Lone 21 year old looking for a nice place in east MA (Boston: condos, school)

[KillerSe7en]

Hello!

After looking around a bit on the site, I noticed most "Which town?" threads were geared more towards families and young couples which don't apply to me much.

I'm a 21 year old female from New Jersey planning to move to Massachusetts on my own because I find the state to be so beautiful, and Boston to be so fun (and a lot less superficial than Manhattan ).

So far, I've had my sights set on Danvers, Beverly, and Salem but I would like more possibilities and advice on the matter.

Specifically, what I am looking for is a town on the east side of Massachusetts (to be closer to Boston) that has a lot of culture within itself. A town that is charming, but not boring for my age group. I don't need a wild nightlife, but a nice downtown would be wonderful with a friendly community. A place I may be able to make friends and enjoy diversity.

I LOVE Salem because it has all that I want but I hear that parts of the town aren't as safe anymore with gangs coming in and the traffic is heinous which makes me wonder if there may be a safer or better option.

So, could anyone recommend any towns similar to what I aim for?

[Cliff Clavin]

Originally Posted by KillerSe7en

I LOVE Salem because it has all that I want but I hear that parts of the town aren't as safe anymore with gangs coming in and the traffic is heinous which makes me wonder if there may be a safer or better option.

I have a cousin whose in her early 30's and lives in downtown Salem (near the court house) and she's never had a problem. I'm going to guess any talk of gang activity in Salem is grossly exaggerated. Not saying the city doesn't have its problems, but it's not Lynn or Chelsea. And in turn, Lynn and Chelsea aren't Chicago. I wouldn't let it deter me from moving there.

Beverly is a fine option as well. Both cities have stops on the commuter rail, and would be my first choices if I were to move north of the city. Danvers on the other hand is a little sleepy. More family oriented.

[brightdoglover]

A number of my coworkers have moved to Salem and bought nice condos and love the downtown. It's relatively easy to ride commuter rail to Boston if that's where your job is.
I think the somewhat low-life edges of Salem are pretty obvious on sight.
I don't know if there's any nightlife for someone the OP's age. When I was 21, I lived in Brookline, near Allston, like everyone else my age. When I started working in Cambridg, I moved over there. But then, I wasn't into a nightlife scene per se, but liked (Loved!) restaurants and cultural things and jazz clubs.
Best wishes on your move.

[missionhill]

Originally Posted by brightdoglover

When I was 21, I lived in Brookline, near Allston, like everyone else my age.

I would take the hint: while you certainly could move to Danvers or Beverly or Salem, landing in Boston-Brookline-Cambridge-Somerville is a much safer move for an unattached young adult. There's a huge social infrastructure for young adults there and almost none outside the immediate Boston area. At least that's my sense of things. The other sure thing (socially) is the Amherst-Northampton area. Otherwise you risk being isolated. I could be wrong, but that's my sense of things.

[KillerSe7en]

Thanks, everyone! I'll definitely do research and take a visit of all suggested towns.

Haha, I'm glad that Salem isn't so bad as some people on these forums have seemed to make it. I was getting a little crestfallen from some of what I had read.

[shiver]

Reading this thread, I was thinking that the big obstacle for a 21 yr old in Salem would be meeting people in that age group. But Salem does have a college (Salem State). I don't know how big of a commuter school it is, but that would bring in people in their early 20s.

[miu]

I lived in Cambridge near Central Square in my 20's and loved it. Right now, most of the young people I work with live in Somerville and Allston, but most of them are college students.

[DreamworksSKG]

Definitely look at Salem
there's a lot to do in a tourist town especially around Halloween when they have haunted happenings all month long. There's also a college there. Salem State College. its overall a nice place, with easy access to town via commuter rail, and fairly affordable housing. Its a walkable city as well. -
lots of interesting witchy shops and eateries around to check out and explore.
its fun to be in a historical town too.

You will be close to cape ann as well and the beaches around ipswich and North Shore ---