Is Boston a good place to work for AmeriCorps? (Cambridge: apartments, rent) - Massachusetts (MA) - City-Data Forum

Mephistopheles · 06-24-2011, 02:47 PM

No disrespect to anyone, but I'm not crazy about the East Coast. What I remember clearly from living back there was the hostility of the locals, the prissy mindset, and the lack of reciprocity towards outsiders. I lived in the New York Tri-State Area and in Philadelphia, though. I've filled out a second application for AmeriCorps, and I ruled out all the other major cities on the Eastern Seaboard. New York will bring back bad memories, and so will Philadelphia. I won't go anywhere near Baltimore because it has a high crime rate. That's the same reason I ruled out Washington and Miami.

Cold weather doesn't bother me. I don't mind getting dirty or wet either, but what I DO mind is feeling like an outsider or having to watch my back. That's why I declared if I have to do either, that's a guaranteed deal breaker. Keep in mind this is AmeriCorps which means I won't be going to the most affluent part of town. The recruiter from Boston contacted me right away, and I sent her a cover letter and resume. I didn't expect to get this quick a response, so that's a good sign. This particular job is in Chelsea, Massachusetts. I'm a little familiar with the area because my mother lived in Brookline. I also have a cousin who lives in Cambridge. The five times I visited Boston, I liked it enough. It didn't seem as hostile as the other locales I mentioned. The fact that I know people there was what enticed me to nominate Boston as the one East Coast city on my list.

Maybe I just have a bad vision of it subconsciously because the few guys I met in the Coast Guard from there were complete jerks. That's not a fair representation of that area I know, but I don't expect to relive that again. I'm not trying to bash Bean Town or anything, but I hope you understand this is a life-changing decision. My whole objective is to go somewhere I could potentially move and start over after I'm done with AmeriCorps. Knowing what I just divulged, would you consider Boston a good place to go? How is the job market there? What's the dating pool like? What kinds of cultural amenities are there besides professional sports? I'm intrigued.

chaxey · 06-24-2011, 03:59 PM

It sounds like Boston would offer you everything you are looking for except for the warm fuzzy and hospitality.

The job market in Boston (like everywhere else) is depressed from teh poor economy but is lightyears better than most everywhere else in the country. If you are interested in working in medical, financial, tech, or education sectors you would be well served.

Culturaly, yes, professional sports are a big peice of the fabric, but Boston offers a lot more than that, and more than nearly every other metropolitan area in this country. While Boston is really on the smaller end as far as major cities goes, it does offer most of what the major cities like NYC/Chicago/LA would have to offer except with a slightly more European feel. Whether it be museums, theater, ballet, the symphony, or events... Boston really does offer a lot to those who seek it out.

Boston also offers close proximity to snow and ski sports to the north, and relaxation and comfort to the south via the Cape and Islands. Futher, Cambridge, while usually regarded in the same breath as Boston, is really a completely different locale within a locale. It sounds to me like it would be something you would enjoy. Generally speaking it's a more diverse collective where people are more receptive to outsiders.

Boston is a cold place in both climate and social appetites, but generally speaking that is only on the surface. People here value friendships very strongly and are protective of those that they have, and cautious when starting new ones. This can be distracting and disheartening to outsiders, but at the very least you do know that if somebody in Boston is your friend... They are really your friend.

Chelsea is place of urban renewal, but is not exactly a paradise. There are good parts and bad parts of that neighborhood. You are joining the americorps, not club med, so I would think your primary goal woudl be helping people not comfort, but I do understand waht you mean by not putting yourself in harms way. Is Chelsea as bad as DCs Anacostia? Not a chance, but it's not Brookline either.

Honestly, based on what you are telling me, DC sounds like it would be a great and perhaps better option for you than Boston. Culturally it offers a lot, and it's one of the most welcoming comminuties on the east coast since nobody there is from there; people are usually extremely outgoing and accepting because of this... You should consider 'uncrossing it' from yoru list. Sure parts of DC are extremely dangerous, but that can be said for every metropolitan area; you just have to be smart about where you are and what you do.

ogre · 06-25-2011, 02:39 AM

I think Chaxey has a good point about making frineds in Washington, and the tendency for people to open up because many of them are from elsewhere, so that many lack established networks of friends and have to be outgoing toward people they don't know.

Boston is the opposite to a great degree. I'm not sure what you mean when you say you've found people in NYC and Philly to be "hostile." Of course you'll meet all kinds of people anywhere you go, but the most typical demeanor in Boston is a bit reserved, somewhat hesitant to open up and meet new people. Many people here have established friendships, don't seem to feel the need to expand their groups of friends, and may seem a bit cool or distant around strangers. The fact that you already know some people here may give you an in. Still, though it's not in-your-face hostile in Boston, don't expect people in general here to be highly gregarious the way they might be in Texas, southern CA, etc.

Mephistopheles · 06-25-2011, 02:22 PM

There were no job openings available in Washington for my line of work. That's why I'm going through the process of elimination. It's coming down between Boston and Miami, so I'm basically having to choose between the lesser of two evils. I've thought about Providence, Rhode Island, and somewhere in Connecticut, too. The other places on my list are all located along the West Coast, the Midwest, or Colorado. I'm trying to steer clear away from the South, the Great Plains, and the Rocky Mountain states save for Colorado.

Boston seemed to me the least hostile of all the major cities in that North Atlantic Corridor. Philadelphia was the worst which is why I'm not going anywhere near it. Baltimore was eliminated right behind Philly because that place gave me the creeps. I may be from Out West, but I'm not stupid. I know what goes on in those two locales. Basically, I'm trying to go to a more liberal progressive state that isn't a right-to-work state. This essentially is the threshold towards me starting anew elsewhere. So if someone could explain to me why I should choose Boston over Miami for the one locale on the East Coast, I'm all ears.

warrenjudkins · 06-27-2011, 01:54 AM

I was just accepted into an AmeriCorps program in Minneapolis and will share this with you, as someone who has spent the last few years living in Boston.

Make sure you budget well. AmeriCorps pays very, very little and Boston is an expensive area. Expect to be paying at least $500 a month in rent (or $600 if you want to make sure the area you're living in is safe) with utilities sometimes being expensive in the winter. Living barebones like anyone has to in AmeriCorps, I'd say consider $200 going towards food and $60 for a monthly T pass. Then consider your other expenses. It can absolutely be done, but it won't be easy. But when I sought AmeriCorps programs out I immediately crossed NYC, DC, SF, Chicago, LA and Boston off my list because they are pretty expensive.

Other than that... Boston is awesome. It might not be the easiest place to make friends and no, New Englanders aren't as friendly as people from other parts of the country, but it isn't a HUGE deal and friends can still be made. And of course the area is so rockin' you will never be at a loss of things to do.

Oh and one more thing... Chelsea isn't easily accessible from the city. If you were relying on public transportation it would be challenging to find a place to live that made it both easy to get to your position and easy to get to Boston.

Mephistopheles · 06-27-2011, 08:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by warrenjudkins

I was just accepted into an AmeriCorps program in Minneapolis and will share this with you, as someone who has spent the last few years living in Boston.

Make sure you budget well. AmeriCorps pays very, very little and Boston is an expensive area. Expect to be paying at least $500 a month in rent (or $600 if you want to make sure the area you're living in is safe) with utilities sometimes being expensive in the winter. Living barebones like anyone has to in AmeriCorps, I'd say consider $200 going towards food and $60 for a monthly T pass. Then consider your other expenses. It can absolutely be done, but it won't be easy. But when I sought AmeriCorps programs out I immediately crossed NYC, DC, SF, Chicago, LA and Boston off my list because they are pretty expensive.

Other than that... Boston is awesome. It might not be the easiest place to make friends and no, New Englanders aren't as friendly as people from other parts of the country, but it isn't a HUGE deal and friends can still be made. And of course the area is so rockin' you will never be at a loss of things to do.

Oh and one more thing... Chelsea isn't easily accessible from the city. If you were relying on public transportation it would be challenging to find a place to live that made it both easy to get to your position and easy to get to Boston.

Hmmm! I wonder why Chelsea isn't as accessible. The reason I put Boston down was because there was a job there that worked in the environmental factor. I won't work with the public, gangs, or anything like that. So are you telling me they won't pay you accordingly to the cost of living of the particular locale? They pay everyone the same everywhere?

warrenjudkins · 06-27-2011, 10:33 AM

Well just make sure you find out how much you'll be making and crunch out the math on expenses to make it work. Personally, the cheapest I've lived for in Boston is $1100 and that's with pasta and olive oil for supper 4 times a week.

Get the address of the site you'd be working at and then go on craigslist and just find addresses of apartments in your price range. Then go to google maps "get directions" and choose whichever your method of commute will be to get an idea of how long the commute will be.

I'm not trying to tell you to rule Boston out or anything.. Boston is amazing. Just be 100% sure everything will work.

Mephistopheles · 06-27-2011, 02:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by warrenjudkins

Well just make sure you find out how much you'll be making and crunch out the math on expenses to make it work. Personally, the cheapest I've lived for in Boston is $1100 and that's with pasta and olive oil for supper 4 times a week.

Get the address of the site you'd be working at and then go on craigslist and just find addresses of apartments in your price range. Then go to google maps "get directions" and choose whichever your method of commute will be to get an idea of how long the commute will be.

I'm not trying to tell you to rule Boston out or anything.. Boston is amazing. Just be 100% sure everything will work.

I'll definitely ask a lot of questions if I get the job. There were 9 other locales I put on the list as well. Do you think they'll disqualify me because I have Asperger's?

warrenjudkins · 06-27-2011, 03:00 PM

If you're capable of doing the job than they can't deny you if you have Asperger's. You don't even have to mention that you do in your interview.

Mephistopheles · 06-27-2011, 03:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by warrenjudkins

If you're capable of doing the job than they can't deny you if you have Asperger's. You don't even have to mention that you do in your interview.

I can do any job as long as it doesn't require high volume of public interaction. The reason I put Boston on my list is because it has a reputation for being an Aspie-friendly area. That's also why I selected L.A., Chicago, San Francisco, Seattle, Milwaukee, Sacramento, and Minneapolis. I could've chosen somewhere in Alabama or Mississippi because they're cheaper. However, I know the mindset in those places, and I don't think they'd be very receptive towards those with a disability that's not obvious.