Living areas commuting to Mass General (Boston, Cambridge: safe area, young professionals, shop)

[ysl723]

I may get a job at Mass General and I was looking around for housing but I don't know where to look exactly.
I would want a studio or 1 bedroom, some what easy to park, can commute up to 1 hr by public transportation, looking below $1200. Also would like to be "safe" at night.
Maybe Somerville, Malden, Everett?
Or any where I shouldn't look for?
Thanks a lot!

[ogre]

An hour's commute by public transit will put you in the suburbs in some directions. For this reason, it would help narrow the possibilities if you were to provide some info on the general character of the area you'd like to have--urban, suburban, in between, walking distance to local shopping necessary or not, young professionals or family kind of area, etc.

A few possibilites would make for an especially easy commute because they are on the red line, the transit line with the Mass. Gen. stop. Somerville around Davis Square and Cambridge in the vicinity of Porter Square come to mind if you want a more urban neighborhood. At the other end of the line, Quincy is a small city that is a mix of urban and suburban, more of a family and regular folks kind of place, while the first two suggestions have more young professionals, but Quincy is large enough to have the basics in terms of shopping and dining.

Away from the red line, you might check Waltham, which lies on a commuter rail line that connects to the red line. Another good possibility is Arlington. On the east side of Arlington there are streets within walking distance of the red line station at Alewife, and many other areas are close to a bus line connecting to Alewife.

"Safe" is a subjective term, so I can't know what you mean when you say you want a safe area. If being as safe as reasonably possible is something you really want to emphasize, check some of the Newton neighborhoods along the green line, such as Newton Centre.

[shiver]

Ogre is correct that you're opening up a lot of possibilities. I think Arlington and Quincy would provide the most "bang for your buck" with your housing budget while giving you a good commute. Porter and Davis Squares would be the most urban and lively (lots of young people, nightlife, etc.) However, your $1200 won't go as far. Safety is a relative term. I'm female and I feel "safe" in those areas (lived in Quincy). However, you have to use common sense as well.

[gf2020]

You want to be north of the city, for sure. Red Line to Charles/MGH or the Orange Line to North Station will put you at Mass General.

$1200 sounds like a pretty decent budget, I would look at all of the towns along Route 93 up to Woburn as well as Malden, Melrose and Saugus.

[xS☺B☺s]

You can also live anywhere in the city of Boston, particularly downtown. You can easily do a Green Line to Red Line change at Park St ride. Or you can any color line to Govt Ctr, Park or North Station and walk. Strolling through Boston Common is one of my favorite things to do on this planet. Or you can take whatever to Haymarket or North Station and then take the free shuttle to MGH. Also there is a free shuttle between MGH and BWH so anywhere walking distance to BWH or the PRU and you can get on the shuttle. Just note the shuttle is pretty pokey - always stuck in traffic. Or better yet live within walking distance. Many of my MGH friends lived on Beacon Hill and just slid down the Hill to work. Or you can live within biking distance - there is a nice bike trail right along the Charles - just have a plan B for the months from January thru March.

MGH is accessible by virtually everything except car. Trying to get a car near MGH often takes longer that walking.

[ysl723]

Thanks everyone! It gives me a better idea of where to start look if I am hired! I know it is hard to suggest areas when I didn't give enough details but at least I get a start so I can go around and see! Thanks everyone!

[maggiekate]

Melrose and Woburn are nice as Arlington and maybe bedford which is further out but nice,