Any info on how to move to Salem Massachusetts and what it is like. (Danvers: apartments, for rent)

[FallenAngel9000]

My mother and I live in a small town and for years, we've struggled very much and now we have a chance to move somewhere that has a future for both of us. I want to attend Salem State University, which I heard it is now considered a university and is becoming more updated, which is awesome. So please, can anyone give me information on:

Crime rate in Salem
Apartments/houses for rent, which don't have to be too close to SSU, I want to get a car soon, which brings up my next question
Job. My mother has her GED, has never gone to college, but she is highly intelligent and a very quick learner, what are the chances she finds a job not too physical that will have alright to decent pay and where if you know?
I am a high school graduate, freshly so, , I will be working at Dominos down here, where i am, and one day i plan to be a shift runner and I learned there are Dominos down there, so maybe I could be a manager down there one day, if not are there many jobs around that pay decently for soon to be college kids?
I want to do 2 years of community college here, then when we move, go to SSU, is that possible?
What is the weather like? ( silly question but my mother is arthritic so cold weather hurts, but if it isn't in the negatives she'll be good)
We learned that because Salem is a seaport city, it floods from tides....Where is it safest from flooding but still pretty close to SSU and entertainment?
I love to swim, are there clean safe beaches around, or public pools around Salem?
How exactly should I go about looking for an apartment/house for rent, this is for those who have recently moved there, I would like to know if you spoke with someone on the phone, or actually went down for a little while to look around?
Last thing, all these things I'm asking, it's basically curiosity because we won't be moving down there for two to three years. But I am a very eccentric excitable teenager and the idea of living somewhere that has a tragic history but beautiful presently is just too dang hard to not research.

[495neighbor]

I recall a similar post, several months back.

[FallenAngel9000]

how does that help lol

[CaseyB]

If your mother is arthritic she would not like the cold, damp weather on the coast.

[Bruins_Fan]

You might take a look at Craigslist to get a sense of apartment rents. I don't know where you live now, but Mass. is very expensive. Also beware there are some sketchy areas in Salem.

[FallenAngel9000]

CaseyB, she is able to deal with like 20 degrees and up, I know that sounds weird, but it's true. Also, we are trying to live a little far from the water, as to avoid floods during high tide.

Bruins_Fan, yes i looked on Craigslist. A lot of the apts and houses seem inexpensive but it gets confusing. I learned The Point is a sketchy place.

[495neighbor]

Originally Posted by FallenAngel9000

how does that help lol

I don't know. It must have been a similar poster who was seeking out Salem with their mother in tow.

[timberline742]

Originally Posted by FallenAngel9000

CaseyB, she is able to deal with like 20 degrees and up, I know that sounds weird, but it's true. Also, we are trying to live a little far from the water, as to avoid floods during high tide.

Well Salem doesn't sound right, especially with the wind chill

[FallenAngel9000]

Unfortunately, timberline742, my mother's got her heart and soul into it. Maybe, we should try living there for a year round to see how it really is. All the stuff I've read was good about Salem, maybe I'll just keep looking at people's personal opinions and go from there. I hope to find info on homes that don't get flooded or nearly as flooded as some closer to shore. Maybe inland homes, if not, that's alright. We could live in Danvers for all I care hah. Thank you though.

[Bruins_Fan]

Where are you moving FROM?