Great city near Hopkinton for young professional/outdoor enthusiast?

[495neighbor]

Originally Posted by shrinkberry

There are no good independent radio stations, few home-grown bands, and not a lot of artist types.

River 92.5
Emerson College Radio WERS
WGBH

All good quality indie music, at least to me

[shrinkberry]

Originally Posted by 495neighbor

River 92.5
Emerson College Radio WERS
WGBH

All good quality indie music, at least to me

WERS is ok. The Emerson broadcasting students are more into broadcasting than they are into the music, if that makes any sense. They play an interesting variety but don't introduce any new, local or regional bands. No musicians in the studio playing live. That said, for me the bar has been set pretty high by KEXP in Seattle (although the station has moved slightly mainstream lately and isn't as good as it once was).

92.5 always comes in static-y where I live so I haven't given it much of a chance. I'll try to give it another shot.

[timberline742]

Originally Posted by shrinkberry

few home-grown bands, and not a lot of artist types. .

Woah woah woah, what Boston are do you live in? There are amazing open studios and in general, artists all over it, seems everyone and their mom is an artist. It isn't out in your face like Providence, but it is there. The music scene is crazy lively. If I had the energy, I'd be out every night and have trouble picking which show to go to. If you're going by what is listed as playing at the Middle East or Great Scott (etc) alone you're missing 90% of what is going on in the area. It seems like there is a fest or two every month as well. There is an underground one at the Democracy Center this weekend and most bands are local (though this particular one the genre isn't for everyone).

[missionhill]

Originally Posted by scratchie

Waltham has a small downtown. Lots of good restaurants and bars, maybe one or two places with live music. I'm not sure how lively Watertown is after dark.

Not very lively before dark either but a great place to live for its proximity to Cambridge.

And yes, whoever thinks Boston lacks a lively music scene isn't paying attention. Music is in the bones, from the BSO down to that busker on the corner.

[Cgski]

Waltham would be a good option which is cheaper than Cambridge, Somerville, Jamaica Plain and actually an easier commute to Hopkinton than any of those. Waltham is a small city/college town with a decent number of restaurants and bars, easy access to Boston, a good art house type movie theater, a brewery, and plenty of rental housing. Not as hip and artsy as Asheville, but probably the closest thing within a 45 minute commute to Hopkinton.