Safe and classy neighborhoods to live in Mass

[shiver]

The immediate Boston and Cambridge area can be quite expensive. Not so much as New York, but still expensive. I do think that living in campus housing is the best way for your son to go though. You have a lot of time still so it's too early to be concerned. But, be assured, there are several excellent options for very nice areas to live in that are a reasonable distance to Harvard. Also, Boston has a tremendous amount of colleges and universities and there are thousands of international students (many of them Asian). It's unlikely that your son would have issues being bullied.

At some point in the future, you should visit the Boston area and see what you think.

[brightdoglover]

Charleston is dreadful. Some yupped-up areas closer to the waterfront, and townies all the rest. Still a lot of racism in general. Hard to get out of (traffic). Lots of drugs and dropouts. A story goes that the initiation into adulthood is to pull a bank robbery.
Even if your son goes to private school (a must) I see no advantage to living in Charlestown.
I second the idea of Brookline. A wonderful community for Asians, achievers, urbane and urban people. I'd live there in a minute especially if I had a child's life and future in mind. Best wishes.

[chenchristiana8]

Thank you shiver! Yes, I agree at some point in future, I have to visit and see for my self all those nice places to be sure where I most suitable to live in.
Hahaha thank you to brightdoglover! Please don't say that being yupped-up is dreadful..coz u might talking to one.. lol
Well living among racist people sure is one thing that I don't want to do. Thank you very much for telling me this. I'll take notice on Brookline, as some other people also propose this area.
Still, my question, anybody know about nice areas near New Haven where Yale is? And is it hard to get driving liscence for a foreign students?

[TurnpikeMike]

Damn, my son is 3 and I'm just now focusing on Pre-K, and State pre paid College fun (along with a strong focus on getting out of pull ups at night night time)...I feel like such a bad parent after reading this thread.

[jayrandom]

Originally Posted by TurnpikeMike

Damn, my son is 3 and I'm just now focusing on Pre-K, and State pre paid College fun (along with a strong focus on getting out of pull ups at night night time)...I feel like such a bad parent after reading this thread.

You shouldn't :-)

Originally Posted by chenchristiana8

Thank you so much for all 3 of you! Okay, it's my fault that I didn't explain much about myself and the reason why I asked this question.
I'm from Indonesia, but I'm Chinese. My son is now only 17 months old. BUT, as my plan is to put him in Harvard I have to prepare him for the best to be able to achieve that dream.
To be honest, I have never been to US until now. I know very less about how it's like to live there. That's why, I feel that I need to learn and do research starts from now, so I can have the big picture on what to do, and what to decide.
I might go there when my son is older, maybe 5 or 6 years old to Disneyworld just to get a glimpse of what is US like. And a tour to Harvard and it's neighborhoods when he is more older.
I know it's going to be a long2 road. But why not try..
Answering Jayrandom there, thx so much for your input! I'm planning to search for my son to live as he is in harvard college. As you suggest for my son to be in Harvard housing, do you know the safety to be in there?
Well the point that I' looking for a house or an apartment is to avoid bullying from other students. Anybody know how is it like to be in Harvard housing?
But either way, I still need a house for me to stay while I'm there. I need to supervice my boy too somehow.. That's why I need a safe, clean and nice neighborhood. And maybe close to Harvard?! My budget is maybe up to $1,500,000..a little more than that might be fine.
I know it's going to be a lot higher than now when my boy finally reach that stage, but what expensive now will still be expensive later. So I just need the picture and nail places that I have to hunt their houses.
Though, I'm open for not so expensive places that are nice,with warm people,safe and clean neighborhoods! I'd be glad to know! My highest limit is what I may spend the highest if I have to. Coz I would do anything for my son,at whatever cost. I hope I explain enough..
And thank you so much for u all who concern my question!

Bullying and safety are not problems in Harvard housing. Your son will be better off living in a dorm. The housing system is part of the Harvard mystique, anyway.

[chenchristiana8]

Yes right turnpikemike, you shouldn't. We all have different ways. And I belive you are a good parent as well.
Jayrandom, thank you for you input. Uhh I love mystique, but only as a watcher. If it is something that I have to deal with, oh no no.. Not that I doubt about safety in Harvard.
And I'm sure u guarantee about harvard housing because u once live inside there as harvard students or at least know someone from there, but, i think leaving my son in a housing, is just not my kinda way.
I've thought about it since a couple of you suggesting the same about living in housing. And I finally made up my mind about it.
Thank you, anyway!

[Coolhand68]

It's a difficult question to answer considering he is at least 15 years away from college. If I had to recommend a nice community for him to live today, it would be Lexington and Arlington. These are two towns that are near Harvard and can be accessed by public transportation, bike or car within 20 minutes. I think it's fairly safe to assume that Lexington will still be a very safe community 15 years from now.

[shiver]

New Haven is in another state (Connecticut) and about a 2-2.5 hour drive by car from Boston. Boston and New Haven are not within commuting distance. I don't know anything about that area. For advice on New Haven I suggest you check out the Connecticut section of this forum. I'm sure there is a thread for New Haven. Good luck!

[holden125]

Originally Posted by brightdoglover

Charleston is dreadful. Some yupped-up areas closer to the waterfront, and townies all the rest. Still a lot of racism in general. Hard to get out of (traffic). Lots of drugs and dropouts. A story goes that the initiation into adulthood is to pull a bank robbery.
Even if your son goes to private school (a must) I see no advantage to living in Charlestown.

I think the OP meant Charleston, SC, where the poster named Emily now lives. But that also matches your description in some way, though the nice parts are really, really nice.