Another neighborhood/suburb recommendation thread

[Canamlian]

This is great, thanks everyone. Will definitely look more into the recommended areas.

Are there specific areas I should focus on in Cambridge? It looks like a big place.

[kingeorge]

Originally Posted by Canamlian

This is great, thanks everyone. Will definitely look more into the recommended areas.

Are there specific areas I should focus on in Cambridge? It looks like a big place.

Having young baby you will need deleaded place. This is something to learn about before the move. You will be limited in options in that regard, and quite frankly look all over the place because those unleaded or new units are more competitive and go quickly, in general. See something you like, be ready to write the check on the spot. Cast wide net, and see what shakes.

West Cambridge with Huron Ave, Garden, Walden, Linnaean area is full of two and three families with many young parents around. One of the pricier and more family oriented neighborhoods in Cambridge.

Porter Sq. is very popular neighborhood with more DINK's, although lately, strollers are emerging everywhere. It is very convenient and safe neighborhood.

Davis Sq. is is very close to Porter, and it is technically in Somerville. It is very hip with many students and fewer families mixed in. Super walkable but noisy as well.

Harvard Sq. is an ultimate address, albeit bustling with students, locals and tourists, and anything along Mass Ave on both sides toward Porter Sq. is great (although still somewhat youngish with students mixed in due to schools nearby).

Kendall area has some hip places and things to do, but caters to young folks without kids mostly. Central Sq. and Cambridgeport used to be little less desirable and rough around the edges, but that is changing. I am not too often there to be able to tell you better.

North Cambridge area near Arlington (which is also great town to consider) is emerging but might have some residual petty crime and is not as polished as some other parts.

In general Cambridge is very progressive cosmopolitan city with very sought after and expensive RE even in the areas that were traditionally low end workers housing, in less desirable neighborhoods.

Do not forget that magic phrase is "certified deleaded apartment" when you search for your new place to live. Landlords of unleaded units will not let baby in, for fear of litigation, although lead poisoning is quite rare nowadays.

But, lead law mandates that kids under six can only rent deleaded units, which can cost a lot to do and get the certificate. Law also says that landlords should not discriminate against families with young kids, despite the fact that many can not afford to move you out and delead to state mandated standard. So, good intentions made for a peculiar situation in regards to renting with young kids state-wide. Anything built after 1977 should be OK.

[bkt1984]

I forgot about the issue of lead-based pain. That's a good point with a little one and definitely makes things trickier. But in terms of where to live in Cambridge, most of it is great. In addition to the suggestions above, I would look at the Agassiz neighborhood (the triangle-ish shaped area bounded by Mass Ave, Kirkland, and Beacon), Mid-Cambridge (the area between Central and Harvard Squares), and the Inman Square area.

I agree with the kingeorge's assessment of North Cambridge and would add that that part of town is definitely less walkable, and puts you further from Boston, especially if have to walk a ways to get to the T stops at Alewife or Porter.

West Cambridge, while beautiful, is even less walkable (plenty of lovely walks to be taken, just not ones that will land you in commercial areas for food, drink, etc. as quickly as other areas). Some areas of West Cambridge could even be a pain without a car. It has a little bit more of a suburban feel to it (relatively speaking), which could be a plus or a draw-back depending on your preferences.

For the sake of general convenience, I would start by using Harvard and Mass Ave as a loose boundary and go east from there. That said, there are definitely places I would prefer to live in Cambridge, but few I would refuse to.

[Canamlian]

double post

[Canamlian]

Thanks for the heads up about deleaded apartments. Sounds like it'll be a pain in the ass. I've never heard of that anywhere else, even in other cities with old housing (NYC and Philly).

I thought I was going to try to do this without a broker, but that extra layer of complexity makes me think it'll be worth it to pay someone to help wade through those issues.

[kingeorge]

Originally Posted by Canamlian

Thanks for the heads up about deleaded apartments. Sounds like it'll be a pain in the ass. I've never heard of that anywhere else, even in other cities with old housing (NYC and Philly).

I thought I was going to try to do this without a broker, but that extra layer of complexity makes me think it'll be worth it to pay someone to help wade through those issues.

It might be smart to get someone, but only. and only after you can not see any deleaded apartments posted. In your price range places are more often OK and renovated, than not.

But I have warned you just so you understand this situation with lead. If someone doesn't return your calls there is a good chance they can not tell you that you can not move in with a kid, so there is a policy of avoidance by landlords who are unable to accommodate young families. Do not waste time, and move onto next.

Again, your price range is healthy enough that it might be mute point, and easier to find something then you think right now. If you told me you can not go above $1500 for two beds , that would be lot more painful process, and my heart goes out to young parents who do have low budgets for this area.

BTW, NYC has lead, but they are less hysteric about it. If it place is painted over with new windows and doors (lead dust is the worst not from walls but old doors and windows), and no paint is chipping, state is not hassling landlords to renovate, and they can rent freely as they please. What we have in MA is lot more dysfunctional, and painful for all involved.

[495neighbor]

I would recommend the Strawberry Hill or Cambridge Highlands areas of Cambridge around the Fresh Pond reservoir. Many young parents pushing strollers and taking walks with little ones around the Pond. The Pond itself is paved with many entry and exit points. Walkers can exit the path to go to the Fresh Pond Mall or Trader Joe's or Star Market on the Watertown end.

The area near Belmont Street tends to have older homes. Since so many young families live in that neighborhood undoubtedly some are updated. There are newer townhomes closer to the Concord Street side that may have some rental units.