Current Residents of Eastie (Boston, Revere: middle-class, loft, homes)

[msaRick]

I was hoping I could hear from someone living in Eastie regarding how their experience has been. I am looking around the Maverick Sq. area. I have lived in Boston for 6 years now, but never spent much time in East Boston.

I'd like to hear about what the day to day living is like. How are the neighbors? What are the demographics like (young professional, working families, impoverished, etc.)? Do you feel safe walking home from the T at night? How is parking on a daily basis? Things like that.

Feel free to direct message if you feel you can speak more freely that way.

Thanks in advance!

[snatale1]

I wouldn't live in Eastie, some of it (small part) is still nice but over all it's a hole.

[flowbe202]

When I was looking to buy 3 years ago, I looked at Maverick and Jeffries and even took a gander at Winthrop.

The reality for me was, unless your life and friends are on that side of town and North, friends aren't likely to drop by and visit you. It's a psychological barrier as much as a physical one. Plus the cost for non residents everytime they crossed over.

And yes, there is the airport to consider, too!

- For me, the prices weren't low enough to compensate for being physically isolated from my day to day routines and work and it was a long, isolated walk from the T to the places I was looking at.

The views of Boston at night are stunning, though!

[Woodchucker]

Full disclosure: I am not an Eastie resident, and I haven't spent a ton of time there. Although like just about everywhere in the Boston area, I have spent some time there.

East Boston is not as bad as some people say. It is the center of Boston's hispanic community, and before that it was very Italian. It has great access to the Blue Line, as you know, which is good for getting downtown but beyond that requires a transfer.

For me, the biggest negative for Eastie is not it's supposed ghettoness, but the fact that it is so isolated. I think flowbe hit the nail on the head with their comments. You are really relying on the blue line, and a handful of roads (all to downtown, Chelsea, or Revere). Plus, you gotta pay the toll if you're driving to Boston. Every neighborhood in Boston and the surrounding towns is hard to get to from somewhere, but Eastie is hard to get to from basically everywhere. If you work downtown and associate with people downtown and in Eastie, Chelsea, Revere, and Winthrop you are set. Otherwise you definitely want to think about it.

I think the transportation issues and isolation are the only reason Eastie is still relatively cheap. The neighborhood has a lot going for it otherwise. Good restaurants, especially if you like Italian and various latin american cuisines. And Santarpios- probably the most revered pizza place in Boston.

Jeffreys Point is the up-and-coming (or maybe it already has) neighborhood. Generally more young professionals.

Maverick square seems a bit cheaper. It's central and the most developed of the few commercial squares. Best location in my opinion, it's where I would look if I was moving to Eastie. Probably more diverse than Jeffreys point, but gentrifying somewhat too.

Eagle Hill is further from the T. I have heard very mixed things. Some people say it's the worst part of Eastie, although there are some beautiful homes.

Orient Heights is isolated even from the rest of East Boston. It reminds me more of Revere than Eastie. Lots of families, old Italians. Less commercial activity.

My basic summary is this: If you are working downtown, Eastie can be real convenient. You should absolutely find a place walking distance from a T station though. Be aware that it's tough to get elsewhere in Boston. Speaking spanish is a plus. Good food. But don't take my word as gospel. Hopefully someone who lives in Eastie can help you more (and correct me as the case may be).

[massnative71]

Maverick Square is the worst part of Eastie, I would stay away.

[flowbe202]

Not everyone aspires to living in the 30y.o.s wet dream of Camberville or middle-class stripmall suburbia. I think the OP wants to know about actual experiences and not just sweeping generalities.

My friend chose to live in DC's Columbia Heights because, as an older professional Latino, he likes being close to his cultural roots. He wants to hear more than what overpriced drink was yummy at the hot new bar and which yoga class to take.

Columbia Heights is similar to Eastie- transitioning but with large pockets of immigrant/lower-class Latino & Hispanic populations and older, established 1stgen families. Eastie keeps it real in actuality and not just with hype.

[timberline742]

Originally Posted by flowbe202

Columbia Heights is similar to Eastie- transitioning but with large pockets of immigrant/lower-class Latino & Hispanic populations and older, established 1stgen families. Eastie keeps it real in actuality and not just with hype.

He thinks Chelsea is a ghetto. Ignore it.

[Niandra]

East Boston can just be difficult to get to depending on where you work. One of my friends lives over that way near Maverick. She has parking at her place (and it's dog friendly!) but overall it feels pretty isolated. It's affordable for her and she just lives with her girlfriend. The main thing for her was really just finding a place she could afford within commuting distance of work that would also accept her dog. She prefers to drive. Street parking looks kind of rough there. She seems to like it there overall and has a nice landlord who lives in the building.

Before that she lived in those new "loft" things in Chelsea. That neighborhood really sucked getting to but the actual building she lived in was really nice and affordable. She moved because it was really expensive considering how far away it was and it just wasn't very safe overall. We have another friend who lived down the hall in the same complex and she moved out for the same reason. My boyfriend and I checked out units in that same Chelsea loft area and we really liked them, there were parking spaces, but it was just too far away from work for both of us and we also did not like the vibe at night.

[charolastra00]

I have not lived in Eastie but I dated a guy who lived in Maverick Square for awhile so I was there quite frequently. He loved the neighborhood. There are lots of great Central American joints and a classic pizza place, Santarpios, that people line out the door in the middle of winter to go to. The neighborhood's flavor is very Latino with many immigrants from Central America. I enjoyed that atmosphere and as a young woman, never felt unsafe. Its also much more affordable - my ex paid $400 utilities included for a room in a 2 bedroom. Sure, it was small, but his roommate only rented it out because she liked the company. Nowhere else so close to the T could you find a 2 bedroom for $1200 (though I think his room would more traditionally be used as a small office or even a walk-in pantry). She had been there for years, so I don't know what the cost would be coming in off the street today.

The biggest downside is the isolation. You can't bike into Boston and its like pulling teeth to get people to come out to you. When we were dating, there was construction for months on the blue line, so every single commute he'd have to take bus service. It got old fast. It also has a reputation and a definite perception of being a bit on the seedy side. Buildings are less cared for than other areas, for instance.

[JacksonPanther]

Originally Posted by flowbe202

Not everyone aspires to living in the 30y.o.s wet dream of Camberville or middle-class stripmall suburbia.

Quote of the Week!

Unfortunately, C-D skews this way for just about every city. Every post is some post-college kid wanting to move into the hottest neighborhood, with no money. Or some dude moving from the exurbs or rural environment to a city for the first time, wanting to know "Is it safe?"