Quincy (Boston, Cambridge, Brockton: violent crime, houses, neighborhoods)

[mjgandthree]

Tell me about Quin-Z please. It seems to be the most affordable place to live in near Cambridge. Is it a good place for a family with children? Any thoughts as to why home prices are low? TIA!

[pjscdn]

What are your priorities in looking for housiing? That would help. Quincy, in comparison to the surrounding area, is affordable. It is a city of about 80,000 people, predominately white, more Irish-Catholic, with a growing Asian population in the North Quincy area. Historically, it was known as a blue-collar town, where the now-defunct shipyards were the largest local employer. Today, it's changed to a commuter town, with most workers going to Boston for work. It is served by the Orange Line, which makes commuting downtown pretty easy.

For the most part, the city is safe. It does not have the problems you see in similarly sized cities such as Brockton. I cannot think of any area which I would advise you to avoid. There's plenty of shops and restaurants in the city's downtown area.

In comparison to the towns surrounding it, the schools are not rated as highly. The trend seems to be that young families get a starter home there, and move out in search of better schools as their kids get older. The city is in the process of building a new high school, which should improve things.

Hope this helps

[CaseyB]

Originally Posted by pjscdn

What are your priorities in looking for housiing? That would help. Quincy, in comparison to the surrounding area, is affordable. It is a city of about 80,000 people, predominately white, more Irish-Catholic, with a growing Asian population in the North Quincy area. Historically, it was known as a blue-collar town, where the now-defunct shipyards were the largest local employer. Today, it's changed to a commuter town, with most workers going to Boston for work. It is served by the Orange Line, which makes commuting downtown pretty easy.

For the most part, the city is safe. It does not have the problems you see in similarly sized cities such as Brockton. I cannot think of any area which I would advise you to avoid. There's plenty of shops and restaurants in the city's downtown area.

In comparison to the towns surrounding it, the schools are not rated as highly. The trend seems to be that young families get a starter home there, and move out in search of better schools as their kids get older. The city is in the process of building a new high school, which should improve things.

Hope this helps

Good description. Quincy is serviced by the RED line, not the orange one. The Red line will take you into Cambridge. Also, the population is closer to 90,000 now. It's overall relatively safe for a large city. Supposedly, it's the 2nd safest city in Massachusetts (Newton being the 1st). The crime there consists mostly of drugs and prostitution - but not the kind of violent crime you see in other areas. Actually, some of the neighborhoods have a lot of charm, and Wollaston Beach has been cleaned up.

[crazyworld]

Originally Posted by CaseyB

Good description. Quincy is serviced by the RED line, not the orange one. The Red line will take you into Cambridge. Also, the population is closer to 90,000 now. It's overall relatively safe for a large city. Supposedly, it's the 2nd safest city in Massachusetts (Newton being the 1st). The crime there consists mostly of drugs and prostitution - but not the kind of violent crime you see in other areas. Actually, some of the neighborhoods have a lot of charm, and Wollaston Beach has been cleaned up.

I was going to post also about the RED line.
The only thing is that I ask that you not compare Quincy to Brockton.....Brockton has an incredible amount of violent crime. We are nothing like Brockton.

I have lived in Quincy for about 30 years. I love it!
I walk Wollaston Beach almost every day covering about 3 miles and it is so pretty now!

[scorp200]

Is it completely out of my mind to consider living in Quincy and commuting to Cambridge? I'd also have to walk from the Central Square stop (or take the bus). Winter might be rough...

[crazyworld]

Not irrational at all.

[findingmesomeday]

Scorp, coming from NC, would you want something a bit less urban? Arlington is also on the Red Line (the other end from Quincy) and it's a quick trip into Cambridge. If you ride the Red Line from Quincy, you have to go through Boston and back out the other side.

[tsis1]

"Tell me about Quin-Z please."


At least you know how to say the name of the city. Good start!

[ice_cream_eyes]

I wouldn't live in Qunicy. I was there today visiting the Adams houses which was very nice but all around it in Quincy Center it is kind of a dump. My family and I tried to have a picnic lunch over by the Thomas Crane library and there were druggies, punk teenagers, and cigarette butts everywhere!

[crazyworld]

Sorry you had a bad experience...there are a lot of beautiful places in Quncy.