festivals during the summer and fall, sailing and boating, sports teams (adult softball is big) Beverly is well known for its art scene as there is a well known art school in the center. It also has a theatre in the round for plays, concerts, shows. Salem is more historical. Both areas have been developing and attracting young people to move in. both have train stations and salem has a ferry service to boston. I would call the area liberal with an "alternative" feel to it, especially Beverly. Guns are only allowed with permit and the permit is hard to come by. You need to have good cause to apply for one. It is not an easy thing, like in the south where anyone can go in and buy a gun. Not here and why would you want one anyway? As for the schools you are looking at. Endicott is beautiful with a campus right on the water, tucked away on a winding, back road very countrified. The buildings are really nice and the campus is a quiet one. Salem is a bit larger, not as attractive, but I think possibly may offer more in the way of degrees, courses. They are applying for university status and will be receiving it soon, I believe. There are alot of rentals in the area of Salem State, not so much with Endicott as it is in a residential area (upscale).

[met0themax]

Originally Posted by sue629

To answer your questions-
The areas are safe. You do not hear about violent crime in these areas. Crime may be drug related, breaking and entering that sort of thing but not much in shootings, car jacking, violent crime etc.
apartments vary- there are new, luxury buildings that are very nice, there are older homes with rental units in them that can also be fine. it depends alot on how the landlord keeps up the property. Renting from a distance is difficult you would have to come to the area and spend a couple of days looking around. Rents are much more reasonable then in Boston area. Look on craigslist to get an idea, many apts get advertised in the local papers. Salem evening news is especially popular for apt searching.
Both areas are on the seacoast. Beverly has beaches but there are better beaches as you go up the coast toward Gloucester, which is not that far.
Salem has some small beaches, not great. Both areas offer alot to do. There are tons of bars/restaurants with music, there are movie theatres in both places, festivals during the summer and fall, sailing and boating, sports teams (adult softball is big) Beverly is well known for its art scene as there is a well known art school in the center. It also has a theatre in the round for plays, concerts, shows. Salem is more historical. Both areas have been developing and attracting young people to move in. both have train stations and salem has a ferry service to boston. I would call the area liberal with an "alternative" feel to it, especially Beverly. Guns are only allowed with permit and the permit is hard to come by. You need to have good cause to apply for one. It is not an easy thing, like in the south where anyone can go in and buy a gun. Not here and why would you want one anyway? As for the schools you are looking at. Endicott is beautiful with a campus right on the water, tucked away on a winding, back road very countrified. The buildings are really nice and the campus is a quiet one. Salem is a bit larger, not as attractive, but I think possibly may offer more in the way of degrees, courses. They are applying for university status and will be receiving it soon, I believe. There are alot of rentals in the area of Salem State, not so much with Endicott as it is in a residential area (upscale).

Thanks so much for responding so quickly! I'm definitely coming up to visit probably sometime after Christmas and I can't wait.

Salem State does seem like it offers more.

As for the gun thing, better to have one and not need it then need it and not have one. Growing up in the city I've seen too much. I'm a girl and I like to be very protected. I'm not exactly "big" .. so yeah. I don't want to be raped.

Anyway, thanks a lot for responding!