South Asian/Indian family relocating from Houston to Boston (Brockton: apartment complexes, for rent)

[Youzee]

Hello everyone!

I will be relocating to Boston near Harvard medical school with my 4 year old from Houston, TX and looking to rent for now. Are there any less expensive neighborhoods that are safe, within 15 miles of Boston with good elementary schools? AND perhaps with a diversity of South Asian community?

[jmc82789]

I am from the Boston area and there is really no cheap place to live that is why I am looking to relocate, if you want something somewhat reasonable you have to go to the north shore or the south shore. It is a very culturally diverse city with people from all over the world that go to school and work here so I am sure you will fit right in. I am not very familiar with the north shore but most of the cities on the south shore are good and safe except you probably want to stay away from Brockton as there is a lot of crime. Hope this helps!

[timberline742]

What is your budget? Less and more expensive are all relative, but nothing is cheap.

[G-fused]

Originally Posted by timberline742

What is your budget? Less and more expensive are all relative, but nothing is cheap.

+1. What do you consider less expensive?

The # of bedrooms you want and your budget would help us tell you "no, you won't find anything within 15 miles for that budget".

Edit: and 15 miles can be deceptive. 15 miles in one location can take a lot longer than 15 miles an another. So it would help to tell us the commute time you are willing to tolerate and if you'll be driving or using public transportation.

[Youzee]

Looking for a 2 BR/ 2 bath and budget is about $2000-$2300. Sorry about being vague in the description, I have never been to Boston before, will be driving mostly since I have a car. I was looking at Malden, Waltham, Quincy areas but need suggestions since my priority is a good elementary school (atleast 8/10) for my 4 year old.

[robr2]

Burlington, MA would fit your budget (Burlington Apartments - Apartment for Rent in Burlington, MA | Avalon Communities). It has good schools and about 13% of the town population is Indian/South Asian and markets and restaurants targeted at your ethnicity.

The commute to Harvard Medical School in the Longwood area won't be much fun by car but there is a commuter bus that gets into the city and then you would have to rely on train or Hubway (bike sharing).

[Russbosma]

Welcome to Boston. I happen to run a small moving service that specializes in moving Indian clients, over 500 of them in the past few years, many of them regular customers and some almost friends. Therefore, I know many apartment complexes in the area where Indians live. We go to the same places all the time. Of course, I don't know exactly what the prices are, just how nice they seem. Likewise, no idea about the schools but generally higher income areas have better schools. The ones you mentioned, Malden, Quincy, and Waltham are all popular with our clients. They are all decent, historically working class areas. Burlington, if you could afford it, would actually be ideal. More middle class. Most Indians per capita. Or Woburn, the next town over, which has a few complexes that are majority Indian and look relatively inexpensive. If you can figure out what areas you are most interested in, I can give you the names of some complexes. (I have the local addresses of hundreds of Indians on my phone) But are you planning to drive to work? Do you have somewhere to park there? That's not the easiest spot to get to by public transportation. Often, the best alternative is to drive to a T Station like Alewife or Wellington, and take the train from there, but not being downtown or in Harvard Square makes it tough. Let me know what your top questions are by tonight. We are moving an Indian family tomorrow from Malden to a new house in Hopkinton. (Our 4th Indian family to buy a house in that development) I can ask them whatever you want, and also see how much the empty apartment is and what's happening with it. So where are you at with this?

[Youzee]

Yes, planning to drive to work and so far will be paying for the parking. Im looking to move in maybe a month or two from now but just wanted to get a general idea of areas with good schools, atleast a good elementary school for now. So far, among Quincy, Waltham and Malden, Quincy seems to be the only area with 1-2 good elementary schools, but i maybe wrong since I have never been to Boston and dont really know much about the school districts. Have yet to research on Burlington.

[G-fused]

+1 on Burlington but personally, I wouldn't want that commute. OP, will you be commuting in during regular business hrs or off times?

I'd consider Newton if you can find a place in your price range. Top schools, better commute, not a large Indian population though.

Best of luck.

[Youzee]

Yes will be commuting during regular business hrs most of the days. Will check out Newton. Thanks!