South Boston or South End? (Needham: apartment, renting, homes)

[Vermolas]

I currently live in Needham but after college im gonna be buying an apartment and im undisided by south Boston or the South End. If South Boston is the case i was thinking of something on Broadway on Telegraph hill. IF South End is the case then somewhere on or around Massachussetts avenue. Any Suggestions?

[xS☺B☺s]

Southie is a bit more isolated - cut off by 93. It has the advantage of Castle Island and Carson Beach. South End is more convenient to Back Bay and most of the nice neighborhoods. There is still quite a strong ghetto factor around Mass Ave in the South End. Also traffic is quite dangerous to pedestrians. Block by block can make a huge difference, and so does exactly who will be your upstairs or downstairs neighbors. Both places have their merits and liabilities. I'd say neither neighborhood is significantly better or worse than the other, you'll need to decide more specifically on the exactly property and immediate neighbors.

[shiver]

I wouldn't want to live directly on Mass Ave. It's a such a busy road and you're going to hear sirens at all hours being right next to Boston Medical Center. Renting is one thing, but I'd be wary of buying in that location. You're limiting resale potential because a lot of people probably have the same hesitations as I do.

The South End and South Boston are very different. It depends on what you're looking for. Although, you will probably get more for your money in South Boston.

[snatale1]

This is what I can tell you, I've lived in Boston my whole life (many different neighborhoods over the years). I wouldn't live in either one, Southie does have some really nice areas, they are extremely over priced, but nice. Southie is very popular with out of college kids buying there first homes and tranplants from the burbs that want to live in "the city". IF you live in a descent area of Southie you will not have Red Line access which is important to some. But if your young and want to live in a busy place where there 10 bars within 10 ft go for it!

The South End is tricky, YES there are beautiful brownstones and nice mini neighborhoods but remember the South End IS Roxbury and your usaully not far from crap. You want to be NOWHERE near Boston Medical and tremont st is no prize either, the sidestreets of tremont and columbus are usaully descent but pay close attention to where you move. In the South End's defense it does get a little nicer every year and the and the South End / Dudly border shrinks a little every year due to people putting money into the neighborhood and creating new apt bldgs of a higher class.