Should I move near the orange line? Where else should I look? (Newton: insurance)

[Tever]

I'm currently in Newton, but looking to move next fall. I'm trying to brainstorm about where I should look. Here's the relevant info about me:

I'm a law student at BC (that's the Newton campus). I have a car and plan on driving to and from school everyday. The car is registered in Colorado and I really don't want to get Mass plates and insurance, so I want to avoid sticker parking if at all possible. I'll be graduating from law school soon and likely working downtown, so I need to be able to get there relatively easily. I also want easy access to the Providence commuter rail, since my girlfriend lives in Providence. I know--such competing requirements. I'm thinking somewhere off the orange line would be great, preferably between Back Bay and Forest Hills. Somewhere within walking distance of the Back Bay or Ruggles stops would be ideal due to rail access, but parking problems and high rents could nix that idea. Any comments or ideas would be appreciated.

[maggiekate]

Originally Posted by Tever

I'm currently in Newton, but looking to move next fall. I'm trying to brainstorm about where I should look. Here's the relevant info about me:

I'm a law student at BC (that's the Newton campus). I have a car and plan on driving to and from school everyday. The car is registered in Colorado and I really don't want to get Mass plates and insurance, so I want to avoid sticker parking if at all possible. I'll be graduating from law school soon and likely working downtown, so I need to be able to get there relatively easily. I also want easy access to the Providence commuter rail, since my girlfriend lives in Providence. I know--such competing requirements. I'm thinking somewhere off the orange line would be great, preferably between Back Bay and Forest Hills. Somewhere within walking distance of the Back Bay or Ruggles stops would be ideal due to rail access, but parking problems and high rents could nix that idea. Any comments or ideas would be appreciated.

jamacia plain , roslindale, west roxbury come to my mind

[CaseyB]

How about Hyde Park? You would be on the rail line for both downtown and to Providence.

[Tever]

Hmmm...I thought briefly about the Hyde Park area. I think it's a little farther out than I want to be, but it could be an affordable option. On the pro side, it seems like it'd be cheaper than being further in and parking shouldn't be a problem. On the con side, I'd likely have to drive to the rail station and fight for/pay for parking anytime I wanted to go into the city, plus the train schedule is less flexible than the orange line.

What is Hyde Park actually like? I've been by it on the commuter rail, and it looks a little seedy. Then again, I've never heard an unkind word about the place. In fact, I've never heard *anything* about it.

Do any of you know know what it'd be like to commute to Newton from Hyde Park to Newton versus commuting from Jamaica Plain/Ruggles/Northeastern University area? Google maps seems to suggest that it's 20 min. from any orange line stop between Back Bay and Forest Hills to my school's campus in Newton. It also says it's 24 minutes from Hyde Park. I doubt any of that is on the mark when traffic enters the picture.

[Tever]

Johnnycakes--I'm sorry this wasn't clear from my posts, but my plan is to ditch the car once I'm working downtown, as I'll no longer need it. So long as I am a student, I'm not legally obligated to change my plates or residency. Why would I bother changing the registration for a measly year? So I can pay higher insurance? No thanks.