The 1,000,001 question about moving to Boston! (Cambridge, Quincy: apartments, rental, transfer to)

[78Record]

Hi everyone,

I will be moving to Boston in June to start a new job. Here's a little about me, I'm 30+, single, no kids. My office will be in Back Bay, by Boylston Street. I own a car and will be taking it with me (I love long drives on the weekends) and won't mind commuting =< 30 minutes. I've lived in NYC, Miami, Orlando, DC Area (Northern VA), and I'm now in Syracuse, NY. I would love your suggestions about good places to live within a $2,000 - $2,500 rental budget (I prefer apartments). Additionally, I'm active Navy Reserves and would be attached to the closest Reserve NOSC in that area. A friend told me that with an active military ID you ride the MBTA for free? I received some suggestions for some area. What do you think? Travel time? Safe for a single woman?

Cambridge
Brookline
North Quincy
Jamaica Plan
Everett
Newton
Weymouth

I'm not a party girl but I do enjoy an evening out dancing once in a while. I'm single so dating is a possibility.
Looking forward to hearing from you guys. Thanks!

[tysmith95]

North Weymouth and Newton are more suburban than the others that you listed. Weymouth middle class surburban, Newton wealthier (and more expensive) Everett is mostly working class. Cambridge is probably the nicest, but the most expensive and not the easiest to the Back Bay unless you drive. Brookline is very nice, but you need off street parking to keep a car there (no street parking allowed).

For a 2k to 2.5k budget, I'd try to stick with a place that has a single ride commute. It sucks having to change to different trains/busses, and doubles your chance of a delay.

So I'd recommend JP for you. I'd also take a look at Brighton or Watertown (express busses to the Back Bay). Unless you wanna spend 400 a month on parking. My sister lives in Brighton and loves it, it's probably the safest feeling you can get while still living in the city.

[bjimmy24]

+1 brighton

[redplum33]

Brookline. You can find a 1 bed with a parking space for $2500.

[MassVt]

Originally Posted by tysmith95

North Weymouth and Newton are more suburban than the others that you listed. Weymouth middle class surburban, Newton wealthier (and more expensive) Everett is mostly working class. Cambridge is probably the nicest, but the most expensive and not the easiest to the Back Bay unless you drive. Brookline is very nice, but you need off street parking to keep a car there (no street parking allowed).

For a 2k to 2.5k budget, I'd try to stick with a place that has a single ride commute. It sucks having to change to different trains/busses, and doubles your chance of a delay.

So I'd recommend JP for you. I'd also take a look at Brighton or Watertown (express busses to the Back Bay). Unless you wanna spend 400 a month on parking. My sister lives in Brighton and loves it, it's probably the safest feeling you can get while still living in the city.

Cambridgde is perfectly fine, transit-wise. Take the Red Line to Park, and transfer to the Green Line for about 3 stops. Very easy..

[bjimmy24]

I dont take the red line, but knowing a number of people who do, it seems like having red line issues is at least a weeklyoccurrence. Neverheard of any troubles with express bus from Brighton though.

[Urban Peasant]

Brighton, Jamaica Plain, Roslindale and even Watertown may be good options.

[porterhouse]

Originally Posted by bjimmy24

I dont take the red line, but knowing a number of people who do, it seems like having red line issues is at least a weekly occurance.

Either that or people just like to complain nowadays, and have better platforms to do so.

[78Record]

Thanks for your input everyone. I know that for my move in date in June more than likely will see increases in the rental prices. I'm thinking that April should a good time 60 days out of preferred move-in date.

[bjimmy24]

Originally Posted by porterhouse

Either that or people just like to complain nowadays, and have better platforms to do so.

Possibly. But working at an office located quite near a red line station and noticing when people are late, it's not hard for me to imagine that the red line might not be reliable all the time.