Single in the city?? (Boston, Cambridge: apartments, to rent, houses)

[michelle082]

I just moved to Massachusetts from D.C. I have a temporary place, but I'm trying to decide where to rent. I'd don't have to live in Boston proper, but I would like to live somewhere where I have a some things within walking (or at least biking) distance. A restaurant or bar, coffee shop, maybe a small grocery store. I'd like someplace with other younger, single people. I'm in my late twenties and will either be renting a studio/one bedroom or looking for a place with roommates via Craigslist.

I'd like to stay around $800/month, but understand living alone will be more. I don't think I can afford more the $1000/month. I'll admit I'm pretty cheap about where I live. I'd rather spend my money doing things than having a ultra modern, gorgeous apartment.

I moved from D.C. so I'm okay with ethnic neighborhoods, and what some people may consider a transitional area. I'm kind of eclectic/artsy. A farmer's market would be great, local stores.

Any thought as to where to start??

Thanks!

[Cantabridgienne]

You'd have to spend a lot more than $1000 to have an ultra-modern, gorgeous apartment. Like, another thousand dollars. $1K is probably bare minimum.

$1K to live alone will be tough to find, but maybe check out Union Square in Somerville? It's one of the cheaper parts of Somerville and has coffee shops, a farmer's market in the summer, bars, restaurants, lots of different ethnicities and a fairly young (but not college-y) vibe. Somerville has a pretty strong art scene as well.

[lz1982]

Some neighborhoods in Dorchester would be affordable at that price, I think. Maybe check the Ashmont and Neponset areas. I think Ashmont has a farmers' market.

Malden is reasonably safe and has apartments at that price, but I wouldn't call it arty. Same deal with Quincy. Of course, if you're close to the T, it's easy to commute to hipper places.

[brightdoglover]

Cambridge, not Harvard Sq. Great farmer's markets and all the walkable good things you could want. Safe. More intellectual than arty, plenty of ethnic enclaves (again, not Harvard Sq., which is more expensive and not interesting at all- chain stores, suburban wannabe's.
A studio for $1000 or a bit less is certainly possible in Cambridge.
I'd also suggest Jamaica Plain, but the neighborhoods there vary wildly from block to block safety-wise, and I wouldn't like to live there (again), but it could offer some of what the OP wants.
I concur about Davis or Union Sq. in Somerville, esp. Davis.
Wise thing to skip Allston/Brighton/Comm. Ave and the gazillion college-age people there.
Best wishes on your move!

[lz1982]

After my first post, I realized I forgot Arlington. If you are willing to live in a studio, you would find places in your price range, and there may be some one bedrooms too (I saw one, but it was in an unappealing basement). Public transit in Arlington consists of buses to Cambridge, where you connect to the Red Line. It's not as artsy as, say, Davis Square, but it does have an independent movie theater, some popular restaurants, coffee houses, etc. No standalone bars, since Arlington is "semi-dry," but restaurants can serve alcohol.