Young couple considering move to Boston area (Cambridge, Quincy: real estate, condo) - Massachusetts (MA) - City-Data Forum

jess_rene · 08-16-2009, 12:22 PM

Hi all! My husband and I are going to have to relocate for his job in a couple of years and are beginning our search early to find the best place for us. I've been reading through the posts on this thread, and everyone seems very helpful, so I was hoping for some input. Here's my situation:

If we move, my husband will be working for one of the hospitals in Boston, and one of the requirements of his job will be that he will have to be able to get to the hospital on about a 30 minute notice. That being said, we are hoping for a suburb or neighborhood that would allow a commute of this time, and are fine using public transit. We don't have kids, so we aren't worried about school systems, but since he will be working at all hours of the day and night, I really want to live in a neighborhood where I will feel safe. We want either a single family home or townhouse/rowhouse/condo that would have a backyard (we have dogs). Here's the tricky part: our budget is only 300k. From looking on real estate websites, we realize that this will get us into a house that needs some TLC, and we are perfectly fine with that.

OK, so, in summary:
30 minute commute to hospital district using either car or public transit
Safe area
Backyard
300k- fixer ok

Is this completely unreasonable? I'm also interested in knowing what taxes are like in the area? In general, what is cost of living compared to other parts of the country? We would be on about a 100k income, what type of lifestyle would that afford us in the Boston area compared to other areas of the country? We have never lived on the east coast, always the midwest, so this would be a complete change for us.

Thanks in advance... I really appreciate any help you all can offer!

Urban Peasant · 08-16-2009, 01:44 PM

Which hospital may I ask is your husband working at? I can give you further info if you tell where the location of the hospital is.

Boston is still a very expensive city for newcomers to live in as I tell everyone. Generally speaking, much of the East Coast is more expensive than the Midwest but then salaries are higher on average to make up for it. 100k should suffice but again, you can only find houses worth only 300k in certain areas here.

shiver · 08-17-2009, 08:37 AM

It would really depend on what hospital your husband works at. There are a number of hospitals in the city of Boston, but they are all spread out (MGH, BMC, NEMC and the Longwood area hosps) in completely different parts of the city. What would be near a 30 min commute to MGH could take 50 min to the Brigham in Longwood. You also have the Cambridge Hospitals.

For example, Quincy would be a good choice for MGH and BMC. Maybe West Roxbury for the Longwood area.

The Boston metro area has a high cost of living mainly due to the expensive housing costs. Boston is always in the top 10 most expensive US cities, but it's certainly no NYC. 100K will give you a comfortable lifestyle, but you won't be living the high life. However, obviously a lot of it depends on what other debt you have.

Your husband should consider the suburban hospitals if they offer his position. If I absolutely needed to get to work within 30 min on short notice, I'd want to live as close as possible because public transportation isn't always predictable the farther out you live. You'll probably have more housing options to live close to the suburban hospitals and you can probably drive.

jess_rene · 08-18-2009, 04:40 PM

He would be at MGH.

DreamworksSKG · 08-23-2009, 01:38 AM

Do you have to drive in? Or would you consider a commute via subway or commuter rail ? or bus-subway combo?
there's a lot of options if you don't mind a non car commute
and its better than driving anyway

IMHO

Urban Peasant · 08-23-2009, 10:57 AM

Right now, I am thinking Revere may be a good fit. MGH is not far from Bowdoin Station on the Blue Line and that rapid transit line will take you right to Revere in quick time. Parts of East Boston should work too.

On the other side, Arlington and Medford are good fits but are more expensive. West Somerville might also work. You will have to shop around for an affordable place though.

xS☺B☺s · 08-28-2009, 03:21 PM

MGH is on the Red Line. You could live anywhere on the Red Line and commute conveniently. You could also live along the North Commuter rail lines or Orange Line and walk from North Station to the hospital. Go to MBTA.com and explore places along those rails. Other lines will force a connection at Park St station so it will add time to your travel.

lausaw · 08-28-2009, 07:17 PM

I would suggest West Roxbury...it has beautiful neaigborhoods, lowest crime rate in the city and close to MGH. It is minutes from the commuter rail.

xS☺B☺s · 08-29-2009, 01:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lausaw

I would suggest West Roxbury...it has beautiful neaigborhoods, lowest crime rate in the city and close to MGH. It is minutes from the commuter rail.

Sorry, but I'd have to disagree. Everything lausaw says is true except the part about being close to MGH. To get there, you'd have to take the Commuter Rail then switch to the red Line at South Station. Or you'd have to drive. Otherwise, yes it could fit the bill. Honestly though I'd say stick with north of the city. MGH is on the north side of BOS.

lausaw · 08-29-2009, 03:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bostonian08

Sorry, but I'd have to disagree. Everything lausaw says is true except the part about being close to MGH. To get there, you'd have to take the Commuter Rail then switch to the red Line at South Station. Or you'd have to drive. Otherwise, yes it could fit the bill. Honestly though I'd say stick with north of the city. MGH is on the north side of BOS.

Its a 25 minute drive...not far at all and a great neighborhood.