Relocating to MA - 1/2 time in Lexington, 1/2 time in Cambridge (Boston: apartments, for rent)

[jackstone]

Posed this question on the Boston board but figured I might do as well if not better here...

Next summer I am starting a new assignment to Hanscom AFB. I will be moving from Denver, CO. I'm looking for recommendations of places to live knowing that I will probably not be here longer than four years.

My work will probably take me to MIT Lincoln Labs on a fairly regular basis. Therefore I will probably want to live in Cambridge proper but I realize that I will have to commute to Lexington 1/2 the time.

I'll be 24, and am single & male. Was looking for resources besides Craigslist and realtor.com to find roommates/apartments/maybe a place to buy if feasible.

I'm originally from PA, went to college in PA so I understand the northeastern mentality. I'm wondering if there are any drastic cultural differences in working world bw Boston and Philadelphia/DC/NYC. I've only been to Boston once, when I was in middle school.

Thanks in advance,

Matt

[ogre]

I'm a little unclear about where you will actually be working. You say you'll be working at Lincoln Lab, which is in Lexington, but then you say that it's probably best for you to live in Cambridge. This, along with the heading of your post, leads me to guess that you will spend significant time working both in Lexington, and in Cambridge on the MIT campus. But you also mention Hanscom. Will you also actually be working at the base? Getting more of a clear picture on which locations you'll be working in should help people get a better idea of which location will work best for you. It would also help to get some specifics on the kind of living situation you'd prefer. More urban or suburban? Would you buy a house or rent (either a house or an apartment)? What's your price range?

Without these specifics, two possibilities come to mind. I'm going to guess that, being 24, you're going to want more of an urban setting. I'm also guessing that you're single, so, no kids, and schools aren't an issue. For a more urban setting, Cambridge would work well. If you'll be working regular daytime hours, driving from Cambridge to Lexington in the morning, back to Cambridge in the afternoon, would have you going the opposite direction from the heaviest traffic. Traffic in the Boston area tends to be heavy going in all directions during commuting hours, but a morning commute from Cambridge to Lexington would be lots better than the opposite direction.

The other town that comes to mind is Arlington. It's between Cambridge and Lexington, a little less urban than Cambridge, but it's still populated enough to have plenty of areas where basic businesses are within walking distance, and still puts you very close to Boston, when you really want to get into the city, while being centrally located between Cambridge, Lexington, and Hanscom.

A couple of ideas to get you started. A few more details from you, and people should really be able to help you home in on the right area. Good luck with your move, and congratulations on the new job.

[septimus]

I would pick cambridge or Somerville. Somewhere close to the Porter or Davis Sq. T stops would be ideal so you can take the t or bike to MIT or hope on route 2 to drive to Hanscomb. You can try craigslist for a roommate situation. If you aren't opposed to multiple roommates, when i was young and single I lived in Davis Sq. with 3 other roommates and lots of my friends did the same. We had big apartments and cheap rent.

[jackstone]

Originally Posted by ogre

I'm a little unclear about where you will actually be working. You say you'll be working at Lincoln Lab, which is in Lexington, but then you say that it's probably best for you to live in Cambridge. This, along with the heading of your post, leads me to guess that you will spend significant time working both in Lexington, and in Cambridge on the MIT campus. But you also mention Hanscom. Will you also actually be working at the base? Getting more of a clear picture on which locations you'll be working in should help people get a better idea of which location will work best for you. It would also help to get some specifics on the kind of living situation you'd prefer. More urban or suburban? Would you buy a house or rent (either a house or an apartment)? What's your price range?

Without these specifics, two possibilities come to mind. I'm going to guess that, being 24, you're going to want more of an urban setting. I'm also guessing that you're single, so, no kids, and schools aren't an issue. For a more urban setting, Cambridge would work well. If you'll be working regular daytime hours, driving from Cambridge to Lexington in the morning, back to Cambridge in the afternoon, would have you going the opposite direction from the heaviest traffic. Traffic in the Boston area tends to be heavy going in all directions during commuting hours, but a morning commute from Cambridge to Lexington would be lots better than the opposite direction.

The other town that comes to mind is Arlington. It's between Cambridge and Lexington, a little less urban than Cambridge, but it's still populated enough to have plenty of areas where basic businesses are within walking distance, and still puts you very close to Boston, when you really want to get into the city, while being centrally located between Cambridge, Lexington, and Hanscom.

A couple of ideas to get you started. A few more details from you, and people should really be able to help you home in on the right area. Good luck with your move, and congratulations on the new job.

There's an example of my ignorance. I didn't realize Lincoln Lab was not on the MIT campus. I just got this assignment so am doing some preliminary research. I will be working at Hanscom as well. I'm estimating 50/50 on the work split time.

That being said, being young and single I much prefer the urban environment. For renting purposes I'd prefer to spend less than $1500, so I guess that if I were buying my mortgage payment could be up to $2000.

The only other thing I can say right now is I may try to hit the homerun for MBA school and could end up staying in the area longer than the 4 years I currently anticipate. That's not 100% certain as I may end up relocating for MBA school as well.

[airedaly]

If you live in Cambridge and work some of the time on campus and some of the time in Lexington, you can take the LL shuttle. This will save you money since you won't need to own a car. Lots of LL employees use the shuttle. You can find the schedule online. Parking in and around Boston/Cambridge is difficult; parking tickets add up quickly. Cambridge/Somerville are the best locations for young singles. Some of the apartments come with parking spaces.

LL is a great place to work. Good Luck!

[MagicTouch]

Jacksstone:

MIT/LL sits on the outside of Hansom AFB in Lexington, next to the entrance to the base. I am currently moving to MA for a position within MIT/LL, I have visited there frequently over the past two years.

Best Wishes on your relocation !!

[ogre]

Originally Posted by jackstone

There's an example of my ignorance. I didn't realize Lincoln Lab was not on the MIT campus. I just got this assignment so am doing some preliminary research. I will be working at Hanscom as well. I'm estimating 50/50 on the work split time.

That being said, being young and single I much prefer the urban environment. For renting purposes I'd prefer to spend less than $1500, so I guess that if I were buying my mortgage payment could be up to $2000.

The only other thing I can say right now is I may try to hit the homerun for MBA school and could end up staying in the area longer than the 4 years I currently anticipate. That's not 100% certain as I may end up relocating for MBA school as well.

Given your preference for an urban environment, I'd suggest that you stay with the three towns that have been suggested: Cambridge, Somerville, Arlington. The area around Hanscom is very suburban. All the towns around there are nice--for families. Cambridge, Somverville, or Arlington would be the closest good places with a more urban character. Very workable commute, all the more so if you're working daytime hours, so that you'd be driving opposite to the main flow of traffic.

The above three towns are probably the best possibilities, but one more suggestion I have, just to give you a few options to look into, is Newton. It's a short run (slow during commuting hours, but still a short enough distance to be manageable) down 128 (the innermost outer-belt highway) from Lexington/Hanscom. Despite being somewhat densely populated, Newton is basically suburban in character, and largely residential, but it does have local shopping areas scattered throughout, and borders the outskirts of Boston on the west, with quick road access to the city, and direct access by commuter train and light rail as well. Newton is one more option to consider, if for some reason the three places already mentioned don't turn out to be quite right, but Cambridge, Arlington, Somerville seem like the best bets to check into first.

[brightdoglover]

Arlington, especially East Arlington, would be perfect. East Arlington is sort of an extension of Cambridge, is literally across the road from Cambridge, and is immediately next to Rt. 2 (straight shot to Hanscom). Also, you'd be going against traffic both ways. I drive against traffic on Rt. 2 every morning and there's no problem whatsoever.
Lots of single-bedroom apartments in Arlington Center/East Arlington. Yes, your neighbors might be old ladies, but your car insurance will be very low, it's a quiet/safe area, and you are five minutes from Cambridge, by car, Mass. Ave. bus, or bike.
Good luck! It's a great place to be under 30, and sounds like a good career opportunity.