Thinking of moving to Boston. Film Student. (Brookline, Washington: apartment, leases)

[Jnugo]

I am a film student from northern California, near Sacramento. I love music (garage bands, art rock, creative energy), independent film, and interesting people. Im not a big sports fan (although hockey and soccer are pretty freaking awesome), and im not big on history.

Im looking for another place to live for the current area i am living in is stagnating. Even though i like alot of the people in it, there isn't a lot of change. Here rent is VERY CHEAP like 250-300 including utilities. I am understanding that boston is alot more expensive, but im wondering how is the night life? Are there a lot of concerts, and other places to socialize? How would the job market be? I have a very large background of working the IT field.
So a quick stat would be
-early to mid twenties male.
-single
-Very eclectic music tastes
-Loves independent film
-Wants to hang out with a crowd around the same age
-Alot of IT experience.
-Likes to Rock climb (so a gym with a wall would be a definite plus, but not necessary)
-Is used to open minded art oriented people, and or philosophy majors.

The two areas i was looking into were, Brookline and Emerson. How is the early to mid twenties scene in this area? Any other areas that i should look into and or suggestions?

[AnonChick]

Emerson isn't an area. It's a college. Brookline is great but good luck finding reasonable rents there, unless you find a couple of roommates and share a 2-bed flat (with 2 of you bunking up).

Emerson now sort of between Park and Chinatown (it was on Beacon Street when I went there). In all my years living in Boston, I never actually went to Chinatown. Back then (in the early-mid-80's) it wasn't a safe area for a woman to walk into by herself. Once you were there it wan't so bad - but the walk getting from Boston Commons to Chinatown was risky. From what I've heard, it's been fixed up very nicely and is now pretty awesome. The only problem, is that with awesome, comes high rents.

However again - if you can get roommates, you could try finding something in Back Bay near the Public Garden, and you'll be within walking distance of almost everything Boston has to offer (and the subway stations to get you to places too far to walk).

The trick to living successfully in Boston as a young single person, is roommates. Screen them VERY well, or find a reputable service to do it for you. And look over leases carefully before signing them; remember any lease -can- be adjusted, but if it isn't in writing, it doesn't count.

[Jnugo]

Well my school is in brookline, are there close area's with cheaper rent? Thats not shady?

I kind of have to find a place with roomates i cant afford not to. More than likely ill be sharing a room?

[Cantabridgienne]

Allston seems like it would be more your speed than Brookline....

[AnonChick]

If you can find someplace on the Brighton side of Allston-Brighton you should be fine. If you pull up a map of Brighton, MA, you'll see Parsons Street, Washington Street, and Forester. Washington will run east-west. Anywhere near that area and west, or that area and south, should be affordable and liveable (liveable = you shouldn't expect to get robbed, however you'd want to lock your doors anyway since this -is- afterall part of a city). It's mostly working class, and when I lived there, it had a very diverse cultural mix, with several families recently immigrated from Ireland (thick accents, it was like listening to windchimes, very lovely) and India (windchimes with cinnamon). There are lots of pubs - this isn't a big "saturday night dance hiphop" type of area, it's sleepier than that.

The bus and subway are both within walking distance, and there's an express bus that runs once an hour directly to downtown Boston.

Newtown Corner used to be liveable as well, and far less expensive than Brookline.

Just remember the further away, the fewer apartment buildings, more 2 and 3-family houses, less traffic, less college crowd, less noise, and longer ride to downtown. Definitely more residential, but still with the city feel.

[hockeykid34]

Bostons perfect, as long as ur a bruins fan lol