Lost on where to live (Boston, Cambridge: apartment, for rent, crime)

[cheese9988]

I'm looking for something close to downtown on the northern side. I'm have about a $1600 budget for rent per month. I have a dog, so a dog park would be nice, but not necessary. Chelsea looks good, but its close to the airport, how is the noise from the planes? Do you usually have to pay for parking in an area like that? I'm used to living in a house in a much smaller city.

Are there any good renting websites for Boston?

[snatale1]

Originally Posted by cheese9988

I'm looking for something close to downtown on the northern side. I'm have about a $1600 budget for rent per month. I have a dog, so a dog park would be nice, but not necessary. Chelsea looks good, but its close to the airport, how is the noise from the planes? Do you usually have to pay for parking in an area like that? I'm used to living in a house in a much smaller city.

Are there any good renting websites for Boston?

Charlestown maybe? Chelsea's a cesspool, $1600 will be cutting it close to be near or in downtown, having a dog doesn't make it easier.

[cheese9988]

Originally Posted by snatale1

Charlestown maybe? Chelsea's a cesspool, $1600 will be cutting it close to be near or in downtown, having a dog doesn't make it easier.

So Chelsea is a bad neighborhood, not a lot to do? $1600 is a ball park, but its where I want to be.

[Cantabridgienne]

Somerville?

[Verseau]

I would avoid Chelsea. It's definitely cheap, but it's cheap for a reason.

Charlestown is a wonderful neighborhood, but pricey. You'll get a lot less for your money, and dog-friendly is tough to find. There's a decent amount of green space, but I'm not sure how pet-friendly those parks are.

I think Somerville is your best choice. There are a lot of dog-friendly parks here, particularly around the Winter Hill/Prospect Hill/Spring Hill area in the middle of Somerville.

[cheese9988]

Originally Posted by Verseau

I would avoid Chelsea. It's definitely cheap, but it's cheap for a reason.

Charlestown is a wonderful neighborhood, but pricey. You'll get a lot less for your money, and dog-friendly is tough to find. There's a decent amount of green space, but I'm not sure how pet-friendly those parks are.

I think Somerville is your best choice. There are a lot of dog-friendly parks here, particularly around the Winter Hill/Prospect Hill/Spring Hill area in the middle of Somerville.

I've heard about the dog thing from someone else already. In upstate NY, most places just require an addition deposit or an additional monthly fee. I'll try looking around Somerville. How is highway traffic from there to Wilmington in the morning?

[TAM88]

Originally Posted by cheese9988

I've heard about the dog thing from someone else already. In upstate NY, most places just require an addition deposit or an additional monthly fee. I'll try looking around Somerville. How is highway traffic from there to Wilmington in the morning?

That's a reverse commute so it won't be that bad.

Also, it all depends on the building. You can't blindly say that this area has pet friendly places and this one doesn't. I know plenty of people who rent places in both Charlestown and the North End that are pet friendly.

You can get a nice place in almost any neighborhood in Boston if you are willing to spend $1600/month. I would go with East Cambridge, Somerville, Charlestown or even Arlington if you want to be north of the city.

Chelsea is not the nicest area and has a higher crime rate. If you are going to spend $1600, I would rather get a little bit less for my money and be in a safer area, than get great value and be in a less safe area.

[TAM88]

Also, there are very few parks in Boston that do not allow dogs. Like most cities, Boston is a clean up after your dog situation.

[miu]

In Charlestown, some of the new apartment buildings along the water are pet friendly. One of them has giant modern sculptures in the lobby. I think that it's on 8th or 9th St.

[westwind15]

I live in Chelsea. I am on the Prattville side of it, i guess, but I like the area. It's close to downtown, close to the airport, close to the beach, and very quiet and safe back here in my area. I walk my dog at night a lot, never feel at all unsafe. People cringe when I tell them I live in Chelsea, but there are some nice areas within it.