West Roxbury and Hyde Park (Boston, Somerville: quality of life, living in, restaurants)

[kodathedog2016]

I grew up in Hyde Park and would never move back. It is steadily on a decline despite the numerous attempts to liven up the square. The only reason my family stayed for so long was so that I could go to BLA years ago.

West Roxbury is fine but homes are really expensive for a meh lifestyle. Have you thought about Dedham? Dedham square has a lovely little movie theatre and great small shops and restaurants.

[Whatsnext75]

When you say hp is steadily on the decline how much lower could it go compared to other parts of boston? The only place it has to go is up or it will stay the same. With how much it still costs to live there it cant possibly get any worse than it is. It's unfortunate that it seems to be a forgotten part of boston but it's certainly not unliveable. Why throw out other options at the guy? He's interested in HP. I am not familiar with the areas he's asking about but fairmount and readville are nice. If people like the OP move to HP then the place will gentritify and all the people who dont give a damn about the neighborhood will be forced out.

[Whatsnext75]

And this thread is another example of people complaining about how expensive it is to live in boston but then everyone turns their noses up at the more affordable areas and dissuades others from living there.

[missionhill]

Originally Posted by Whatsnext75

When you say hp is steadily on the decline how much lower could it go compared to other parts of boston? The only place it has to go is up or it will stay the same. With how much it still costs to live there it cant possibly get any worse than it is. It's unfortunate that it seems to be a forgotten part of boston but it's certainly not unliveable. Why throw out other options at the guy? He's interested in HP. I am not familiar with the areas he's asking about but fairmount and readville are nice. If people like the OP move to HP then the place will gentritify and all the people who dont give a damn about the neighborhood will be forced out.

Lots of thoughtlessly negative, spleen venting posts here on C-D! I'm guessing many people who grew up in the old, all-white HP have feelings about the demographic changes there and can't see anything positive in the present situation, whereas, as you keep pointing out, Hyde Park has lots of advantages and is full of potential. The post hints at one advantage that continues for HP and all the Boston districts, access to the city's exam schools for qualifying students.

[Whatsnext75]

Right it seems like people on this board want something that just doesn't exist. They want cheaper alternatives but dont like what the alternatives are. Cleary sq is not nice but when the prices are as low as they are in hp what do you expect?? If it was nice it's likely that it would also be more expensive to live there. And they have a few good places in the sq but it would be nice to see more. I dont know why it's so blah but i cant help but blame the city. Why aren't they doing more?

And yes im sure the fact that it's not a pristine white neighborhood is another reason that people arent interested. So typical of this city.

[GeePee]

Originally Posted by Whatsnext75

Right it seems like people on this board want something that just doesn't exist. They want cheaper alternatives but dont like what the alternatives are. Cleary sq is not nice but when the prices are as low as they are in hp what do you expect?? If it was nice it's likely that it would also be more expensive to live there. And they have a few good places in the sq but it would be nice to see more. I dont know why it's so blah but i cant help but blame the city. Why aren't they doing more?

And yes im sure the fact that it's not a pristine white neighborhood is another reason that people arent interested. So typical of this city.

Why does the responsibility always have to lay on the city. What about the long-term residents that can't be bothered to better even their own property let alone neighborhood.

[Tglode]

Hi Everyone,

Hyde Park is just one the the places we are looking. In a dream world we would live in Jamaica Plain but we are not even close to being able to afford it. We will be looking in West Roxbury, Roslindale, Dedham, Norwood, and Hyde Park. It is going to be about the right house at the right time. We are very lucky that we don't have to think about the school system since our kids can go where I work.

In the end, I don't think we can afford to live anywhere we absolutely love. The places we can afford all seem great but far from perfect.

We are worried about the commute from Norwood to both Weston and Northeastern where my wife works. We don't want that to be too long.

Thanks so much again!

Trevor

[Whatsnext75]

'What about the long-term residents that can't be bothered to better even their own property let alone neighborhood'

Agree with this also. It seems like the long time residents dont want anything new or nice in the area because they are worried about traffic.

[BostonBornMassMade]

Originally Posted by Whatsnext75

Right it seems like people on this board want something that just doesn't exist. They want cheaper alternatives but dont like what the alternatives are. Cleary sq is not nice but when the prices are as low as they are in hp what do you expect?? If it was nice it's likely that it would also be more expensive to live there. And they have a few good places in the sq but it would be nice to see more. I dont know why it's so blah but i cant help but blame the city. Why aren't they doing more?

And yes im sure the fact that it's not a pristine white neighborhood is another reason that people arent interested. So typical of this city.

What in gods name is so bad about Cleary square?? Yes there's few vacant stop regrant but they're not boarded up or anything. Still viable normal stores there, what wrong with it???

[Whatsnext75]

Just look at other sqaures in boston....cleary sq sucks. Even ashmont is getting some high end grocery store, provisions or something. Cleary sq has family dollar, some discount clothing shop, a convenience store I wouldn't set foot in. The nicest parts of it is Antonios bacaros which hasnt even been there a year and fairmount grill. The place is just weird.