Grad student heading to Boston. Help! (Boylston: apartment, neighborhoods, school)

[ashlie89]

Hello,
I am a graduate student who may be attending Emerson College this fall. I plan on spending about $1100-1300 a month for a studio apartment, and I've been looking in Beacon Hill, South End, Fenway and Back Bay.
In your opinion, which area would a grad student be better suited, especially a grad student who wants a peaceful, quiet neighborhood? I want to avoid the undergrad scene, if possible. My pet peeve is loud, thumping bass all day and night.
Also, are there specific streets in the above areas that I should really focus on or avoid?

Thanks in advance!

[lavieestbelle]

Beacon Hill is nice and wouldn't be a bad walk to campus (or super short T ride). You could definitely find a studio there within that price range and it's a nice, quiet area. Very picturesque, too.

[xS☺B☺s]

Originally Posted by ashlie89

Hello,
I am a graduate student who may be attending Emerson College this fall. I plan on spending about $1100-1300 a month for a studio apartment, and I've been looking in Beacon Hill, South End, Fenway and Back Bay.
In your opinion, which area would a grad student be better suited, especially a grad student who wants a peaceful, quiet neighborhood? I want to avoid the undergrad scene, if possible. My pet peeve is loud, thumping bass all day and night.
Also, are there specific streets in the above areas that I should really focus on or avoid?

Thanks in advance!

Beacon Hill is mostly all quiet and yes, a lovely walk through the park to school, although it will occasionally be slippery in the winter. Back Bay is great, avoid Boylston or Newbury to avoid honking horns, and never live directly in front of a traffic light. Fenway is probably too far. The East Fens is all noise and the West Fens is a half mile walk to the T - then a 4 stop T ride on the pokey crowded Green Line. South End - any side streets off Columbus is okay but much farther will be inconvenient. The T service is less convenient in the South End.

Best Bet - Beacon Hill or Back Bay East of Copley Sq North of Newbury.

[MovingForward]

If I were you, I wouldn't live in any of those neighborhoods. I'd look for an apartment near Central Square, Porter Square, or Davis Square: all are on the Red Line subway, direct to Park Street (Emerson), and a 10-15 minute train ride tops.

[ashlie89]

Thank you, guys! As always, your insight is wonderful.