Having a car in Somerville feasible? (Boston, Cambridge: rental, neighborhoods, where to live)

[headphones456]

I got a job 10-15 miles north of Boston (and a bit to the West) that I'll be starting soon and am trying to figure out where to live. Currently I live too far away for my commute to be sustainable long term, and I want to move out anyway.

I am in my early 20s and single so I would be looking for somewhere somewhat "lively" and has a good amount of young people. I also absolutely need to live in a place where it is feasible to have a car. I have done a little bit of research and I am leaning towards Somerville, somewhere around Davis Square (not really sure what neighborhood specifically). My thought process is, it seems to fit the young/lively requirement based on what I have read, and I think it should be cheaper rent than most anywhere in Boston or Cambridge. (Additionally it would be slightly closer to my job.)

The only thing I'm worried about is the feasibility of having a car. I've read that since it's so densely populated it's extremely hard to find parking and I would need to do that every evening. Is this something I should be worried about? If a). this does not sound like a good plan because of the car thing or b). I am misinformed and Somerville is horrible in every way, are there any other suggestions on where to look at based on what I said I'm looking for?

[Dm84]

It will be a pain in the ass unless you have off street parking available to you.

[sonyeo]

not if you love yourself

[Peabody99]

If you really want a car, I'd look at Waltham...

[Aara5]

Davis is great, I lived there for years a block from the square with a car and no off street parking. There is street parking by zone based on where you live. I rarely had trouble finding parking. You might have to park down the street or the next street over at times, but if you can handle that it's fine. In your early 20s with no kids it's much better than being somewhere boring but having a driveway

[SalamanderSmile]

Everyone I know in Somerville has a car, its not that big of a thing. Obviously harder the closer you live to any T stop. You switch sides for street cleaning and just fight the fight of parking on the street, or you get a rental with parking.

[timberline742]

Where in somerville? I've lived in all neighborhoods, totally doable, easier or worse depending on place

[headphones456]

Hmm okay, some different answers, the first three made me kinda sad but I guess some say that it is very doable so thanks for all your honest answers/opinions!

Originally Posted by timberline742

Where in somerville? I've lived in all neighborhoods, totally doable, easier or worse depending on place

I was thinking Davis Sq or near it (sorry if I am confusing train stops and neighborhoods, I think Davis Sq is also considered a neighborhood?) because I read that it was the nicest and has the most going for it.

[timberline742]

Davis Sq I've lived in, probably the tightest parking situation in Somerville

Totally doable, but snow emergencies suck, no getting around that

[wolfgang239]

Absolutely doable, I live in Somerville and own 2 cars, both parked on street. Not far from Davis either. Almost everyone I know (also in my 20's) own vehicles here as well without issue.

Look for a spot with a driveway to save the rare headache of a snow emergency. Either that or make sure you live near one of the snow emergency lots listed on the City website.

Also, parking is not zoned based on where you live. Somerville permit means you can park in resident spots anywhere in the city.