North or South shore? (Boston, Worcester: 2009, apartments, rent)

[wenzit420]

Hello we are moving from Richmond Va and will be staying with my folks for a month or two. We are trying to decide weather to look into the N or S shore. We like many things about both but haven't seen either in years. We are 29 looking for easy access to Boston and a rent under 1200 month. Thanks in advance!

[goyguy]

Folks around here don't categorize themselves as "North Shore" or "South Shore" types, but there's a difference between the two. Politically speaking, there tend to be more lunchpail/Reagan Democrats south of town and more liberal/progressive types to the north. BUT the dwindling minority of moderate Republicans is represented in moneyed enclaves in either area (Beverly and Hamilton being prime examples to the north, Cohasset and Hingham to the south.) Despite its being 2009, there's little racial diversity outside the satellite cities (Peabody, Quincy, Salem, and Lynn.) When Boston's Jewish community dispersed from the city and close-in communities, with the exception of Brookline and Newton, they moved mainly southwest - away from the ocean - or northeast along the coast. So while Swampscott and Marblehead to the north, in particular, are well represented there's minimal presence in the other direction in the shore towns. Italians? More on the North Shore, but with some representation on the South Shore (mainly in Braintree.) Irish? They don't call the South Shore the "Irish Riviera" for nothing, lol, but there are plenty north of town too. WASP's are outnumbered 'round here, but have faith communities in either area, especially UCC and Unitarian congregations. The national scourge (IMHO) of "non-denominational" Christian Right megachurches has largely spared New England, but some have been "planted" locally and are mainly south of the city or (the better to target college students) in Boston and Cambridge.

Rockport and Gloucester, on the North Shore's Cape Ann, are arguably the most "artsy" suburban coastal communities. When you get a glimpse of the scenery it's easy to see why. Painting and sculpture galleries abound, and a big new performance center with a window wall overlooking the harbor is under construction in Rockport. You'd still have to travel to Boston or Worcester to catch "name" rock or hiphop acts, but jazz and classical programs would be right in your back yard.

Crime rates are low once you leave the urban areas in either direction. The main issues to contend with would be what's perpetrated by bored and evil-thinking teenagers everywhere: burglary, vandalism, noisy parties, etc.

Boston-area commuting is no picnic no matter how you travel. All the expressways into town are choked with traffic during peak hours, necessitating the addition of an hour or more to what should be the expected trip time. But Route 3 (from Cape Cod to Boston) is probably the worst; it's known as the Southeast Expressway officially and as the Southeast Distressway to its captive users. There are some express buses from either direction, as well as ferries (!) from the South Shore, along with fairly reliable but relatively sporadic commuter rail.

You can pretty much forget about finding rent as low as $1,200 anywhere near the city (except in sketchy areas, and even then 'tain't easy.) Apartment "McComplexes" are far from lacking in suburbia, but are more common near the ocean south of the city - principally in Quincy and Weymouth. There are also plenty of nice possibilities in duplexes and "three-deckas" located in the satellite cities. The loft living concept which has been popular in NYC for a long time has recently reached New England, with converted factories and warehouses near the commuter-rail station in Lynn taking the concept local along with Salem.

Any more questions? Ask away.

[jayrandom]

Locals claim there is a big difference between the North Shore and South Shore but if you're moving from outside the area it's a genuinely subtle difference that will take you years to notice because the differences between here and elsewhere are bigger than the differences between individual areas. That being said, the biggest difference I have noticed is that the North Shore is a little more built up than the South Shore.

The most practical concern for a new resident is why you're going to Boston, where in Boston you'll be going, and how you hope to get there. If you're commuting, look at the public transit options North and South of the city in relation to where you'll be commuting and that may answer your question. The system is pretty disconnected and some parts of Boston are very accessible from the North Shore while others are considerably more accessible from the South Shore. It's the reason I live where I do.

Another option is to look west, in places like Belmont, Watertown, and Arlington. They're all easy bus+subway rides to downtown, relatively safe, and you can find 1BR apartments for under $1200. You can even consider Newton for that price, as long as you're renting.

[redpanda]

There are lovely towns in both the North and South shores. I personally prefer the North, but used to work in Quincy so have a ton of friends who just as strongly prefer the South.

If you are going to be commuting to Boston, the traffic coming from the South Shore is truly awful. I worked off hours (often going in at 10 or so) and the traffic heading north as I headed south to Quincy was bumper to bumper and inching along most of the way. That was enough to sour me on moving down there.

[clevedark]

Funny, I've heard that traffic from the North Shore is pretty awful, too!

[beachlady58]

Originally Posted by goyguy

Folks around here don't categorize themselves as "North Shore" or "South Shore" types, but there's a difference between the two. Politically speaking, there tend to be more lunchpail/Reagan Democrats south of town and more liberal/progressive types to the north. BUT the dwindling minority of moderate Republicans is represented in moneyed enclaves in either area (Beverly and Hamilton being prime examples to the north, Cohasset and Hingham to the south.) Despite its being 2009, there's little racial diversity outside the satellite cities (Peabody, Quincy, Salem, and Lynn.) When Boston's Jewish community dispersed from the city and close-in communities, with the exception of Brookline and Newton, they moved mainly southwest - away from the ocean - or northeast along the coast. So while Swampscott and Marblehead to the north, in particular, are well represented there's minimal presence in the other direction in the shore towns. Italians? More on the North Shore, but with some representation on the South Shore (mainly in Braintree.) Irish? They don't call the South Shore the "Irish Riviera" for nothing, lol, but there are plenty north of town too. WASP's are outnumbered 'round here, but have faith communities in either area, especially UCC and Unitarian congregations. The national scourge (IMHO) of "non-denominational" Christian Right megachurches has largely spared New England, but some have been "planted" locally and are mainly south of the city or (the better to target college students) in Boston and Cambridge.

Rockport and Gloucester, on the North Shore's Cape Ann, are arguably the most "artsy" suburban coastal communities. When you get a glimpse of the scenery it's easy to see why. Painting and sculpture galleries abound, and a big new performance center with a window wall overlooking the harbor is under construction in Rockport. You'd still have to travel to Boston or Worcester to catch "name" rock or hiphop acts, but jazz and classical programs would be right in your back yard.

Crime rates are low once you leave the urban areas in either direction. The main issues to contend with would be what's perpetrated by bored and evil-thinking teenagers everywhere: burglary, vandalism, noisy parties, etc.

Boston-area commuting is no picnic no matter how you travel. All the expressways into town are choked with traffic during peak hours, necessitating the addition of an hour or more to what should be the expected trip time. But Route 3 (from Cape Cod to Boston) is probably the worst; it's known as the Southeast Expressway officially and as the Southeast Distressway to its captive users. There are some express buses from either direction, as well as ferries (!) from the South Shore, along with fairly reliable but relatively sporadic commuter rail.

You can pretty much forget about finding rent as low as $1,200 anywhere near the city (except in sketchy areas, and even then 'tain't easy.) Apartment "McComplexes" are far from lacking in suburbia, but are more common near the ocean south of the city - principally in Quincy and Weymouth. There are also plenty of nice possibilities in duplexes and "three-deckas" located in the satellite cities. The loft living concept which has been popular in NYC for a long time has recently reached New England, with converted factories and warehouses near the commuter-rail station in Lynn taking the concept local along with Salem.

Any more questions? Ask away.

I hope that the poster has other sources than you!

[beachlady58]

Originally Posted by redpanda

There are lovely towns in both the North and South shores. I personally prefer the North, but used to work in Quincy so have a ton of friends who just as strongly prefer the South.

If you are going to be commuting to Boston, the traffic coming from the South Shore is truly awful. I worked off hours (often going in at 10 or so) and the traffic heading north as I headed south to Quincy was bumper to bumper and inching along most of the way. That was enough to sour me on moving down there.

There now is a train...there are commuter boats...I know the south and north pretty well and there is no comparison...South is MUCH better...North is too city like and beaches are not as good....

[lz1982]

You can pretty much forget about finding rent as low as $1,200 anywhere near the city (except in sketchy areas, and even then 'tain't easy.)

In Cambridge, maybe. On the North or South Shore, or even just west of town in Newton or Arlington? There are hundreds of one-bedrooms at that price (I'm living in one; so are many of my friends), and even some two-bedrooms.

[BellaMi]

Under 1200 is totally doable...we are in a four bedroom huge house with a killer back yard, in a very upscale area for 1100 a month. Ya just have to know how to search.

AFA North vs South...HUGE difference in not only the feel of the cities, but also the people. South is much friendlier and not as "Boston" as the North IMO

[ScituateAl]

Welcome to MA! Both north and south offer what you're looking for - so perhaps some more info about the type of work you are looking (or have), etc. might help. I work in technology and live on the south shore and commute to downtown Boston. While north-of-boston has the 128 technology corridor, there's no way I'd ever commute up there - so for my lifestyle I do have fewer work opportunities living on the south shore.

We ended up on the south shore to be closer to the in-laws on the Cape. While being within 1hr of the Cape is nice, we therefore have a longer haul to the mountains of NH.

As others have said, southeastern MA is less populated - which may be good or bad. In this economy, you'll want to have as many options for work as you can get.

Best of luck!