Quincy neighborhood advice (Boston, Milton, Norwell: home, safe area, public schools)

[almarques7]

Need some advice on different areas in quincy. We are a couple in our mid twenties (living in southie now) looking to get away from the city but not be too far away. Looking to be in walking distance of the red line so we are thinking north quincy wollaston areas. What would you guys suggest for a area in quincy for a couple in their twenties? are these two areas safe to walk around at night, to and from the T? how about the montclair area, what is that like?

Thanks

[massnative71]

Originally Posted by almarques7

Need some advice on different areas in quincy. We are a couple in our mid twenties (living in southie now) looking to get away from the city but not be too far away. Looking to be in walking distance of the red line so we are thinking north quincy wollaston areas. What would you guys suggest for a area in quincy for a couple in their twenties? are these two areas safe to walk around at night, to and from the T? how about the montclair area, what is that like?

Thanks

I'd say Wollaston is preferable to N. Quincy as far as a more suburban feel and only one stop further out on the red line.

[goyguy]

^What s/he said.
Wollaston is a larger and decidedly more walkable section of the city than is North Quincy. Whenever I make my occasional foray out there for good eats at Fuji on Hancock St, I enjoy ambling along the side streets east of Hancock and around Eastern Nazarene College. They're all so shady and peaceful. Yet you have the easy Red Line access AND are close to the beach. And if you're still inclined to rock out from time to time, the clubs along Quincy Shore Dr come alive once it gets warm outside. Plus there's Marina Bay not too far up the road, where things really jump when summer rolls around.

Unless you're firmly fixated on Quincy, a tranquil yet convenient neighborhood within Boston is the "OTB" (Over the Bridge) section of Dorchester's Savin Hill. You'd leave the noise and density of South Boston behind AND have one of my favorite breakfast places (McKenna's) to enjoy. Red Line station? Check. Places to eat and hang out at night? Done. (The Banshee Pub, Indian and Vietnamese restaurants among others.) Major shopping? All set. (Shaw's by JFK/UMass Station, big-box stores at South Bay Center.)

I lived in Quincy (Adams Shore) and have known numerous folks who hail from there, yet have never heard mention of a neighborhood called Montclair.

[lz1982]

Montclair is west of Newport Avenue between N. Quincy and Wollaston. Montclair Elementary is one of the public schools in town. There have been a number of late-night muggings in that area, targeting people coming home from the Red Line. But historically it has been a safe neighborhood, and hopefully they'll catch the handful of criminals causing the trouble.

I agree with goyguy; the area between Hancock and the beach is nice.

[xo_kizzy_xo]

Either one, to tell you the truth Wollaston overall does have a little more of a "suburban" feel to it than either North Quincy or Montclair, but there are definitely pockets of suburbia in both the latter two. Part of Montclair abuts East Milton, which has historically been a very safe area.

[NewfieMama]

I admittedly don't know Wollaston very well, so that might be your best bet, but wanted to throw Quincy Center out as an option. I feel like there are some good restaurants at Quincy Center (I still make the drive from Norwell to Kagawa because I love their sushi). It's obviously farther down the red line, but I feel like everything you need is concentrated in one area.

[massnative71]

Originally Posted by NewfieMama

I admittedly don't know Wollaston very well, so that might be your best bet, but wanted to throw Quincy Center out as an option. I feel like there are some good restaurants at Quincy Center (I still make the drive from Norwell to Kagawa because I love their sushi). It's obviously farther down the red line, but I feel like everything you need is concentrated in one area.

Quincy Center is more urban and comes with the extra crime/blight/riff-raff nearby. There are a few nice streets on the fringe and wouldn't rule it out completely, but despite it's urban conveniences I don't consider it to be a desirable living area like Wollaston or even N. Quincy.

[mdovell]

Keep in mind that quincy center used to be big...pre internet..pre malls...pre highways. They are going to do that one billion dollar project so I think it's hard to judge it on what it will be later.

[DreamworksSKG]

I'd say Wollaston, Close to the beach and there's a "T" Stop there.

[umbdude]

I think there are more choices to live surrounding the Wollaston area. But both North Quincy and Wollaston are safe to walk at night. It's particularly nice in the summer when you can go for walks by the Wollaston beach.