Somerville - where dreams go to die. (Boston, Cambridge: how much, transfer)

[Champ le monstre du lac]

I worked in Somerville for a year. I didn't like it. The worst thing about the place is its wall to wall old infrastructure. There are little to no PARKS in Somerville, or none large enough to be worthy of mentioning. The lack of greenspace makes the city very unattractive to me. Neighboring Cambidge and Medford have comparable density yet offer abundant parkland in those cities.

[Cato the Elder]

Originally Posted by Cliff Clavin

She posted here back in Feb asking about moving to Somerville with a car. Several members advised against it, mainly citing parking issues, and suggested Medford as an alternative. Obvisouly she knew better than everyone, and moved to Somerville anyway. Now she's griping.

No sympathy here.

Ah, I remember the OP now. A bunch of us told her to look in Medford. The strange part is that she didn't mention a car in passing, but it was one of her main concerns. Yet we sit here today with wah, wah, wah.

It's not a big surprise. Look at the OP's posting history. She basically posts when she needs something and typically shows very little gratitude.

[sm4269a]

They called it Slumerville for a reason.

[JacksonPanther]

Originally Posted by Cato the Elder

Ah, I remember the OP now. A bunch of us told her to look in Medford. The strange part is that she didn't mention a car in passing, but it was one of her main concerns. Yet we sit here today with wah, wah, wah.

I try not to get too hung up on people's motivation. Saying "I told you so" won't help anything. What's important - Are her concerns legit? If so, people who are interested in Cambridge and are continually being told "Move to Somerville, it's the next Cambridge, only cheaper..." would be well advised to read the comments in this thread. Crowded, ugly, no parking, no parks (bad for families?). Not a place I would want to be, if Cambridge was what I was looking for...

Originally Posted by Cato the Elder

It's not a big surprise. Look at the OP's posting history. She basically posts when she needs something and typically shows very little gratitude.

This time she didn't actually ask for anything, she was just griping. So be it. Read it and move on, I say.

[Cantabridgienne]

I had a lovely evening of good food, cocktails and company in Somerville last night. We didn't drive (and know how to read a map, anyway) so we didn't have the OP's problems.

[donewithpretty]

Originally Posted by JacksonPanther

I try not to get too hung up on people's motivation. Saying "I told you so" won't help anything.

Oh, come on. The forum has answered her questions nicely and accurately (including the negatives of living in Somerville) in several different threads. If people get a little fed up with "goodbye, cruel world" posts after all of that, it's their prerogative just as much as it's hers to post in the first place.

I wouldn't recommend Somerville to everyone, but there's no need to scare people off who would genuinely love it.

[Cantabridgienne]

Originally Posted by JacksonPanther

Crowded, ugly, no parking, no parks (bad for families?). Not a place I would want to be, if Cambridge was what I was looking for...

This is entirely subjective, though. For example, Prospect Hill doesn't fit this description at all...

[Cato the Elder]

Originally Posted by Cantabridgienne

This is entirely subjective, though. For example, Prospect Hill doesn't fit this description at all...

But the OP is a world traveler who's seen everything. She's apparently seen the entire metro as well; as per her status, she hates all of metro Boston that isn't Boston proper. People wonder why college professors become curmudgeons. Try dealing with a throng of this attitude all day, all week, all year.

[WestCobb]

I've never lived in Somerville, but a good friend is fourth generation. He doesn't have a car. His mom doesn't have a car. His grandma doesn't have a car. Why would they? They live in Somerville. He bikes, his mom rides the T, and his grandma doesn't get out much anymore. It's an awesome place. I think the OP should hit the road. If the OP is looking for a car-centric city, s/he has thousands of choices. Somerville is for those people who don't want to be chained to rolling combustible engined beasts. When I visit, I rent a bike. I get around just fine there.

[charolastra00]

I lived in Somerville for a year with a car. It wasn;'t nearly as bad as the OP complains about - but I also chose where to live being mindful of my car. I now live in Medford, which is much easier to manage with a car but still just a 20 minute bus ride from the wonderfulness that is Somerville.

Somerville is far and away the best of the urban suburbs for young professionals. And in light of much more difficult places for cars, like Brookline and parts of Brighton, it's a walk in the park for parking.